“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.

On Friday, March 1, Seabourn Sojourn made her final call of the season in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas. Former Seabourn Captain Sean Whalley snapped a photo of the ship anchored in Port William, an inlet leading into Port Stanley, and kindly sent it to us.

On Tuesday, March 5, the ship is scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it will sail on a pair of cruises exploring the natural beauty of the Amazon before departing for Europe for the summer.

Luxury Cruise Ship, Seabourn Sojourn, anchored off of Port Stanley.

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 a beautiful Christmas morning, Seabourn Sojourn was cruising the Amalia Glacier in Chile when the officers on the bridge spotted someone stranded on one of the icebergs. The person was waving frantically and so, the ship sent down a rescue boat to inspect further. Lo and behold, it was jolly old St. Nicholas himself! After a busy night of delivering gifts to children all around the world, Santa Claus was on his way to make a special visit and spread more holiday cheer to all the guests and crew aboard Seabourn Sojourn!

Ho ho ho! Seabourn Sojourn welcomes a special guest on board on Christmas morning!

Seabourn Sojourn Cruise Sales Specialist Pierre van Breda escorted a group of guests on a five-day Seabourn Journey from Guayaquil, Ecuador to Cuzco, Peru and Machu Picchu. They flew high into the Andes, to the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco at 12,500 feet of altitude, where they began to acclimate to the thin atmosphere and visit ancient Inca sites and Spanish colonial splendors. The group then took the luxurious Hiram Bingham Express train to and from the ruins of Machu Picchu at 8,000 feet above the Urubamba Valley. After their adventures, they returned to the coast at Callao, Peru and rejoined the ship.

Intrepid Travelers: Pierre (left) gathers his Journey guests at Cuzco.

A perfect day: The group enjoyed spectacular weather throughout their Journey.

A llama welcomes guests to the highlands.

The resourceful food and beverage team on board Seabourn Sojourn wanted to give their guests a Seabourn signature Caviar in the Surf experience, but they were nowhere near a tropical beach. Chief Purser Belinda Smitheram got the pictures of their solution for us.

A day at the “beach.”

Team Together, Team All Wet: (Standing L-R) Bartender Juliya Zorenko, waiters Nagy Ferenc and Ilya Bondarev. (Seated L-R) Waiters Gkhan Sabahlar and Tracy Ashworth, Restaurant Manager Craig Coulson, Waiter Kevin Hook, F&B Manager Marco De Oliveira, Executive Chef Andrew Soddy, and Waiter Helga Kurcs. (In the pool) Saskia Feldmann.

Marco De Oliveira and Chef Soddy turning out the treats.

You might want to keep the name Harry Cotterill in mind. The 18-year old Briton seems a young man likely to go far.  On September 10, he came down to Southampton, England, to present Captain Hamish Elliott a copy of a drawing he had made of Seabourn Sojourn. The drawing is remarkably detailed and precise, and demonstrated a mastery of technique rarely encountered in one so young. Thank you, Harry!

Gifted: Young Harry Cotterill unfurls his drawing for Captain Elliott.

Harry accepts a photograph from Captain Elliott in return.

Seabourn Sojourn will sail a 116-day world cruise in 2014, encompassing destinations such as Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, India, Arabia and the Mediterranean.  The ship will depart Los Angeles on January 4, 2014, and arrive in Venice, Italy on May 1, 2014.

Seabourn Sojourn will stop at 53 ports in 20 countries and, for the first time on a world cruise, will explore Western Australia. Several new ports are scheduled in the land “down under,” including Geelong, Victoria; Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island; Bunbury, Geraldton and Exmouth, Western Australia. The itinerary also includes an exciting combination of many of the world’s most popular cities, as well as smaller treasures and charming towns. In addition, Seabourn Sojourn will overnight in many of the world’s greatest cities, such as Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai and more.

“Our world cruises always offer unique experiences in some of the most well-known destinations on the globe,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president of marketing & sales.  “There’s no better way to travel the world than on a Seabourn ship, and Seabourn Sojourn’s 2014 world cruise promises unforgettable experiences in amazing places — on the most highly rated cruise line in the world.”

Fares for the full 116-day voyage include a value-packed menu of complimentary benefits and amenities, including:

• A pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyage event and luxury overnight stay in Los Angeles
• Specially created shoreside events and exclusive shore excursions
• Personal Valet luggage shipping service
• Shipboard credits of $2,500 per guest
• Private car transfers
• Complimentary round-trip business class air or $2,500 air credit
• Gala onboard celebrations
• A variety of commemorative gifts.

Rates for the full 116-day world cruise begin at $52,299 per person, based on double occupancy and including round trip air and a host of other complimentary amenities.  For guests who cannot sail on the entire 116-day voyage, shorter segments ranging from 22 to 94 days are also available, with rates starting at $13,599 per person based on double occupancy, including air and certain complimentary amenities.

You can view the full 2014 world cruise itinerary here.

Seabourn Sojourn sailed through a rough patch crossing from Ireland to Iceland. But when she arrived, the island nation greeted her with beauty and tranquility. Captain Hamish Elliott sent along some pictures of the ship and the harbor at Grundarfjordur on the west coast.

Sojourn at anchor in the fjord in Iceland.

The rugged peak of Kirkjufell guards the harbor at Grundarfjordur.

The afternoon weather in Geiranger Fjord was typical Norwegian “Green Winter” (summer), so Seabourn Sojourn’s stewardesses were in sweaters and jackets for a special meeting on Deck 11.  Hot chocolate was the drink of choice, and it was an appropriate beverage for a toast to Holland America’s Rotterdam which shared the anchorage with Sojourn. As both ships departed, they saluted each other with blasts of their horns. That must have awakened someone on shore, because they received an answering salvo of cannon fire from ashore. Thanks to Seabourn Sojourn Executive Housekeeper Tracy Beswetherick for the story and photo.

A fond farewell: Seabourn Sojourn stewardesses toast the departure of Rotterdam from Geiranger Fjord.