Suite

Seabourn Cruise Line

Buenos Aires

Miami

Rome (Civitavecchia)

Rio de Janeiro

South America

France

Argentina

U.S.A.

Caribbean - All

Caribbean - Eastern

Caribbean - Southern

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Antarctica

Europe - All

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Mediterranean

Italy

Spain

Brazil

Falklands

Uruguay

Excellent

Poor

Very Good

Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn Quest

Seabourn Sojourn

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn Venture

Seabourn Pursuit

Perfect trip to the Antarctic

San Francisco

My husband and I have traveled extensively. We have done cruises on many of the luxury lines(Crystal, Regent, Silversea and of course, Seabourn.) The last cruise we took on Seabourn on the Ovation in October of 2023 left much to be desired. Overworked staff was the main downside. We had already booked this cruise in July of 2023. I was excited to be on a brand new ship. It did not disappoint. The only thing is an overwhelming use of browns(ugh!). We booked the Owner's Suite. We were hesitant because it is on the front of the ship and we worried crossing the Drake passage. The room itself is large and well appointed. My only issue is it seemed dark. I think because of the smaller windows being on the front of the ship so no floor to ceiling glass anywhere except the door to the balcony. The gym is great. We used it almost every day and no one was in it most times. The food was good and sometimes great. The wine was mediocre at best. On the Ovation, the sommelier was excellent. The sommelier on this ship seemed almost disinterested in anything or anyone. We did a wine dinner and the pours were less than to be expected. We had done a sommelier's lunch on Ovation and it was excellent. Great choices, etc. They might have been exactly the same but that sommelier poured as much as you wanted.  The day to day wine was sometimes undrinkable. I don't understand if you are buying in bulk, why they can't get decent wines? There are so many inexpensive and delicious choices. 

The highlight was the expeditions and the staff. Literally some of the best and most knowledgeable humans ever. We did the kayak which we loved.Every expedition was terrific. One issue is some of the offloading was slightly treacherous(think icy, steep climb onto the glacier/land). Other than that, the scenery is unreal. 

This will go into our top ten trips, which include Machu Pichu, Israel, Egypt, etc. Just terrific. PS The Drake was manageable. Scopolamine patches helped as did Zofran for the nausea.

Antarctica is a bucket list continent and after Covid-19 cancellations, we finally made it. We wanted an expedition ship with amenities beyond a basic ship and an excellent expedition team was essential. We got all this and more.

The ship launched 6 months before our trip and all the bugs appear have been worked out. The Pursuit is immaculate, as you would expect. The crew was the usual Seabourn marvelous. The expedition team was knowledgeable, of diverse backgrounds and experiences, and incredibly informative. They fully explained submersible and kayak operations, after fitting us out with boots, water proof backpacks and caps. The Zodiac experiences were exceptional, from loading from the ship, on and off shore and then back on the ship. Safety was the focus and well maintained. The expedition team made this trip special, especially Juan, Brian and Natasha. To top things off, we are expecting a 20 minutes video of the trip from the videographer in a few days. The preview captured the special species sightings and majesty of Antarctica, so the final product will document this special trip.

We were fortunate that the weather cooperated. The expedition leader said they have plans A, B, C and D. Between him and the ship's master, the weather and ice were managed so well, only plan A events were needed! The occasional submersible and kayak cancelations for safety concerns is understandable, while disappointing for those who were affected.

The suites are Seabourn standard: spacious. The bathroom was spacious. At first, we wondered why a tub and a (small) shower. However, rinsing off our waterproof pants in the tub was very handy. 

The dining venues were attractive with excellent food and service. The sushi at the club in the evenings was a nice touch, whether you made a meal of it or as a starter before heading to the Restaurant. Entertainment on a smaller ship is more limited, however the guitarist Rob from Wales was incredible. He pulled out new meanings from popular tunes, covering them with unique interpretations.

