The launch of Seabourn’s second dedicated expedition vessel is to be pushed back “a little bit” after global supply chain issues caused building delays.

Lynn Narraway, the line’s new UK and Europe managing director, told a Travel Weekly webcast that Seabourn Pursuit’s planned delivery in February 2023 would be rescheduled due to the delayed launch of sister vessel Seabourn Venture.

Seabourn Pursuit, which will carry up to 264 passengers, had been due to sail its maiden voyage from April 4 next year.

The line’s first expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, is set to enter service from Greenwich, London, on July 15 – just over three months later than originally planned – due to the supply issue problem at the T.Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

Narraway said: “[Pursuit] will be pushed back a little bit because of Venture. [The April 4 launch] might move again. We’re just focusing on Venture at the moment because that’s the big news for us at the moment.”

Narraway, who as part of a recent management restructure took an expanded role at Seabourn, covering Europe as well as the UK, did not confirm Pursuit’s new launch date.

Reflecting on how the UK trade and guests had reacted to Venture’s previously-announced delay, Narraway said there had been “nothing but understanding”.

“Shipyards have suffered from Covid, just like everyone else,” she explained. “It’s not surprising that the ship has been delayed.”

Narraway is “hopeful” travel agents will be able to experience Venture’s launch first-hand in the summer.

She pointed out that Seabourn Venture would not be the first ship to operate expedition sailings for the luxury brand.

“We’ve been doing expedition for five years,” she said. “Seaborn Quest has been going down to Antarctica for many years.”