Duration
52 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
29 Ports
18 March
Setting sail from Santiago (San Antonio)
Chile's cosmopolitan capital is a smart, sophisticated place, where life plays out against the backdrop of the snow-capped Andean mountains. Santiago's moneyed elite congregate in the upmarket districts of the Barrio Alto, while Centro is home to museums, theatres and shopping malls. It's a leafy and eminently liveable city, in spite of the fact that more than a third of the population of Chile lives in Santiago. The city continues to grow outwards and upwards, its skyline crowned by the Costanera Centre, South America's tallest building, but an excellent metro system makes it easy to get around, and there are several lovely parks that afford plenty of breathing space.
Don't miss
Quinta Normal for the park and the museums.
19 March
At sea
20 March
Chile: Robinson Crusoe Island
Situated 400 miles off the coast of mainland Chile, Robinson Crusoe Island is part of the Juan Fernández archipelago, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned here from 1704 to 1709, and his story is thought to have inspired Daniel Defoe’s famous novel.
21 March
Chile: Alejandro Selkirk Island
22-25 March
At sea
26-27 March
Chile: Hanga Roa (Easter Island)
The enigmatic moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) remain one of the world’s most intriguing archaeological mysteries. Descendants of the Polynesian settlers who carved them still live here, though these days the island belongs to Chile, despite being separated from the mainland by over 2,000 miles of Pacific Ocean.
28-29 March
At sea
30-31 March
Pitcairn Islands: Ducie Island, Henderson Island
1 April
Pitcairn Islands: Pitcairn Island
The remote South Pacific island of Pitcairn was settled by a party of British sailors and Tahitians following the famous mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789, and their descendants still live on the island. The tiny capital, Adamstown, has a population of around 50 people.
2-4 April
At sea
5 April
French Polynesia: Fakarava (Tuamotu Islands)
The Fakarava atoll surrounds a deep lagoon in the west of the Tuamotu island group, scarcely populated and home to a host of rare wildlife. The entire atoll has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and the shallow coastal waters make for excellent snorkelling.
6 April
Anna
7 April
French Polynesia: Papeete
Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia, situated on the northwest coast of Tahiti. The port is not the most magical spot, so we advise venturing forth to luxuriate in the turquoise lagoons, relax on the white sand beaches fringed with palm trees, and explore the rugged mountain peaks.
8 April
French Polynesia: Raiatea
Raiatea, the second largest of the Society Islands, played a vital role in the development of Polynesian culture; it was from this island that settlers departed for Hawaii and New Zealand over a millennium ago. The island feels wilder than Tahiti, with steep, jungle-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls and ancient Polynesian temples.
8 April
French Polynesia: Motu Ofetaro
9 April
At sea
10 April
Cook Islands: Aitutaki
The sleepy island of Aitutaki is big on natural beauty, thanks to its stunning reef-enclosed lagoon. It’s also a deeply spiritual place: in the village of Arutanga you’ll find the oldest church in the Cook Islands, dating back to 1829, and services here are a spellbinding spectacle, with hymns featuring unaccompanied four-part harmonies.
11 April
At sea
12 April
Niue: Alofi
13-14 April
At sea
15 April
Samoa: Apia
Apia is the capital of Samoa, situated on the north coast of the island of Upolu. Highlights include the colourful markets and Robert Louis Stevenson's former house, now a museum, though you may just want to use the city as a jumping off point for the beautiful beaches located further along the coast.
16 April
At sea
17 April
Tonga: Nuku'Alofa
Nuku’Alofa, the ‘Abode of Love’, is the capital of Tonga, the last surviving Polynesian monarchy. The city's main attraction is the Royal Palace, an attractive wooden building dating back to 1867, while the island of Tongatapu offers wild beaches, cute villages and intriguing archaeological sites.
17 April
Tonga: Vava'u
The Vava’u group of islands is part of the Kingdom of Tonga, the last surviving Polynesian monarchy and the only South Pacific nation never to have been colonised by Europeans. Vava’u is idyllic but also authentic, and is one of the best places in the region to see humpback whales during their annual migration between May and October.
