Seabourn Spirit:

Cruising in the Lap of Luxury

By Patricia J. Collins

In the ultra-luxury market, being a standout is the name of the game. The itinerary, the ship, the dining experience, shore excursions, linens, even the shampoo and soap in the amenity baskets, must be of the highest caliber.
But the one thing that gives the luxury cruise vacation experience real cohesion — and awards from the traveling public — is the service standard. At its best, it is flawless and transparent to guests who go home feeling their vacation investment was worth every penny.
To this end, The Yachts of Seabourn (Spirit, Legend, Pride) has cornered its segment of the market. For 2005, Travel + Leisure named Seabourn “The World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line.”
And, for the past 12 years (1994-2006) the readers of Conde Nast Traveler have put the line on its “Gold List” of the best-of-the-best luxury lines.
In 2006, Conde Nast Traveler readers named Seabourn Spirit “The Best Small Ship in the World,” the same honor bestowed on it for 2003 and 2005.
During a recent cruise aboard Seabourn Spirit, it became quite clear why this very small ship — it carries just 208 passengers — shines so brightly amid the other crown jewels of up-market cruising.
Built in 1988, the glamorous vessel was built for Seabourn and is everything you imagine a large yacht to be — smartly turned out, exclusive, relaxed and more.
The international crew is outstanding. They are smart, poised, courteous and personable. The line’s commitment to training is evident and, as a result, the service staff appears to be genuinely committed to the comfort and enjoyment of guests.
Repeat passengers — at a rate well in excess of 50% — embrace crewmembers and fellow guests like old friends.
In fact, that’s the general feeling onboard. When I told a fellow passenger this was my first voyage on the ship, he said, “Welcome to the family.” One woman from the Midwest was celebrating her 16th cruise on Seabourn Spirit while a couple was already four weeks into a four-month odyssey, an extension of their regular yearly Seabourn Spirit cruise.
The informal camaraderie lends an authenticity to the yachting tone set by Seabourn. Other onboard policies advance that ultra-luxury market position.
For example, there is a no-tipping policy, a pre-stocked en-suite bar based on guest preferences, a posh spa experience, extra-large suites, an alternative restaurant, in-room dining, 24-hour room service and an expansive array of product and service enhancements introduced only months ago.
The introduction to a Seabourn cruise begins with optional registration on the line’s Web site (www.seabourn.com). Booked guests may fill out the registration form, which allows them to input preferences and expedites the process of final documentations.
The form records required security information and bed arrangements, plus choices in what complimentary beverages guests want in their in-suite bar setup. Special requests, such as milestone dates (birthday, anniversary, etc.) to be celebrated on board and special diet requests can all be noted on the online form. The line is committed to the travel agent distribution system, so this information gathering is offered as a convenience.
Prior to departure, guests may opt to have their luggage shipped to the vessel. It’s a pricey option, but one that many passengers wouldn’t do without.

PUBLIC ROOMS
With only six passenger decks, getting around is a snap. Guests embark into the 5-story atrium, which houses the purser’s office, tour desk and cruise director’s office and business center.
The décor throughout the vessel is understated, with colors in soft earth, sky and sea tones and furnishings that are built for function and comfort.
At the heart of the action is the Admunsen Lounge — the main showroom, which serves as the locale for enrichment lectures, the meeting place for those headed on a shore excursion and any other special events tailored to large-space use.
The onboard enrichment program brings celebrities, guest experts and master chefs on selected cruises to enhance the vacation experience.
The entertainment is varied and fun. During our Australia/New Zealand cruise, guest entertainer Judy Carmichael played cross-hand-style piano jazz as good as any found in the nation’s great jazz centers. She joined a cadre of singers and dancers who enthusically ramped up the evenings.
For more live entertainment, guests head one deck down to The Club. It is a cozy place to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner dance or a drink at the large sit-up bar at the back of the room. The casino, located just outside The Club, offers a range of gaming options including slots, roulette and blackjack tables.
Movie nights are offered on the Sun Deck for those who want to skip the live entertainment.
The boutique, which is chock full of a bit of everything — from personal products to evening wear — is forward of the Club in the atrium area. Also located here is the compact library/video room. On longer cruises, the library is a central drop-in place as guests pick out a good book, read one of the several newspapers or take a video to their suite.
The Restaurant (the no-frills name for the main dining room) is located amidships on Deck 3 and provides a wide variety of seating options, including intimate tables for two.
It serves three meals each day, all of which are a cause for celebration, especially dinner. Menus, which were expanded in 2005, are designed by celebrity chef/restaurateur Charlie Palmer. The result is perfection: meals that are creatively prepared and elegantly presented. Fine steaks, lobster, game and fresh fish are at the heart of multi-course offerings. The desserts are exceptional. Urge clients to ditch the diet because they are worth every calorie.
Testimonials about the quality of the cuisine are easy to come by. Not surprisingly, The Yachts of Seabourn won the first-place Diamond Award from Onboard Service magazine and the Conde Nast Travel Readers’ Choice Awards for cuisine.

