Our staff is passionate about providing exceptional service and always strives to deliver Seabourn Moments to delight our guests. We’re happy to share this wonderful Seabourn Moment story that took place last month on Seabourn Sojourn, where Crew Purser Thomas Lyon went above and beyond and exceeded the expectations of one of our guests. Here is the story straight from the guest:

Upon re-boarding the ship after a lovely tour on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 7 p.m., I chatted with the officer standing at the very last stop before stepping onto the ship. I learned that I had forgotten my high heels and could find none in Hardangerfjord (Norway), and thus making dance class and related activities difficult. (My husband is 6’I” and I am 5’I”.) The crewman questioned, “What size do you wear?” I answered and he answered, “We’ll see what we can do.” Within 10 minutes there was a knock at our suite and a young lady delivered a perfect size 7 heels, belonging to Aleksandra.

Her generosity was much appreciated but of greater importance was the young officer’s swift and innovative problem solving, which enabled me to continue my onboard activities as planned. This young man’s gesture of guest care was an outstanding example of the seaman’s hallmark of a Seabourn cruise: anticipating and fulfilling a guest’s needs and dreams, ensuring an experience one would always remember and one to which one will return. I would hope that the young man who came to my rescue could be identified and commended by management.

Great job, Thomas, for your quick thinking and unwavering desire to please our guests! THANK YOU!

It seems like a few of our sisters have been meeting up with each other lately. Earlier this year, Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit had a dinner date in St. Kitts, while Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Quest met up last month in Safaga, Egypt. And just a few days ago, sister ships Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Legend rendezvoused in Livorno, Italy.

In true Seabourn style, the hotel directors of both ships put their heads together to organize a special “Welcome Back” experience for their guests returning from the full-day tours. They rolled out the red carpet and the bands from both ships played as one.

“Both teams gave our guests a wonderful ‘Seabourn Moment,’” said Seabourn Legend Hotel Director Nick Burger.

Together again in Livorno!

Seabourn Legend Hotel Director Nick Burger and Seabourn Pride Hotel Director Philip Reutener give their teams four thumbs up!

The talented bands from both ships welcome guests back to the ships.

“Caviar in the Surf” and Marina days are two of Seabourn’s most popular complimentary experiences among our guests. But did you know that we also host a beautiful barbecue on the beach in the middle of the jungle? That’s right. On our voyages where we cruise the Amazon River, we host a “Jungle Dinner Party” – compliments of Seabourn!

On March 24, 2013, Seabourn Sojourn staff rolled out the red carpet in the forest and put together a spectacular beach barbecue in the Amazon rainforest in Anavilhanas, Brazil. The “Jungle Dinner Party” featured lively entertainment and local music, and a beautiful set-up and delicious food on a white sandy beach. As the sun set behind the ship anchored in the Amazon River, it was easy to forget that they were actually in the middle of a rainforest a thousand miles away from the ocean.

Thanks to Anna Wade, one of our trainee waitresses, for sending us these photos of that lovely evening.

It’s hard to believe this is in the middle of the Amazon rainforest!

Seabourn Sojourn anchored in the Amazon River.

Restaurant Manager Bogdan Stefanescu poses with local children in festive, traditional clothing.

Even a small flood can’t stop the Seabourn Odyssey team from rolling out the red carpet for guests. During the ship’s visit to Semarang in Indonesia on March 21, the local tidal conditions flooded the pier, causing a large pool of water to surround the gangway. Determined to avoid having guests wade through the water to board the ship, the team came up with a brilliant solution and created a special “red carpet bridge” over the water. Staff members lined up along the platform to welcome guests back on board and more importantly, to ensure guests felt secure walking across along the open “bridge.” Needless to say, guests were surprised and very thankful to see that the staff went above and beyond their expectations.

According to Luca Di Matteo, Seabourn’s manager of restaurant and bar operations, the “guests loved it and said we should do this more often!”

Well done, Seabourn Odyssey, for providing guests with this wonderful “Seabourn Moment!”

Bravo to the Seabourn Odyssey staff for pulling out the stops for guests.

Another great Seabourn Moment!

On the morning of March 14, as Seabourn Odyssey was arriving in Lembar, Lombok in Indonesia, the team organized a special “bathrobe party” for the in-transit guests who were staying on board until Singapore or longer. The guests donned their bathrobes and slippers, and sipped on mimosas and bloody marys on that beautiful morning. Cruise Sales Specialist Nicole Hammer sent us a few photos of this wonderful “Seabourn Moment.”

Cheers!

All smiles!! (L to R): Hotel Director Marcel Gademan, Guest Mary Commager, Cruise Sales Specialist Nicole Hammer, F&B Manager Antony Bernardi, Restaurant Manager Marchiano Markoem, and Guest Services Manager Andrea Zanchi

Guests line up for mimosas and bloody marys on Deck 5, aft.

