From Viking Relics to Submarine Dives: Explore My Expedition Journey

I recently had the chance to experience one of our expedition cruises first-hand aboard Seabourn Venture in a Veranda Suite around the Shetlands and Orkneys. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, wildlife enthusiast, or simply curious about life on an expedition ship, here’s a glimpse into what awaits you.

My Expedition Highlights

One of the main things that drew me to an expedition cruise was the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in harder to reach places and see incredible wildlife in their natural habitats and this certainly didn’t disappoint.

I started my journey in Lerwick in Shetland, where I enjoyed a coastal walk and an excursion to Jarlshof, an extraordinary archaeological site in Sumburgh. This prehistoric and Norse settlement offered a fascinating glimpse into thousands of years of human history, with remnants of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Viking, and medieval buildings all in one location. The guide brought the site to life with stories and historical context, making it a truly enriching experience.

Our next port of call was Fair Isle, and it quickly became one of the highlights of the trip, marked by my first experience disembarking via zodiac. We began with a scenic hike up to a lighthouse, taking in sweeping views of the rugged coastline while accompanied by the calls of noisy oystercatchers. From there, we made our way to a spot known for puffin sightings and were lucky enough to observe these charming birds up close as they landed, interacted with one another, and caught fish. Before returning to the ship, I took a peaceful walk along a small beach with crystal-clear waters. On our zodiac ride back, we made a brief detour through a sea cave, where we were delighted to spot a playful seal swimming nearby – an unforgettable end to an incredible visit.

While in port at Kirkwall, I had the chance to explore some of Orkney’s most fascinating cultural and historical landmarks. We began with a visit to St Magnus Cathedral, a striking example of Romanesque architecture. Following that, we took a shore excursion to the Ring of Brodgar, part of Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Neolithic stone circle is set in a dramatic landscape of lochs and rolling hills and our guide painted a vivid picture of the ancient rituals that may have taken place there. We concluded the tour in the charming fishing village of Stromness, where we enjoyed the highly recommended local ice cream.

At Copinsay Island, we embarked on a zodiac cruise that offered an incredible opportunity to observe the island’s rich birdlife and thriving grey seal population up close. The cliffs and shoreline were alive with seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, shags, and fulmars, while the seals basked on the rocks or bobbed curiously in the water nearby. As if that wasn’t memorable enough, I also had the chance to take part in a submersible dive—an unforgettable experience that took us 30 meters beneath the surface. From the comfort of the sub, we watched jellyfish drift silently by, surrounded by the peaceful, otherworldly atmosphere of the deep. This was a bucket-list moment and a true highlight of the expedition.

On-board Seabourn Venture

I would highly recommend Seabourn Venture to anyone looking to embark on an Expedition Cruise. The ship provided a stunning selection of elegant and comfortable spaces to relax in between explorations and the team on board really brought the journey to life, sharing expert knowledge on the surrounding areas and their fascinating history.

There are four hot tubs, a small infinity pool, a gym and wellness spa facilities, as well as several bars and lounges on board. At meal times, Seabourn Venture offers dining excellence in terms of range, themed options and quality from The Colonnade, which provides informal dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, to The Restaurant, a more formal venue, though relatively relaxed based on the Expedition environment.

Service was exceptional—friendly, intuitive, and personal. Whether it was remembering your coffee order or keeping your wine glass full, the crew consistently went above and beyond.

Sail aboard Seabourn Venture

For anyone who’d like to experience an expedition sailing with Seabourn, I’ve attached below some of my favourite itineraries to inspire your upcoming travel plans…

Antarctic Exploration

Seabourn Venture | 27 January 2026 | 14 Nights

Itinerary: Fly UK / Buenos Aires (overnight hotel stay) | Fly to Ushuaia | Seven-days Antarctic Experience | Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires / Fly UK (overnight)

Veranda Suite from £10,468pp

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Wild Scottish Isles & Iceland with Luxury Reykjavik Stay

Seabourn Venture | 6 July 2026 | 13 Nights

Itinerary: Fly UK / Dublin | Calf of Man | Douglas | Rothesay | Tobermory | Isle of Eigg | Stornoway | Am Baile | Lerwick | Isle of Noss | Heimaey | Reykjavik (three-night hotel stay) / Fly UK

Veranda Suite £8,359pp

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If my experience has inspired you and you think you may like to embark on your own voyage, please get in touch with our expedition specialist concierge on 0808 163 3075.