Seabourn Cruise Review

Seabourn Overview

For almost a quarter century, the Seabourn name has been synonymous with luxury cruising. Founded in 1987 by legendary cruise mogul Warren Titus (who’d also founded Royal Viking Line 15 years earlier) and Norwegian businessman Atle Brynestad (currently owner and chairman of SeaDream Yacht Club), the line early on established a distinct cruising style: quiet, refined, and genteel, with nearly clairvoyant service, exceptional food and wine, and itineraries that concentrate on intimate ports where the big ships don’t go.

These are not cruises for people who like their vacations dramatic, ostentatious, or fast-paced. Aboard Seabourn, relaxation rules and distractions are few. Seabourn guests tend to be mature, well-off individuals who prefer to take their vacations at their own pace and just want nice surroundings and a capable staff that can anticipate their needs.

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Activities Aboard Seabourn

For adults, activities tend toward the low-key, such as wine tastings, exercise classes, spa seminars, or talks – known as Seabourn Conversations – by noted authors, historians, diplomats, chefs, wine connoisseurs, film directors, and the like. Entertainment is similarly low-key, focused around music, dancing, casino gambling, and a variety of acts in the main lounge: comedians, musicians, puppeteers, etc. It’s very much a laid-back, make-your-own-kind-of-fun cruise, and that’s just how Seabourn’s guests like it.

Seabourn ships feature marinas that are lowered into the water for waterspouts activities.

For more active activity, each ship has a water sports marina that can be lowered from the stern, allowing guests easy sea access for kayaking, water-skiing, windsurfing, and swimming. Weather and sea conditions permitting, it’s used at anchor on designated “Marina Days,” and on days when the line puts on one of its signature “Champagne and Caviar in the Surf” beach barbecues, which include a red carpet in the sand to greet guests as they’re dropped off by landing boat, a huge gourmet spread, a full bar, and uniformed waiters who wade around in the surf, serving iced champagne and caviar from a customized life-ring.

Recently, Seabourn began offering Ventures by Seabourn aboard select sailings. These expedition-style shore excursion experiences are guided by the ship’s onboard expedition team, and can include hikes, zodiac adventures, and guided kayaking explorations. These excursions come at an additional cost, but are well-worth it to experience something unique that few others will have the chance to.

Families with kids are extremely rare, and there are no activities or facilities for children.

Dining Aboard Seabourn

Onboard dining is a similarly exceptional experience. Aboard all Seabourn ships, the main restaurant, called simply The Restaurant, serves dinners in single open seatings, with guests able to arrive anytime they like during dinner hours and find seating for their party. Dinner service is attentive and high-style while remaining unobtrusive — the perfect blend.

And wines, of course (as well as almost all other beverages on board), are complimentary.

If you want an alternative to the main restaurant, Seabourn ships also offer The Grill by Thomas Keller in the space formerly occupied by Restaurant 2. Inspired by the classic American steakhouse experience, Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest were given a dramatic makeover for this space, which features a menu specially designed by Thomas Keller for Seabourn, complemented by a craft cocktail list and an extensive wine menu. Open only for dinner; reservations requested. Seabourn Sojourn will receive this update in late 2017.

All vessels also feature The Colonnade, a super-stylish space situated at the rear of the vessels and characterized as serving “Elegant Bistro,” with both indoor and al fresco dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Patio Grill, situated on the pool deck, also features outdoor dining during both lunch and dinner.

Seabourn Encore also has a dedicated sushi bar located on Deck 7 that is open for lunch and dinner.

Also see this report from our 2013 sailing on Seabourn Quest What To Expect On Board: Fine Dining On Seabourn

Though onboard dress tends toward resort casual, optional formal nights tend to be formal, with occasional tuxedos and gowns. Here’s how Seabourn describes its dress code in the Seabourn Herald (an on-board informational publication delivered to staterooms and suites each evening):

Jeans Summary: Welcome in all venues during the day. Casual jeans are not welcome in The Restaurant after 6 p.m., and not in any venue (including deck grills) on Formal Optional nights.
Resort Casual: For gentlemen, no jacket required. A shirt or sweater with slacks is appropriate. For ladies, a blouse with skirt or slacks.
Elegantly Casual: Slacks and jacket over sweater or collared sweater for men. Blouse with skirt or slacks, dressy pantsuit, dress or similar for ladies.
Formal Optional: Guests who wish to dress more formally are invited to wear tuxedo or dark suit for gentlemen; evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies. Elegantly Casual attire is also appropriate for all venues.

Seabourn Staterooms & Suites

For detailed information on staterooms and suites, see the individual ship reviews below or continue reading Ralph Grizzle’s A Luxury Cruise On Seabourn Odyssey: Suite 622.

Seabourn Ship Reviews In Video

From 2014 & 2015 on Seabourn Quest

From 2011 on Seabourn Sojourn & Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn Reviews

To read a review of a particular ship, click the link under "Read the Review." If applicable, our Live Voyage Reports offer a day-by-day overview of an actual cruise onboard. In some cases, there may be more than one report, to be sure to see if your favorite destination is represented.

Ship Review	Live Voyage Report
Seabourn Odyssey Review
Seabourn Quest Review	• Antarctica
Seabourn Sojourn Review
Seabourn Encore Review
Seabourn Ovation Review