His competition, he says, is land-based luxury resorts, while his ships move around the world, giving guests great luxurious choices. They are more like colleagues, he said, each choosing its take on what luxury cruising is and going its own way. The world’s luxury fleets are growing, but Seabourn president Rick Meadows says he does not see the other top luxury cruise lines as competitors. Windstar is a top premium cruise line, but says it is not competing with the top luxury lines, nor is it charging luxury prices.) The three original Seabourn ships were sold to Windstar Cruises, which says they are profitable because it renovated and updated the ships, which no longer are in the luxury category. In 10 years, Seabourn has moved from owning three aging ships carrying a total of about 600 passengers to carrying about 2,550 passengers on five ships that make up one of the ocean’s youngest fleets. is launching a small ship luxury cruise line starting in 2020, and Crystal and Seabourn are also both building their own smaller luxury expedition ships (something that Silversea already has). Seabourn has debuted five new ships since 2009, the most recent, Seabourn Ovation, this past spring. Crystal Cruises’ first new major ocean ship since 2003, an as yet unnamed 800-passenger vessel, will be out in 2022. Regent is building the 738-passenger Seven Seas Splendor (2020), sister of the Seven Seas Explorer of 2016. Silversea Cruises, which recently sold a majority stake to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., launched the 596-passenger Silver Muse last year, to be followed by sisters Silver Moon in 2020, and Silver Dawn in 2021. All the big luxury lines own new ships, either already on the seas or under construction, typically carrying 450-800 passengers. The number of luxury cruisers is rising to meet the number of cabins and suites on new vessels coming out of the shipyards. Service and fine dining, matched with special exclusive excursions and entertainment, are all significant elements as luxury cruise lines try to entice affluent vacationers away from high-end land resorts to the top ships at sea. Roast chicken, carved tableside for two, is among the favorite dishes at the Thomas Keller Grill on Seabourn Ovation and other ships of Seabourn Cruises. “Of course, sir,” said the bartender at the Thomas Keller restaurant on Seabourn Encore, “and if you like Jack Daniels may I offer you another suggestion, which I like better myself.” He continued, “If you prefer the taste of Maker’s Mark, I have some choices there, too.” Making eye contact was my first bartender who recommended a higher class of whiskey without expecting extra money, or a tip (also included in the cruise rate). Seabourn folks call their service intuitive, which is what I found when I bellied up to the bar in search of my old friend Jack. So is the highly attentive service by the crew.
#Seabourn ovation number of passengers free#
Caviar is free (you just pick up the phone and request it). On Seabourn, the personal bar in each cabin (called a suite) is stocked with your favorite drinks, alcoholic or not. On the evening in question, I was cruising on the 600-passenger Seabourn Encore, one of five ships owned and operated by Seabourn Cruises, which calls itself ultra-luxury and has granted itself a sixth star in the typical range of one-to-five. The naming ceremony took place in Venice, Italy on 24 June 2009, and she sailed on her first trip with guests the next day.Atrium stairway on Seabourn Ovation, designed by Adam Tihany: “No matter what you wear when you walk down the stairway, you straighten up, make your grand entrance, because you look and feel great.” The art at the base is "Warrior The Second," created by Luciano Vistosi from polished and hammered lagoon green crystal. The ship took to sea for first trials on. A sister ship, Seabourn Sojourn, was launched in 2010. The ship was completed in May 2009, a few weeks earlier than planned. The Retreat features a nine-hole mini golf course, a giant chess board and shuffleboard. The ship includes 11 decks with two swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, a spa and a marina. The ship's keel was laid in early July 2007, and when it was commissioned in 2009, it was the first new ship for Seabourn in over a decade. The Seabourn Odyssey is a cruise ship for Seabourn Cruise Line.