By
Alex Smith |
Seabourn marked a construction milestone for its second purpose-built expedition vessel Seabourn Pursuit with a coin ceremony at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genova, Italy on 13 April 2023.
The coin ceremony is a maritime tradition in which a ship’s godmother places coins onto the ship as a symbol of good fortune on its voyages. Lynn Narraway, Seabourn’s vice president of UK and Europe, served as the godmother for Seabourn Pursuit and welded a box containing four commemorative gold coins to the ship. She was joined by Robin West, Seabourn’s vice president and general manager of expeditions, and by Marco Bisagno, T. Mariotti Shipyard’s president, and Marco Ghiglione, T. Mariotti’s managing director. Seabourn Pursuit is currently undergoing final construction ahead of its delivery at the end of July 2023.
“Today is such a special day as the coin ceremony is a highly anticipated moment in the construction of Seabourn Pursuit, and I am grateful to T. Mariotti for their partnership throughout the newbuild process,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “Seabourn Pursuit will offer an atmosphere that is full of Seabourn luxury, comfort, and elegance, and we look forward to delivering special ‘Seabourn expedition moments’ to our guests.”
Seabourn Pursuit is the second of two new expedition ships to debut for Seabourn in the past two years. The vessel is purpose-built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and equipped with technology to extend its global employment and capabilities. It also offers close to 30,000 square feet of deck space, including indoor and outdoor guest areas with almost 270-degree views. A 4K GSS Cineflex Camera is also mounted on the mast of the Constellation Lounge, capable of broadcasting imagery from up to five miles away on monitors located throughout the ship.
“At a time when the expedition cruise market is experiencing strong growth, with several players preparing to launch new products, I can proudly say that this ship is the best in terms of aesthetics and cutting-edge performance,” said Marco Ghiglione, managing director of T. Mariotti. “We are very proud to have built it and give a ship that will contribute to Seabourn’s prestige in this type of voyage."
Beginning on 12 August 2023, Seabourn Pursuit will sail five voyages in the Mediterranean before embarking on two voyages across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean. On 10 October 2023, the ship will arrive in Barbados from where it will begin its expedition journeys. Seabourn Pursuit will then head south for expeditions exploring coastal South America, the Amazon, and Antarctica into late March 2024.
Following its inaugural Antarctic season, the ship will head to the South Pacific and Australia, which will include the line’s first exploration of the Kimberley region in northern Australia between June and August 2024. Seabourn Pursuit will visit Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and sail to the South Pacific from Chile to Melanesia between March and October 2024.
During these voyages, Seabourn Pursuit will offer a range of expedition activities led by a team of 24 scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more. Complimentary Seabourn Expedition offerings such as Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, scuba diving, and snorkelling will be available on every itinerary, along with curated complimentary excursions. In addition, optional shore excursions and Seabourn Expeditions with kayaking and two custom-built submersibles at select destinations will also be available, providing an opportunity for guests to explore natural scenery and wildlife.