Last week, Seabourn welcomed professional photographers Pat and Rosemarie Keough to its Seattle office. The Keoughs are part of our Antarctica expedition team and will serve as digital photography coaches on two Antarctica voyages aboard Seabourn Quest, departing January 4 and 25, 2014.

They are recipients of numerous awards for photographic excellence, including World’s Best Nature Photographers, World’s Best Photography Book and Outstanding Bookarts Craftsmanship, and the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, a commemorative medal that serves to honor significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. Fellows of The Explorers Club, they have lectured worldwide and are medalists of the Royal Geographical Society. Featured in award-winning television specials and in periodicals such as Smithsonian and Forbes, their images have inspired eight books of their photography, including the renowned handcrafted tome Antarctica.

In keeping with the spirit of our Seabourn Conversations, the Keoughs are not only experts in photography, they are people of many fascinating facets. Be sure to ask Pat about the house he built on Norfolk Island out of 40,000 beer bottles. And Rosemarie can tell you a lot about worldwide folk dancing, too.

The Keoughs are part of a highly-skilled and knowledgeable Antarctica expedition team. To meet the rest of our Antarctica expedition staff, please visit our website: http://bit.ly/14QO59l

Pat and Rosemarie Keough with Seabourn President Richard Meadows.

Get a glimpse of what it will be like to sail aboard Seabourn Quest to Antarctica and Patagonia. In this video, Expedition Leader Robin West and Assistant Expedition Leader Jarda Versloot-West share their insights on what guests can expect when they sail to the White Continent – from the history and diverse wildlife and to the unique and stunning landscape. They possess a wealth of knowledge, with more than 80 trips to Antarctica combined under their belts, and will undoubtedly ensure guests experience the trip of a lifetime.

“It’s this beautiful serene wide landscape that you cannot explain unless you’ve been there. It’s incredible,” Jarda said.

Leopard seals, elephant seals, penguins, humpback whales, birds and more – there will no shortage of opportunities to view the distinct wildlife in Antarctica.

“The great thing is in Antarctica, when you come ashore, you can go 20 meters, sit down, and everything’s right there in front of you,” Robin said.

Seabourn Quest will be the most luxurious ship to sail to Antarctica. After spending a day ashore, guests will return to the ship and enjoy the luxuries and signature touches of Seabourn. The onboard dedicated will take every care to ensure the comfort and well-being of our guests.

“It’s incredible to be out on glaciers, see penguins, see whales and then in the evening come back, glass of champagne, dress and enjoy the luxuries of the ship,” said Robin.

We hope you enjoy this video about Seabourn’s “Antarctica & Patagonia” cruises, which will certainly be a journey of a lifetime. Robin and Jarda will be on board all four cruises – won’t you join them on one of the voyages?

We are proud to present to you the hardworking crew of Seabourn Quest’s 2013 World Cruise! On board since January 6, 2013, every member of the team pampered our guests each day and made sure they enjoyed their voyage around the world. The 116-day cruise just came to an end on May 3, 2013, and the crew exchanged hugs and goodbyes with guests as they disembarked the ship in Venice. We have no doubt they will return home with many fond memories from their journey.

Next year, Seabourn Sojourn will sail a 116-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Venice. We hope to see you on board! Who is planning to sail on this voyage?

Cheers to the crew of Seabourn Quest’s 2013 World Cruise! Photo by Captain Geir-Arne Thue-Nilsen.

Sisters Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest met up a few weeks ago when both ships were in Safaga, Egypt. Both ships were en route to the Mediterranean to begin their Europe summer season. Seabourn Quest Captain Geir-Arne Thue-Nilsen sent us this wonderful photo of the ships in port. Don’t they look like they’re speaking to each other? If ships could talk, what do you think they’re saying to each other?

Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest together again!

Seabourn Quest Hotel Director Vitor Alves sent along some ravishing pictures of their “Celebration of India” deck party during the World Cruise.

Welcome: Candice Kimmon De Villiers Swart and Kinga Fazekas were transformed into lovely Apsarases, enchanting Hindu temptresses inviting guests to enter a garden of earthly delights.

