Our Seabourn culinary team has expanded the variety of menus served in our Patio Grill, the popular casual poolside restaurant on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest. Three new themed dinner menus have been added, supplementing the popular Surf and Turf menu. The new ones are Chop House, Al Fresco and BBQ.  Our world-class culinary team, led by Manager of Culinary Operations Bjoern Wassmuth, has created more than 40 new appetizing dishes for the new themes, such as Garlic and Herb Roasted Suckling Pig (Al Fresco); BBQ Beef Short Ribs (BBQ); and Fresh Salmon Cotelette (Chop House).

Also new in the Patio Grill is a selection of “pick and go” appetizers and desserts, allowing guests to choose from a selection of four of each, already prepared and beautifully plated. The eatery also now offers a different pasta and pizza creation every day.

Complementing the new dinner menus, Patio Grill will continue to feature a variety of grilled specialties, salads and sides for lunch, as well as daily specials celebrating 15 themes, such as West Indies, paninis, tacos, satay and more. The highly popular, freshly baked pizzas will also be available throughout the afternoon, as well as pastries in the morning.

Patio Grill has been a popular dining spot for our guests since it was first introduced on Seabourn Odyssey three years ago. The new dinner themes and dishes offer more choice and variety for guests, inviting them to return often and enhancing their dining experience when they sail on Seabourn.

Crab and Avocado Cocktail

Smoked Halibut, Honey Mustard

Our staff strives to deliver as many special “Seabourn moments” as possible to guests on board. They take pride in delighting our guests and putting a smile on their faces. Recently on board Seabourn Quest, the team organized two special events for our World Cruise guests to create even more exceptional memories for them.

For one evening, the staff decided to hold a special barbeque in the serene spa terrace on deck 10. They closed the Colonnade and transformed the area into a beautiful outdoor restaurant – perfect for al fresco dining. They had purchased a barbeque grill South Africa to provide an authentic BBQ flavor and atmosphere and serve up a variety of grill specialties a la minute, from steaks and sausages to lobsters and shrimp. In addition, our entertainment staff provided décor and live music during dinner.

On another evening, the staff organized a “Taste of Asia” event, featuring a special cocktail party and specially-prepared menus with an Asian theme.  It took more than two weeks and hundreds of man hours to bring the event together and to ensure the theme was carried out spot-on. Staff went shopping at local markets for decorations, accessories and ingredients, and created customized invitations for guests.  They beautifully decorated the pool deck, converted the whirlpools to geisha houses, and put together a beautiful food display of Asian delicacies. Our talented entertainment staff also held a spectacular Asian Opera performance to add more flavor to the evening. And of course, our culinary team prepared a special menu of delicious Asian dishes in the Colonnade.

Both events were very successful. Our guests enjoyed them very much and likewise, the staff was very proud to see them smiling the entire time. They wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work from many departments. These are just a couple of examples of Seabourn’s goal to provide guests with unique and unforgettable experiences as they sail around the world.

Seabourn has unveiled an exciting 2013 Europe season featuring more than 100 departures aboard its six intimate, all-suite ships, visiting many of Europe’s captivating cities and hidden gems from April through October next year. From the sun-blessed resorts on the Mediterranean coast to the shining polar ice pack in the Arctic Ocean, the line’s award-winning ships will carry travelers to more than 180 ports on voyages ranging from seven to 21 days in length. Seabourn’s 2013 Europe cruises are now available, and itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn’s 2013 Europe season will offer a variety of new itineraries, including a 21-day cruise beyond the Arctic Circle on Seabourn Pride, 10- and 11-day Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Venice on Seabourn Spirit, and 10-day Mediterranean cruises from Athens, Monte Carlo and Barcelona on Seabourn Quest. The program will also feature overnight stays in many popular cities, such as St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Venice, Malta, Barcelona, Istanbul, Edinburgh and Dublin, allowing guests ample time to explore these magnificent destinations.

