The brochure photos of the Seabourn Pursuit are undeniably stunning. They show champagne on private verandas, pristine Antarctic ice shelves, and the sleek lines of a PC6 Polar Class yacht. But brochures have a job to do: they need to sell every single suite on the ship—including the ones right next to the elevator, the ones under the gym treadmills, and the ones that feel a bit too much sway when crossing the Drake Passage.
My job is different. My job is to ensure that when you invest in an ultra-luxury expedition, the reality exceeds the brochure.
I have spent weeks onboard the Seabourn Pursuit. I have navigated her corridors during rough seas, tested the “drying closets” after a soaking wet Zodiac landing, and dined in every venue. I know this ship not just as a vessel, but as a living environment.
If you are considering a booking on the Pursuit, whether for the Kimberleys, Antarctica, or the South Pacific, you need to know the nuances of the deck plan that aren’t printed on the website. Here is my honest, suite-by-suite analysis, including the specific locations I advise my private clients to avoid.
The “Hardware”: Understanding the Pursuit’s DNA
Before we discuss room numbers, it is vital to understand what the Seabourn Pursuit actually is. This is not the Seabourn Ovation. It is a purpose-built expedition vessel.
It is smaller (only 264 guests), more intimate, and built for extreme environments. Because of this, the layout is different. The “center of gravity” on this ship is lower. The public spaces are condensed to foster community after a day of exploration.
The “Mudroom” Factor:
Unlike traditional cruises where you walk off a gangway, on the Pursuit, your days begin and end on Deck 3 in the Landing Zone (the Mudroom). This is where the magic happens—launching Zodiacs and submarines. Why does this matter for your suite selection? Because the closer you are to the elevators, the faster you get from your warm bed to the Zodiac. However, being too close to the traffic flow can be a nuisance.
The Suite Categories: A “Warts and All” Critique
Seabourn calls every room a “Suite,” and for the most part, they are correct. The standard of entry-level luxury here is higher than the top-tier suites on premium lines. However, the differences between categories are significant.
1. The Veranda Suite (Categories V1 – V4)
The Workhorse of the Fleet
This is where the majority of guests will stay, and honestly, it is an exceptional product. At roughly 355 sq. ft., it feels spacious even with two people maneuvering around thick parkas.
The “Insider” Pro:
The heated gear closet. This is a specific feature for the expedition ships (Venture and Pursuit). Located immediately as you enter, it is designed to dry your wet expedition gear. In my experience, this is a game-changer. There is nothing worse than putting on a damp parka for a morning landing. The Pursuit’s closets dry gear efficiently and keep the wet dog smell out of your sleeping area.
The Critique:
The layout is long and narrow. In the V1 and V2 categories (located on Deck 5 forward and Deck 6 forward), the motion of the ocean is more pronounced. If the ship is hitting heavy swells in the South Atlantic, the bow (front) will pitch.
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My Verdict: If you are prone to motion sickness, avoid V1 and V2. Pay the premium for a V3 or V4 located Midship on Decks 6, 7, or 8. The stability difference is palpable.
2. The Panorama Veranda Suite (Category VP)
The “Love It or Hate It” Layout
These suites are interesting. They are located on Decks 5, 6, 7, and 8, and they feature a specific layout where the furniture is oriented toward floor-to-ceiling windows.
The “Insider” Pro:
The views are undeniably better than the standard Veranda. Lying in bed and watching icebergs drift by through a massive glass expanse is the definition of the “Seabourn Moment.”
The Critique:
I have had clients who found the layout slightly disjointed. Because of the orientation, the living space can feel a bit exposed to the hallway door, or the bathroom access feels less intuitive than the standard layout. Furthermore, some VP suites are located fairly far forward.
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My Verdict: Book this only if you plan to spend significant time in your room watching the scenery. If you are the type to be out in the Bow Lounge or Zodiacs all day, the standard Veranda is more functional.
3. The Penthouse Suite (Category PH)
The Upgrade Dilemma
At 527 sq. ft., the Penthouse offers a separate sleeping area and a dining table.
The “Insider” Pro:
The ability to host. On an expedition, you make friends quickly. Having a dining table where you can invite a couple you met on a Zodiac tour for in-suite dining is a luxury that elevates the trip.
The Critique:
Check the deck plan religiously. Some Penthouses are located on Deck 8. While high up, Deck 8 is directly below the Constellation Lounge and outdoor viewing areas on Deck 9. I will cover this more in the “Avoid” section below, but overhead noise can be an issue here.
4. The Wintergarden Suite (Category WG)
The Ultimate Splurge
These are the two-story loft concepts (or massive single-level amalgamations depending on the configuration specifics of the sister ships, but on Pursuit typically distinct for their massive glass).
The Reality:
If you can afford the Wintergarden, you aren’t booking it for the square footage; you are booking it for the positioning. They are often midship and stable. However, be aware that you become a “known entity” on the ship. If you prefer anonymity, stick to a Penthouse.
