Seabourn Odyssey Ship Review

Seabourn Odyssey anchored in Rovinj, Croatia. Note the aft sports platform and marina in the center. © Ralph Grizzle

Seabourn Odyssey Overview

Seabourn’s first new ships since commissioning its original fleet in the late 80s and early 90s, Seabourn Odyssey and her identical twin sisters are about twice the size of their older fleetmates (measuring 32,000 gross tons and carrying 450 guests), and pack twice the punch while maintaining the same sense of calm, Scandinavian luxury.

Click for deck plans and deals on Seabourn Odyssey

Like all the Seabourn ships — and like all real luxury vessels — Odyssey is all about providing a venue where people who just want to relax can do so, while quiet, polite staff scurry around bringing them refined things: a cup of tea, a cucumber sandwich, suntan lotion, a drink from the bar (included in the price, of course), and even a moist towelette to clean you glasses.

Seabourn strives for clairvoyance, anticipating your desire for that complimentary glass of champagne while you're lounging by the pool. © Ralph Grizzle

The watchword is quality: There’s no cheapness on this ship, no cutting corners on the assumption that guests won’t know any better. Everywhere, in everything — from her sleek design and gorgeous materials to her service, dining, accommodations, and overall atmosphere — Odyssey shines.

Check out our Seabourn video ship reviews.

Public Rooms & Activities On Seabourn Odyssey

Physically, the ship is stunning in the most understated, tasteful, but obviously expensive kind of way — more Coco Chanel than rococo Carnival. Where many ships drown their public spaces with wild colors, textures, and eye-catching artwork, Odyssey and her sisters go the opposite direction, with little ornamentation to clutter the well-honed effect of their beautifully designed wood, leather, marble, and onyx interiors.

Coco Chanel Chic Seabourn. © Ralph Grizzle

On the whole, the ship maintains a nice sense of quiet, with almost no announcements and none of the in-your-face activities you find on many mainstream ships. Activities, such as they are, include wine tastings, ballroom dance classes, yoga classes, cooking lessons, bridge games, and golf-putting tournaments, but if you’re a movie fan, you may not ever make it out of your cabin since the on-demand selection on the stateroom TVs is stunningly large and varied.

Seabourn Quest Marina

When at anchor, Seabourn ships often open the marina for water-sports activities.

If you do finally make it out, you can lounge, swim, or go hot-tubbing on the spacious pool deck or sunbathe on the top-deck Sun Terrace. For more privacy, Quest also features an Aft pool, with two whirlpools and ocean views.

Aft Pool on Seabourn Odyssey

Aft Pool on Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn

You can also work out at the surprisingly large gym with its treadmills, weigh machines, and “kinesis wall” strength-training machine; or have a treatment at the 11,400-square-foot spa, a gorgeous space highlighted by aromatherapy steamrooms and cabana-style indoor/outdoor relaxation area.

The Gym on Seabourn Odyssey

The Gym on Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn

Guests looking for the ultimate can book a private Spa Villa, outfitted with a curtained daybed, a two-person spa tub, a private sunbathing balcony, a dining area, and a treatment space where a masseuse provides private treatments for one or two guests.

Spa Villa On Seabourn Odyssey

Spa Villa On Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn

In the afternoon, you can take a very civilized high tea at The Club, with servers bringing elegant finger food, teas in silver services, and honey in tiny individual pots.

At night, The Club offers pre-dinner piano music and post-dinner dancing. Alternatively, you can take in a small production show at the smallish Grand Salon; hear quiet music at the Observation Bar on Deck 10 (a great room with a 270-degree view over the bow); or gamble in the small casino.

Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn pool deck. © Ralph Grizzle.

Movie night on the pool deck on Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn. © Ralph Grizzle

Aft deck on Seabourn Odyssey

Another view of the two hot tubs and a pool perched aft. © Ralph Grizzle

The ship’s main meeting spot is Seabourn Square, a multi-purpose area that combines the ship’s concierge and purser’s desks, library, and Internet center with a nice little cafe serving snacks and beverages.

Seabourn Square on Seabourn Quest, Odyssey and Sojourn. © Ralph Grizzle

Six bars and lounges serve a full range of beverages including fine wines and spirits with Seabourn’s compliments.

Dining On Seabourn Odyssey

At mealtimes, guests have two main options. The ship’s main restaurant, called simply The Restaurant, is a completely stunning space done completely in white and pale gold with billowing white curtains segmenting the space and adding intimacy. The room’s central two-story section, directly under its glittering central chandelier, is its grandest spot and is capable of seating all guests at once.

