Welcome to our guide, where we’ll explore all six of Seabourn’s all-suite ships in detail and examine the incredible destinations they visit around the world. For a company with fewer than ten ships, it’s surprising that Seabourn has such a major global presence and even offers expeditions to some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Their ships are small, usually designed for 260 to 600 passengers, making them feel more like intimate yachts than anything else.
Ever wanted to go on a peaceful, ultra-luxury cruise to popular spots like the Mediterranean, Alaska, and the Caribbean, but also explore remote destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Amazon? Then this guide is for you.
Keep in mind that you can always click the Request a Quote button to talk to us about anything related to Seabourn Cruise Line. You can also book your next cruise through us, and better yet, you won’t pay a dime more for it. Our travel advisors might even have access to special deals not available to anyone else and can help guide you through the many stateroom options, itineraries, and more.
Seabourn Cruise Line Ships
Seabourn cruise ships share some similarities and some unique differences that aren’t that hard to understand. They have six cruise ships in total, and three different classes. Each class has two ships, and the ships that belong to the same class and almost identical to each other. Seew It’s easy, especially since you could say that all of them are pretty amazing ships that offer elegant, luxurious and memorable experiences.
Seabourn is, after all, all about ultra-luxury and is part of a niche industry that offers the best of the best. Every ship features only suites with ocean views, even if not every stateroom has a balcony. These ships also operate at a nearly one-to-one staff-to-passenger ratio, one of the highest among any cruise lines. While they offer several restaurants for their size, Seabourn ships skip giant crystal chandeliers and expensive artworks in favor of a more subtle touch of luxury.
Here are their current vessels and the years they entered service:
- Seabourn Pursuit (2023)
- Seabourn Venture (2022)
- Seabourn Ovation (2018)
- Seabourn Encore (2016)
- Seabourn Quest (2011)
- Seabourn Sojourn (2010)
Now, let’s look at the three different classes of ships.
Odyssey Class
- Ships: Seabourn Quest; Seabourn Sojourn
- Price: usually starts at $4,400 per guest for a 7-Day Mediterranean Cruise.
- Good for: if you want a small and very intimate ship; if you are planning a fun and luxurious cruise in the Mediterranean.
- Main Focus: The Mediterranean and Northern Europe
The Odyssey Class ships are what we like to call the entry-level vessels in Seabourn, but they’re just as amazing as the rest. They’re some of the smallest ships in the entire fleet, carrying about 25% fewer passengers than the Encore Class while being roughly 20% smaller. Each ship carries only 458 passengers and offers some of the most intimate cruises available through popular destinations like the Mediterranean, Australia, and New Zealand. Nowadays, most Odyssey Class ships focus on Europe, while the Encore Class handles the majority of itineraries in North America.
These are great ships for travelers who want nothing but peace and quiet. They feature almost every venue you’ll find on the Encore Class ships, just on a smaller scale. There’s a gym onboard, though it doesn’t have the same equipment as the newer vessels, and the Solis restaurant is also smaller. The Odyssey Class ships are the only ones in the fleet with Oceanview Cabins, meaning these staterooms have a large picture window instead of a balcony.
Encore Class
- Ships: Seabourn Ovation; Seabourn Encore
- Price: usually starts at $3,700 per guest for a 8-Day Southern Caribbean cruise.
- Good for: if you want more space to walk around on the top deck; if you want bigger restaurants; if you’re looking for an excellent gym; if you are planning to go to the Caribbean or Alaska with Seabourn.
- Main Focus: Alaska, Asia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
The Encore Class ships are the largest in the entire fleet, with a gross tonnage of 41,865 GT and space for about 600 passengers. These vessels are very similar to the older Odyssey Class ships but offer more to do onboard, and every suite includes a private balcony. There’s also more deck space, more suites, and some great additions like a Sushi restaurant.
Highlights of the Encore Class ships include the largest theaters of any Seabourn ship, the biggest Solis restaurant with a cool bar at the entrance, and a much larger (and better) gym compared to the Odyssey vessels. Overall, Encore Class ships are bigger and newer in nearly every aspect when compared to the Odyssey Class, and that usually shows in the price as well. The main pool, however, is only slightly larger than the one on the older ships, and the increased passenger capacity can make it a bit busier on the Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Encore.
Expedition Class
- Ships: Seabourn Pursuit; Seabourn Venture
- Price: usually starts at $5,400 per guest for a 8-Day Southern Caribbean cruise.
- Good for: those seeking adventure; if you want to go to Antarctica or the Arctic with Seabourn.
- Main Focus: Antarctica; the Arctic; South America; Australia & New Zealand.
The Expedition Class is the newest in Seabourn’s fleet and debuted in 2022. Expedition Class ships are designed to take you to some of the most remote corners of the world, perfect for travelers seeking adventure, cultural enrichment, or off-the-beaten-path destinations that go far beyond a beach in the Caribbean or the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The two sister ships are nearly identical in design, each with a gross tonnage of 23,000 GT. They’re also the smallest in the entire fleet, carrying just 264 passengers. These vessels are small, intimate, and created for a very select group of travelers looking for a truly special kind of cruise. Prices for these cruises tend to be higher than the others due to the nature of their itineraries.
