Seabourn has promoted veteran expedition leader Robin West to vice president, expedition operations and planning, to oversee and continue development of the line’s expedition-oriented product in destinations around the world.
The appointment comes amidst continued growth at Seabourn, which includes the recent announcement of plans to build two new ultra-luxury expedition ships.
“Robin has helped drive the tremendous success of our Ventures by Seabourn programme, which is offered in numerous desirable destinations around the world,” said Seabourn president Richard Meadows.
“Now we’re expanding our ultra-luxury expedition travel product with ships dedicated to further delivering highly authentic experiences in new and amazing destinations.
“Robin’s extraordinary capabilities will continue to help Seabourn expand the definition of ultra-luxury adventure travel in all corners of the world.”
West started at Seabourn by serving as expedition leader during Seabourn’s highly successful inaugural season of four voyages aboard Seabourn Quest in Antarctica and Patagonia between November of 2013 and February of 2014.
He was later promoted to director in 2017.
A native of South Africa, West is a graduate of the University of Port Elizabeth.
After graduating he founded two companies offering scuba diving and outdoor adventure experiences in many of South Africa’s most beautiful and thrilling areas.
Expanding his experiences beyond Africa, he has participated in expedition travel operations since 2002, sailing on numerous ships and planning and executing expedition programmes for half a dozen companies.
He has spent multiple seasons in regions from the circumpolar Arctic to the Antarctic, including east and west Africa, the south Pacific, Indian Ocean, south-east Asia, Central and South America, Australia and the Mediterranean.
As vice president, West will be responsible for overall planning and management of Seabourn’s expedition operations to Antarctica, the Arctic, and other exotic destinations around the world.
He will also continue to oversee the line’s highly successful Ventures by Seabourn programme of optional, for-charge expedition-style excursions offered in select destinations.
In addition, he will further enhance the company’s current deployments with added opportunities for Seabourn guests to enjoy the company’s award-winning luxury and onboard amenities in combination with authentic, adventurous experiences ashore – bringing together two worlds, on board and on shore, like no other travel experience.