On March 1, 2013, all of Seabourn Quest’s world cruise guests were treated to a special Magical Balinese Kaleidoscope in Benoa, Bali. The colorful cultural event was held at the luxuriant, beachfront Taman Bhagawan, where guests experienced a lively festival procession, Balinese arts demonstrations, a children’s dance lesson and a fascinating, hypnotic Kecak dance. Cruise Sales Specialist Lindsay Havis shared these photos of the lovely evening.

The gorgeous setting for the event on a perfect evening.

Cruise Sales Specialist Lindsay Havis is greeted by the temple dancers.

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!

We would like to introduce you to Robin West, the expedition leader for Seabourn’s Antarctica & Patagonia voyages.

Robin West

West’s venture into exploring the Antarctic and the South Pacific began in the world of elite expedition cruising aboard a luxury private super yacht. During these voyages over the last 10 years, he gained a wealth of knowledge that has given him the experience to lead expeditions on every continent and across every ocean, including polar exploration of both the Arctic and Antarctic. To date, he has participated in some 40 Antarctic voyages.

“Antarctica is a place like no other,” said West. “Taking guests to see two-mile-long tabular icebergs, thousands of penguins, leopard seals and blue whales — the largest animals to have ever lived on the planet — it is a place that makes you realize just how insignificant we are and at the same time makes you feel bigger than life itself. Saying all of that,” he continued, “Antarctica cannot be put into words — it has to be experienced to be understood.”

West studied Biokinetics at the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where he qualified as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. During his time on and under the water, he developed a passion for the sea. He pursued his interest and first established his own two companies specialized in outdoor adventures and scuba diving. West was born in Port Elizabeth and currently resides in The Netherlands.

We have no doubt our guests will have an in-depth and unforgettable experience under the expertise and guidance of West. He will be sailing on all four Antarctica & Patagonia cruises aboard Seabourn Quest. To learn more about these voyages, please visit our website.

Seabourn has announced an exciting schedule of European cruises for the 2014 season, featuring nearly 100 departures aboard its intimate, award-winning luxury ships. Seabourn’s ships will explore more than 150 different destinations during cruises from seven to 21 days in length, from the Arctic Ocean and majestic fjords of Norway to the stunning Greek and Dalmatian isles and the Black Sea. Seabourn’s 2014 Europe cruises are now available for booking, and complete itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on www.seabourn.com.

Luxury Cruise Ship Seabourn Odyssey In Turkey

The 2014 Europe season will comprise Seabourn’s signature selection of intriguing itineraries, featuring a varied and interesting mix of well-known ports and smaller, hidden gems. The schedule includes more than 20 destinations that are either maiden calls or ports the cruise line has not visited in years. Overnight stays are also included in a number of popular cities, such as St. Petersburg, London, Bordeaux, Venice, Seville, Istanbul, Malta, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Rouen (Paris), and Amsterdam, allowing guests ample time to explore these premier destinations. Many of the Mediterranean voyages will also feature a Marina Day, where guests can enjoy a number of complimentary watersport activities such as kayaking, water-skiing, sail-boards, swimming and more from Seabourn’s signature onboard marinas.

“There is something truly magical about Europe that draws travelers to visit this remarkable continent repeatedly,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president of marketing and sales.  “There is really no better way to see Europe. Our ships can take them to the heart of all the great cities and charming hidden treasures that Europe has to offer, in incomparable Seabourn style.”

Three Seabourn ships will sail among the seaside towns, yacht harbors and picturesque islands in the Mediterranean.  Seabourn Sojourn will offer a series of 10-day cruises from Barcelona, Athens and Monte Carlo, visiting ports on the Italian and French Rivieras, and in the Greek Isles. Most cruises can be combined into longer voyages of up to 30 days without repeating ports, providing up to 10 percent additional savings and the ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience.

Seabourn Spirit will sail alternating 10- and 11-day voyages from Venice to the best of the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts. Guests can explore many fascinating medieval towns like Dubrovnik or Kotor, as well as enjoying an overnight stay on board in Venice at the end of the cruise.

Seabourn Odyssey will traverse the waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, exploring the Greek Isles and Turkey on seven-day cruises alternating between Athens, Istanbul and Venice.  The ship will also sail the Black Sea on three seven-day cruises, featuring a full day and overnight on board in Istanbul. Seabourn Odyssey’s seven-day voyages are easily combinable for more variety and extra savings.

Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Legend will summer in the waters of Northern Europe. Seabourn Quest’s seven-day Baltic cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm include the line’s signature three-day stay in the heart of magnificent St. Petersburg, Russia.  In late summer, Seabourn Quest will cross the North Atlantic on a 24-day cruise from London to Montreal, stopping at Ireland, the Faroe Islands, multiple new ports in Iceland and Greenland, as well as Newfoundland and Québec.

Seabourn Legend will sail two cruises along the Atlantic coast of Western Europe, between the Mediterranean and its summer voyages in Scandinavia. Seabourn Legend will offer nine- to 12-day cruises in the Baltic and Scandinavia, as well as the Norwegian Fjords, and a 21-day cruise to Spitsbergen and the North Cape that skirts the edge of the polar ice pack in the Arctic Ocean.  In addition, Seabourn Legend will sail on a single 15-day roundtrip cruise from London to the British Isles, Ireland and Belgium. The voyage includes an overnight stay in London at the end of the voyage, as well as scenic cruising on the Thames River.

For reservations or more details on Seabourn’s 2014 Europe season, please contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

On the morning of Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, Seabourn Quest made its maiden call to Sydney, Australia. Guests were out on deck to take in the beautiful view as the ship sailed into Sydney Harbour and past the famed Sydney Opera House. The ship overnighted in Sydney, providing guests ample time to enjoy the city. Here is a short time lapse video taken by Captain Geir-Arne Thue-Nilsen from the ship’s bridge.

Hello Sydney!

Seabourn Quest is hosting a diverse line-up of guest speakers and experts during its world cruise. The distinguished speakers are sailing as part of the line’s new “Seabourn Conversations” enrichment series. Below are a couple of photos of several guest speakers who were recently on Seabourn Quest.

(L to R): Justin Leonard, Guest Chef Robert Irvine, Executive Chef Gillert Thorsten, Hotel Director Guenter Steinbrunner, and Sous Chef Lee Lucier.

(L to R): David Smith, photographer; Captain Mike Irwing, maritime historian; and Dr. Norman Caisse, astronomer

Seabourn has introduced clever new itineraries for the upcoming Europe season that provide appealing opportunities for travelers to combine two or more cruises and see more, sail more and save 10 percent or more on fares for longer luxury cruise vacations. In addition, during Seabourn’s Signature Savings Event now underway, a complimentary veranda upgrade is available on many of its European Combination Cruises.

Some outstanding examples of Seabourn’s European Combination Cruises include:

• Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Legend offer 20-day European Combination Cruises that explore many iconic and historic cities and hidden gems along the Mediterranean.
• Seabourn Spirit offers 21-day voyages roundtrip from Venice, visiting the medieval towns and picturesque villages along the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts.

Complete listings and fares of all Seabourn Combination Cruises are available at www.seabourn.com. For details or more information, contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn Quest officers, staff and crew took advantage of the balmy weather during Seabourn Quests Pacific crossing to host a special epicurean event on deck before dinner on a formal optional evening. The staff had special food stations on the Pool Patio to serve dishes from their national traditions – Hungarian goulash, Colombian empanadas, Peruvian ceviche, Brazilian feijoada, etc. Then other crew members had themed bar stations around the outer edges of the Patio – the security team hosted a “brig,” the medical team had a “first aid station” and Deck & Engine had a “bunkering station!” Then following dinner, guests were invited back onto the Pool Patio area to enjoy “Opera Under the Stars” featuring Seabourn Arts Conversations guest artist Anthony Steward Lloyd and friends. Cruise Director Handré Potgeiter reports that he could not imagine a more picturesque evening, with most guests attired in formal wear and a blanket of stars overhead as they were serenaded by the outstanding voices of the group. It was a first for the World Cruise and a most memorable evening for those lucky enough to attend.

Bar waiter Adam Morilly serves his time in the “brig” bar sponsored by the security team.

Dr. Sandra Mae Lim, Senior Nurse Joane Alonzo at the medical department’s “First Aid Station” bar.

A dazzling evening under glittering stars

Perfect harmony: the singers had guests spellbound

Captain Geir-Arne Thue-Nilsen welcomed local government, tourism and port officials from Bonaire aboard Seabourn Quest when the ship visited this beautiful Caribbean island on Friday, January 11, 2013. The ship hosted a plaque exchange ceremony, where local officials presented Captain Thue-Nilsen with a ceremonial plaque and the Bonaire flag.