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Brew coffee from a high-end Nespresso machine, although, of course, you can order a pot or specialty cup of joe. By day, casual, resort-style attire—shorts, jeans, tank tops—is expected in dining venues and lounges. Swimsuits and cover ups as well as exercise attire should be reserved for poolside, and at the spa and fitness center. It’s not uncommon to see passengers dressed to the nines when dining at the Grill or sipping cocktails at the handsome bar adjacent to the piano player, but the most formal venue is The Restaurant.
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Still, while the ships are smaller than what you'll find at a mass-market line, they're not cramped. Indeed, they're among the most spacious ships at sea when measured by their space-per-passenger ratio, which is about 50% higher than what you'll find on many mass-market ships. They also operate at a nearly one-to-one ratio of staff to passengers — one of the highest levels in the cruise business. Seabourn operates seven vessels — two Encore-class ships, three Odyssey-class ships and two expedition ships. That number is set to drop by one in 2024 when one of the Odyssey-class vessels leaves the Seabourn fleet.
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One of the western most cities in the Inside Passage, the coastal town of Sitka offers vivid history and stunning vistas truly unique, containing vaulted mountain peaks and crystal-clear waters. Alaska remains one of the most extreme and ecologically rich places on the planet, home to some of the largest birds, bears, and aquatic life. The skies are filled with the calls of the marvelous Bald Eagle; the water parts for other dwellers, as whales and countless other marine species call this passage home.
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Most servers seemed genuinely happy, and when asked how their day was going, they often answered “amazing” and it never sounded fake. Suite attendants - this line doesn’t offer butler service - kept accommodations spotless. They were also excellent at remembering daily requests, such as placing fresh orange juice in your fridge daily. Seabourn does an impressive job of morphing adventure into its signature luxury experience onboard Seabourn Venture, its first expedition vessel.
That said, I have mixed feelings about their larger size, which results in a slightly more crowded feel. This is most noticeable when at the main pool areas of the vessels, which aren't much bigger than the main pool areas on the Odyssey-class ships, despite the ships carrying about a third more passengers. Dining options include The Restaurant, the ship's main dining room, which offers elegant sit-down meals; The Patio, a poolside venue serving lighter fare; and The Colonnade, a casual eatery with both buffet and table-service dining during the day. Two of the line's three types of ships — the Encore class and Odyssey class — are similar in design. The main difference between the two is that the Encore-class ships are bigger.
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Seabourn, a longtime luxury cruise player, garners kudos for all-suite accommodations, attentive passenger service, elegant ship designs, fine dining and many inclusives such as complimentary alcohol and caviar. Cruisers, well-heeled and well-traveled, are primarily Seabourn devotees. Definitely not the party crowd, passengers skew in the 55+ age category and appreciate the casually elegant country-club vibe. Each of Ovation’s 300 balcony suites, including the entry-level Veranda Suite, has a sitting area with comfy seating, an all-teak wood veranda and lots of storage space. Suites vary in size from 246 to 1292 feet, and all come with a walk-in closet, dining area, dressing table, and a marble bathroom featuring a double vanity, full-size tub, separate shower and Molton Brown toiletries. Cabins have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges stocked with your favorite beverages, which you may select in advance of the trip.
From icy blue waters to a rare look at a narwhal, ivory gull or polar bear, the Arctic is a place of pristine beauty. A Seabourn Arctic Expedition puts this distant world right at the fingertips of adventure-seeking travelers. Kayak over flooded forests, where you'll find sloths, howler monkeys and colorful birds or cruise in a zodiac to see life on a caboclo buffalo farm.
Singular experiences to be had in one of the world's most wild and wonderful places. The world's southernmost continent is an underexplored area that many seasoned travelers still have left unchecked on their to-visit list. Introducing Seabourn Ovation, the sister-ship to the already prestigious Seabourn Encore. Seabourn Ovation represents another welcome stage in the evolution of small ship cruising, which Seabourn pioneered and has consistently expanded and enriched for all of our small ship cruises.
Seabourn ships aren't as big or opulent as the luxury vessels operated by some of its competitors, most notably Regent Seven Seas Cruises (which mostly markets vessels carrying 700 to 750 passengers). If it's soaring spaces loaded with pricey marble and crystal chandeliers you're after, Seabourn may not be for you. However, if you prize intimacy and elegance without a lot of showiness, Seabourn ships could be a good choice.
The Encore-class ships also have a small but sumptuous spa and wellness center with five treatment rooms, a thermal area, a salon and a fitness area. In addition, the ship is home to The Grill by Thomas Keller, an eatery created by the famed chef. It offers his take on the classic American restaurant of the 1950s and 1960s, with his versions of such iconic American dishes as New York strip steak and lobster thermidor. Keller also designed dishes for family-style dinners with set menus served in The Colonnade on select nights. As a result, the Encore-class ships can hold 600 passengers, based on double occupancy, while the Odyssey-class ships are designed to carry up to 458 passengers. Seabourn has six specially designed accessible suites for guests who require mobility assistance.
Seabourn Quest Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Seabourn Quest Itineraries: 2024 & 2025 Schedule (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 21:02:59 GMT [source]
When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Enjoy coffee and tea served every morning, and drinks before or after dinner. Join one of our carefully curated Caribbean shore excursions, such as the Habitacion Clement Exclusive Rum Distillery Experience in Saint Pierre, Martinique.
The Ovation has several bars where you can enjoy complimentary beer, wine, Champagne, and spirits, but if you’re interested in premium wines, you’ll need to pay an extra fee. When the ship cannot dock at a port, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. These transfer operations may not be fully accessible to guests using wheelchairs or scooters, making it difficult to embark or disembark the ship due to steep gangways and steps. Gratuities are included on Seabourn and are not expected, although you might tip if, for example, you're in a suite and ask your butler to arrange a private cocktail party. Guides on tours seemed to expect tips, although they weren't overly pushy. Staff members seem eager to engage with guests, and everyone is happy to point passengers in the right direction when looking for a particular venue or restaurant.
Each offers a version of the main restaurant called The Restaurant and the more casual The Colonnade eatery. Decor-wise, the Encore-class ships have a more yacht-like look than the older Odyssey-class vessels, with interiors created from top-to-bottom by well-known hospitality designer Adam Tihany. Tihany didn't work on the earlier vessels, which have a more Nordic-style sleekness. Every cabin is a suite, and the number of restaurants, bars and lounges is impressive for vessels of this size.
During the day, casual, resort-style attire, including jeans and shorts, is ok in all lounges and dining venues until 6 pm. Bathing suits, short shorts, cover-ups and exercise wear are only acceptable by the pool, on deck or in the spa and fitness center. I was skeptical before boarding with expedition cruising’s explosion of popularity, and wondering how challenging it must be for so many lines to find qualified personnel. They were eager to share information, not just in lectures or on expeditions, but in one-on-one meetups.
Tk patio is billed as the most casual dinner option and is also considered on the healthier side of things, according to several staff members. It’s especially delightful for breakfast—steel cut oatmeal or the quiche of the day a great way to fuel for the day ahead. With regards to getting on and off the ship, the use of a wheelchair will most likely be required. Guests with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark, depending on where the ship docks. Also, some port facilities may not provide accessible transitions options between the tender and shoreside landing.
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