Currying favor: A sumptuous array of spicy sub-continental treats awaited guests in the Colonnade buffet.

The Far Pavilions: Meanwhile the Pool Patio became a Mughal encampment fit for a Maharajah.

A splendid show of Indian music and dance added a stirring climax to the evening’s festivities.

Four New Suites aboard Seabourn Quest Feature Spa Access, Amenities, Concierge

Seabourn is enhancing its spacious, all-suite accommodations with the introduction of Penthouse Spa Suites on its award-winning new trio of intimate ships. Seabourn Quest will emerge from a scheduled drydock in May, 2013 boasting four new elegant Penthouse Spa Suites located directly above the industry leading Spa at Seabourn facility.  The Spa at Seabourn has twice been awarded the SpaFinder® Wellness Readers’ Choice Award as “Best Spa on a Cruise Ship.” Guests will access the suites by means of a spiral staircase in the lobby of the spa, and enjoy unlimited access to the spa’s Serene Area, as well as spa amenities in the suite itself and the services of a spa concierge during the voyage. The new suites will also be added to Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn during their next scheduled drydocks.

“A growing number of our guests choose Seabourn’s new ships specifically because of our beautiful on-board Spa at Seabourn facilities,” said Seabourn President Richard Meadows. “Some of these guests have expressed a desire to incorporate a more complete spa vacation experience into their cruises, and our Penthouse Spa Suites are designed to fulfill that wish.”

The spacious living room in the new Penthouse Spa Suite.

Seabourn commissioned the Norwegian architecture and design firm of Yran & Storbraaten — who designed Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest — to come up with a plan to utilize the section of Deck 10 directly above the spa for the new accommodations.  The result is four spacious suites with 516 to 538 sq. ft. (48 – 50 sq. m.) of inside space, with expansive private verandas of 172 sq. ft. (16 sq. m.) with views over the ship’s stern and the sea.  The suites’ décor is coordinated with that of the Spa at Seabourn, and all feature a living and a dining area with seating for four, a separate bedroom, walk-in closet, glass door and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the veranda, a bathroom with a tub and special spa shower, and two flat-screen TVs.

The new suites will offer guests a variety of healthy amenities and spa specialties. Along with the guests’ personal beverage preferences, a second in-suite bar will also be fully stocked with flavored water and fruit juices, and a selection of mixed nuts, dried fruits and healthy snacks. Guests can choose a calming fragrance from a selection of four by L’Occitane, to be diffused throughout the suite during the evening turndown. Relaxing, soothing spa music will also be available as a background soundtrack in the suite. The bathrooms will feature a new menu of Molton Brown specialty spa products, such as exfoliating body wash and polish and thermal salts body soak, in addition to the company’s high end line of bath products that are currently available in every suite.  Upon arrival, guests will be invited to select from a menu of luxurious bath sponges, as well as designer soaps by Hermes, L’Occitane, Baudelaire and Salvatore Ferragamo.

The bedroom will feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

A Spa Concierge will assist guests booked in the Penthouse Spa Suites with reservations for their personalized treatment regimes throughout their stay on board. Guests will have daily access to the spa’s Serene Area, which features heated lounges, an aroma steam bath with salt inhalation, and a herbal bath. In the Serene Area aboard Seabourn Odyssey is a large hydro-pool, while Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn features a Kneipp Walk Pool, which provides holistic, water therapy treatment and healing remedies designed to enhance circulation.

The bathroom will have a tub and special spa shower.

The Spa at Seabourn offers a variety of unique, healthy spa experiences and luxurious pampering services and treatments, including Chinese reflexology, aromatherapy, and Thai massages. The fitness center features a range of high-tech exercise, cardio and strength equipment; a motion studio with the Kinesis System; and a variety of fitness classes, including yoga, Pilates and tai chi. Personal trainers are also available to develop customized workout routines for guests.

Guests sailing on Seabourn’s “Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia” voyages aboard Seabourn Quest will be in excellent hands under the guidance and care of our very experienced expedition team. Take for example Jarda Versloot-West, one of the two assistant expedition leaders on these cruises. Jarda has traveled all over the world, including 40 visits to the White Continent, and she will ensure that our guests have the best Antarctic cruise experience.