Flying from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back was uneventful. The pre-cruise hotel was beautiful and all transfers occurred without a hitch. Ground staff was helpful and well informed.

We are so glad we went to Antarctica and how Seabourn made it so easy and spectacular.

Splendid Antarctica

This was our third cruise to Antarctica and the second time on Seabourn to AA.  We wanted to experience the NEW(2023) Seabourn Pursuit Expedition ship.  We have done many Seabourn cruises and this was probably the BEST.  As expected, the crew, food, service, tours, experiences were all top shelf.  There were only about 220 passengers aboard and felt like being on our own private mega-yacht.  Being a smaller group of people, it felt like a more intimate friendly group of people ready to chat, etc.  As for the landings(Zodiac rides), the experienced crews knew how to run them.  Our other AA cruise on another very hi-end cruise lines were training kids to run Zodiacs.  It did not go well.  Seabourn's expedition team is possibly the best on the hi-seas especially with their AA experience.  We actually got an extra day in AA after leaving the Falklands early, arrived at Deception Island in the evening, and went ashore.  Most days we got to do 2 landings in the Shetlands and on the peninsula.

We highly recommend this ship and we plan to do a 40 day trip next summer(2024) through the S. Pacific.

Third and MOST FANtastic cruise on Seabourn to Antarctica..

Wellington

This was billed by Seabourn as an "ultra-luxury" small cruise/expedition ship experience. I was SO DISAPPOINTED! All my friends know I LOVE to scuba dive and snorkel, and Seabourn promised both on their website for this cruise. They even had a bonus: two submarines would take us on underwater journeys. I was going to be in heaven -- or so I thought.

Instead, this ship cancelled almost all its expedition offerings, some due to weather, some due to other reasons. Instead of 10 days underwater, I had ONE half-day of snorkeling. When I asked about the promised onboard dive master taking us on several dives a day for 6 people per dive, the cruise guest services man on board didn't seem to even register my verbalized disappointment. Same for the submarines. Too bad, things change, they said. 

One day, when the expedition vendor cancelled taking us snorkeling the next day, the weather turned out perfectly. So Seabourn just dumped us all on the beach. No towels, no umbrellas for a 95 degree day, nothing to drink, nothing to sit on, no service whatsoever. Nor was anything scheduled as an alternative event for the day. This was inexcusable.

Also, I was expecting what they promised on their website: "gourmet" food. Instead, it was standard country-club fare. Who I finally voiced my complaints again near the end of the journey, I must say the team, especially the excursions manager, the hotel manager and the chef, went out of their way to improve things for me where they could. I was touched.

We were scheduled to continue our cruise through the Amazon River -- a lifelong dream of mine. I'll describe that in a separate review.

More was wrong than right. Shocking!

The Seabourn Pursuit was on a reposition cruise from Miami to Barbados, before heading on to the Amazon and eventually Antarctica. Since the ports were typical Caribbean, and the ship was in non expedition mode, I will focus on the ship itself.

Pros:

-The Ship: impressive sleek design, Seabourn really took a step forward with many elements.

-Lounges: Ship was very spacious, never felt crowded in any of the lounge spaces. There were even times that you were the only one in there, especially the Constellation Lounge and the Club. The most popular was definitely Seabourn Square(great book selection), both the interior area and the outside deck. The Bow lounge was beautiful, one of my favorite spots, although many never seemed to have found it(was a bit hidden), and will hopefully be more utilized when in Antarctica.

-Food: Excellent options, and high quality

-Service: The crew and staff went out of there way to accommodate you for anything you needed

-Enrichment Lectures & Activities: were really excellent, and well coordinated with the destination. The only negative as noted in the Con section was the bad sight lines in the Discovery Center. The ship also had a good selection of other activities for the size of ship, along with things like a submarine bay tour and bridge tour.

-Zodiacs: crew really encouraged for passengers to use them, great way to get ashore, and use for some nature tours

-Internet: excellent and reliable

-The Bow and open decks:  the bow itself is huge, much appreciated observation deck. The projecting platform is an added bonus, especially when dolphins are swimming with the ship. The rest of the open decks offer excellent unobstructed views for any destination.

