14 Jul 2024 7 nights RET

# 15619 R
7 nights departing July 14, 2024
Seabourn ❘ Seabourn Encore
Brochure Suite $14,204
Our balcony Suite $2,704
Vibe
Elegant but unpretentious atmosphere
 
Key Signatures of the Brand:
Extreme Luxury – all-suite – small ships
Almost 1:1 guest ratio
Separate lounge and bedroom area
Walk in robes
Marble bathroom double sink/shower/bath
Balconies large enough for deck loungers
Signature aft water sports marina on no expedition ships
Signature submarines on the Expedition ships
Signature events
Sail away parties, Caviar in the Surf, Galley Market Day.
 
What’s Included:
All meals, including specialty dining
All tips paid
Unlimited caviar
Free Flow French
Full open bar
Full mini bar
Signature deck parties
Aft Water Sports Marina
 
What’s Not Included:
Taxes vary by region and port. 
Shore Excursions
 
Demographic Best Suited To:
Almost exclusively for adults only as reduced prices are not offered for children.
Sophisticated travelers who appreciate the very best in personalized service and stylish contemporary design.
The Seabourn dress code is the most relaxed of the high-end cruise lines. Most guests still choose to dress up for dinner, but a collar shirt and jacket will suffice, whereas other brands, such as Silversea, require a tie and Jacket.
 
Closest Competition and How They Differ:
 
The closest competition is Silversea (with individual butlers) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, both of which are more formal in dress codes and staid in design, except their brand-new ships
Silversea and Regent have a higher level of inclusions, such as Taxes and Standard shore excursions, and as such, they tend to be more expensive.
If your budget is tight, Windstar is one to consider. They purchased the original Seabourn fleet and have done them up beautifully. Their ships are smaller, at about 250-300 passengers, and still feature many identical signatures found on the Seabourn fleet today. Their traditional all-suite cruise ships (distinct from their sailing fleet) feature almost the same layout, such as separate lounge areas, walk-in robes, and marble bathrooms.
Azamara is another one, like Windstar, that sits at about 5.5 stars, below Seabourn. Azamara has ships no bigger than 700 passengers, and both have price points below the 6-star brands.
 
The Seabourn Fleet
 
Click through to be taken to the Seabourn website for each ship, with full details of cabins, public spaces, restaurants, and deck plans.
 
Newer - slightly larger at 600 pax – all-balcony ships
Seabourn Ovation 2018
Seabourn Encore 2016
 
Original fleet – slightly smaller at 450 pax – 95% balcony - 5% ocean view
NB The ocean view suites feature a huge picture window and are the same size
Seabourn Quest 2011
Seabourn Sojourn 2010
Seabourn Odyssey 2009
 
Expedition Fleet – 240 pax - all-balcony ships
Seabourn Pursuit 2023
Seabourn Venture 2022
 
VIDEO and REELS
 
Barcelona to Rome 
Standard Suite: The decor differs, but the layout resembles the rest of the fleet.
Seabourn Expedition: Antarctica
 
PHOTOS: 
Singapore to Bali
Facebook photos
 
REVIEW:
 
Below is a review I wrote while onboard my first Seabourn cruise.
 
The first impressions recorded below still hold many years later after having sailed with them many times since. What follows sums up much of why they remain, to this day, after having sailed on all the high-end brands, my favorite, 6-star cruise line.
 
+++
 
Sometimes in life, you stumble across things of beauty, grace, and perfection that tears well in your eyes.
 
It might be a sublime piece of music performed by a consummate artist, or a work of art, or the cuteness of a new puppy, or at times it can be a connection with a stranger involving a shared joy that touches a humanity that lives deep inside us all.
 
I’ve cried the odd tear this week because of the sheer beauty of our shared experience. These amazing people who are all true artists in what they do, have welcomed us into their home, and that is what this ship is, and although we are paying guests it has been a journey we have shared equally with them together.
 
I know this is not a unique or uncommon feeling at the end of many cruises. But none has ever come close to the sheer joy, the sheer magic of the Seabourn experience.
 
It is something far beyond the capacity of words to describe. But perhaps the smiles in some of the photos give the best insight into why the tears have been so apt, so appropriate.
 
This has been one of the most life-changing, life-affirming weeks of my life.