Seabourn Legend Chief Purser Albe le Roux sent along a picture that the onboard staff arranged as a gift to the guests. They give departing guests a postcard of this picture, and they thought maybe you’d like to see it, too.

Seabourn Legend staff: spiraling, but in control.

Seabourn Legend continues to receive warm and friendly greetings at various ports throughout Indonesia. In both Surabaya, Java, and Larantuka, Flores Island, local officials greeted the ship with much enthusiasm and were very excited to welcome the ship and its guests to their towns.

On January 30, 2012, the ship accomplished another milestone when it arrived at Larantuka, Flores Island, representing the first Seabourn ship to visit the port.

A traditional plaque exchange ceremony was held pierside between Captain Pedder and local officials in Larantuka. This was Seabourn’s first visit to the port.

Prior to that visit, on January 20, 2012, Seabourn Legend received its biggest welcome at Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city. There were 100 people on the quay, as well as excellent musicians and singers in the terminal, to welcome guests. Not only did the receive a warm welcome, locals also gave the ship a great send-off on departure.

The Major of Surabaya greets Captain Pedder, who presented the mayor with a Seabourn Legend maiden call plaque. Behind the mayor (in orange) is Miss Surabaya.

Seabourn Legend guests were met with much fanfare and excitement in Surabaya.

A large crowd surrounds Seabourn Legend officers and local officials on the quay.

On January 22, 2012, Seabourn Legend visited Celukan Bawang, Bali, Indonesia, making it the first cruise ship to visit this port. To mark this momentous occasion, a local music and dance group warmly greeted guests with a traditional Indonesian dance ceremony. The ship also hosted a plaque exchange ceremony, where local officials presented Captain Andrew Pedder with a ceremonial plaque and beautiful Indonesian gift.

A BIG congratulations goes out to Jan Stearman, cruise director aboard Seabourn Legend! Seabourn recently honored her with the 2011 President’s Leadership Award, which celebrates and showcases exemplary colleagues who go above and beyond to deliver the outstanding Seabourn cruise experience. She received a plaque commemorating the award and $5,000, and will also receive a diamond lapel pin.

Seabourn Legend Captain Andrew Pedder recognized Jan on two separate occasions – once during the captain’s gala reception in front of guests and also during a separate presentation in front her fellow staff members.

“Many guests have commented to me how nice it was to see Jan’s professionalism and hard work acknowledged. And the entire crew agree that Jan is a worthy winner,” said Captain Pedder.

In addition to Jan’s outstanding skills as a cruise director, her nomination form noted her dedication to safety: “She expects us to take drills seriously and to go a step further and instruct our peers to do the same. I have never had such thorough safety training with anyone as I have had with her. She leaves nothing to chance and as a result we feel better prepared for an emergency.”

For nearly 17 years, Jan has been entertaining Seabourn guests and ensuring they have a special and unforgettable experience during their cruises.  “Keeping the guests interested, entertained, feeling special and at home is the job I find most challenging and most rewarding,” says Jan.

Front row: Jan Stearman receives the President’s Leadership Award from Seabourn Legend Captain Pedder during the captain’s gala reception. Back row (L to R): Hotel Manager Guillaume Colas, Staff Captain Krasimir Ivanov, Executive Chef Martin Kitzing, Chief Engineer Roger Kjolso, and Dr. Michael Woch.

During a team presentation with fellow staff members, Captain Pedder recognizes Jan for her outstanding hard work and dedication.

On Monday, November 28, Captain Erik Anderssen took Seabourn Legend through the Corinth Canal across Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula. This has always been a special Seabourn Experience – our smaller sisters j‑u‑s‑t fit between the towering walls. Capt. Anderssen reports it was “…a perfect transit, clear sky, bright sunshine, a memorable experience for our guests and crew.” Asst. Cruise Director Sam took the shots, and for that, we thank him. How tight is it? The captain may want to instruct guests to please keep their hands inside the ship!

View from above

Threading the needle

Under the bridge on a perfect day

We’re happy to share our latest Facebook photo album with you. “Postcards from Sea,” contains snapshots from our ships at sea and in ports all over the globe.  Our fans will see pictures of cruising Seabourn-style, the exotic destinations we visit, and the many unique experiences we offer both on board and ashore.  We’ll also share photos of our crew, many of whom have become good friends with our fans during a previous Seabourn cruise.

“Postcards from Sea” already contains some amazing shots from the ships, including a beautiful sunset shot in the South Pacific, photos of Seabourn Quest meeting up with Seabourn Legend for the first time this year, and pictures of UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur near Semarang, Indonesia.  Here are just a few photos in “Postcards at Sea.”  To see more pictures, please visit our Facebook page here.

We hope “Postcards from Sea” will bring back good memories to guests who have sailed with us in the past. At the same time, we hope our fans will be enticed to join us on a future cruise!  We also welcome fans to share their photos of their Seabourn cruises on our Facebook page, or email them to us directly to community@seabourn.com and we’ll include them in the album.

Staff Captain Sigurd Darbakk and Captain Mark Dexter watch the sunset over the island of Moorea after Seabourn Odyssey leaves Papeete.

Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Quest meet at sea.

Guests approach the UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur (near Semarang, Indonesia).

A lovely photo of Seabourn Odyssey in Kotor, Montenegro.

Even though it’s only July, we’re sure many of you are already thinking about plans for the holidays. If you want to get away from it all and celebrate the holidays Seabourn-style, then join us on one of our six ships around the globe.  There is a festive atmosphere onboard and our staff spreads holiday cheer on the ships.

