Is a Luxury Arctic Expedition Cruise Worth the Price? Our Experience on the Seabourn Venture
Are you thinking about taking a luxury expedition cruise but wondering if it’s really worth the cost? We had the same question—until we experienced it ourselves.
In 2023, we sailed on our first Seabourn Expedition cruise to Antarctica, and it completely changed how we view cruising. It was hands down the best cruise experience we’ve ever had. We loved it so much that we booked another expedition with Seabourn almost immediately—this time heading north to the Arctic aboard the Seabourn Venture.
In this post, we’re walking you through our 7-day Arctic expedition to Svalbard, what life is like onboard the Seabourn Venture, what’s included, and whether we think the price is truly worth it.
Sailing the Arctic on the Seabourn Venture
The Seabourn Venture is a polar-rated luxury expedition ship with a maximum capacity of just 264 guests, which creates an intimate, personalized experience. Unlike traditional cruises, this voyage had no fixed itinerary. Each day, our expedition leader and ship captain determined where we’d go based on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife sightings.
Our journey focused on exploring the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, one of the most remote and wildlife-rich regions on Earth.
We flew into the tiny airport in Longyearbyen, where only a few planes arrive each day. After a brief tour of the town, we boarded the ship—and from the moment we stepped onboard, the experience felt effortless. Embarkation was smooth, and we were welcomed into our suite with a bottle of champagne waiting for us.
Our Veranda Suite: What the Base Room Is Really Like
On our Antarctica cruise, we were upgraded multiple times and ended up in a Signature Suite, which was massive. This time around, we stayed in a V3 Veranda Suite on Deck 6, giving us a great look at what the base-level accommodation is like.
Here’s the honest truth: even the “basic” suites on Seabourn feel luxurious.
Every suite has a private balcony—there are no interior rooms on the Venture.
The suite includes a seating area and sleeping area, which can be separated if needed.
The bathroom features both a bathtub and a spacious walk-in shower.
There’s plenty of storage throughout the room.
Most importantly, the level of service doesn’t change based on room category. Little details stood out—like our steward noticing we ordered sparkling water at dinner and stocking it in our room the next morning. Those thoughtful touches are exactly why we chose to sail with Seabourn again.
Ship Tour: Exploring the Seabourn Venture by Deck
Despite its smaller size, the Seabourn Venture offers plenty of spaces to relax, learn, and take in the Arctic scenery.
Deck 6: Bow Lounge & Seabourn Square
Two of our favorite spots on the ship.
Bow Lounge (open 24/7) offers snacks, tea, and real-time screens showing the ship’s location, weather, and ice conditions. It’s also the only access point to the bow—perfect when wildlife is spotted.
Seabourn Square is the heart of the ship, serving specialty coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go options. You can take your coffee to a lecture or out onto the heated deck to enjoy the views.
Standing on the bow as the ship cracked through Arctic ice was one of those unforgettable moments that still gives us chills.
Deck 3: The Landing Zone
This is where all daily Zodiac excursions and landings begin.
Guests are assigned color groups to keep excursions organized.
Each suite has its own boot cubby.
Expedition staff assist you every step of the way, from boarding Zodiacs to washing boots afterward.
The submersible hangar is also located here, though subs weren’t allowed on this Arctic voyage due to regulations (we used them in Antarctica).
Deck 4: Expedition Lounge, Discovery Center & Dining
This deck is the main hub of activity.
The Discovery Center hosts daily lectures led by polar scientists and wildlife experts.
The Expedition Lounge is used for briefings, fireside chats, and even late-night dance parties.
The main restaurant serves multi-course meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a more formal setting.
Each evening, we attended a daily briefing to learn where we might go the next day—often dictated by ice conditions and wildlife sightings.
Deck 5: The Colonnade, Patio & Guest Laundry
The Colonnade offers buffet and made-to-order breakfast and lunch, plus themed dinners and cocktail pairings.
There’s also a daily gelato bar, which we never missed.
The Patio features heated seating, hot tubs, and a heated infinity pool—and hosts special events like Caviar on Ice.
A huge perk: free self-service guest laundry, detergent included.
Decks 7–10: Fitness, Spa, Bridge & Views
Deck 7 houses the spa and fitness center (we’ll be honest—we were too busy exploring to use them).
Deck 8 includes guest suites and the open bridge, where we spotted our first-ever polar bear.
Deck 9 features the Constellation Lounge (piano bar, afternoon tea) and The Club, which offers trivia, music, and unlimited sushi from 6–9 pm.
Deck 10 provides 360-degree panoramic views of the Arctic landscape.
What’s Included in a Seabourn Arctic Expedition Cruise
This is where Seabourn really shines.
Included in the cost:
All meals and 24-hour room service
Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
2–3 Zodiac excursions or landings per day
Expert-led excursions by polar scientists and wildlife specialists
Use of insulated boots and Swarovski binoculars
A Helly Hansen parka (inner jacket + outer shell) to keep
Hat, waterproof bag, and reusable water bottle
Charter flights to and from Svalbard
All airport and ship transfers
Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays
Being on a polar-rated ship also allows for unique experiences, like stepping onto sea ice—a moment we’ll never forget.
Exploring Svalbard Before & After the Cruise
Seabourn also arranged guided tours around Longyearbyen, a former coal-mining town. We visited closed mines, the Svalbard Museum, and learned about daily life in one of the world’s northernmost settlements.
Because Svalbard is difficult to reach, Seabourn handles all logistics—including charter flights and hotel stays—making the journey seamless.
Is the Seabourn Arctic Expedition Worth the Price?
Let’s talk numbers.
Our trip included:
9 days total (7-night cruise + 2 hotel nights)
Charter flights
All excursions, food, and drinks
Expedition gear to keep
Balcony suite accommodations
We paid $10,089 per person, thanks to a discount for booking onboard our Antarctica cruise.
So… was it worth it?
Absolutely. Without a doubt. 100% yes.
The experiences, the expertise of the expedition team, the level of comfort, and the once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters simply can’t be replicated on a standard cruise.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who values adventure, education, comfort, and unforgettable experiences, a luxury expedition cruise like this is truly in a category of its own. The Seabourn Venture delivered everything we hoped for—and more.
If you’re considering an Arctic expedition, we hope this helps you decide whether it’s right for you. Be sure to check out our YouTube videos for polar bear sightings and behind-the-scenes moments from this incredible journey.
Thanks for reading—and as always, safe travels.
