Pool Deck
Pool Deck / Seabourn Cruise Line
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Seabourn Quest in Antarctica
Seabourn Quest in Antarctica / Seabourn Cruise Line
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The Grill on Seabourn Quest
The Grill on Seabourn Quest / Seabourn Cruise Line
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The Colonnade Restaurant
The Colonnade Restaurant / Seabourn Cruise Line
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Grand Salon on Seabourn Quest
Grand Salon on Seabourn Quest / Seabourn Cruise Line
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Seabourn Quest's Veranda Suite
Seabourn Quest's Veranda Suite / Seabourn Cruise Line
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View from Seabourn Odyssey
View from Seabourn Odyssey / Seabourn Cruise Line
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Seabourn

Our Review

With four new ships introduced between 2016 and 2023 — 600-guest all-suite vessels Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation and 264-guest expedition ships Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit — this luxury line that debuted in 1988 and is now owned by Carnival Corp. has expanded its cruise offerings on a truly global scale. Its fleet of ships visits more than 400 ports around the world, and its cruise fares are mostly all-inclusive (all beverages, gratuity, and Wi-Fi).

Seabourn’s two older ships, 458-guest Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Questwere launched in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and provide an equally polished cruise experience with a consistent focus on personalized service in an elegant setting that’s welcoming rather than pretentious. The line’s first 458-guest Odyssey-class ship, 2009’s Seabourn Odyssey, was sold in 2023, but is sailing under Seabourn management through August 2024.

What We Love

The Suite Life: Everyone gets a suite aboard a Seabourn ship. On sibling vessels Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, these range from 246-to-302-square-foot Veranda Suites to the 989-square-foot Wintergarden Suites, which also have a 197-square-foot balcony with a solarium featuring a jetted tub. Prefer expedition cruising to polar regions and other far-flung locales? Both Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit can take you there in even more spacious comfort: Verandah Suites are a roomy 355 square feet, and the Wintergarden Suites are 1,044 square feet. 

Order Another Round: If you're traveling with a group (or happen to make friends on board, which is highly likely), no one need worry whose round it is because all beers, wines, and spirits are included in the fare. Our advice? It's a pleasure to indulge in Champagne at every meal, and the line keeps it flowing ... all you need to do is ask. This is also a great place to try a new cocktail, and their menu of classics (from Manhattans to mojitos and Negronis) never disappoints.

Seabourn Square: This complex has the bustle of a small town center, and it’s the heart of the ships. Passengers flock here to choose a book from the library, read, have a latte and cookies at the café, talk to one of the receptionists about a shore excursion, browse the shop, and relax with indoor and outdoor lounge seating. Best of all, the comfy armchairs allow you to put your feet up and settle in with a book and a proper reading light. 

Best Known For

Customized Service: Not in love with pillow chocolates? Having your clothing put away when you leave it out? Having music turned on at turndown? Just let your steward know and they'll serve you, well, the way you want to be served. In addition, they can bring you everything from bubble bath to a standing afternoon order for tea and cookies. You'll find that cruisers in every cabin — from the top suites to the entry-level options — get exactly the same attention. In addition, the staff works hard to get to know passengers and will often greet you by name when you become a regular in a restaurant or bar.

Dining Options: You might not expect to find so many excellent choices on such small ships — five on Odyssey-class ships and six on Encore-class ships, if you count in-suite dining. And all are available at no extra charge. Options include The Restaurant (the main dining room), the Colonnade (a casual eatery offering both buffet and menu service), and The Patio (a poolside venue for salads and grilled specialties with a special evening offering of bistro-style cuisine). Encore and Ovation also feature Sushi, an intimate space serving bento box-style fare for lunch and sushi and sashimi for dinner. In 2024, all four Odyssey- and Encore-class ships will have a new dining concept, Solis, which celebrates light, modern Mediterranean cuisine and replaces The Grill by Thomas Keller. 

Dressing Up: While Seabourn relaxed its dress code in 2023, especially aboard its expedition ships where there are no longer any formal nights, you’ll still find that many passengers on Odyssey- and Encore-class ships take dressing up quite seriously. Elegant casual is the dress code most nights, but on formal nights, many Seabourn regulars love the elegance of tuxedos and gowns (or at the least a suit and cocktail dress) and always make room for them in their suitcases. If you really hate the idea of getting dolled up, you can avoid dining in The Restaurant on formal nights since that’s the only place where the dress code is enforced.

Who It's Best For

Sophisticated Travelers: The passengers — who are both older and well-traveled — can be demanding in what they expect aboard, and often it is delivered in spades. Our favorite touch: If you leave your reading glasses behind, the dining room has a tray of loaners on hand to make sure you can make out every word on the menu. They also have black napkins so that you don't get white lint on a dark-colored outfit.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

There’s Limited Entertainment: Cruisers who like the big shows and buzz of the big ships may be disappointed with the line’s smaller-scale entertainment. Don’t book these ships if you won’t be happy with cabaret acts, mind readers, comedians, pianists, and destination lecturers. One of the hottest events on sea days? The team trivia hour.