Seabourn Odyssey main dining room

Elegant and intimate: Seabourn Odyssey's main dining room. © Ralph Grizzle

The other main dinner option is Restaurant 2, which features 5- and 6-course tasting menus for up to 72 guests per night. The ambience is more casual than at the Restaurant, but the presentation doesn’t suffer, with mainly meat and seafood dishes perfectly prepared and presented.

The Colonnade Outside Dining For Lunch and Dinner, Weather-Permitting

The Colonnade Outside Dining For Lunch and Dinner, Weather-Permitting

There’s also a poolside grill, plus a casual indoor/outdoor restaurant (the Colonnade) that serves buffet and made-to-order breakfasts and lunches, plus regionally themed bistro-style dinners, with table service.

Seabourn Odyssey's Patio Grill is possibly one of the most attractive pool dining venues afloat. As expected, the Patio Grill serves up the usual offerings of burgers and fries, along with turkey burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken and fish. There is also a selection of salads and panini, the Italian sandwiches. Also tempting was the thin-crust, gourmet pizza, made on the spot from noon until 7 p.m. Weather-permitting, the Patio Grill transforms to an evening venue for intimate al fresco dining. © Ralph Grizzle

Seabourn Odyssey Staterooms & Suites

Odyssey’s 225 stateroms and suites are all outside, and all but 26 of them offer private balconies. Decor is understated and stylish and the layout is spacious and cool, without any sense of clutter.

The most common accommodation aboard is the Veranda Suite, which offers about 300 square feet of interior space plus a 65-square-foot balcony. A curtain divides the large living room and bedroom areas, which are outfitted with a queen-size bed, walk-in closet, stocked bar and fridge, flatscreen TV, and a large marble bathroom with separate tub and shower. For a detailed description, read Ralph Grizzle’s A Luxury Cruise On Seabourn Odyssey: Suite 622

Penthouse Suite on Seabourn Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn

Penthouse Suite on Seabourn Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn

All suites feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalized stationery, iPod and MP3 connections and spacious granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks.

Wintergarden Suite

Wintergarden Suite

High-end suites add high-end luxury: The 1,000-square-foot Wintergarden Suites, for instance, offer two bedrooms, a separate dining area, a huge balcony, and a glass solarium with a day bed and whirlpool tub.

Wintergarden Suite Solarium

Wintergarden Suite Solarium

Excerpt from, A Luxury Cruise On Seabourn Odyssey: Suite 622.

I am traveling comfortably on a luxury cruise in Veranda Suite 622 on Seabourn Odyssey.

My suite, situated on the port side, measures 300 square feet and features a sitting area, a truly functional table for dining or working, a somewhat-small-flat-panel-television for a luxury ship, an iPod docking station, queen-size bed, walk-in closet with safe, and a fully stocked bar and refrigerator. The earth tones suit my taste just fine.

Seabourn Odyssey is much less bold brass and gaudy glitz than it is refined style and enduring elegance.

Suite 622 measures 300 square feet and features a sitting area, a truly functional table for dining or working. © Ralph Grizzle

The LG flat-panel TV, despite being less large than I would expect on a ship fresh from the shipyard, is, however, highly interactive, and with more than a few weeks’ worth of free movies on demand.

The television is a bit small for a luxury cruise vessel, but highly interactive. © Ralph Grizzle

Read the full review, A Luxury Cruise On Seabourn Odyssey: Suite 622.

Seabourn Odyssey‘s sisters are Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.

Read more Seabourn reviews:

Cruise reviews and related posts for Seabourn Odyssey

Cruise reviews and related posts for Seabourn Sojourn

Cruise reviews and related posts for Seabourn Quest

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  • http://www.avidcruiser.com Ralph Grizzle

    Georganne, You’ll be fine. I’m no longer on the ship, but you’re only a couple of decks above 622. Mine was the quietest room I’ve ever experienced at sea, and you have great access to the pool. I think deck 8 is a good location, and you’re close to either bank of elevators. You’ll have a great time. Enjoy!

  • Georganne Sherrel

    My husband and I are departing on the September 5th Odyssey Cruise from Venice to Athens, booked in Suite 828. What do you think of the location? Is it too close to the pool? Is it noisy? Would also appreciate any other suggestions. Thanks.

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