Founded in 1987 by Norwegian industrialist Atle Brynestadv and now owned by Carnival, Seabourn’s ships, with their sleek, yacht-like profiles, are small enough to feel exclusive yet big enough to offer most of the facilities of a larger ship.
Seabourn Legend, Pride and Spirit are the three original, almost identical ships, each accommodating 208 passengers and weighing in at 10,000 tons. Seabourn Odyssey was launched in 2009, three times larger at 32,000 tons yet with a guest capacity of only 450, plus one of the largest spas at sea and almost every suite featuring a balcony. Seabourn Sojourn debuted in 2010 with 225 luxury suites, four dining venues and six bars and lounges while a further sister ship, Seabourn Quest (scheduled to debut in June 2011), following the same arrangement as Seabourn Sojourn.
Dress is informal by day, elegant by night but never overtly formal unless through personal choice at one of the occasional ‘black-tie’ candle lit dinners. Time is unstructured - announcements, pool games and contests are conspicuous by their absence - and entertainment predominantly centres around good food, good company and good conversation, much like a private members’ club on the high seas.
And, the all-inclusive aspect of a cruise with Seabourn means that almost everything on-board is included in the price, from all your drinks to gratuities, so you don’t have to worry.
Each cruise will host one or two very special events to punctuate your voyage; a unique concert in an unusual location perhaps, or a visit to a private island or sporting event. And once ashore, Seabourn continue to shun the ordinary, providing extraordinary excursions instead - a journey by hot air balloon over the narrow canyons of Cappadocia in Turkey perhaps? A horse drawn carriage for two with flowers and champagne in Paris? Or perhaps a private tasting at a family owned winery in the Provencal countryside? Seabourn will do everything in their power to provide the perfect holiday.