Cons:

-Discovery Center: for a brand new ship, the layout and sight lines were not great, echoing some of the old 1990s cruise ships lounges. Majority of people had a hard time seeing the screen, which is very important for viewing both the enrichment lectures and port talks. When compared with Vikings Expedition's Aula auditorium space, it is night and day, and might be a deciding factor when picking one over the other to get a better experience if that is the cruise focus.

-Dinner Options: The hours were very limited. Although the ship was technically not in full expedition mode, there was still only sit down options for dinner at night, even in the Colonade. Seabourn does heavily push their room service option, but sometimes after a long day exploring, people just want to have a quick casual meal. Hopefully like the dress code, they adopt a buffet option in the future.

-Submarines not included in cruise fare: Another comparison to something Viking included, and Seabourn, which I thought was a more luxury line does not.

-Shore excursion prices: having gone on other cruises to the same ports, the shore excursion prices were excessive for the same experience offered by other lines. 

-Main Pool: nice infinity pool concept, but really quite small, and seemed to have issues with filtration, many passengers were constantly requesting for it to be cleaned

Design Oddities:

Overall the ship was well laid out, anevolution of the rest of the Seabourn fleet. However there were some odd design choices:

-Top Deck Zodiacs: The expansive top deck oddly houses all the zodiacs. From an operational side, this causes them to take longer to be launched, and also are banging against passenger balconies(sometimes without warning, watch you head and arms) when being lowered. It would seem this area would have been better swapped for the main pool, and the aft lower deck used for zodiac storage. 

-Lounge Views: While the lounges themselves are nice, the ship has very inward facing design for an expedition ship. The Constellation Lounge is the main observation lounge, but has extremely low ceilings, and compromised views. The fact that it is located on the top deck, they could have elevated the lounge a bit. The bow lounge is another observation space, but views are obstructed by massive display screens, that could have easily been integrated into table tops. The rest of the lounges have narrow side windows not offering the same panoramic vistas as other expedition ships. The Expedition Lounge outside the Discovery Center is also windowless, with the windowed space given to the gift shop instead.

-No Marina: Seabourn's signature feature, it is oddly lacking on their more active focused expedition ships. With a fleet of expedition kayaks and destinations that would benefit from easy water entry in warmer climates, it is odd this was omitted.

Beautiful Ship - Some Flaws in Design & Operations

Saint-Tropez

2023 | August 20th - September 03rd / Med, Rom - Monte Carlo

European Couple (38y/59y), with approx. 20 cruises in record, sailed before on Hapag Lloyd, Crystal, Silversea, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean (Star Class Suite)

THE SHIP AND GENERAL: 

The Seabourn Pursuit is a new ship, a small ship (maximum 250 passengers), an expedition ship. It will be spending a lot of time in the Antarctic, which explains many aspects of the ship's layout and amenities.

We were somewhat concerned because we boarded the Pursuit in its second week of operation, but we never noticed any issues with the ship or crew not being well-coordinated. Seasoned Seabourn veterans were able to maintain a high standard of quality from the very beginning.

The design is intended to resemble a boutique hotel in Aspen (fake fireplaces, fur cushions, earth-toned carpets and wallpapers, wood imitations), which is naturally suitable for the Arctic but may seem somewhat unusual for a Mediterranean cruise in the height of summer.

It's quite peculiar that the most beautiful outdoor area of the ship, the upper deck in the middle, is used for Zodiac storage rather than the main pool (as seen on ships like the Hanseatic Inspiration, another expedition vessel). Instead, the pool is located on Deck 5 at the rear, albeit an infinity pool, but quite small. Surprisingly, there are no changing facilities by the pool (which would be convenient if you want to change after swimming), not even a restroom. Moreover, you always have to pass through the buffet restaurant (The Colonnade) to access the pool area. This area is also utilized for various events, which means that the pool season is quite short, and sun loungers are often cleared away fairly early in the afternoon.