For the past 10 years, Jarda has been working full-time on expedition ships. At 18, she bid farewell to her native Holland to explore Australia, where she discovered her passion for travel and her love for the ocean. After completing her bachelor’s degree in International Tourism Consultancy, Jarda began working on expedition cruise ships, which has taken her to the world’s most remote corners and all seven continents. She is a qualified PADI rescue diver, Zodiac driver and a remote first aid responder.

Jarda will be sailing on all four Antarctica & Patagonia cruises aboard Seabourn Quest. She will be part of a very skilled and knowledgeable expedition team, and they will plan and manage the cruise and coordinate special landings in Antarctica. Guests will visit one of the world’s most remote destinations and some of the best ports in Patagonia, including the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn, the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas and more. All the while, they will enjoy Seabourn’s highly rated ultra-luxury cruise experience. The hardworking staff aboard Seabourn Quest will take every care to ensure the complete comfort and well-being of our guests.

Each cruise will include the following exclusive amenities and activities designed to enhance every moment:

• Zodiac landings and expeditions to selected Antarctic locations
• Digital photography workshops
• Seabourn parka and backpack
• Opportunities for frequent wildlife sightings from the ship and on shore
• Inspiring enrichment program and special guest speakers

We hope to see you on board! To learn more about our “Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia” voyages, please visit our website.

Do you want to know what it’s like to sail on Seabourn Quest? Then check out this great article by Ruthanne Terrero, editorial director of Luxury Travel Advisor magazine. She wrote about her experience when she was on board last December in the Caribbean. From dining and relaxing on the pool deck to the ship’s unique amenities, her story gives a great sense on what life is like on board when you sail on Seabourn Quest. Happy reading!

Luxury ship Seabourn Quest

In several months, we will embark on our first ever voyages to Antarctica, and we’re very excited to take our guests to one of the most remote areas in the world.  The White Continent is a wondrous land, with breathtaking scenery, massive icebergs and glaciers, and abundant, diverse wildlife.  These voyages will also visit some of the best ports in Patagonia, including the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn, Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas and more. It will certainly be a travel experience unlike any other.

We invite you to visit our “Antarctica and Patagonia” board on Pinterest and see what these voyages can offer you. We’ll continue to update this board with pictures evoking this awe-inspiring region, so please continue to come back for more inspiring images.

Happy pinning!

A crabeater seal on an ice floe in Antarctica.

This week Seabourn’s headquarters received a special visit from Chris Srigley, who will be an assistant expedition leader on our “Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia” voyages.  A veteran of more than 60 Antarctic voyages, Srigley addressed Seabourn’s U.S. and international sales team in Seattle, where he shared tales of his experiences and illustrated facts and tips about Antarctic cruising.  In addition, he met with various departments – from marine and hotel operations to marketing – to discuss and prepare for the line’s upcoming Antarctic cruises.

With a passion for the natural world that did not go unrecognized by a former employer, Srigley started his career in the expedition cruise industry onboard the famed M/S Explorer as shopkeeper and Zodiac driver. Quickly he found his way directly onto the expedition team as a naturalist as he displayed his knowledge of the natural world.

Seven years now passed, he has spent as many as nine months of each year splitting his time between Antarctica, Central and South America, Northern Europe, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland and Canada as naturalist/Zodiac driver, assistant expedition leader and polar bear guard. To Antarctica alone, he has participated in over 62 trips for elite expedition operators.

His interest in natural history was cultivated through spending time on his family farm and at their remote cabin on the Eastern shores of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, where he would vanish for days, sometimes weeks at a time, exploring the wilds around him.

Considering himself a “generalist,” Srigley has become well versed in all aspects of the regions in which he travels with many intriguing stories accumulated along the way. Once guests have traveled with him, his only hope is that he has been able to transfer his passion and knowledge of these stunning places they experienced on to them so that they may pass them along to others.

Srigley will be sailing on all four Antarctica & Patagonia cruises aboard Seabourn Quest. To learn more about these voyages and the rest of the expedition team, please visit our website.

Chris Srigley visits the Seabourn office in Seattle.