Enjoy some simple elegance on a Seabourn Encore cruise: sail every week

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Known for its all-inclusive luxury, Seabourn Cruises has a reputation for offering top-notch service and unique itineraries. As a first artist on Seabourn, this legacy loomed large when I boarded the Seabourn Encore in Athens for a seven-night cruise to Venice.

Will it be the formal, toned down and crowded experience I expected for such a luxury brand? Or it could be a more relaxed experience with a friendly atmosphere. They didn’t give it all at once, it was the latter.

My image of Seabourn is the famous “caviar in the surf” experience often used in brand advertising. Involves plainclothes personnel entering the pool or ocean to serve champagne and caviar (or other drinks) to guests.

It may sound extreme, but if there’s one word to describe the employees of Seaborn, it’s senseless. On my cruise, bartenders would slide around the pool in full costume to serve drinks to the applause of the guests.

While the ship is as elegant and refined as I imagined, the atmosphere on board exudes a more casual air, with guests socializing and making friends. At the end of the cruise there were a lot of people exchanging emails and social media handles; This is a sign of good practice.

Seabourn’s passion for service with a relaxed feel is about to get even more exciting now that it has launched its first cruise ship, the Seabourn Venture. There were buzz about its upcoming cruise ship; They include sailing around both poles as well as adventure destinations such as the coasts of South America and Africa.

Ruins of Olympia, Greece, home of the ancient Olympic Games.

Ruins of Olympia, Greece, home of the ancient Olympic Games. Photo credit: Ramsey Qubein

First class food

But Seabourn Encore deserves its own credit. For starters, the food was exceptional. Not a regular night out, I often find myself grabbing sushi at one of the specialty restaurants where the staff prepares and waits for my favorite rolls. Colonnade, a buffet area for breakfast and lunch, was another highlight, especially since you can dine alfresco. The quality, variety, and made-to-order stations keep me coming back for meals that fit my schedule and routine. Normally the staff would venture far from the restaurant to get my drink of choice.

The main dining room was stunning in its design, with pastel-hued chandeliers and tables arranged for every possible configuration. Foodies will find the steak menu of French Laundry chef Thomas Keller and Michelin-star fame to be a highlight.

And about that formal dinner outfit: There were a few formal evenings, but khakis and blazers worked well even when bow ties and evening wear were on display in most dining areas.

Everything is all-inclusive from the long drinks list with champagne montazon, standard and numerous wines, beers and colorful cocktails. Also included are special dining areas and any gratuity associated with the cruise. Once you’re on board, the only extras you’ll pay for are spa services (worth a Dr. Andrew Weil Wellness Partnership) and on-site excursions.

After food and service, what sets Seabourn ships apart is their size. Most average about 450 passengers, although the Seabourn Encore has space for up to 600 guests. Regardless of the Seabourn ship, its compact size allows it to travel to smaller ports.

As a travel writer, I’ve been lucky enough to visit 166 countries. This itinerary introduced me to four new destinations: Brindisi, Italy and the Greek ports of Monmvasia, Katakolo (entrance to Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics) and Nidri on the island of Lefkada. There were also two Croatian ports and the last day in Venice.

The ancient village of Monemvasia, Greece as seen from Seabourn Encore.

The ancient village of Monemvasia, Greece as seen from Seabourn Encore. Photo credit: Ramsey Qubein

Wide collections

All accommodations are suites so you can’t go wrong. Mine was spacious and modern with walk-in closets, a large marble bathroom with a separate soaking tub and glass shower stall, a vanity stocked with Molton Brown toiletries and a large hand-held Turkish soap. The finished porch is something I enjoy every day.

I quickly became friendly with the servants assigned to my room; They restocked my minibar with what I wanted (yes, more V8). In fact, every morning when I called for extra room service, the staff had messed up my order after the third day. #SpoiledBySeabourn should be a trending hashtag in my opinion.

While the printed daily itinerary is not fully digital (a move many cruise lines are making), diversion service is standard. I like to review the upcoming schedule without going through different screens. However, the free onboard WiFi was lightning-fast and easy to use. Working remotely from a Seaborne ship is simply heavenly, and I used to do it every day.

Ruins of the Roman Forum and the ninth-century Church of St. Donatus in Zadar, Croatia.

Ruins of the Roman Forum and the ninth-century Church of St. Donatus in Zadar, Croatia. Photo credit: Ramsey Qubein

Entertainment includes musical revue-style shows and pool bands. There were usually two shows each night, both of which seemed well attended.

While most of the passengers on the cruise were American and British, what surprised me was the age range. At this price point, I (mistakenly) assumed the guest list would be skewed by age, but there were a handful of families with college-age kids, young couples, and a majority in their 40s and 50s. It was clear that the pandemic has encouraged people to expand on the high-end experiences that matter most to people and include travel.

The Seabourn Encore offers something for all ages, interests, appetites and personalities.

Maybe I should be among the first to trend that hashtag?

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