The reception/concierge area is not located at the entrance as is the case with most ships (Deck 4), but rather on Deck 6, designed as a service island.

Given that the Pursuit will be traveling extensively in cold regions, there is a significant number of indoor lounges, bars, and gathering spaces. During the first seven days of the voyage, at least two-thirds of the passengers were American citizens, while the second week saw a more balanced mix, including more Europeans (such as a Belgian tour group with nearly 50 participants). The majority of passengers were aged 60 and above.

It's a pity that there was no formal night, and some passengers were dressed quite casually at times.

EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION: 

Both embarkation and disembarkation were incredibly fast, with no waiting time and a hassle-free process. We've never gotten on board or off board so quickly. Many things are handled electronically nowadays, such as passport scanning and uploading the portrait photo for the ship card, even before the trip begins.

RESTAURANTS AND FOOD: 

There are only two restaurants and a small Sushi Corner (in the Club on Deck 9), which is a relatively limited selection for a luxury-class ship. We missed having an additional specialty restaurant, like the smaller Hanseatic Inspiration, just to draw a comparison, which has a mini high-end Japanese restaurant on board.

However, the quality of the food is excellent, whether it's appetizers, pasta, fish, or meat. It ranks among the best we've been served in our approximately 20 cruises. A big surprise, and something we particularly enjoyed, was the casual restaurant, The Colonnade, where there's no buffet for dinner like there is for lunch; instead, it offers a menu à la carte. Given the summer temperatures in late August, you could also dine outdoors on the patio, which led us to have most of our dinners there.

Dining is all-inclusive, including the obligatory caviar (memorable mention goes to the "Caviar by the POOL" event, a signature marketing tool of the cruise line – very clever). This also extends to beverages, champagne, wines, and spirits. There were even some excellent Austrian white wines available. And for those seeking exceptional customer service, there was an additional selection of premium vintage wines and champagnes available for purchase, although it wasn't necessary for us.

For espresso enthusiasts, it's worth noting that there is a coffee corner that also offers sweets and sandwiches.

Furthermore, both Perrier mineral water and San Pellegrino were available, two products that we love!

And now, a bit of nitpicking at a high level. The main restaurant is often fully booked and overwhelmed in the evenings, partly due to a design flaw—there are too many large tables for groups and too few small ones. If there was, in our view, a weak point in the dining experience, it would be the desserts; the pastry chef doesn't quite match the level of the head chef. Also, comparatively, the breakfast buffet is a bit lacking; it's more in line with the quality and selection of a mid-range 4-star hotel, so there's room for improvement there. Additionally, the breakfast hours are quite restricted, with service ending as early as 09:30 AM, which we find rather early for a vacation.

STAFF/CREW:

The biggest plus on the Seabourn Pursuit by far is the crew. They are the best onboard staff we have ever encountered in our 20 cruises! We were addressed by name most of the time and treated with incredible friendliness and warmth. Chapeau!

The Austrian Hotel Director, Stefan, has his team under perfect control!

The only downside to the service was that no one introduced themselves as our designated host/butler/steward, and there was no pager for direct contact (as on Silver Sea), which was a bit surprising.

We'd like to highlight a few individuals, although there were many exceptional ones to choose from: 

¬	Hotel Director Stefan

¬	Cruise Directors Ian and Eva

¬	Jesus, Antoni, Joiereel at the Colonade/Patio

¬	Nelson at the Club

¬	Joyce at the Sky Bar

¬	Ana at the Spa


SUITE:

Our cabin/suite on Deck 6 (V2) was not particularly spacious, with approximately 30 square meters including the balcony, but the Pursuit is indeed a small ship. The comparable suite category on Silver Sea is about 15% larger, and you do notice the difference on a 14-day trip, especially since we are accustomed to traveling with relatively large amounts of luggage.