Here is a taste of what it’s like to celebrate the holidays on a Seabourn cruise:

Tastefully decorated trees, as well as Hanukkah menorahs are set up in various lobbies and public rooms, and evergreen swags are draped on railings and balusters.  The galley team prepares a dazzling gingerbread village display, which is set up on about December 23 and maintained through about the 29^th.

Between December 24^th and 26^th, additional displays are set up on all buffet service areas and at the Restaurant entry, which contain a gingerbread house, Christmas chocolates, a chocolate Santa Claus, fresh Christmas cookies, candy canes, dried fruits and fresh clementines.  On the evening of the 24^th, a special Christmas basket or plate containing the same selection of goodies is delivered to each suite at turndown.

Of course, the holidays aren’t complete without several great, traditional meals.  On Christmas Eve, a traditional holiday meal is served during dinner. Christmas Day starts with a brunch buffet crowned with a Yuletide Log cake and cookies.  There is an eggnog, Glogg or Gluhwein party scheduled.  Christmas Day dinner is also traditional, with roast turkey, English pudding, mince pies with lots of decorations, crowns.  Plus, each guest receives a “Christmas cracker.”

Can you think of a better to ring in the New Year than on a Seabourn cruise?  If you’re sailing with us on the 31^st, be sure to pack a party dress or suit because New Year’s Eve dinner is a gala, formal-optional affair. Tables are decorated with good luck charms (marzipan clovers and horseshoes).  Afterwards, there is a gala ball in the main show lounge, and at midnight, hot goulash soup is served in all the bars.

Want to know where the ships will be during the holidays? Seabourn Sojourn will explore the majestic lands of South America, while Seabourn Spirit will visit Costa Rica, Panama and Belize.  The new Seabourn Quest will sail the warm waters of the Caribbean, while sister ship Seabourn Odyssey will offer a Panama Canal holiday cruise.  Both Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Pride will traverse the waters on the other side of the globe, with Pride visiting Vietnam and Thailand, and Legend cruising the Indian Ocean.

Have you ever celebrated the holidays on a Seabourn cruise? Do you have pictures? If so, please send us some to community@seabourn.com!

The new Seabourn Quest received a surprise visit by its smaller sister, Seabourn Legend, last week off the coast of Italy.

On the evening of June 7, as international travel partners and media were gathering for pre-dinner cocktails on Seabourn Quest, Captain Magnus Bengtsson made a surprise announcement from the bridge. Seabourn Legend, under the command of Captain Erik Lund Anderssen, was “in the neighborhood” and wished to make a courtesy visit to welcome its newly-minted sister to the Seabourn family. Staff and guests poured to the windows and out onto the deck to see Seabourn Legend sailing toward Seabourn Quest.

As Seabourn Legend approached in the late sunlight, the ship turned slowly to reveal guests and crew lined along the decks, just as they were on Seabourn Quest.  The two ships offered everyone on deck a lingering opportunity to admire their graceful profiles, as crew members greeted friends serving on the other ship, and guests exchanged waves and salutes. Both ships sounded their horns, and then Seabourn Legend slowly pulled away to continue its voyage, and everyone on Seabourn Quest returned to their evening’s activities.

There was a certain glow and a bit of a grin on the faces of both guests and staff that couldn’t be hidden. Something special had happened – something that will be remembered by everyone for a long time to come.

Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Quest greet each other off the coast of San Remo, Italy.

It was a short but sweet visit.

The sisters side by side.

It was a historical moment last week when three Seabourn ships met up together at sea. Both Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Sojourn were in Livorno, Italy, while Seabourn Legend was just up the Italian coast in Portovenere. The captains of the three ships decided to arrange a rendezvous, and Seabourn Legend headed south to say hello to her sisters just outside of Livorno. The three sisters looked amazing together, sailing the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean. It was truly a remarkable sight, and we hope you enjoy these spectacular photos of their grand meeting!

Legend, Pride and Sojourn sailing at sunset

The three ships of the fleet outside of Italy

The three sister ships offer spectators a rare sight

The proximity gave guests a stunning view

They say a rising tide lifts all boats, and a tide of enthusiasm from cruise travelers has elevated our entire fleet to the top of Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s prestigious annual survey of its readers.

Seabourn was ranked above all other cruise ships, regardless of size, in the three all-important categories of Service, Food, and Accommodations in the 2011 edition of Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List, published in the magazine’s January issue.  In the February issue, individual ship results show the 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey as the highest-rated cruise ship regardless of size. Odyssey’s smaller, 208-guest sisters Seabourn Spirit, Legend and Pride, are ranked number two, three and five respectively in the small-ship category. Odyssey’s twin sister, Seabourn Sojourn, debuted in June of 2010 and was not rated in the poll. Seabourn Legend, meanwhile, achieved the highest scores in several categories, including a perfect 100 for Crew/Service, 99.1 for Food/Dining and 97.4 for Schedule/Itineraries.

You can read more about the scores here: http://www.concierge.com/images/cnt/pdf/2011CruisePoll.pdf

“Scores like these would be an outstanding achievement under any circumstances,” noted Richard D. Meadows, Seabourn’s president. “But the fact that they were earned during a period of very rapid fleet expansion is a testament to the professionalism and passion of Seabourn’s onboard management and their staffs.”

Receiving such distinguished awards would not be possible without our stellar staff, who are 100% committed to providing lifelong travel memories for our guests.  We’re very honored for this recognition … THANK YOU!!!