Indigenous Landowners in Kimberley, Australia, to Take on Stewardship of a New Luxury Cruise Ship

Launching a cruise ship involves numerous steps, including designing and constructing the vessel, decorating its interior, and selecting the right crew for its maiden voyage. A time-honored tradition is to enlist a notable public figure to act as the ship's godparent, often a godmother. This custom can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans, who sought divine blessings for their ships to ensure safe travels.

This week, Seabourn made history by naming the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners in Western Australia as the godparents of the luxury cruise line's latest expedition vessel, the 264-passenger Seabourn Pursuit. With this decision, Seabourn becomes the first cruise line to honor traditional Indigenous landowners as godparents of a cruise ship.

The history of the Wunambal Gaambera spans 70,000 years in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They are the Traditional Owners of a land that includes Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau), Yirinni (Hunter River), and Ngula Jar Island (Vansittart Bay); Seabourn Pursuit will visit Ngula Jar Island during its journeys. By selecting the Wunambal Gaambera as godparents, Seabourn reaffirms its dedication to the stewardship and sustainability of the communities and environments its ships engage with globally.

“We believe that the communities we visit can provide the best blessing for our ship. By engaging with local communities, we not only honor their culture but also foster positive, sustainable change in their home regions,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn, in a statement.

As part of this partnership, Seabourn will back a local artist community by featuring their original works on board the Seabourn Pursuit and for other visitors to the area. Additionally, local guides will be invited onto the ship to share their stories with guests. Seabourn will also contribute financially (the specific amount remains undisclosed) alongside funding from the State Tourism Authority, Tourism Western Australia, to support the Wunambal Gaambera’s masterplan for developing seasonal land-based tourism facilities in the Kimberley.

On June 22, Catherine Goonack, Chairperson of the Wanumbal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, along with Uunguu Ranger and Senior Traditional Owners Desmond Williams and Maria Fredericks, will represent their community during the dedication ceremony aboard the Seabourn Pursuit in the Kimberley.

The Wunambal Gaambera people have a collective duty and commitment to care for and thrive on their land. Goonack stated, “Seabourn’s contributions will help us maintain the health of our land and sea country, reinforce our Wanjina Wunggurr culture, and create economic opportunities for our community.”

Following the dedication ceremony on June 22, the Seabourn Pursuit will embark on its 10-day Inaugural Voyage: Discovering the Kimberley, departing from Broome and visiting Lacepede Island, Talbot Bay, Montgomery Reef, Freshwater Cove, Kuri Bay, Hunter River, Ashmore Reef, Vansittart Bay, and King George River before reaching Darwin.

In addition to exploring the Kimberley, the vessel will also navigate through Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Indonesia, and across the South Pacific, spanning from Chile to Melanesia, through October 2024.

Although the official naming and inaugural voyage in the Kimberley is scheduled for June, the luxury expedition vessel Seabourn Pursuit, a sister ship to Seabourn Venture, has been in operation since its launch in August 2023. This ship is specifically crafted to navigate lesser-known destinations, including polar regions, and is equipped with 24 Zodiacs, two submarines, and kayaks for more in-depth exploration.

Seabourn Pursuit is an all-suite ship featuring two-story Wintergarden suites, alongside eight dining options, a spa and wellness center, a gym, a pool, hot tubs, a Discovery Center for educational talks, and retail shops.