Seabourn Adds Included Zodiac Excursions to 2028 World Cruise

Seabourn has unveiled details of its 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise, a 120-day voyage aboard Seabourn Quest scheduled to depart Miami on Jan. 7, 2028. The sailing is set to cover more than 26,000 nautical miles across five continents and more than 50 destinations, while also introducing complimentary expedition-style experiences on a Seabourn world cruise for the first time.

A Cape to Cape route built around Seabourn’s anniversary year

Seabourn is positioning the voyage as the start of its 40th anniversary year, with a Panama Canal transit framed as a nod to the line’s early history and a retracing of the route of its first sailing. The overall “Cape to Cape” concept links Cape Horn in South America with the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, pairing marquee stops with more remote calls and scenic cruising tied to South America’s southern capes.

Itinerary highlights cited by Seabourn include Antarctica, Easter Island and the Falkland Islands, along with select sailings in the Chilean Fjords.

Expedition-style experiences included in the fare

The 2028 Cape to Cape sailing adds an expedition component that Seabourn says will be included in the fare in select regions. The line plans to staff the voyage with an expanded 18-person expedition team, offering complimentary Zodiac cruising and guided hiking, with optional kayaking tours also highlighted as part of the broader activity lineup.

Executive: “how luxury meets exploration at Seabourn”

Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn, tied the itinerary and programming shift to the brand’s positioning in the luxury and exploration space.

“As we celebrate 40 years of luxury, small-ship cruising, the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise showcases how luxury meets exploration at Seabourn: reaching off-the-beaten-path destinations while offering the ease, comfort and warmth our guests cherish,” Tamis said.

Guest inclusions, plus an added Machu Picchu program

Alongside the itinerary, Seabourn is attaching a package of inclusions aimed at long-haul travelers and extended voyages. The line also highlighted a multi-day Seabourn Journey to Machu Picchu, offered as a pre- or post-cruise excursion.

Seabourn’s published amenities and booking terms for the 2028 world cruise include:

• Air and pre-cruise: Roundtrip Business Class air and a one-night hotel stay in Miami before embarkation.
• Connectivity: Upgraded Stream Wi-Fi powered by Starlink for two devices.
• Onboard services: Unlimited laundry, wet cleaning and pressing.
• Suite benefits: Shipboard credit of up to $6,000 for Ocean and Veranda Suites, and up to $10,000 for Penthouse Suite categories and higher.
• Booking terms and extras: A reduced deposit (50 percent lower) and exclusive gifts.

Two length options, one core program

The full version of the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise runs 120 days from Miami to Dover, which Seabourn positions as the voyage’s London gateway. Seabourn is also selling a 112-day option that ends with early disembarkation in Lisbon.

Seabourn has described the shorter version as a time-commitment alternative rather than a fundamentally different itinerary, with both sailings built around the same core destination program and the expedition-style elements offered in select regions.

Broader cruise industry activity during Wave Season

Seabourn’s announcement arrives during Wave Season, the cruise industry’s busiest booking period, when multiple brands roll out promotions and new product updates. In recent announcements cited alongside the Seabourn reveal, MSC Cruises ordered four next-generation vessels under its New Frontier platform, expected to carry 5,400 passengers each, with deliveries starting in 2030, while Carnival Cruise Line reported record booking volumes, including a surge in demand during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as it looks toward a strong 2026 to 2028 deployment.

Other developments referenced include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva debuting in Galveston, Texas, for Caribbean cruises, and continued activity in the river cruise segment, including Trafalgar’s expansion into Christmas Markets voyages on the Rhine and Danube for 2026 to 2027 and Tauck’s introduction of a women’s wellness-focused riverboat retreat. Holland America Line, meanwhile, introduced what it called its largest annual savings promotion to date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does Seabourn’s 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise depart?

The sailing is scheduled to depart from Miami on Jan. 7, 2028.

What ship will operate the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise?

Seabourn Quest is the ship assigned to the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise.

What is new about the onboard and shore experience for this world cruise?

Seabourn is adding complimentary expedition-style experiences to a world cruise for the first time, led by an expanded 18-person expedition team. Seabourn highlighted included Zodiac cruising and guided hiking in select regions, along with optional kayaking tours.

Are there different itinerary lengths available?

Yes. Guests can book a 120-day voyage ending in Dover (London gateway) or a 112-day option with early disembarkation in Lisbon, with both built around the same core destination program.

How does this voyage tie into Seabourn’s 40th anniversary?

Seabourn said the sailing will kick off its 40th anniversary year and includes a Panama Canal transit positioned as a nod to the line’s early history, including retracing the route of its first sailing.

With Seabourn Quest set to sail from Miami on Jan. 7, 2028, Seabourn’s 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise combines a “Cape to Cape” route linking Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope with a new, included expedition-style program, while giving guests a choice between the 120-day Miami-to-Dover itinerary and a 112-day Miami-to-Lisbon option.