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Seabourn Cruise LinesIn a Nutshell Small and intimate, Seabourn Cruise Lines quiet, comfortable mega yachts visit some of the world’s most beautiful ports. Personal attention and fine cuisine is lavished on all guests. History The buzz began in 1987 with former head of the Royal Viking Line, Warren Titus, trumpeting the arrival of Signet Cruises. But while construction of their first ship was underway it was learnt that a small Texas-based company had already registered the name. So the fledgling new line, owned by Norwegian industrialist Atle Brynestad, changed its name to Seabourn, and as the cliché goes – the rest is history. In December of 1988, in San Francisco, former child star Shirley Temple Black smashed the customary bottle of champagne to launch the lines first ship, the 200 passenger Seabourn Pride. The Pride was followed in 1989 by almost identical sister ship, Seabourn Spirit. The Seabourn Legend, the third sister ship, was originally built as Royal Viking Queen, and then Queen Odyssey for Royal Cruise Line. Built in the same yard and to the same plan as the other two sisters, the Legend was bought by Seabourn in 1996. All three have received great acclaim in the luxury travel press. Carnival Corporation, purchased 25% of Seabourn in 1991, followed by a further 25% in 1996. Now fully owned by Carnival, Seabourn is part of the “World’s Leading Cruise Lines” alliance, all Carnival owned, that also includes amongst others, Cunard Line. The Concept Seabourn Cruise Line’s goal has always been to offer the world’s most luxurious cruises on the most elegant ships afloat for the most discriminating passengers. How this translates aboard is as you would expect, no loud announcements, deck parties or pool games, but plenty of evening cocktail chatter and special interest lectures. Passengers have plenty, but say little and pretence is virtually non-existent. European service and personal greetings suit the affluent passengers, who are used to very personal service. Cruise Line Strengths *Impeccable service - pleasant and predictive. *Large Cabins with lots of luxuries standard. *All alcohol included. (Except fine wines & top-shelf spirits) *Gratuities included. *Remote ports of call – Due to ships small size. *Open-seating service of exquisite meals. Cruise Line Weaknesses *If you prefer sea-days rather than intensive port visits, Seabourn may not have the cruise for you(exceptions do exist). *Smaller size unfortunately means more ‘rock and roll’ on rough seas. Who’s aboard? Seabourn guests are affluent and well seasoned travelers. Around 80% North American, most guests are active business owners or professionals – doctors, lawyers and CEO’s. The median age of passengers aboard is right around 50. Popular with cruise addicts, tight multi generational families, well-heeled honeymooners and those who understand quality, Seabourn Cruises suit sophisticated and affluent guests. Who’s the Competition? Exclusive land based hotels and resorts are the most fertile competition grounds. At sea, however, the small intimate ships are more similar in size and style to Silversea, who are their greatest competitor. Offering a similar experience, but smaller again are the twins Seadream I and II. The Lifestyle The ships are large enough to give passengers a sense of privacy when they wish, but with a variety of in and outdoor spaces to be social or secluded. A key feature of the Seabourn yachts is their social atmosphere. The itineraries are very port intensive; consequently there isn’t a lot of sea days anymore, except on selected itineraries. Participatory activities such as team trivia quizzes and Liar's Clubgames are extremely popular and lively. Lectures include destination information and celebrity and expert guests, and the line also has occasional guest chef cruises.The luxuriously comfortable cabins with seating areas, TV and full meal service allow passengers to linger in their cabins, should they wish. The days are casual, with many passengers lounging on the deck in bathing suits reading a book, but evenings get more formal. Passengers deftly manage their own time aboard. The wardrobe While daytimes are often spent in casual, but never tacky, garb, passengers do dress up in the evenings (except in the ‘resort casual’ Veranda Café), not because a dress code tells them they must, but because they like to, and because they are at ease in tuxedos and dressy gowns, silk suits and top-label sportswear. There are two "formal" dinners per week in the Restaurant-listed as "Black Tie Optional." On those nights, theVeranda Cafe is open for dinner with "Elegant Casual" attire requested(jacket, no tie required.) Either attire is also OK in lounges after 6 pm onthose nights. On other nights, the Restaurant suggests elegant casual andthe Veranda, casual (no jacket required.) Showtime Designed for sophisticated people, the ships small orchestra plays easy listening and dance music in The Club, or a pianist/vocalist performs at the cocktail hour. Evening cabaret shows staged in the Magellan Lounge are quite good, and feature the cruise director and three or four social staff members. The Restaurant also becomes a supper club with dancing. Seabourn invented the enjoyable ‘Movies Under the Stars’ program, a very popular movie screening outside on deck, with full bar service and popcorn. You don't see big shows on Seabourn. Crew Facilities Limited due to size and the age of the vessels, facilities for the crew are acceptable, but not cutting edge. Many of the crew have been with Seabourn for the entire history of the company - a solid testament. Past Passengers After your first cruise aboard The Yachts of Seabourn, you are automatically enrolled in the Seabourn Club. Membership brings rewards, such as 50% savings on selected Club Signature Value sailings, Club party hosted by the Captain and senior officers each cruise, a members magazine and for those looking for luxury cruise deals, Seaborne Cruise Lines offer a bonus 5% savings for bookings made while on board. A complimentary cruise of up to 14 days is awarded after sailing with Seabourn Cruises for 140 days. How to book Seabourn Cruise Line does accept booking requests via its web site, but it still encourages booking via travel agents. Bookings made for a future cruise, while on board attract a further 5% reduction. Fielding’s will publish a list of its recommended luxury cruise agents throughout the world shortly. Subscribe to Fielding’s Ocean Views to stay informed of this development. Skeletons in the closet No blemish of note... The bottom line The challenge Seabourn faces is attracting and satisfying very different sorts of people who, have in common wealth, and a desire to spend it on living well, but who also do very different things on their vacations. Some passengers like to rappel down cliffs and scuba dive. Others like to linger in stately cathedrals and museums. Some like to do both on different days. What Seabourn guests share is a fondness for the finer things in life, a love of pleasant society and a horror of being amongst the herd. They avoid mega ships like the plague. They hunger for exceptional "trophy" experiences, that can't be had off the shelf and that they can share proudly with family and friends once they get home. They love that their steward addresses them by name the first day. They love that the bartender asks them if they'd like another Cosmopolitan when they walk into his bar after two years. Those are the sorts of things that make Seabourn passengers members for life. The Seabourn ships are the ultimate in subdued elegance without ever being stuffy.Your dinner table partner may well have a title preceding their name, but they are unlikely to ever mention it. Everything on these ships works seamlessly together from the food to the service to the ambiance. Quite simply, the six-star rated Seabourn Cruise Lines offers you a superbly satisfying cruise experience.
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