Seabourn Quest Executive Chef de Cuisine Thorsten Gillert took a party of about 20 guests on a “Shopping with the Chef” excursion on Grand Terre, Noumea in New Caledonia. They visited a local fish market, where they perused cases filled with beautiful fresh Pacific Ocean fish from the surrounding seas. To the delight of the guests, Chef Gillert picked out over 120 pounds of gorgeous fresh seafood that was displayed on ice later that evening in The Restaurant.

Caption: Chef Gillert and his group of guests look over the wares in Noumea.

Caption: Chef Gillert watches as more snappers are added to his haul of fresh fish.

After the first two months of a world cruise, interesting phenomena begin to occur on board. Seabourn Quest Cruise Director Handré Potgieter reports: “Recently we held a ‘Fancy Dress Trivia’ in which the teams were challenged to present something original using only onboard resources. Teams were judged for originality, team spirit and overall impression. What fun! It’s amazing to see how guests use just about everything from Seabourn Coasters to Room Service Menus.”

Contest Judges Captain Geir Arne Thue-Nilsen (kneeling center) and Guest Services Manager Colleen Ellis (right) with the winning team “Who Cares” and runners-up “The Aristocrats.”

But that’s not all. Handré notes that “People are often creatures of habit and approximately 80 guests or so participate in trivia on every sea day. They mostly sit in the same spots and have their favourite drinks and snacks. I wish you could have seen the expressions on our guests’ faces when everyone arrived for trivia, and their intuitive bar team had prepared each guest’s favourite drink — and had it ready and waiting for them in their habitual spots …. Wow, this was a Seabourn Moment to witness!”

The elated bar team celebrates pulling off the perfect surprise: (L-R) Chistia Reisener, Carolina Fiore, Balazs Soter, MiMi Popovic, and Adam Jubb. Good one, guys!

A couple of weeks ago, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend met up at the island of St. Kitts on a DATE. Seabourn Spirit Cruise Director Rachel Vago and Seabourn Legend Cruise Director Simon Gillespie came up with the idea to host a special shoreside epicurean affair for the guests of both ships. The culinary team pulled out all the stops and made an elaborate setup in the terminal reception area that included ice carvings, bread displays, a bar with frozen shots and an opulent buffet. The entertainment team performed a number of songs and made sure guests were having a great time.

“I was truly proud to be part of the Seabourn family, and it was easily the highlight of my Seabourn career so far. I think ‘Seabourn Moments’ were created for a lot of people,” Vago said.

After a changeable day of weather, the sun blessed the event and the bright yellow terminal was aglow with golden light, great food and good cheer. Well done all!

Two lovely ladies side by side at the pier as the day begins.

Restaurant Managers Paul Charsley and Altin Alija show off the ice carving that welcomed guests to the epicurean event.

A perfectly elegant casual evening in St. Kitts.

(L-R) Seabourn Legend Captain Andrew Pedder; Seabourn Spirit Executive Chef Imre Vago; Seabourn Legend Executive Chef Franck Sollazzo; Seabourn Legend Restaurant Manager Paul Charsley; Seabourn Legend Hotel Director Rico Taubert; Manager of Restaurant & Bar Operations Luca di Matteo; Traveling Executive Chef Rajat Adhikary; Seabourn Spirit Hotel Director Daniel Putzhammer; Seabourn Spirit Restaurant Manager Altin Alija; Seabourn Spirit Bar Manager Roland Nema; and Seabourn Spirit Captain David Bathgate.

Cruise Directors Simon Gillespie and Rachel Vago are elated that the event was a success!

The bands and entertainers from both ships perform “YMCA” together.

Seabourn Pride Destinations Services Manager Riëtte Botes sent in this report from a recent two-night Seabourn Journey to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the most magnificent religious architecture in the world.

We have just completed our first Angkor Wat Overland trip this season! The group – which consisted of 21 guests and myself – departed from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on December 28^th and returned to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on December 30^th. The guests stayed at the Sokha Angkor Resort, Siem Reap for two nights.  Highlights included visits to Banteay Srei, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple & Ta Prohm temple, where the movie “Tomb Raider” was filmed.  Guests were also treated to a private poolside dinner & Apsara Dance show on the second evening (complete with an ice-sculpture).

Due to popular demand, we also included a last-minute addition to the trip – an excursion on the Tonle Sap Floating Village for a look at local life and culture.  Some guests also ventured out to the night market in Siem Reap on their own and returned with lots of shopping bags and smiles!

All guests were extremely happy and enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Seabourn Pride guests visit the archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat.

Julian Simpson, crew purser of Seabourn Odyssey, organized a crew excursion to Petra last month during Seabourn Odyssey’s full-day stay at Aqaba, Jordan. After a drive up the King’s Highway, the group set off down the Siq, a narrow, twisting canyon between towering stone cliffs. Just when it seems you are going nowhere, you turn one last corner and there is this building, the so-called “Treasury” looming dead ahead. Thank you, Julian, for sending us this beautiful photograph!

Seabourn Odyssey crew pose in front of Petra’s towering Treasury, carved into the stone cliff.