INTRODUCING ‘2’
Starting in March, the popular Veranda Café, the alternative casual dining venue set atop the ship on Deck 8, was transformed. It now offers multi-course tasting menus. The galley has been expanded and produces an assortment of small plates, principally designed to be served two to a course, creating a variety of flavors and sensations during five- or six-course meals.
The evening restaurant will reflect that by being called “2.” As in the Restaurant, a selection of wines will be free of charge, with premium wines available for purchase. Unlike The Restaurant, the attire will be more casual, but on those Black Tie evenings on the ship, the dress will be jacket, no tie, for men. Dressing up for dinner is a tradition kept alive on Seabourn ships. Even on casual nights, the attire suggestion is “elegant casual.” Guests need little direction regarding appropriate dress.
The Veranda Café is a great place to eat, with seating for 90, 40 of which are outdoors on the graceful fan deck. Laced marine-style awnings shade this area. Buffets are set up indoors, but there is always a member of the staff to carry out dishes and take drink orders at the table.
My favorite place on the Seabourn Spirit is the Horizon Lounge, which is forward on Deck 8. This sunny room has floor to ceiling windows that make it the perfect perch from which to enjoy port arrivals. A small bar serves coffee, tea, wine and mixed drinks. Tea is served in the Horizon Lounge at 4 p.m.
As part of its Seabourn Signature DelightsSM program, the line introduced an upgraded collection of teas — Seabourn to a TeaSM from around the world — from classic, scented and fruited blacks to premium oolongs and herbal tisanes.
That same program offers a collection of fine French champagnes, which complement the sevruga caviar served on board.

ACCOMMODATIONS
The size of accommodations is usually an issue at sea, but Seabourn offers plenty of elbowroom. There are five suite categories: Owner’s Suites, Classic Suites, Balcony Suites, Seabourn Suites and Double Suites.
Owners Suites have a dining area, forward facing private veranda and a guest bath; and Classic Suites feature a living area with a forward facing window and private veranda with French Doors.
Double Suites are those that combine two Category A1 suites and are a good option for families with children.
Suites are 277 square feet up to 575 square feet. All include a living area and bedroom, a five-foot wide picture window or balcony, walk-in closet, flat-screen TV with VCR, stocked bar, Bose Wave Radio CD, bathroom with tub, shower, large vanity, in-room safe and top amenities.
There is complimentary champagne and fresh flower upon arrival; personalized stationery; fresh fruit baskets; robes; Egyptian cotton linens; duvet; fine soaps from Hermes, Bijan and L’Occitane; Molton Brown beauty products; turndown service; daily newspaper and World Atlas, among other amenities. Marble bathrooms have a tub/shower and double sinks.
In 2000, the line installed French balconies in 36 suites. While they are not verandas and offer no outdoor seating, they bring in refreshing sea breezes and provide an open view to the outdoors.

THE SPA
The award-winning spa offers an assortment of “Ceremonies” designed to soothe and refresh the mind, body and spirit.
For outright pampering, there is a five-hour treatment that includes massage, restorative rituals and even a manicure. There is also a range of cardio and weight training sessions that match those offered by private health clubs on land. The gym, which has expansive sea views, has a full range of equipment from free-weight to machines. The nearby outdoor pool and whirlpool makes it easy to enjoy sea days while keeping fit.
Cruises range from 7 to 72 days or longer, sailing worldwide itineraries. This summer, Seabourn Spirit will sail Mediterranean cruises. For 2007, the ship returns to the Indo-Pacific for a series of Southeast Asia cruises.

Client Pleasers

• Alternative Restaurant
• Internet Access, including WI-FI
• Award-Winning Spa
• Optional shore excursions that include privileged access to sites not open to the public, or other special offerings
• A complimentary shoreside experience on every cruise
• Open Bar
• Personal ValetSM luggage shipping service
• No Tipping Policy
• Massage MomentsSM offering complimentary mini-massages by the pool
• Premium Wine Pre-purchase Package
• Seabourn Personal ShopperSM service providing luxury cars and special shopping guides in worldwide ports
• WorldPhone global cell and satellite telephone rental service
• Course-by-course en-suite dining
• Custom luggage tags and document portfolios