Seabourn: Submarine Cruise Excursions
Zodiacs and buses are the usual mode of transport for cruise excursions. But Seabourn offers excursions offshore… Underwater!
The Seabourn Venture and its sister ship Seabourn Pursuit carry three-man, one pilot, high-tech submersibles to ferry passengers around the undersea world and over the sea floor.
Built by Dutch U-boat Worx B.V, the mini-subs have upholstered, embroidered leather interiors, exterior lights, A/C, a Bluetooth sound system and a remote-controlled retrieving arm. They can go down to depth of 1000’( 300m) with a top underwater speed of three knots. License submarine pilot expedition leaders are at the controls while you take in the views and the wonders of the deep.
Seabourn Venture has operated over 200 submarine excursions and counting, exploring the waters and encountering sea life of both the Arctic and Antarctica.
Submarine Seabourn Venture
Passengers have encountered soft sponges, octopus, and ice fish and been frequently engulfed by ten thousands of krill. Seabourn Venture’s submarines have dived in Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system located on the eastern coast of Greenland. Guests explored the fjord walls to well over 250 meters and saw a part of the world that no human being had ever laid eyes on.
Seabourn Venture is not restricted to cold climates. The vessel’s submarines have also taken tropical dives, exploring the reefs of the Caribbean 180 meters below the surface.
Says a spokesperson for Seabourn: “ It is the ultimate luxury perk on the ultimate luxury expedition ships: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the wonders of the ocean floor in the comfort of a custom-built submarine.”
“To memorialize your time under the sea, the subs are outfitted with a high-tech, 4K underwater video camera system that will capture your underwater experience. The videos are screened in the Discovery Center for workshops and conversations with guests that are led by marine biologist or oceanographer Expeditions leaders.”.
Submarine Seabourn Venture
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit’s submarines are a high-profile amenity of its expedition capabilities. Itineraries where submarines may be deployed are indicated by an icon, however their use is limited by conditions of currents and visibility, cannot be guaranteed, and are at the Captain’s discretion.
All those lucky to have sailed in one of the subsea acrylic spheres say that the experience is far more exciting than quoits and unlike many shore excursion coach journeys, you don’t fall asleep after ten minutes.
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