There’s a curious element to travelling to Antarctica and it’s called the local climate. While we’re staunch fans of polar expeditions, we could, quite frankly, do without the freezing cold. To our great relief – and that of countless other experientially-minded explorers – one of the world’s leading luxury cruise providers, Seabourn, have just teamed up with a household name in weather-defying apparel, Helly Hansen. It’s a match we’ve got the hots for.
Starting November 19, 2020, all staff as well as guests aboard the ultra-luxurious Seabourn Quest – a vessel not unlike a private members club – will be outfitted with professional-grade outerwear, layering systems and accessories they’re sure to be grateful for when venturing out on a Ventures by Seabourn on-land expedition (though strictly speaking, these are optional and you could always just kick back in your ocean-view suite with a glass of bubbly instead). The partnership, in place throughout the entire 2020/21 Antarctica cruising season, will later roll out on Seabourn Venture once it launches in June 2021, serving not only the Antarctic, but also the Arctic – conveniently so: we’d been looking for a reason to return.
According to Robin West, vice president of Expedition Operations for Seabourn, the inspiration behind the joint project was born out of both brands’ mutual understanding of just how much the world has to offer to those who dare to go further than others – so long as they’re equipped with the right gear. And that, it is: a sea captain himself, Helly Juell Hansen created the first supple waterproof fabrics to keep his crew protected from the conditions more 140 years ago. With that much experience on its back, the iconic brand has created the custom-designed, cruise-exclusive WaterShield backpack and PolarShield parka, fitted with an original Helly Tech® outer shell.
Though guests will be handed several other garments upon journeying to the poles with Seabourn, too – and in any case, on-board retail spaces are set to offer all sorts of additional high-end Helly Hansen gear. It’s a smart move: souvenirs are hard to come by in the Antarctic.
www.seabourn.com | www.hellyhansen.com
Photography courtesy of Seabourn
