Seabourn Luxury Cruises

by Wendy Fougner

Seabourn Cruises is a luxury cruise line with smaller ships that allow for a more personal experience. A Seabourn ship is like a private club, where members share expansive open decks, inviting social spaces, and the personalized attention of an exceptional crew. From the moment you first step aboard Seabourn, you’ll be part of an exclusive circle, the privileged few, who have discovered the true joys of yachting.

Each cruise is a hand-picked collection of fascinating places, and each day brings a new opportunity for authentic discovery – another chance to explore your world in a personal and meaningful way. It is supremely relaxing to be looked after by thoughtful hosts, whose knack for anticipating what you might like borders on the clairvoyant.

Seabourn suites are thoughtfully appointed and inviting, designed as homes away from home with room to unwind or entertain. You have the opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow guests in a carefree atmosphere, where no one has to pick up the tab.

In 2011, I had the opportunity to appreciate their service on a seventeen day cruise that started in Singapore and ended in Dubai. If you are a couple looking for casual elegance with opportunities to get acquainted with wonderful and interesting people over the course of your trip, then Seabourn is perfect for you.

The cruise was spent aboard the Seabourn Spirit. The ship was absolutely beautiful and they went to great lengths to keep everything ship shape, whether it be polishing the brass or painting the exterior. The suites on the Seabourn Spirit are a throwback to the great ocean liners of the past combining modern conveniences with the old world charm of ocean travel. With plenty of room (277 to 575 sq. ft.), they provide a haven of sophisticated luxury. While wandering around the ship, all the staff greeted me by name. It didn’t matter where I was they knew my name, which added a nice personal touch and made the journey seem all the more special.

The food, the wine and the cocktails...they were not only included, but incredible. There were two main dining areas: The Restaurant and the Veranda Café. The food was designed by Executive Chef Rajat Adhikary and provided diners the option of innovative, yet more traditional, cuisine, avant-garde creations, casual fare on deck or course-by-course dining in your suite. My favourite dining experience was the Veranda Café. It was wonderful to eat outdoors and enjoy the warm breezes while enjoying the scenery. In the evenings, the twinkling lights of the fishing boats provided just the right touch of ambiance.

In addition to the terminal ports of Singapore and Dubai, our journey took us to Penang, Cochin, Mangalore, Mumbai, Muscat, and Oman. Each city had its own special highlights and charms, however, my personal favourites were Oman and Cochin.

Cochin had a great feel about it that made me realize I would like to go back and stay there for an extended period of time. It was vibrant and alluring. The shops and restaurants were very cool and funky, and the hotels looked inviting. The city was very lively with lots of young travelers. Cochin just had this energy surrounding it that makes you want to return.

As for Oman, I loved it because while it was traditional, for example the attire, there were aspects that were nontraditional, such as the embroidery on the outfits. The city was welcoming, clean, and unique, and I really enjoyed my time exploring and getting a sense of the region.

Overall, I would recommend cruises like those offered by Seabourn for individuals interested in “casual elegance” and looking to meet other couples who are of like mind. You get a wonderful variety of people on the ship, and get to know them over the duration of the cruise.