Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn’s newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition vessel, made its maiden arrival at Broome on the morning of Saturday 22nd June. The ship is sailing in the Kimberley for the first time on a series of 10-day voyages between Darwin and Broome from June to August 2024.
Seabourn President Natalya Leahy, along with Vice President and General Manager of Expedition Operations and Planning Robin West, hosted a group of local government officials, stakeholders and media during an event to commemorate the highly anticipated arrival of the ship and Seabourn’s inaugural season in the region. The day included a Welcome to Country from the Yawuru Aboriginal Corporation and remarks from Ms. Divina D’Anna, MLA, and Parliamentary Secretary to Deputy Premier Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA (Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism; Member for West Swan), where she addressed the crowd on the significance of Seabourn Pursuit’s arrival for tourism in the region. Following, attendees joined a ship tour and then an onboard dining experience at The Restaurant.
A once-in-a-lifetime expedition, the Kimberley in Western Australia is one of the world’s most remote destinations, renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, abundant wildlife, and Aboriginal culture. Experiencing the Kimberley with Seabourn Pursuit will provide travellers access to remote locations such as Ngula Jar Island; the most picturesque views throughout the entire journey as the ship weaves through the towering cliffs and gorges; and navigation by a world-class expedition team of experts through the most exhilarating nature and cultural experiences in the region.
Travellers will enjoy immersive experiences befitting the rich cultural significance of the Kimberley region.
Earlier this year Seabourn announced the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit. Seabourn is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit serves as a symbolic gesture of stewardship and responsibility toward the environment and the communities that Seabourn visits, as well as Seabourn’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
The Wunambal Gaambera people are the Traditional Owners of a region in the Kimberley that includes the sea country of Ngula Jar Island (Vansittart Bay) and Yirinni (Hunter River), and the freshwater country of Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau).
As part of this appointment with the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners, Seabourn will make a donation to assist Wunambal Gaambera to develop a self-sustaining industry, producing authentic works of art and craft by Wunambal Gaambera artists to sell. In addition, Seabourn will also supply the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation with pearl shells and various art supplies and polishing materials to foster sustainable, commercial arts and craft initiatives year-round for Wunambal Gaambera artists and craft producers.
Seabourn will work alongside Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as they share their unique Uunguu Experience – the sharing of their Wanjina Wunggurr culture through welcome and smoking ceremonies; rock art tours; junba song and dance; and art and stories from the Uunguu Rangers looking after and keeping the country healthy.
Seabourn’s monetary contribution, along with funding already received from the State Tourism Authority, Tourism Western Australia, will contribute to Wunambal Gaambera’s development of tourism facilities and products for Traditional Owners to live on their country during the dry season when tourism operators can access the vast coastline of the Kimberley region. Seabourn congratulates Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation’s implementation of their Uunguu Visitor Management Plan to reconnect with their country, to manage visitor access and take leadership in the tourism industry, and to engage with water-based visitors who arrive on their land, thus participating in the value chain that operators like Seabourn offer.
Seabourn’s newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, is an intimate ship with private, yacht-like atmosphere, featuring 132 luxuriously appointed ocean-front veranda suites — taking ultra-luxury travelers further, deeper, and closer to the most coveted and remote destinations in the world. Led by a world-class 24-person Expedition Team to deliver immersive experiences throughout the entire journey, each voyage offers exclusive experiences such as curated shore excursions, cultural tours, guided Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Further information on Seabourn Pursuit, suites and public spaces of the ship can be found here. For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, call Seabourn at 13 24 02, visit www.seabourn.com or contact a professional travel advisor.
