Seabourn Quest’s maiden World Cruise started with a Black & White Gala in Ft. Lauderdale, and now it has ended. But here is one more elegant special event the onboard team created to wind things up—the Black & White Ball.

Walk this way: the entry to the Grand Salon for the Ball

Set for action: Seabourn Quest Hotel Manager Vitor Alves’ table ready for guests

Join the club: Staff is ready to greet guests at the entrance.

Caviar and crab: now that’s Black & White!

Seabourn Quest Hotel Manager Vitor Alves tried to take a picture of the ship this morning when it was in Pylos, Greece, but the fog got in the way!

As Seabourn Quest’s maiden World Cruise was winding down, the staff onboard pulled out all the stops to keep the onboard activities at a marathon pace. On Sunday, April 15, they mounted an Arabian Nights fantasia that had guests festooned in djellabas and turbans, the Pool Patio and Colonnade draped in canopies and palm fronds, and staff and entertainers costumed and cavorting in all manner of oriental excess. According to Director of Hotel Operations Chris Prelog, they “have been doing an excellent job on all these special events on board.”

Gathering the tribe: Brent Kuenning, Jeffrey Socia, Franceska Berlin, David Habbin, Lisa Sherlock, Michelle Gordon, Natalia Ushakova and Alexandr Grigoruta.

Guests in Arab garb enjoy the oasis atmosphere on deck.

Cast of characters: Brent Kuenning, Heather Clacy and Vitor Alves in costume.

In the Oasis: Angharad Evans stands ready to serve

Mr. David Muldoon booked a cruise for himself and his inamorata Ms. Cheryl Hudson to embark Seabourn Quest at Dubai and sail the final segment of its World Cruise to Venice. But as romantic as that gesture was, it was just the start for Mr. Muldoon. When he broached the subject of an intended surprise marriage proposal to the staff on board, they immediately launched an elaborate campaign of Seabourn-style subterfuge that eventually included a bogus invitation to a private party, candles, Champagne, caviar and decorations, a brace of witnesses, a surprise visit from Captain Thue-Nilsen and the retrieval of the engagement ring from the Chief Purser’s safe. In consummate Seabourn style, everything was timed to the second and went off without a hitch. (Well, there WILL be a hitch, but not yet.) Mr. Muldoon executed a perfect one-knee, look-into-my-eyes delivery and the happy couple is well on their way to a happily-ever-after conclusion. Well done Seabourn Quest staff, you romantic devils, you!

A Seabourn Moment to remember for a lifetime.

Mr. Muldoon and Ms. Hudson, surrounded by co-conspiraters Social Hostess Michelle Gordon, Captain Thue-Nilsen and Guest Services Supervisor Carmen Gertze.

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.

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.

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!

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

While Seabourn Quest was alongside at Cape Town, South Africa during its maiden World Cruise, Seabourn President Richard Meadows joined the full world cruise guests for an exclusive afternoon event at the Cape Coast winery owned by champion golfer Ernie Els. Departing the ship in the afternoon, the guests were driven from busy Cape Town through the suburban townships and into the bucolic countryside.  Arriving at the Ernie Els winery, they entered the breezy welcome center and passed through to a rear garden-party setting overlooking a jaw-dropping view of the mountains in the background. Seated at shaded tables graced by vivid local flowers, the guests were addressed by the Els winemaker, talking about the vineyards and the wines produced here. They also toured the production area, the barrel storage rooms and the cellars where bottled wines are stored. A selection of the fine Els wines were generously poured and sampled, along with a sumptuous feast of local delicacies served by a delightful brigade of young South African waiters.  As the sun sank lower in the west, the host introduced “Happy Feet,” a troupe of local children and young men who performed a rousing recital of the rhythmic “gumboot dance” developed from the roots of their native folk dances by South African miners. The boys wore miner’s coveralls, hard hats and the requisite miners’ gumboots, and stomped, clapped and swatted out the intricate rhythms of this indigenous art for the delighted Seabourn guests. As the sky began to color in the west, the sated Seabourn World Cruise guests departed the winery and returned to the port and the waiting Seabourn Quest, where the crew had unfurled for them a hearty welcome home.

Seabourn Quest World Cruise guests enjoy a beautiful afternoon at the Ernie Els winery.

The barrel storage room at the winery.

Guests sampled a variety of delicious wines!

The children of “Happy Feet” show off their rhythm and deliver an upbeat performance!