18 April
At sea
19 April
Fiji: Vanua Balavu (Lau Islands)
The Lau Islands are found at the eastern edge of Fiji, a string of some 60 largely undeveloped islands and islets with a culture strongly influenced by neighbouring Tonga. Just off the coast of Vanua Balavu is the beautiful Bay of Islands, where you can enjoy fantastic snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon.
20 April
Fiji: Yasawa Islands
The sparsely populated Yasawa Islands are famous for their stunning beaches and hilly volcanic terrain. You can indulge in all the usual activities such as sunbathing and snorkelling, along with a visit to the unique Sawa-i-lau caves, accessible by swimming through an underwater tunnel.
21 April
At sea
22 April
Vanuatu: Ambrym Island
Ambrym is known as the ‘Black Island’ due to its dark volcanic soil, with two active volcanoes, Mount Marum and Mount Benbow. The island is also known for its magic and sorcery, and for its traditional Rom dances, when locals don elaborate masks and costumes.
22 April
Vanuatu: Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island, named after the day it was first sighted by Europeans, is famous for its ancient custom of land diving. During this ritual, which is believed to ensure a good yam harvest, men leap from a precarious-looking wooden tower with a liana vine attached to their ankle, aiming to touch the ground with their head or shoulder.
23-24 April
At sea
25 April
Solomon Islands: Honiara
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands and the nation’s only real port, situated on the largely unspoilt island of Guadalcanal. Reminders of the famous Second World War battle that took place here can be seen all over the island, as well as under the water at the fantastic dive sites off the north coast.
26 April
At sea
27-28 April
Papua New Guinea: Panapompom Island, Samarai Island
29-30 April
At sea
1-2 May
Indonesia: Asmat Region
The Asmat people of West Papua are one of Indonesia’s most fascinating indigenous groups, notorious in the past for their cannibalism and headhunting, a practice said by some to have persisted as recently as the 1990s. The Asmat are also known for their magnificent wood carvings, and their cultural traditions remain strong in the face of encroaching modernity.
3 May
At sea
4 May
Indonesia: Misool
Misool is one of the main islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, surrounded by some of the most spectacular coral reefs on earth. Snorkel, swim and kayak amongst these rich, biodiverse waters, and explore white sandy beaches, mangroves, lakes and jungle-clad limestone peaks.
5 May
Indonesia: Wajag Island
6 May
Indonesia: Gam Island
Gam is one of the larger islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, with a landscape of steep limestone peaks cloaked in jungle, home to bird species including the spectacular red bird-of-paradise. Visitors receive a friendly welcome from the local villagers, while offshore lie some superb snorkelling spots.
7-8 May
At sea
9-10 May
Arriving in Darwin
More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what's contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that's outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch. There are a number of waterfront restaurants and pretty parks, making it a pleasant place to relax after a long flight. For those with the energy we highly recommend a visit to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks.
Our tip
Visit Litchfield National Park and embark on a crocodile-spotting boat trip, where you can see these intimidating, prehistoric beasts jump clean out of the water for a meal.
Your home from home
Seabourn became the latest ultra-luxury cruise line to enter the expedition market in 2022 with the launch of Seabourn Venture, followed by sister ship Seabourn Pursuit in 2023.
What we love
Seabourn Venture and Pursuit bring the trademark Seabourn style and sophistication to the world of expedition cruising, with interiors by designer Adam D Tihany, sumptuous veranda suite accommodation and high-tech toys including a pair of six-seater submarines.
Capacity | 264 Guests |
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Style | The contemporary décor appeals to a sophisticated and cosmopolitan crowd, and the familiar Seabourn style of cruising is enhanced by an experienced expedition team. |
Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Where to stay in Santiago
We really like The Aubrey, a privately owned boutique hotel in Bellavista.
See more of Chile
If you can take some extra time, don’t miss the Atacama Desert – fly to San Pedro and plan a visit of two to three days if you are able.
Where to stay near Darwin
Don’t hang around in Darwin itself; if you want to see more of the Top End, we recommend Bamurru Plains.
Visit the Red Centre
From Darwin take a flight to the Red Centre to see the magical sites of Uluru and Kings Canyon, yet another one of those once in a lifetime experiences!