The “Do Not Book” List: Specific Decks and Areas I Avoid
This is the section that saves my clients thousands of dollars and countless sleepless nights. The Pursuit is a well-built ship, but steel transfers sound, and rough water exposes poor location choices.
1. Avoid: Deck 5 Aft (Directly under The Colonnade)
The Colonnade is the casual dining venue on Deck 6. It has outdoor seating.
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The Issue: Early in the morning (around 6:00 AM), the crew begins setting up for breakfast. This involves dragging heavy chairs across a teak deck. If you are in a suite on Deck 5 Aft, directly beneath this area, you will hear the scraping. It serves as a very expensive alarm clock.
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My Advice: If you want an Aft view (which is beautiful for watching the ship’s wake), go to Deck 7 or 8. Skip Deck 5.
2. Avoid: Far Forward on Deck 5 (The “Anchor” Zone)
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The Issue: Expedition ships drop anchor frequently, often at ungodly hours to position for a sunrise landing. The anchor mechanism is loud and creates a metallic vibration that travels through the steel structure of the bow.
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My Advice: Avoid the first 4-6 cabins at the very front of Deck 5. The noise is brief, but it is startling.
3. Caution: Deck 8 (The “Overhead” Hazard)
Deck 8 contains some gorgeous suites. However, Deck 9 is a high-traffic public area containing the Constellation Lounge and the outdoor viewing decks.
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The Issue: Foot traffic. During a whale sighting or a scenic cruising moment, guests rush to the rails on Deck 9. If you are a light sleeper or enjoy mid-day naps, the thudding of footsteps above you can be intrusive.
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My Advice: Look for a suite on Deck 7. You are sandwiched between two residential decks (Deck 6 and Deck 8), creating a “noise buffer” zone. Deck 7 Midship is, in my professional opinion, the prime real estate on the Seabourn Pursuit.
4. The “Connecting Door” Warning
Unless you are traveling with family, avoid suites with connecting doors. While Seabourn’s soundproofing is excellent, a connecting door is always a weak point in the wall. You may hear the muffled television or conversation of your neighbors. Always ask me to check the deck schematics for the connecting arrow symbol.
The Expedition Experience: Why the Ship Choice Matters
Beyond the suite itself, the Pursuit offers an experience that differentiates it from the rest of the Seabourn fleet.
The Bow Lounge (Deck 6):
This is the unsung hero of the ship. It gives you immediate access to the foredeck. I tell my clients to treat the Bow Lounge as their secondary living room. It has huge touchscreens with navigational charts and a direct feed from the drone or submarine. It is often quieter than the Seabourn Square.
The Submarines:
A frequent question I get: Are they worth the extra cost?
My honest answer: Yes, but book early. The Pursuit carries two custom-built subs. The experience of diving 300 meters down in Antarctica is life-changing. However, these dives are weather-dependent. If you book a spot late in the cruise and the weather turns, you miss out. I always advise booking a dive for the first available weather window.
Service Standards: The “Seabourn Difference” on a Small Ship
Because the Pursuit carries only 264 guests, the staff-to-guest ratio is nearly 1:1. But the feel is different than on the Ovation.
On the larger ships, the service is formal and polished. On the Pursuit, the service is “Rugged Luxury.” The waiter pouring your vintage Bordeaux at dinner might be the same person who helped you pull your boots off in the mudroom three hours earlier. This creates a camaraderie that doesn’t exist on traditional cruises.
My Personal Experience:
On a recent sailing, I mentioned casually to a bartender in the Club that I was craving a specific type of ginger tea for a slight sore throat. The next morning, before a wet landing, the Expedition Leader handed me a thermos. The bartender had sent it down to the Mudroom for me.
That is why we book Seabourn. It isn’t the thread count (though the thread count is high); it’s the anticipation of needs you didn’t know you had.
The Verdict: Who is the Pursuit For?
The Seabourn Pursuit is not for the traveler who wants a Broadway show, a casino, and three different pool decks. It is for the traveler who wants to look a penguin in the eye in the morning and eat a soufflé by Thomas Keller in the evening.
It is perfect for:
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Active travelers (you need some mobility to get in and out of Zodiacs).
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Those who value privacy and intimacy over variety of entertainment.
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Travelers who want to visit the remote corners of the earth without sacrificing a single creature comfort.
It is NOT for:
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People who need a large casino (there is no casino on the Pursuit).
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People who suffer from severe motion sickness (expedition waters are rougher, though the stabilizers are excellent).
Ready to Select Your Exact Suite?
Reading about the Seabourn Pursuit is one thing; securing the perfect suite requires strategy. As you can see, a “Category V2” on Deck 5 is a very different experience from a “Category V2” on Deck 6.
I don’t just book cruises; I curate the positioning of your stay to ensure maximum comfort and value. I know which side of the ship will face the glacier during the scenic cruising days, and I know which stewards have the best reputation for service.
If you are ready to start planning your expedition, let’s have a conversation. I can walk you through the current availability and flag the specific suites I would personally choose for my own family.