The Art of Selling the Arctic

Let’s say you have a client who previously cruised to Antarctica and thinks an Arctic expedition is much the same. What would you tell them? Well, you could start with the fact that, while the two do share similarities¬ (arid climates, lots and lots of ice), they really are polar opposites—beginning with the fact that the White Continent is just that, the world’s fifth-largest land mass, blanketed in an immense ice shelf. The Arctic region, on the other hand, is a semi-enclosed ocean covered in year-round ice caps and encompassing parts of eight different countries on three continents.

From visiting Viking ruins to viewing massive bird cliffs to witnessing polar bears in the wild, exploring the Arctic is a rare and unique privilege that every intrepid traveler should experience at least once—particularly when they’re cruising in ultra-luxury aboard Seabourn Venture or the new Seabourn Pursuit. Here are some tips for recommending an Arctic expedition with Seabourn to your adventure-minded clients.

In Search of Polar Bears — Most travelers visit the Arctic for the chance to see wildlife that exists nowhere else, including the king of the North: the mighty polar bear. Seabourn Expeditions explore some of the best spots for polar bear viewing—Svalbard, Baffin Bay, and Devon Island, to name a few—with inclusive hikes that are carefully monitored by Bear Guards to ensure your client’s safety. Guests also may encounter muskoxen, reindeer, Arctic fox, and Arctic hare on these tundra treks.

Wonders On the Water… — Imagine your client paddling beneath the Shiant Islands’ puffin-covered cliffs, getting up close to a walrus haulout in the Andøyane Islands, or witnessing the majesty of Greenland’s Scoresby Sound, the largest fjord system on Earth. A fleet of 24 Zodiacs and numerous double sea-kayaks allows all 264 guests onboard Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit to experience such wonder-filled excursions at the same time.

… And Beneath The Ocean’s Surface — Each of Seabourn’s purpose-built, PC6 Polar Class expedition ships is equipped with a pair of six-passenger, battery-powered submarines that descend more than 300 feet below the ocean’s surface and are decked out with every conceivable amenity. So your client can lean back in a custom leather seat with a glass of champagne while searching for the elusive narwhal in East Greenland or exploring shipwrecks below the Isles of Scilly.

Wildlife Viewing On Board — Suppose your client wants in on that polar bear sighting, but isn’t up for a hike. Not to worry: Both Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit feature a Cineflex gyro-stabilized camera system—used on the award-winning BBC series Planet Earth—which can capture video and still images from a considerable distance without disturbing the wildlife. Those images are then streamed live throughout the ships. So guests can catch all the action while, say, enjoying a cocktail in the Expedition Lounge or relaxing in their plush suite.

Ancient Discoveries — From Alta’s prehistoric rock art and ruins of Norse settlements around Greenland to exquisite Celtic crosses scattered across the Hebrides archipelago and precious historical remains along the Northwest Passage, Seabourn’s Arctic expeditions introduce guests to a trove of ancient treasures. Of course, your clients are always free to choose what they can and would like to do in each location.

Meeting Cool People — Around 4 million people call the Arctic home, including fisherfolk, farmers, and indigenous populations who have inhabited the region for upwards of 40,000 years. Seabourn’s handcrafted itineraries include multiple opportunities to interact with these hardy souls and learn how they survive in such a remote and harsh environment. What’s more, Seabourn Expeditions naturally attract fascinating, well-traveled individuals with a wealth of life experiences—so your clients will feel right at home, and quite likely make new friendships that last long after their voyage is over.

Traveling With the Dream Team — To further enhance and enrich your client’s experience, every Seabourn Arctic adventure is joined by a world-class, 26-person Expedition Team. This select group—which includes wildlife experts, historians, naturalists, climatologists and marine biologists—provide unmatched insights while guiding off-ship excursions, as well as during Seabourn Conversations presentations and casual discussions on board.

Bragging Rights — Why let your client settle for any old vacation when they can be the first in their circle to cross the Arctic Circle? Help them claim the ultimate bragging rights on an Arctic adventure with Seabourn Expeditions. Learn more here.