“There is so much to see and experience in Europe, and we’re pleased to offer a diverse range of itineraries, featuring our hallmark mix of well-known marquee ports and hidden gems,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “Our cruises offer the best of both worlds: explore many of Europe’s historical and cultural treasures from the incomparable elegance and ease of the world’s highest-rated cruise line.”
Seabourn’s fleet will visit many landmark cities and picturesque seaside towns that dot the coast of the Mediterranean. Seabourn Legend will offer alternating 10-day Western Mediterranean voyages between Monte Carlo and Rome. These popular cruises highlight the best of the Italian and French Rivieras and will stop at yacht harbors and quintessential Mediterranean islands. The itineraries will also include the popular Marina day, where guests can take to the water and enjoy a variety of watersports right from the ship’s exclusive marina. The 10-day cruises can be combined for a 20-day vacation with different ports at extra savings. The ship will also operate four new seven-day cruise itineraries in the spring from Rome, Nice and Monte Carlo.

Seabourn Quest will traverse the entire Mediterranean on a series of 10-day cruises from Barcelona, Athens and Monte Carlo, visiting a host of fascinating ports and cities. The voyages can be easily combined into longer voyages of up to 30 days without repeating ports of call, providing the ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience.

Seabourn Spirit will visit the best of the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts on alternating 10- and 11-day cruises from Venice. Guests will be able to explore the region’s picturesque villages and enjoy an onboard overnight in the romantic city of Venice at the end of each voyage.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Seabourn Odyssey will explore the Greek Isles and Turkey on seven-day cruises alternating between Athens and Istanbul, and Venice and Athens.  The ship will also operate three seven-day voyages to the Black Sea, featuring a full day and overnight onboard in Istanbul.

Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Pride will be based further to the north in the Baltic and Scandinavia. Seabourn Sojourn will operate a series of seven-day Baltic cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm and feature three days in the majestic city of St. Petersburg, a signature Seabourn offering.  The ship will also operate a pair of cruises to the beautiful Norwegian fjords, as well as a 21-day cruise from Dover to Montreal, visiting quaint towns and ports in Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland and Québec.

Seabourn Pride will offer longer Baltic cruises, with 12- and 14-day voyages that include overnight stays in St. Petersburg. The ship will also operate a new 21-day North Cape cruise, venturing into the Arctic Ocean, calling on Longyearbyen and Ny Aalesund in the dramatic Norwegian Spitsbergen islands and skirting the shining polar ice pack. In addition, Seabourn Pride will sail on a 15-day British Isles voyage round-trip London with overnight stays in Edinburgh (Leith) and Dublin.

For additional information or reservations, contact your travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

The intimate, all-suite ships of Seabourn deliver accommodations, service, cuisine and attention to detail that place it among the elite in the global hospitality industry, according to the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. For 2012, the prestigious organization has invited the small-ship cruise specialist into the rarified ranks of its Six Star Diamond honorees, comprising a roster of the world’s finest hotels, resorts, spas, luxury transportation providers and others who cater to the most discerning clientele around the world.

“Seabourn’s dedication to excellence in service, cuisine and its unique ability to provide travelers with authentic experiences in ports of call made it a standout among our original Five Star Diamond honorees,” said AAHS president Joseph Cinque. ”Then the company introduced three new luxury vessels that quite simply reset the bar for what luxury cruise guests can expect, and that made them a natural choice to be among our first Six Star award-winners.”

Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s president, said “We are proud to be in such distinguished company. Our onboard service team has a well-deserved reputation and commitment to being the best, and for that reason they wear the Six Star Diamond insignia with pride.”

Seabourn Pride is currently sailing in Southeast Asia, where the landscapes are stunning and the cultures are rich and colorful.  Here is a report from Cruise Sales Specialist Beate Zaderer from Vietnam:

In Ho Chi Minh City, guests experienced a “Cultural Evening in Saigon” at the beautiful and legendary Majestic Hotel, where they enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the rooftop terrace while watching a Vietnamese cultural show. The performance reflected traditional music and dances from the Northern and Southern parts of Vietnam.

