A DAY ON BOARD SEABOURN OVATION: DISCOVERING SEABOURN’S SMALL-SHIP LUXURY

First impressions



From the moment I stepped on board, the first thing that struck me was the décor. There is an interesting balance between traditional and modern design throughout Seabourn Ovation. Rather than having one area that feels luxurious and another that feels completely different, the design flows naturally through the public spaces.

That consistency is something I particularly liked. You move from one area to another and the luxury feel continues. Despite being a smaller ship, Ovation also gets the balance of space right. You don't feel as though you are constantly walking long distances to get from one part of the ship to another. But at the same time, there is enough space that you don't feel as though everyone is on top of each other.

Seabourn Ovation accommodates around 600 guests, and that smaller scale is an important part of the experience.

For me, this is where the ship really starts to feel more like a luxury yacht than a traditional cruise ship.

Exploring the suites

One of the highlights of my visit was being able to see the different suite categories available on board.

I was fortunate enough to view the suite categories from the top of the range down through to the Veranda Suite:

• Wintergarden Suite
• Signature Suite
• Owner's Suite
• Penthouse Suite
• Veranda Suite

The differences in space and layout between the categories were interesting to see, but what stood out was that the sense of comfort and quality doesn't disappear as you move through the categories.

The Wintergarden Suite is impressive, offering a substantial amount of indoor and outdoor space, providing a wintergarden-like area on the balcony with a jacuzzi, while the Signature Suite provides another significant step up in space. The Owner's and Penthouse Suites continue that premium feel, while the Veranda Suite provides a more compact option without losing the private veranda and suite-style accommodation that defines the Seabourn experience.

One useful point for anyone comparing Seabourn ships is that the Ocean View Suite is not a category on Ovation. Ocean View Suites on the ship Seabourn Quest due to it being an older ship then Ovation. They decided that having a veranda was an important part of the experience in everyone’s voyage.

I also really like the consistency across Seabourn's fleet. The ships have a recognisable design of each desk, meaning returning guests can step on board another Seabourn ship and quickly feel familiar with their surroundings and knowing where everything is situated.

It creates that feeling of coming back somewhere you already know.

Dining on board

The dining experience was another real highlight of the visit.

We were treated to a four-course meal in The Restaurant, Seabourn's main dining venue, and it was a great opportunity to experience not just the food but the level of service that comes with it.

The meal began with a lobster starter, followed by a mushroom and truffle soup accompanied by a freshly baked bread roll.

The main course was beef Wellington with potato and a wine gravy, cooked beautifully and to everyone’s preferred taste, before finishing with fresh fruit, a chocolate ganache sponge and ice cream.

The food was excellent, but what I particularly noticed was the service around the meal.

The attention to detail was exceptional. Water was topped up before the glass was even close to being empty, and the same attention was given to wine throughout the meal.

Those small touches make a difference. Seabourn's dining offering is designed around choice, with venues including The Restaurant, The Colonnade, Solis, Sushi, Earth & Ocean, The Patio and in-suite dining.

Seabourn also states that its dining venues are complimentary, with fine wines served at lunch and dinner.

Solis and the evening experience

The luxury feel continues into the evening. Solis was one of the restaurants that stood out to me, The restaurant focuses on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a more relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.

Mediterranean cuisine prepared fresh with menus influenced by the destinations the ships visit. The bars and lounges also continue the same design language found throughout the rest of the ship.

There are several elegantly styled spaces where you can sit back and enjoy a drink without feeling as though you are in a busy, crowded cruise ship bar.

There is plenty to do, but the ship never feels as though it is trying to fill every spare moment with activities.

The spa, wellness and The Retreat

The Spa at Seabourn provides another tranquil space on board, with treatments available at an additional cost.

There is a hair salon, barber and nail salon, alongside the spa facilities, and the floor-to-

ceiling windows make the surroundings particularly appealing.

But the area that really caught my attention was The Retreat. Located on the top deck, The Retreat is a secluded space designed for guests looking for an even more private experience.

For me, this was probably the most unique part of the ship. The Retreat gives guests the opportunity to have their own space away from the main pool areas, with private cabanas, sun loungers and a hot tub. The cabanas provide a comfortable place to spend the day, with space to relax and enjoy the surroundings. It is the sort of experience where you could quite easily arrive in the morning and spend the rest of the day there.

My overall thoughts

After spending the day on Seabourn Ovation, I came away understanding why the Seabourn brand has such a strong reputation within the luxury cruise market.

The ship is beautiful. The suites, restaurants, lounges, service, spa, entertainment and outdoor spaces all feel connected by the same idea: luxury without unnecessary fuss. It is small enough to feel personal, spacious enough to never feel crowded, and luxurious enough to feel special from the moment you step on board.

If you're looking for a cruise that feels closer to a private yacht experience than a traditional large-scale cruise holiday, Seabourn is certainly a fleet of ships worth knowing about.

And after my visit, I can see why someone looking for a more immersive, destination-focused and elevated experience at sea might choose Seabourn.