Seabourn has revealed the design and details for its custom-built submarines that will operate excursions for an additional charge from the line’s two forthcoming ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships.
Both ‘Seabourn Venture’ and her as yet unnamed sistership will each carry two U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7 subs, designed specifically for the luxury cruise line.
Each battery-powered sub will carry six guests, as well as one pilot, who will guide the submarine to up to 300 m beneath the surface. Guests will be seated in two clear acrylic spheres flanking the centre pilot’s station.
The three passenger seats in each sphere are mounted on a rotating platform that can turn for best sightlines.
“The undersea world is often considered as the last great frontier on Earth, with more than 80% of the underwater realm remaining unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,” said Robin West, vice president of Expedition Operations for Seabourn. “With these subs, we’re going to take our guests to places that few have ever seen first hand, leaving them with a perspective on the world around us that is jaw-dropping and will create stories to last a lifetime.”
‘Seabourn Venture’ is scheduled to be delivered in June, 2021, with the second vessel due to follow in May, 2022. The ships are being designed from conception for expedition travel blended with ultra-luxury and personalised service by leading travel experts and seasoned professionals with great depth of experience in expedition, hospitality, and luxury cruising.
Both ships will be designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class notation. The ships will also be designed to carry a number of kayaks and 24 Zodiacs that can accommodate all on board guests at once.
Each ship will feature 132 luxurious veranda suites. More details and full-colour renderings of the ship and its interior spaces will be released in the months ahead, the company said.
