Recognized for all-inclusive luxurious, Seabourn Cruises has a repute for delivering top-notch service and differentiated itineraries. As a first-timer aboard Seabourn, this legacy loomed massive once I boarded the Seabourn Encore in Athens for a seven-night crusing to Venice.
Wouldn’t it be the formal, tuxedoed and stuffy expertise I assumed for such a luxurious model? Or wouldn’t it be extra of a relaxed expertise with a pleasant atmosphere. With out giving it away all of sudden, it was the latter.
My picture of Seabourn is the famed “caviar within the surf” expertise that’s usually used within the model’s promoting. It includes formally dressed workers wading into the pool or ocean to serve Champagne and caviar (or different drinks) to company.
It could appear extravagant, but when there’s one phrase to explain Seabourn workers, it is unpretentious. On my crusing, bartenders would frequently wade by means of the pool absolutely clothed to ship drinks to the applause of company throughout.
Whereas the ship is each bit as elegant and refined as I imagined, the onboard ambiance exudes extra of an informal air, with company intermingling and making buddies. By the tip of the crusing, there have been lots of people exchanging emails and social media handles; that is the signal of expertise.
Seabourn’s penchant for service with a relaxed feeling is about to get extra thrilling now that it has launched its first expedition ship, the Seabourn Venture. Its upcoming itineraries had been the thrill of the ship; they embrace crusing round each poles in addition to journey locations just like the South American and African coasts.
Ruins in Olympia, Greece, house of the traditional Olympic Video games. Picture Credit score: Ramsey Qubein
First-rate meals
However the Seabourn Encore deserves its personal heaps of reward. For starters, the meals was distinctive. Not one for nightly formal eating, I usually discovered myself having sushi in one of many specialty eating places the place the workers would have my favourite rolls prepared and ready. The Colonnade, a buffet venue for breakfast and lunch, was one other spotlight, particularly since you can dine alfresco. The standard, vary of selections and made-to-order stations drew me again for meals that match my most popular schedule and routine. Commonly, the workers would enterprise removed from the restaurant to seek out my drink of alternative (imagine it or not, that is V8 juice).
The principle eating room was spectacular in its design, with pastel-hued chandeliers and tables set for each attainable configuration. Foodies will discover that the steakhouse menu from chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Michelin-star fame to be a spotlight.
And about that formal dinner apparel: There have been a couple of formal nights, however khakis and a blazer labored simply high quality in a lot of the eating venues even when there have been bow ties and night robes in sight.
Every little thing is all-inclusive, from the prolonged beverage checklist with Champagne Montaudon pours a normal and quite a few wines, beers and colourful cocktails. Additionally included are the specialty eating venues and any gratuity related to the cruise. When you’re onboard, the one factor you pay further for are spa companies (price it for the Dr. Andrew Weil wellness partnership) and excursions on the locations.
After the meals and repair, what actually units Seabourn ships aside is their measurement. Most common round 450 passengers, though the Seabourn Encore clocks in as its largest with house for 600 company. Irrespective of the Seabourn ship, their compact measurement means they’ll sail into smaller ports.
As a journey author, I’m lucky to have visited 166 international locations. This itinerary launched me to 4 new locations: Brindisi, Italy, and the Greek ports of Monemvasia, Katakolo (the gateway to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics) and Nydri on the island of Lefkada. There have been additionally two Croatian ports plus a last day in Venice.
The traditional village of Monemvasia, Greece, as seen from the Seabourn Encore. Picture Credit score: Ramsey Qubein
Spacious suites
Since all of the lodging are suites, you possibly can’t go fallacious. Mine was spacious and fashionable with a walk-in closet, monumental marble toilet with separate soaking tub and glass bathe stall, self-importance stocked with Molton Brown toiletries and enormous bars of handmade Turkish cleaning soap. The furnished balcony is one thing that I loved every day.
I rapidly grew to become pleasant with the attendants assigned to my room; they restocked my minibar with no matter I wished (sure, extra V8). Actually, once I would name for complimentary room service every morning, the workers had memorized my order after the third day. #SpoiledBySeabourn ought to turn into a trending hashtag, in my view.
Turndown service is customary, though I used to be not a fan of the printed every day itinerary being utterly digital (a transfer that many cruise strains are making). I wish to evaluate the upcoming schedule with out having to navigate by means of numerous screens. Even so, the free onboard WiFi was lightning-fast and straightforward to make use of. Working remotely from a Seabourn ship is just heavenly, and I did so every day.
Roman discussion board ruins and the ninth-century Church of St. Donatus in Zadar, Croatia. Picture Credit score: Ramsey Qubein
Leisure included musical revue-style exhibits and poolside bands. There have been usually two performances every evening, each of which gave the impression to be properly attended.
On my crusing, nearly all of passengers was American and British, but it surely was the age vary that shocked me. At this worth level, I (wrongly) assumed the visitor roster would skew older, however there have been a handful of households with college-age kids, younger {couples} and people of their 40s and 50s made up the bulk. It was clear that the pandemic pause has inspired folks to splurge on the kind of high-end experiences that matter most to folks, and that features journey.
The Seabourn Encore supplied one thing for all ages, pursuits, appetites and personalities.
Perhaps I needs to be among the many first to get that hashtag trending?