The offering of storage spaces and drawers was rather modest, and the wardrobe was tight, but it somehow worked.

Unfortunately, there was no espresso machine (as is common in most five-star hotels today); these are only available in larger suites (although the hotel director provided one upon special request). The hairdryer could have been better, perhaps a Dyson, as the inexpensive product we found didn't quite match the ship's class.

There was a double sink in the bathroom, but unfortunately, a very cramped shower, along with a bathtub. In my opinion, having a bathtub on a brand-new ship, especially in smaller suites, is somewhat of an anachronism. The trend in the travel industry is moving towards sustainability and spacious showers. It's a shame, I believe it's a planning oversight.

For those who insist on having a bathtub, booking one of the larger and considerably more expensive suites, of which there are several, including one with an outdoor pool (Signature Suite), might be the better choice.

The Molton Brown products in the bathroom are excellent!

ENTERTAINMENT:

The entertainment program is, of course, not extensive due to the size of the ship, but it is sophisticated and understated. There's lovely background music, both vocal and instrumental, in the bars and lounges, as well as small shows in the theater.

What we had missed on other ships recently was live music on deck during departures from each port, creating a fantastic atmosphere (the "Sail Away Event").

A noteworthy mention is a lecture we attended; the producer of one of the world's best olive oils (MANNI) from Italy gave a talk about olive oil qualities and benefits, accompanied by a tasting. It was very impressive.

ROUTE, EXCURSIONS, AND TRANSFERS:

Speaking of prices, the offered excursions are quite expensive, and the selection is quite limited. What bothered us particularly was that the excursions are almost exclusively designed for early birds in terms of timing, with most starting between 08:30 and 09:00, and unfortunately, there are no afternoon options.

It's a shame that the Pursuit usually departs in the late afternoon, which minimizes the time you can spend in ports. For example, in St. Tropez or Portofino, we would have preferred a longer stay.

There is also room for improvement in the route planning. The advantage of a small ship is that it can visit smaller, less-known ports. So, for example, why visit Alicante, which is not particularly exciting and was also hosting another British ship with 5200 passengers?

Regarding prices, here's a (negative) example: a transfer booked through the cruise line in a minivan from Monaco to Nice Airport at the end of our trip would have cost $570, but when booked through Blacklane Limousines (which is not a discount provider either), it was €260. That price difference is quite off-putting.

In the name of sustainability, the cruise line has stopped offering plastic bottles for shore excursions and instead encourages passengers to bring reusable Seabourn water bottles. However, it's a bit impractical because passengers often forget to bring them, leading to the need to purchase water on land. There should be a more practical yet sustainable solution.

SPA AND GYM:

The spa is small, and the gym is tiny. The quality of the treatments is good, but the prices are quite high. Unfortunately, there were no acupuncture treatments available, as originally advertised in the brochure, which we would have liked to book.

INTERNET:

The internet connection is excellent, the best we've had at sea, and it's included in the package. The Seabourn app is also handy, offering information about the next destination, excursions, spa services, menus, and account statements, making many things accessible online.

SHOPPING/BOUTIQUE:

Not surprisingly, the boutique is also quite small, with few Seabourn-branded items available.

SMOKING POLICY:

A significant plus for us as smokers is that there is an outdoor area on Deck 9, at the stern, next to the Sky Bar, where smoking is allowed. This is a clever solution that doesn't disturb non-smokers. Anyone who avoids this perhaps 25 square meter area of the ship will never encounter smoke. 

CONCLUSION:

A successful 14-day Mediterranean cruise on a state-of-the-art ship with an excellent crew and outstanding dining options, albeit limited space due to its size.

The only downsides were feeling somewhat at the mercy of the cruise line when it came to extra offerings and the need for improvement in route planning and excursions.

A successful 14-day Mediterranean cruise on a state-of-the-art ship with an excellent crew and outstanding dining options albeit room for improvements in details

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