Congratulations to Sonya Rojas, the winner of our Seabourn Difference Suitestakes! She was very excited and over the moon when we shared the news with her. “What a great way to start the New Year!” she said. Sonya is now looking at cruises in Europe this summer. It will be her first Seabourn voyage, and we have no doubt she will be amazed by the Seabourn Difference. We look forward to welcoming her on board, and we’ll share photos and stories from her experience.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Seabourn Difference Suitestakes! Watch for more Seabourn Facebook sweepstakes coming soon!

Savings up to 50 Percent, Suite Upgrades, Shipboard Credits on Select Sailings

Seabourn has announced a Signature Savings Event offering travelers substantial savings and a host of value-added extras on a selection of 100 ultra-luxury voyages on its award-winning fleet of intimate, all-suite ships throughout 2013 and 2014.

The Signature Savings selection includes cruises of seven to 21 days on all six Seabourn ships, in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Atlantic Crossings, Arabia & India, Southeast Asia, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand. Cruise departure dates range from April, 2013 into March, 2014. Complete listings of the cruises and savings can be viewed here.

“This Signature Savings Event offers tremendous value for anyone thinking about a luxury cruise vacation,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president, marketing and sales. “No matter where or when you want to travel,” he continued, “book now for the widest choice of ships, suites and departures, and take advantage of these significant savings on the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line.”

Signature Savings Fares are up to 50 percent or more below published brochure fares. In addition, there are a number of Combination Cruises offering an additional savings up to 15 percent for combining two or more cruises, and some combinations even offer complimentary Veranda Suite upgrades. Bookings made in Penthouse or premium category suites will earn an additional $1,000 per suite shipboard credit. It is recommended guests book by February 28^th for best selection.

For more details about the award-winning Seabourn fleet, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn has enhanced its embarkation process, introducing an earlier boarding time, expanded culinary offerings and other welcoming gestures aboard its award-winning ships. In the past, boarding was typically scheduled at around 3 p.m. Under the new procedure, guests are welcome to board earlier beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m., and suites will be ready by 2 p.m. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest will offer a full lunch in the Colonnade, where guests can unwind and enjoy a delicious meal while their suites are being prepared by the suite stewardesses. Guests embarking Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will still be welcomed in the main lounge to check in and relax as their suites are being prepared. Also, the lounge will now feature a chef preparing wraps and sandwiches at a station, plus an assortment of already-prepared “pick and go” appetizers and desserts, as well as a variety of beverages and drinks. And of course, Seabourn staff will continue to greet all arriving guests with a glass of chilled Champagne when they first walk into the lounge!

Another milestone day celebrated during Seabourn Quest’s world cruise was the birthday of Mrs. Alene Witzke.  Mrs. Witzke passed her 2500^th day on board earlier this year, and since her birthday fell during the cruise, her friend Dr. Patricia Sakai hosted a private birthday bash in her suite, followed by a dinner in Restaurant 2.

Birthday cheer: (L-R) Capt. Thue-Nilsen, Mrs. Witzke, Cruise Sales Consultant Lindsay Havis, Cruise Director John Barron.

Queen for a Day: Mrs. Witzke celebrating at Restaurant 2.

Mrs. Witzke’s beautiful birthday cake was baked and decorated by Pastry Chef Renil Jacob.

We’re very pleased to announce that we have created a dedicated team of sales and reservations specialists in Sydney, Australia.  This is in response to a growing volume of travel agencies selling its ultra-luxury cruises to upscale Australian travelers, and the new office will enable our team to better provide Australians with the sort of individualized attention that has made us an icon of exceptional service.

You can read more about our new Australia office here: http://www.seabourn.com/news/NewsRelease.action?newsReleaseId=97

Seabourn shipboard staff members are very likely to recognize the couple in the pictures below. That’s because Mr. Eric Cass and his wife Mrs. Jean Cass have accumulated 2500 days sailing on board Seabourn ships. In case you haven’t done the maths, that’s nearly seven years of Seabourn days and nights. Much of that time has been enjoyed on board Seabourn Pride, and they chose Pride again to celebrate their attaining that milestone on June 25, 2011 with their seagoing family. Captain Ian McNaught and Hotel Manager Laurent Lalouer presented the Casses with an engraved Tiffany silver tray in Pride’s Constellation Lounge, along with the sincere thanks and affection of all of Seabourn’s staff.

Mr. Eric and Mrs. Jean Cass pose with their trophy in the Constellation lounge.

Celebration in the Constellation: L-R -- Chief Engineer David O’Hara, Captain Ian McNaught, Mr. Cass, Mrs. Cass, Staff Captain Einar Westad and Hotel Manager Laurent Lalouer

We are excited to announce a change in the service provider for our very popular Personal Valet Luggage Service.  Effective May 11, 2011, luggage shipments will be managed by our partner company, Luggage Forward. Luggage Forward is the premier door-to-door luggage delivery service, serving more than 200 countries and providing guaranteed service.

For guests who have booked a reservation for Personal Valet Luggage Service directly with Seabourn, we would like to ensure them that there will be a smooth and flawless transition to Luggage Forward. No action is required from guests and they will soon receive luggage shipping and packing details, as well as shipping supplies directly from Luggage Forward.

Everything else remains the same.  Guests can continue to ship their personal luggage between their homes and their Seabourn suite – all in an effortless way without having to worry about checking in luggage at the airport or baggage fees.

We strive to exceed the expectations of our Seabourn guests, and we are confident guests will find Luggage Forward to provide travel convenience of the highest caliber.

Guests with any questions about this transition can reach our Seabourn Personal Valet Luggage Service representatives at 1-800-929-9391. For more information or any questions regarding upcoming luggage shipment, please contact Luggage Forward at 1-800-766-8535 or visit www.luggageforward.com/seabourn

Our onboard staff always strives to wow our guests and we would love to share another story of our happy guests.  Ms. Agran Ostffor recently sailed on Seabourn Legend to celebrate her birthday, and one evening after a delicious dinner, she returned to her suite to find a beautifully created birthday cake on the table made of towels.  She so thrilled and cheerfully shared her story the next day with Captain Anderssen and other fellow cruisers. Our long-time and loyal stewardess, Ms. Paula Sanda, put together the “cake” and did a great job to wow Ms. Ostffor!

Barbara Poelmans

Since Seabourn Odyssey entered service last summer, the team of guest service specialists working at Seabourn Square has consistently received high ratings from guests for outstanding service.  This is due, in no small part, to Barbara Poelmans, Seabourn’s hotel operations coordinator and Seabourn Square manager. (more…)

Today, Seabourn announced that it will not operate a planned five-month, 15-cruise series of voyages in the Indian Ocean aboard Seabourn Legend in late 2010 and early 2011. The vessel will instead be positioned back to the Americas at the end of its Mediterranean season to cruise in the Caribbean for the winter. (more…)