Seabourn Cruises
From LoveToKnow Cruises
Seabourn Cruises are the epitome of luxury and intimacy. Not for novice cruisers, Seabourn Cruises are the perfect choice for well-to-do, experienced passengers interested in a relaxed, unstructured ocean getaway.
The Seabourn Cruises Fleet
Based in Miami, Florida, the line was established in 1987 and acquired by the Carnival Corporation in 1991. The line's passenger profile is principally made up of affluent travelers who see cruising as a relaxing alternative to the frenetic stress of Wall Street, Hollywood, corporate America, or other high-profile, high-stress settings.
Size
There are three ships in the Seabourn fleet, the Seabourn Pride, "Seabourn Spirit" and the Seabourn Legend. Each ship carries a miniscule 208 passengers when compared to other cruise ships, and they are more appropriately termed mega-yachts rather than cruise ships. Seabourn Cruises is among the smallest and most intimate of the luxury cruises lines, providing a very social atmosphere for all guests.
Departure Ports
Departure ports for Seabourn Cruises are quite diverse throughout the year in order to provide their established clientele (over 50% repeat rate) with a range of cruise options. Depending on the season the ships depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Caldera, Costa Rica; Montreal, Canada; St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands; Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Barbados. Departure ports in Europe include Lisbon, London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Rome, Venice, and Monte Carlo. Asian departures sail from Hong Kong and Singapore, and seasonal positioning cruises depart from Alexandria, Egypt and Dubai.Consult a travel agent for upcoming locations of Seabourn ships.
Décor
One of the benefits of such small, intimate ships is that all their cabins have ocean views, making the sea one of the principal decorative accents. Color schemes are muted with ice-blue, champagne, and similar modest tones, and the minimalist décor is unassuming and restful. There is little in the way of overt decoration aboard Seabourn ships, though some murals and other accents are tactfully displayed.
Itineraries
Seabourn itineraries tend to be longer than mainstream cruise lines, and range from 7-21 nights. Destinations in the Americas include the Panama Canal, both eastern and southern Caribbean options, New England and Canada cruises (in the fall), and a tour of the east coast of the United States, as well as an annual circumnavigation of South America. Two of the ships operate in the Americas in the winter, while the other is usually found in Southeast Asian waters.In spring and summer, all three ships operate in Europe. Two sail in the Mediterranean and one summers in Northern Europe. Because of the ships’ small size, they are able to navigate rivers and visit more remote ports of call that are inaccessible to larger vessels, providing passengers a more intimate glimpse of each destination.They also are often docked right in the heart of cities like London, Seville, Bordeaux, Bangkok and Saigon where larger ships are miles from town.
Onboard Activities
Compared to other cruise lines, Seabourn offers very few organized [[Cruise Activities]. Because the line is so all-inclusive ( open bars, etc.) they don't need to be at sea a lot increase onboard revenues. Largely because of this, their itineraries are very port-intensive and the ships are usually in port all day most days. The line prefers instead to let passengers socialize at their leisure. The activities that are scheduled tend to be generally more unique, such as wine tastings and galley tours, though the occasional team trivia contest is a spirited affair. Guest lecturers with a wide range of specialties (anthropology, history, music, literature, etc.) are onboard every sailing for more educational events.
Dining
Dining on a Seabourn cruise is an elegant affair, complete with silver lids and exquisitely coordinated service. Open seating gives passengers mealtime flexibility, as does the varied menu that includes nightly vegetarian entrees, complementary wines and champagne, and customized dishes. Breakfast and lunch are slightly more casual, and twenty-four hour room service means no snack request will go unfulfilled. Dinner may be ordered off the restaurant menu and served by a waiter in the guest's suite. For ships of their size, they offer a surprising total of four dining options, from more formal to completely casual.
Entertainment
Because of the ships’ small size, there is little room for extravagant entertainment and Seabourn Cruises does not offer elaborate lounge shows. Evening distractions include cabaret acts, solo musicians (piano, harp, violin, etc.), and comedians as well as other limited-space acts.They do have outdoor events when the weather is right, Rock the Boat shows, and movies "under the stars" on deck.
Spas and Fitness
Seabourn’s passengers expect luxury and pampering, and they are not disappointed by the available spas, with saunas, massage rooms, and new-age classes such as yoga and pilates. The most unique sports feature aboard these vessels is the retractable stern marina, which allows guests to indulge in a variety of watersports while the ship is in port, including swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, and water-skiing, all from the convenience of the ship rather than organized Cruise Shore Excursions.
Gambling
Seabourn ships do offer basic casino facilities, but like the ships’ décor, they are understated and less glitzy than the gambling palaces onboard larger ships. Card game tables as well as slot machines are available.
Extras
The extra benefits of Seabourn Cruises do not come in the form of multiple activities or extravagant options, but rather from the line’s intimacy and commitment to luxury. With one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry, passengers are assured of prompt, excellent service. Free on-deck mini-massages help travelers indulge and relax, and the line also offers a shipping service for luggage to and from the ship to eliminate baggage handling hassles. These seemingly minor extras guarantee a phenomenal cruise vacation for every traveler without going over-the-top and overwhelming passengers’ sophisticated senses.
Cons About Seabourn Cruises
Despite the line’s appeal, Seabourn Cruises is not for everyone. There are no organized children’s programs, making the line a poor choice for families. Because the ships are small and ride low in the water, there are few cabins with verandas available, although the ships do have 36 suites with full-length sliding glass doors that open to allow fresh air and sunshine into the suite, as well as the chance to stick your head out and look along the side of the ship.The limited nightlife does not appeal to all cruisers.
With carefully chosen amenities and a relaxed at-sea atmosphere, Seabourn Cruises is a leader in the luxury cruise market. With intimate ships calling on remote ports and an exclusive clientele demanding only the best service, the line delivers amazing experiences to everyone aboard.
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