These are the only ships that sail to faraway destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic. Their expeditions in Europe mostly focus on historical sites or have a specific theme, such as a voyage around the British Isles or itineraries centered on exclusive yacht harbors. Each ship is equipped with large inflatable boats called Zodiacs that take guests to remote locations, and they even feature small submarines for underwater exploration.
Expedition ships may be compact, but they still offer the same main dining room found on other Seabourn vessels, a casual eatery called The Colonnade, and several bars and snack spots. All staterooms onboard are suites with verandas, ensuring that every guest enjoys ocean views in comfort and style.
Seabourn Cruise Line Destinations
Seabourn is present all over the world. You can find them cruising to:
- The Mediterranean (popular; 146 itineraries)
- Antarctica & South America (popular; 83 itineraries)
- Oceania (popular; 77 itineraries)
- Caribbean (67 itineraries)
- Transatlantic & World Cruises (67 itineraries)
- Asia (56 itineraries)
- Alaska (54 itineraries)
- Northern Europe (43 itineraries)
- Arctic (39 itineraries)
- Panama Canal (12 itineraries)
- Canada & New England (9 itineraries)
For a cruise line with just six luxurious vessels, it’s quite impressive that Seabourn sails all over the globe and offers more than 650 itineraries. The launch of their new Expedition ships in 2022 greatly expanded the number of available voyages, as Expedition cruises alone feature around 200 itineraries that explore Antarctica, the Arctic, and other beautiful, secluded destinations around the world.
Seabourn ships visit more than one hundred countries across every continent, and all of their itineraries provide modern cruising experiences with excellent dining and lounges perfect for enjoying the views.
When it comes to destinations, the Mediterranean takes the top spot, while Antarctica earns the silver medal and Australia and New Zealand take the bronze. The Mediterranean actually has about 40% more itineraries than the second-place region and is the only one to offer over 100 different cruises.
For now, let’s take a look at our top destination picks when traveling with Seabourn Cruise Line.
The Mediterranean
- Starting Price: usually at $4,400 for a 7-Day Greece cruise
- Main Departure Ports: Athens, Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Istanbul
Of course, the Mediterranean has to be on our list, with almost 150 different itineraries and only two of the six Seabourn ships not visiting this region. Seabourn has a huge presence in the Mediterranean, with many cruises departing from Athens and exploring the Greek Islands and the Dalmatian Coast. These cruises are among the most affordable options on Seabourn, and one of the perks is the wide variety of ports of departure.
Are you in Spain? You can choose a cruise from Barcelona, and your options double if you’re in Italy. Cruises range from 7 to 37 days, with the longer itineraries exploring the Mediterranean in detail and visiting over 30 different cities and islands. If you want to explore Croatia, Turkey, or the Greek Isles, Seabourn is an excellent choice.
Antarctica and South America
- Starting Price: usually at $9,100 per guest for a 16-Day Trinidad To Rio de Janeiro Expedition and $12,900 per guest for a 11-Day Antarctica Expedition
- Main Departure Ports: Buenos Aires (with a free jet transfer to Ushuaia); Bridgetown; Rio de Janeiro; Santiago
Although Seabourn is mostly known for its Antarctica cruises, the line also offers itineraries in South America that explore Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and the Chilean Fjords. Antarctica cruises start at around $12,900 per guest and include a complimentary jet transfer from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, where your adventure begins. These voyages - usually called The Great White Continent cruises - typically last 11 days and include Zodiac cruises, nature walks, and cultural experiences in Antarctica.
Only the expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, visit these locations. They are equipped not only with inflatable boats for reaching isolated beaches and icy glaciers but also with small submarines for exploring the depths of the ocean.
The Caribbean
- Starting Price: usually at $3,700 per guest for a 7-Day Caribbean cruise
- Main Departure Ports: Bridgetown; Philipsburg; Miami
The Caribbean is probably the most popular cruise destination in the world, so it makes sense that a cruise line with a major global presence also offers plenty of itineraries there. Caribbean cruises are even more affordable than those in the Mediterranean, starting at around $3,700… yes, that’s a great excuse to see what ultra-luxury cruising feels like. The Seabourn Ovation is the star of the region, operating 59 of the 67 available itineraries. That means you’ll be sailing on a spacious ship with multiple dining venues, perfect for soaking up the Caribbean sun. It’s an excellent choice not just for romantic couples but for families as well.
While some cruises depart from PortMiami, many others set sail from Barbados or St. Maarten. Keep in mind that several itineraries are one-way trips between Bridgetown and Philipsburg, though there are also a handful of roundtrip cruises from Miami. On these Caribbean voyages, Seabourn focuses on beautiful islands like Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and Grenada.
Why book Seabourn Cruise Line with us?
At Famvia, we are luxury cruise specialists. We proudly partner with some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys and Cunard Cruise Line.
Navigating Seabourn Cruise Line’s extensive portfolio of itineraries along with stateroom options can be overwhelming. That is where we come in. Our dedicated travel advisors specialize in Seabourn and can help you find the perfect voyage tailored to your preferences. In addition, we often have access to exclusive offers and pricing not available to the general public.
With deep expertise in Seabourn and their ships, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Simply click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. Our personalized planning services are complimentary and we look forward to crafting an unforgettable journey just for you.
