Discovering Their Seabourn Moment

Seabourn – This is your Moment. It’s a wonderful tagline and sentiment from the folks at luxury cruise line Seabourn. Seabourn Moments are described as “the personal, often-unexpected experiences and services that distinguish a Seabourn voyage from all other forms of luxury travel. These surprise-and-delight moments have become a recognised part of the transformative Seabourn experience.”

Luxury Cruise Experts Gill Williams & Lyndsay Patterson were invited aboard Seabourn Ovation for a fabulous 4-night cruise from Monte Carlo to Barcelona. We find out what they thought of the ship, and if they discovered a Seabourn Moment for themselves….

It was a ‘pinch me’ moment when we were given the amazing opportunity to experience Seabourn. I [Gill] had always wanted to step on board one of their ships to see them for myself!!

We were on board the Seabourn Ovation, which is a luxurious, intimate ship with, just 300 suites on board. Our suite (V3 Veranda Suite) was a great size – the bathroom was as large as some inside cabins we have been in on other cruise lines!

We were greeted with a wonderful bottle of champagne – always welcome!
We each got to select our choice of drink for the room, whether it be Tanqueray Gin or a fine brandy. The bathroom products onboard were Moulton Brown, and these were readily replaced.

The service was exceptional – the crew pride themselves on remembering every little detail, even if they have only met you once. They will remember if you like chocolate on your cappuccino, or if you prefer lemon or lime with your gin & tonic. The atmosphere created on board is more like a private club for guests. Very warm, friendly and welcoming.

The food on board was, as you would expect, incredible. We ate in the Thomas Keller restaurant and this did not disappoint – from the famous Caesar Salad made at your table, hot breads to mouth watering steaks followed by crepes flambéed at your table. The menu in the Colonnade gave too much choice (we’d need more than 4 days to try everything we wanted to!) – it had specials that changed daily but then you could also have options that were available all the time.

Seabourn Square is the main hub of activity on board. This is where Guest Services is located, and also where you can book your shore excursions and even future cruises. There’s a well-stocked library here, and a great coffee shop servicing delicious cakes and delights depending on what time of day it is.

There are several lounges on board, and our favourites were the Observation Lounge and also the Club. Both venues feature live music of all genres throughout the evening.

Even though we were only on board for 4 nights – we still got to see two fantastic guest entertainers of great quality, and the Seabourn entertainment team did two different shows in the Grand Salon.

There is no hard sell on board. No photographers trying to encourage you to have your photo taken. Also, as all the speciality Dining is included there is no need for anyone to try and make you buy. In fact, we didn’t need to spend anything on board.

On our last night – all guests were invited to a party on the Pool Deck where we were served champagne, and there were stations offering various canapés, cheeses, cooked meats and other tempting delicacies. These were all served to us by officers and the head chef on board.

Whilst taking in the atmosphere we noticed a couple away from everyone else. They were dancing in each others arms as though they were the only ones there. It was lovely to see, and this was definitely a Seabourn Moment for me.

Another fantastic thing about Seabourn is that they get right to the heart of the destination. When we boarded in Monte Carlo, the ship was docked alongside some amazing yachts. This gives you an instant appreciation of how special smaller ships are. And then, in Barcelona, which is a huge port, Seabourn literally docked closest to the exit. All of the larger ships were much further away, over the bridge, as they are simply too big to get any closer. This meant we were able to walk straight off the ship, and no need for any shuttles.

My Moment wasn’t really about me, but to see the staff interacting with the guests was an absolute joy. From remembering their name to where they prefer to sit, drink preferences and discussions about their day. Every interaction was like friends catching up. The staff onboard were exceptional, and I can understand why guest go back onboard Seabourn.

We cannot thank Seabourn enough for the opportunity.

Seabourn stands as the epitome of high-end travel, offering an unmatched experience on its small, all-inclusive ships. These vessels feature exclusively suite-style rooms with views of the ocean, along with top-tier dining options. Guests enjoy complimentary access to high-quality spirits and wines at any time, complemented by exceptional service from a leading crew. The ambiance onboard is relaxed and friendly, creating a sense of being at home. Seabourn is also notable for its expertise in expedition travel. This is highlighted by its Ventures by Seabourn program and the introduction of two new purpose-built expedition ships in 2022 and 2023. The company’s global reach extends to every continent, exploring over 400 ports ranging from major cities to hidden gems. Additionally, Seabourn is recognised as the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage, further enhancing its prestige.