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There’s plenty of intimate bars and lounges, and outdoor space - not just for viewing wildlife or lounging, but also for swimming in an infinity pool or soaking in one of four hot tubs (two by the cool outdoor Sky Bar). Built for polar exploration, this vessel features a cozy alpine-meets-the-sea vibe, with faux-fur pillows, plush blankets for staying warm and three fireplaces with dancing water vapor flames. The design keeps the focus on expeditions and wildlife, from art to screens projecting videos of Antarctica or the Arctic in all their pristine glory.
Find a Seabourn Sojourn Cruise from $2,424
I didn’t notice attire censoring in the Restaurant on formal nights; many cruisers sailed by in dressier slacks, with men wearing sport jackets. Formal nights, which are celebrated only in The Restaurant, occur once on cruises up to 13 days, twice on cruises of 14 to 20 days and three times on cruises of 21 or more days. All other venues aside from The Restaurant maintain elegant casual dress codes on formal nights. Seabourn's formalwear requirements include a tuxedo, suit or slacks and a jacket for men and an evening gown or other formal apparel for women.
Review: Seabourn Venture
Cultural performances were tied to the destination, restaurants often reflected local food and the enrichment lectures, led by members of the line's Ventures by Seabourn excursion staff, were on point. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Still, these are minor quibbles for a cruise line that seems to be successfully navigating the demographic changes within luxury cruising as it begins to skew younger. We're looking forward to seeing how Seabourn adapts its Ventures by Seabourn shore excursion and enrichment programs as it expands its more active, adventurous offerings.
Where does Seabourn Encore sail to?
Best of all, we could scan a QR code or download a link so that we could share it with family members or keep it for ourselves. Many expedition lines used to charge for that video, and maybe some still do. Seabourn Encore represents an evolution of Seabourn Cruise Line's popular Odyssey-class ships. It's bigger -- 40,340 tons as opposed to 32,000, with an extra deck -- and carries 600 passengers in 300 suites, while the smaller ships take 458. Seabourn passengers are extremely loyal, with 50 percent repeaters on most cruises, and they form incredibly strong bonds with the crew. If you're a first timer, it can feel like boarding a ship where the party has started without you, but special first timer meet-and-greets are held for this very reason and it doesn't take long to join in.
Imagine soaking in the tub and viewing penguins diving off ice floes. Floors are wood-like tile and can be heated throughout the suite, not just in the bathroom. Brew coffee from a high-end Nespresso machine, although, of course, you can order a pot or specialty cup of joe. All accommodations are suites, and range from entry level, which includes a bath with a separate tub and shower and Molton Brown soaps, to stunning bi-level Wintergarden Suite accommodations. The line is also gay-friendly, and special LGBT meet-ups are held throughout each cruise.
Molton Brown liquid soaps in suite bathrooms are refillable; no more single use plastic bottles. Most daily information is available on the Seabourn app and suite televisions, minimizing paper use. On the more technical side, bow thrusters are outfitted with fixed pitch propellers, frequently driving a reduction of energy consumption by 30 percent compared to traditional thrusters.
If you want to savor an expedition sail delivering adventure with high-end indulgence, uber-pampering and cushy accommodations, you’ll find Seabourn Venture a worthy choice. If you’re already a Seabourn fan, you’ll particularly appreciate the amenities so similar to the line’s ocean liners. Note that twin Seabourn Pursuit launches in September 2023, meaning even more itineraries to choose from. Gratuities are included on Seabourn and are not expected, although you might tip if, for example, you're in a suite and ask your butler to arrange a private cocktail party.
Seabourn Odyssey Cruise Ship Review - CruiseCritic.co.uk
Seabourn Odyssey Cruise Ship Review.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:15:15 GMT [source]
How much does it cost to go on Seabourn Encore?
Seabourn Encore Cruise Ship Review - CruiseCritic.co.uk
Seabourn Encore Cruise Ship Review.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:12:44 GMT [source]
You'll hardly see kids onboard during the school year, but during holidays and summers when families or multigenerational groups are onboard, Seabourn offers a kids' program. The crew impresses with warm friendly service rather than opting for stiff and formal. Most servers seemed genuinely happy, and when asked how their day was going, they often answered “amazing” and it never sounded fake. Suite attendants - this line doesn’t offer butler service - kept accommodations spotless. They were also excellent at remembering daily requests, such as placing fresh orange juice in your fridge daily.
Find a Seabourn Ovation Cruise from $3,655
Gratuities also are included in the cruise fare, though you're able to tip extra if you wish. (We recommend making a donation to the crew fund in lieu of tipping individuals.) In the spa and on guided tours, tipping is up to the individual. Overall, the ship offers an effortless vacation experience, in which crew members go above and beyond to pamper passengers and make them feel at home. Whether it's too big, too small or just right is a matter of personal preference and the ability not to sweat the small stuff in the face of incredible destinations and a truly gorgeous, luxurious ship. The ship is gorgeous, thanks to the design inspiration of renowned interior designer Adam D. Tihany, with the help of ArtLink, the art provisioning service for the hospitality industry that curated the art collection onboard.
Perhaps what lingers most in my mind was the expedition team’s passion. I was skeptical before boarding with expedition cruising’s explosion of popularity, and wondering how challenging it must be for so many lines to find qualified personnel. My fears were assuaged by the knowledge and heart of the onboard team. They were eager to share information, not just in lectures or on expeditions, but in one-on-one meetups. Also, not all passengers loved the cruise formal nights; some grumbled that they made little sense on expeditions. To avoid dressier attire, you can dine more casually in the Colonnade, Club or via room service.
Guides on tours seemed to expect tips, although they weren't overly pushy. Designer Adam D. Tihany has gone for a richer, more sumptuous look than that sported by Seabourn's three Odyssey-class ships. There's widespread use of rich dark blue and acres of gleaming mahogany (veneer, of course, this being a cruise ship). Shining stainless steel also features throughout and, despite the darker colors, there's light everywhere, through skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows and clever design. The hotel director chalked it up to new crew needing a few more months to gel, but passengers we spoke to wondered if Seabourn couldn't keep up the quality of service they're used to on the larger ship.
Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking. Additionally, the ship is the only one in the fleet equipped with all-new high-speed internet technology.
(Though Ovation is laid out identically to Encore, it has its own look.) It also possesses a large number of seating nooks, both inside and out, for passengers to relax with a drink, a book or for a chat. You rarely feel the presence of those 600 travelers -- with the exception of The Colonnade buffet at peak hours. Fellow passengers are a mixture of North Americans, Brits, Australians and other Europeans, including a fair few German-speakers. The age group is mixed, from late 40s to 70s, and from the conversation and the amount of bling on show in the evenings, you can tell that most people are wealthy. Dining, too, maintains a high standard, no matter where on the ship you might be.
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