This brand-new cruise ship might be the most opulent way to discover Australia’s Kimberley coast

Australia's Kimberley region, known as one of the globe's most secluded destinations, now hosts one of the most extravagant cruise ships.

The luxury cruise line Seabourn officially launched its latest ship, the 264-passenger Seabourn Pursuit, along the stunning and rugged coastline of the Kimberley — a rapidly growing hotspot for adventurous expedition cruising.

Tailored for journeys in remote areas with limited infrastructure, Seabourn Pursuit will operate 10-night summer voyages to the Kimberley from Broome and Darwin, Australia.

The ship will explore sites like the crocodile-rich Hunter River and Ngula (Jar Island), famous for its ancient Indigenous Australian rock art. Other highlights will include King George Falls, the tallest twin waterfalls in Western Australia, and Montgomery Reef, the largest inshore reef in the world.

On Saturday, Seabourn executives introduced Seabourn Pursuit during a unique and heartfelt naming ceremony at Ngula, featuring representatives from the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation.

As part of the ceremony, the Wunambal Gaambera people were honored as the godparents of the ship. They are the Traditional Owners of the Kimberley area encompassing Ngula Bay, the Hunter River (locally called Yirinni), and the adjacent Mitchell Plateau.

In Australia, the term Traditional Owners refers to Indigenous individuals or groups who maintain a cultural and ancestral connection to a specific land area.

In recent years, Seabourn has fostered a relationship with the Wunambal Gaambera people in preparation for Seabourn Pursuit’s arrival in their ancestral territory, aiming to create plans for sustainable and authentic visits.

"Wunambal Gaambera is delighted to join Seabourn and your guests in celebrating the naming of your new ship here in our homeland," remarked Catherine Goonack, chairperson of the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, at the start of the naming ceremony on the beach at Ngula.

"Wunambal Gaambera extends a warm welcome to Seabourn as you visit our lands, bringing guests from Australia and beyond to experience our culture," Goonack expressed as around 200 passengers from Seabourn Pursuit gathered in a semicircle on the beach.

The passengers reached the beach by Zodiac boats from Seabourn Pursuit, which was anchored offshore, and were greeted by the Wunambal Gaambera people with a traditional Welcome to Country smoke ceremony known as "jimirri" as they made their way ashore.

During the ceremony, Wunambal Gaambera representatives waved smoked ironwood branches over the heads and hearts of the arriving guests. This ritual is performed to welcome visitors, wish them safe travels, and to "prevent our old people's spirits from following them," explained Traditional Owner Lillian Karadada.

"Today is an incredibly emotional occasion for all of us," remarked Seabourn President Natalya Leahy while addressing the Wunambal Gaambera representatives and Seabourn Pursuit passengers gathered on the beach.

In her conversation with the Wunambal Gaambera representatives, Leahy expressed that it was their dream to once again inhabit the land where the naming ceremony was being held. Throughout the 20th century, many Indigenous Australian children from the area were forcibly removed from their families, causing significant disruptions to their society and connections to their ancestral lands.

"Today has reminded us all of the strength of dreams," Leahy stated, highlighting Seabourn's aspiration to bring passengers to remote locations like the Kimberley to foster connections among people. She noted, "As we engaged in your sacred traditions, passed down through generations for thousands of years, we forge bonds that will last a lifetime."

Leahy expressed that the warm hospitality shown by the Wunambal Gaambera people at the event reminded her that "travel possesses a unique ability to impact our lives in ways we cannot fully grasp. It brings the world closer, making it more compassionate and connected."

The beach ceremony featured Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners, adorned in ochre, performing a "Junba," a traditional storytelling song and dance. This was followed by a unique bottle-breaking ceremony aboard Seabourn Pursuit, where a representative used a bottle crafted from sugar and coated in sand from Ngula, symbolizing sustainability instead of the traditional Champagne.

The festivities for the naming day concluded with an opera performance at the stern of the ship, complemented by Champagne and caviar, followed by an exclusive inaugural dinner served throughout the ship's dining venues.

Designed for adventurous travel off the beaten path

Seabourn Pursuit is one of two new expedition vessels introduced by Seabourn in the last two years, marking its entry into the expedition cruise market. The second ship, Seabourn Venture, launched in 2022 and is nearly identical to Seabourn Pursuit.

As with all expedition vessels, both ships are meticulously crafted and equipped to transport travelers to isolated and challenging destinations, such as Australia's Kimberley region, which many never get to experience.

Seabourn Pursuit features a reinforced hull, enabling it to navigate through ice in polar areas like Antarctica, along with oversized fuel tanks and food storage to support extended operations in remote locations without needing to resupply.

Moreover, it includes its own landing craft—small rubber Zodiac boats—to ferry passengers to shore in areas lacking infrastructure. It also carries 8 sea kayaks and, notably, two submarines for exploration, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving equipment. A large expedition team of experts accompanies the journey, leading landings and offering lectures on board.

However, Seabourn Pursuit offers more than just adventure. Like all Seabourn ships, it is a luxury liner that provides some of the highest standards of service and indulgence at sea.

Onboard Seabourn Pursuit, guests can enjoy two sophisticated and upscale restaurants, multiple chic lounges, and a comprehensive spa—all exquisitely crafted by the renowned design firm Tihany Design, known for luxury hotels and cruise ships.

Seabourn joins a growing trend among expedition cruise operators to include the remote Kimberley wilderness in their itineraries. This summer, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours also debuted its first Kimberley sailings. Other operators, such as Ponant and Silversea Cruises, expanded their offerings to the region in 2017 and 2014, respectively, and continue to enhance their presence there.

After an eight-year hiatus, Lindblad Expeditions resumed its sailings in the Kimberley in 2023.

Numerous small Australian adventure cruise companies, including True North and Coral Expeditions, have provided voyages to the Kimberley on intimate vessels for many years.