Robin West, Seabourn’s VP of Expedition Operations and Planning, talks exclusively to Karryon ahead of the cruise line’s new 2027-2028 itineraries – including the first Pole to Pole voyage.
During a recent visit to Australia, Robin West sat down exclusively with Karryon to talk about his passion for expeditions, his love of Australia and the cruise line’s new itineraries, including its first Pole to Pole voyage.
West and his wife, Jarda Versloot-West, met in his native South Africa and spent 13 years working on expedition ships together. Both now work for Seabourn from their home in Alkmaar, “a town about 40 kilometres north of Amsterdam known as the cheese capital of Holland”.
Versloot-West oversees talent acquisition and training for Seabourn Venture and Pursuit, as well as Ventures by Seabourn in Alaska.
West has fond memories of Australia, particularly following last year’s christening of Seabourn Pursuit on Ngula Jar Island in the Kimberley by the land’s traditional owners, the Wunambal Gaambera people – a long-term project close to his heart.
“The event was fantastic, but more than that, the ongoing collaboration between the Wunambal Gaambera people with private-sector and government funding has led to a true sustainable tourism story, from our side and their side.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without Michael Mijahlov, Carnival Australia’s ‘development guy’ in Sydney – he has built many important contacts and relationships over the years.”
Expedition and ultra-luxury
West is particularly proud of how the line has successfully married expedition and ultra luxury in Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit.
“Traditionally, expedition vessels were born out of old repurposed research vessels, and it wasn’t until relatively recently that the industry started building new vessels.
“Luxury expedition means having no compromise between the two concepts; we have this beautiful platform in Venture and Pursuit, yet they were purpose-built to go into incredibly remote locales.
“They are Polar Class 6 vessels, meaning they are very capable of operating in polar regions in ice up to 1.2 metres thick. When guests get off the ship, they can hike or walk in some of the most beautiful places in the world. And then they come back to the ship, which has a very luxurious, yacht-like atmosphere.
“One of the best things about our expedition ships is that each has 2,800 square metres of open deck space. Every suite has a veranda. We have two six-guest submarines, built with luxury in mind. We want guests to walk on the ship and straightaway go, Yes, this is a Seabourn ship. Seabourn is redefining ultra luxury adventures.”
Pole to Pole
West says Seabourn Venture’s epic Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition voyage promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime journey for travellers who dream of exploring the ends of the Earth.
Departing on 17 August and concluding on 19 November 2027, the 94-day voyage will cover more than 20,500 nautical miles from the High Arctic to Antarctica.
The journey starts with an overnight stay in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, followed by a flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where guests will embark the ship.
Venture will visit destinations across 14 countries and territories, offering a combination of remote landings, immersive expeditions, rare wildlife sightings and signature Seabourn luxury experiences.
Seabourn is also offering an 82-day version of the voyage that omits the Greenland sector, starting in Reykjavik and finishing in Ushuaia, Argentina; fares start at about $147,000 with bookings now open.
“We’re very excited about both the 94-day and the 82-day Pole to Pole. It’s been in the making for a number of years. The initial idea was actually sparked by our guests because a lot of guests said, ‘We do a world cruise every year, what else can you offer?’
“And that’s when we came up with an idea of a world cruise, but in an expedition style.”
Luxury expedition highlights, 2027-2028
Between March 2027 and April 2028, Seabourn Venture and Pursuit will visit 189 destinations in 39 countries, offering 28 unique itineraries and 49 departures. West says that he and his team plan itineraries about two and a half years ahead – “we try to get out to about three years” – and the ships each sail about 24 to 26 expeditions each year.
“We’re going to numerous places from the High Arctic to Antarctica that are absolute bucket-list destinations,” he adds.
“In the Northwest Passage, we’ll be deploying submarines and, thanks again to Michael Mijahlov, we have just been given permission to use them to dive on the wreck of SS Coolidge in Vanuatu as well as in Papua New Guinea, West Papua and French Polynesia.
“A few weeks ago, guests in a sub dive off Greenland saw a Greenland shark swim past. These enormous creatures are rarely seen – they are the longest-living vertebrates in the world and can live up to 400 years. This is what it’s all about.”
Seabourn Pursuit will return to the Kimberley for a series of voyages in 2026 and 2027. Mijahlov’s presentation at a recent Sydney media event at Aria documented his “passion project” of connecting with traditional owners that began with going to Kalumburu, the most remote mission settlement in Australia.
“After many visits, I was actually welcomed and we started a great, complex conversation that eventually led to the Wunanbal Gaambera people developing their vision for a return to country on Ngula Jar Island,” Mijahlov explains.
“Our joint project provided accommodation so they can spend the dry season there; every time the ship calls in, they do a traditional welcome dance and smoking ceremony.
“They will also provide a traditional indigenous interpretation of the rock art, something that has been missing for a long, long time, and create arts and crafts for guests to buy.”
Building a dream
West was involved with the development of Seabourn’s expedition arm from the get-go – Seabourn Venture set sail in 2022, followed a year later by Seabourn Pursuit, but the design process starts years before a ship enters service.
“The absolute highlight of my career was being part of the newbuild team when Seabourn decided to build expedition ships,” he says.
“I’m talking from scratch – working with the naval architects, sketching designs – it was phenomenal. I wanted the front of the ship to look like it could sail through a brick wall, and the back to look like a superyacht in the Mediterranean with layered decks.
“Obviously, I was just a minute part of a massive team that had extensive experience, but I’d love to be part of a newbuild project again. Not that there’s any talk of new expedition vessels at this stage. But I love the job I have – it’s driven by passion more than anything and I wouldn’t do anything else.”
For more information, visit Seabourn.
