A luxury expedition ship built to explore the Arctic and Antarctica has made its first call to Saint Lucia, opening the island’s 2026/2027 cruise season.
Seabourn Venture arrived on Monday, October 12, bringing a more intimate style of cruising, with capacity for just 264 passengers and an expedition team of approximately 20 to 24 specialists who lead excursions and educational presentations.
Captain Jeroen Schuchmann, who has served aboard the vessel for three years, said its itineraries take passengers beyond conventional cruise routes.
“The ship is an expedition ship, so generally we go a bit off the beaten track, so more to areas where other ships can’t go,” he explained.
The vessel holds a Polar Class 6 rating, allowing it to navigate certain ice conditions. For its captain and crew, however, the Caribbean offers a welcome change from remote, colder destinations.
“It’s very nice to be back in the Caribbean, especially for us it means a lot. We are very remote generally, so it’s nice to be back in areas where there’s a lot more livelihood and a bit more warmth,” Schuchmann said.
Having worked aboard cruise ships since 2000, he recalled visiting Saint Lucia approximately two decades ago and welcomed the opportunity to experience the region’s warmer climate and relaxed pace again.
Saint Lucia Tourism Authority Public Relations Manager Geraine Georges described the inaugural visit as a fitting opening to the season and a chance to showcase the island to another segment of the international cruise market.
“We are particularly pleased to welcome a vessel that offers a unique expedition style experience, as it provides another opportunity to showcase Saint Lucia’s natural beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality,” Georges said.
She stressed that cruise arrivals should also deliver benefits for people working across the local tourism industry.
“As we welcome the new cruise season, our focus remains on ensuring that increased visitor activity translates into meaningful economic opportunities for our local tour operators, taxi drivers, vendors, attractions and communities,” she said.