We had about 36 guests join us on the Kayak Adventure tour in the beautiful Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day started out with an hour-long cruise on a junk, where we sailed by many spectacular limestone formations. Guests then hopped onto kayaks and soaked in the scenery surrounding them. We kayaked amongst the islands, islets and floating villages for about two hours. It was quite a misty day but we were able to capture some of the beauty in these pictures!

Cruise Director Nick Hale sent us one last report from Seabourn Odyssey before he went on vacation:

When Seabourn Odyssey stopped in Honolulu recently, Teresa Haughey, the “fearless” chief purser, organized a sky dive for anyone who was crazy enough to try. There were quite a few people who did! We fell out of the perfectly good plane at 14,338 feet, freefalling for 60 seconds and covering 9,000 feet (about 1 ½ miles) before the parachute finally opened at 5,000 feet. Phew! Obviously, I am much more rotund and heavier than the rest, so I got there a little quicker. It was an amazing end to a great contract onboard Seabourn Odyssey.

Ready to jump! Nick Hale with Teresa Haughey, chief purser; Antonino Libassi, restaurant waiter; Marco Muller Rodrigues, bar waiter; and Timothy Healy, bar waiter.

Nick is living the dream!

The tradition continues! Seabourn Quest World Cruise guests slipped into their bathrobes and gathered at the bow of the ship for the annual “All Arounders Bathrobe Party.”  With a glass of champagne in hand, they toasted to a wonderful voyage and watched the sunrise as the ship sailed into Singapore.

Cheers!

On behalf of Seabourn President Richard Meadows, Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations Dan Grausz, and the entire company, we would like to thank the Seabourn Odyssey officers and crew for their heroic efforts in rescuing three fishermen last month. We especially would like to recognize Third Officer Anne-Marie Cobb and Quartermaster Carmelo de Belen for spotting the boat in the distance.

On Monday, Seabourn Deputy Director of Nautical Operations Prash Karnik presented them with a commemorative plaque to honor the team. The plaque reads:

Congratulating the Officers and Crew of Seabourn Odyssey

For exercising exceptional judgment, skill and compassion

in rescuing three fishermen adrift and considered lost at sea

February 19, 2012

Your actions reflected the finest traditions of seamanship,

returned these men safely to their families and friends

and brought honor upon yourselves and all of us.

 
Please join us in congratulating the entire team. Great job, Seabourn Odyssey! You make us very proud!

Hotel Manager Joerg Grossman, Seabourn Deputy Director of Nautical Operations Prash Karnik, Third Officer Anne-Marie Cobb, Quartermaster Carmelo de Belen, Captain Mark Dexter, and Staff Captain Todor Kantchev

Special “Seabourn Moments” happen all the time on our ships. Here is an example of one that took place recently on Seabourn Quest.

Elice Haverty, a guest currently sailing on the World Cruise, was craving her favorite coffee creamer and inquired to staff to see if there was any chance they would be able to get some onboard. Sure enough, the staff placed a special order and received the shipment in Cape Town, South Africa — all the way from the U.S.!  In true Seabourn style, two staff members donned white gloves and happily presented the creamer on silver platters to Mrs. Haverty, much to her delight. She can now enjoy her coffee just the way she likes it for the rest of the voyage!

Ask and you shall receive!

(L to R): Seabourn Quest Hotel Manager Vitor Alves, a very happy Elice Haverty, and waiters Ismael Rodrigues Lourenco and George Spreij

Seabourn Odyssey Cruise Director Nick Hale shared this story and photo with us:

A couple of weeks ago, Seabourn Odyssey crossed the International Dateline, meaning that we had Sunday, February 19^th for 48 hours! It was a true Groundhog moment. One of our guests, Mr. Huber, pointed out to me that it was also possibly the only time in our guests’ lives that they would witness a February with 30 days.

Here is a fun photo from that day. It took a little organizing by radio between myself on deck 10 and the captain. Assistant Cruise Director Ray Michaels was on deck 6, making sure that the guests had the correct letters in place. This was a special event for our guests who sailed to the South Pacific from Los Angeles.

“The day that happened twice. Feb 19th 2012”