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January 16, 2023

On board Seabourn Venture between Peru and Chile, to discover an unusual and exclusive itinerary but also to learn more about Seabourn Cruise Line‘s new Expedition class.

Seabourn Venture represents a new generation of ships for the luxury brand Seabourn Cruise Line. The U.S.-based company has already been offering expedition itineraries for years, with cruises to Northern Europe and Antarctica, but the new class of ships certainly offers an extra edge to provide an even more exciting experience.

We tried Seabourn Venture‘s services during an itinerary in Peru and Chile, full of interesting stops to discover cities such as Lima, Arequipa, Santiago, and especially fascinating landscapes rich in history, such as the Atacama Desert, Humberstone, and La Serena. Called The Humboldt Route, our route south also gave us the opportunity to discover the local wildlife, with interesting close encounters with Humboldt penguins, many species of birds, as well as sea lions.

The stay in Lima organized by Seabourn, at the Country Club Hotel, made it possible not only to relax before embarkation, but also to have time to discover Peru’s capital city, rich in charm and contrasts. The historic center, clearly colonial in character, retains the rhythm of yesteryear, surrounded on the outside by an endless succession of modern neighborhoods. Some less attractive but others, like Miraflores, overlooking the cliffs and always bustling with people and events. Also useful in discovering the city was the overnight embarkation, which allowed us to continue our sightseeing even after our first overnight stay on board.

Leaving Lima, we begin to get acquainted with Seabourn Venture, appreciating its warm and welcoming interior, and experiencing the restaurants and services on board. We get to know the Expedition Staff, a key component to the success of the voyage, composed of a number of experts in various fields, from ornithology to volcanology, as well as geologists, historians, photographers, and many young people enthusiastic about discovering many new landscapes together with the guests.

The first port of call is already very busy. Docked in General San Martin, we discover the beautiful Ballestas Islands in the morning with a boat cruise accompanied by local expert staff. Islands famous for guano, home to thousands of birds but also sea lions and penguins. In the afternoon it is the incredible landscapes of the Reserva Nacional de Paracas that amaze us, suspended between the sea and the Lagunillas Desert. We could not miss a stop at Bodega 1615, producer of Pisco, to discover on the spot the processing of the grapes and the whole tradition of this Peruvian distillate.

A day at sea serves to relax and learn more about Seabourn Venture, appreciating its spa, the good sushi served at The Club and the selection of wines always available. The next day, climbing to Matarani, we have a long excursion that crosses the Atacama Desert to discover beautiful Arequipa. We discover alpaca wool processing, the convent of Santa Catalina, and stroll through the Plaza de Armas with its large cathedral. A dip into the history of colonial Peru that is juxtaposed with so much nature discovered along the way.

Seabourn‘s new ship, continuing south, then climbed to Arica, still in the context of the Atacama Desert. We arrived in Chile and wandered down to the small village of Codpa, where time seems to stand still. After ritual with the shaman, a lunch of local cuisine, an overlook at the tiny but interesting museum, and back aboard Seabourn Venture.

The next day’s excursion in Iquique is to Humberstone, an old saltpeter mining center, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling along what remains of a ghost town has a unique charm: from work areas to recreation areas, one can imagine the more than three thousand workers and their families who spent years and years here. After a good lunch on board there remains time for a stroll through downtown Iquique, before enjoying the sunset on board, pampered by aperitifs and small bites.

Antofagasta, the largest city on the Chilean coast, offers many other excursion options. Among sea lions and cormorants, we reach Pesquero Pier for an authentic seafood lunch in the heart of the fishing district.

The last stop on this South American itinerary is Coquimbo, where thanks in part to the overnight stay we are able to discover many different faces of this Chilean area. The boat excursion to Isla Choros and Isla Damas takes us back to the wild charm of these archipelagos, rich in wildlife and breathtaking scenery. La Serena, on the other hand, has the charm of a small colonial town, and Coquimbo entertains us with its clubs and nightlife.

A day’s sailing separates us from disembarkation, scheduled in San Antonio to then reach beautiful Santiago, also a city that combines its past with modern government buildings, wide pedestrian promenades, parks, and the fascinating Sanhattan, the financial district where the famous Sky Costanera, the tallest tower in South America, stands.

While not exactly an “expedition” itinerary, Seabourn Venture showed us that it is a ship of many resources, which will be able to offer its full potential on truly extreme routes. The submarine excursions, which were not possible to try, certainly enrich the on-board offerings, which together with excellent services, a truly capable and friendly staff, and the many environments available, makes Seabourn Cruise Line‘s new ship a true fleet upgrade.

Also don’t miss the Reportage, Photo Album, Video Tour and all Seabourn Venture Reviews on Cruising Journal, with opinions, tips, information and cruises on offer.

Gabriele Bassi

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