Friday, April 19, 2024
Seabourn, renowned for its ultra-luxury cruises and expedition travel, proudly designates the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as the godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, its latest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition vessel. This groundbreaking decision marks Seabourn as the first cruise line to honor Traditional Owners in this manner, underscoring its commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. The official naming ceremony will take place during Seabourn Pursuit’s voyage from June 22 to July 2, 2024, in the Kimberley region of Australia.
The Wunambal Gaambera people hold custodianship over significant areas in the Kimberley, including Ngula Jar Island (Vansittart Bay), Yirinni (Hunter River) at sea, and Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau) inland.
“We believe no one can give a better blessing to our ship than the communities we visit. We truly believe in the transformative power of travel, and when we visit local communities, we are able to both celebrate their culture and drive positive sustainable change in the places they call home,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “When we set out to name the godparent for Seabourn Pursuit, we knew we wanted to do something that celebrates this special moment for the ship and also allows us to drive long-term sustainable positive change in line with the values Seabourn and our guests stand for.”
In maritime tradition, christening a ship invokes blessings upon all who will journey aboard. The role of godparents, described by the Wunambal Gaambera people as “garrangarru,” akin to a nurturing listener or mother figure, signifies a special connection between Seabourn Pursuit and the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC). The WGAC, with its profound cultural heritage and sustainable tourism initiatives along the Kimberley Coast, aligns seamlessly with Seabourn Pursuit’s inaugural season in Western Australia.
On June 29, 2024, representatives from the WGAC will welcome guests aboard Seabourn Pursuit at Ngula Jar Island, participating in the vessel’s dedication ceremony.
“We, the Wunambal Gaambera people, have a communal need and responsibility to look after and prosper from our country. Seabourn’s contributions will assist us to be on country, look after and keep our land and sea country healthy, strengthen our Wanjina Wunggurr culture, and create economic opportunities for our people,” said Catherine Goonack, Chairperson of the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation. “It is important we are looking after our country in the way of our Wanjina Wunggurr law. We are happy when we and our future generations are living and working on our healthy Wunambal Gaambera Country. We appreciate Seabourn’s support to us in these efforts and look forward to sharing our unique Uunguu Experience with Seabourn and their guests as the garrangarru or Godparents of the Seabourn Pursuit.”
In a lasting partnership, Seabourn commits to supporting the Wunambal Gaambera community’s sustainable development efforts. This includes financial contributions to foster local artistry and provision of materials for artistic endeavors. Seabourn also plans to collaborate closely with the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners to offer guests immersive experiences showcasing the Uunguu Experience, encompassing cultural ceremonies, rock art tours, traditional song and dance, and insights from the Uunguu Rangers.
“This is a wonderful collaboration of Wunambal Gaambera and Seabourn that is augmented by Tourism Western Australia, demonstrating our shared values and the promise of greater opportunities for Traditional Owners in the Kimberley region. We are proud to support Wunambal Gaambera’s Ngula Jar Island development as we strive to position Western Australia as the leading Australian destination for authentic Aboriginal experiences,” said Carolyn Turnbull, Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia. “We know visitors to Western Australia — the Dream State — are seeking immersive Indigenous experiences and the work we are supporting on Ngula Jar Island will enable this to happen. The ongoing visitation fueled by premium cruise tourism operators, like Seabourn, provides the necessary market to make this initiative successful and sustainable.”
Furthermore, Seabourn’s contributions, combined with support from tourism authorities, will aid in the development of tourism infrastructure and services, enabling Traditional Owners to thrive on their land while managing visitor access responsibly.
Seabourn Pursuit, with its intimate, yacht-like ambiance and 132 luxurious ocean-front veranda suites, promises discerning travelers unparalleled journeys to remote destinations worldwide. Guided by a top-tier Expedition Team, each voyage offers exclusive activities such as curated shore excursions, cultural tours, Zodiac cruises, and nature expeditions, enriching the travel experience.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
