Seabourn Pride welcomed some early admirers back on board in February when Mr. Knut and Mrs. Lise Nilssen embarked at Singapore.  With over 200 days and 17 cruises since 2000 on five different Seabourn ships (including Seabourn Sun), they are familiar friends to many of our Seabourn staff.  However, Hotel Manager Engelbert  Lainer-Wartenberg  got his first look at the distinctive jackets that the Nilssens bring every time they sail on Seabourn.  The jackets were a memento of their first Seabourn voyage, which was also Seabourn’s very first voyage—the departure of the newly-built Seabourn Pride from Bremerhaven, Germany to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1988.

Mr. and Mrs. Nilssen in their Seabourn Pride Maiden Voyage jackets, with Seabourn Pride Hotel Manager Engelbert Lainer-Wartenberg.

On a recent charter cruise, the crew of Seabourn Spirit gathered on deck to express their gratitude to Ned Ginsburg of MBM Corporation for his charter business and generous donation to the crew welfare. Here is a picture of Captain David Bathgate graciously thanking Mr. Ginsburg.

Seabourn has enhanced its embarkation process, introducing an earlier boarding time, expanded culinary offerings and other welcoming gestures aboard its award-winning ships. In the past, boarding was typically scheduled at around 3 p.m. Under the new procedure, guests are welcome to board earlier beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m., and suites will be ready by 2 p.m. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest will offer a full lunch in the Colonnade, where guests can unwind and enjoy a delicious meal while their suites are being prepared by the suite stewardesses. Guests embarking Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will still be welcomed in the main lounge to check in and relax as their suites are being prepared. Also, the lounge will now feature a chef preparing wraps and sandwiches at a station, plus an assortment of already-prepared “pick and go” appetizers and desserts, as well as a variety of beverages and drinks. And of course, Seabourn staff will continue to greet all arriving guests with a glass of chilled Champagne when they first walk into the lounge!

Seabourn Sojourn is fresh out of drydock in Genoa, where the ship underwent routine maintenance and updates – just in time for the start of its Europe season! The company also implemented several new energy-efficient initiatives, including the installation of LED lighting in all the suites and the application of low-friction, anti-fouling paint on the ship’s hull to help reduce drag and fuel consumption.

Captain Hamish Elliott made special arrangements for the crew to tour Seabourn Sojourn during drydock.  They donned their safety hats and boiler suits, and under the guidance of a deck officer, ventured below the ship to see what is normally hidden underwater. “Oohs” and “aahs” abounded as the crew saw the bow thrusters, anchors, ship’s bow, propeller shafts and all the other mechanics under the ship. It was a rare experience and one they will certainly never forget! Here are a few photos shared by Crew Purser Thomas Lyon.

A delicate balancing act

(Standing L-R): Emmanuel Olor, Antonio Baluya, Leoncio Basalo, D’Artagna Canata, Jerick Aguilar, Sharma Somananda, Belinda Smitheram, Stacey Lawrence, and Chucky Collado (Kneeling L-R): Restituto Caballas, Richard Perez, Lester Hiponia, Bobby Broughton and Erico Delos Santos.

Feeling a little small?

Up close and personal with one of the ship’s anchors.

All smiles: Guest Services Manager Belinda Smitheram, Cruise Director Bobby Broughton and Second Officer Suzanne Kelly

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.

Seabourn Spirit picked a picture-perfect day for a Caviar in the Surf beach barbecue at Prickly Pear Island in Gorda Sound.

The beautiful Seabourn Spirit

Ready, Set: Seabourn Spirit’s Maritime Bar Team ready to rock ‘n’ roll.

Master and Commander: Capt. Bathgate at the helm of his “other boat.”

Perfect day for kayaking!

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.

Seabourn has unveiled an exciting 2013 Europe season featuring more than 100 departures aboard its six intimate, all-suite ships, visiting many of Europe’s captivating cities and hidden gems from April through October next year. From the sun-blessed resorts on the Mediterranean coast to the shining polar ice pack in the Arctic Ocean, the line’s award-winning ships will carry travelers to more than 180 ports on voyages ranging from seven to 21 days in length. Seabourn’s 2013 Europe cruises are now available, and itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on www.seabourn.com.

Seabourn’s 2013 Europe season will offer a variety of new itineraries, including a 21-day cruise beyond the Arctic Circle on Seabourn Pride, 10- and 11-day Mediterranean cruises round-trip from Venice on Seabourn Spirit, and 10-day Mediterranean cruises from Athens, Monte Carlo and Barcelona on Seabourn Quest. The program will also feature overnight stays in many popular cities, such as St. Petersburg, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Venice, Malta, Barcelona, Istanbul, Edinburgh and Dublin, allowing guests ample time to explore these magnificent destinations.

“There is so much to see and experience in Europe, and we’re pleased to offer a diverse range of itineraries, featuring our hallmark mix of well-known marquee ports and hidden gems,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “Our cruises offer the best of both worlds: explore many of Europe’s historical and cultural treasures from the incomparable elegance and ease of the world’s highest-rated cruise line.”
Seabourn’s fleet will visit many landmark cities and picturesque seaside towns that dot the coast of the Mediterranean. Seabourn Legend will offer alternating 10-day Western Mediterranean voyages between Monte Carlo and Rome. These popular cruises highlight the best of the Italian and French Rivieras and will stop at yacht harbors and quintessential Mediterranean islands. The itineraries will also include the popular Marina day, where guests can take to the water and enjoy a variety of watersports right from the ship’s exclusive marina. The 10-day cruises can be combined for a 20-day vacation with different ports at extra savings. The ship will also operate four new seven-day cruise itineraries in the spring from Rome, Nice and Monte Carlo.

Seabourn Quest will traverse the entire Mediterranean on a series of 10-day cruises from Barcelona, Athens and Monte Carlo, visiting a host of fascinating ports and cities. The voyages can be easily combined into longer voyages of up to 30 days without repeating ports of call, providing the ultimate Mediterranean cruise experience.

Seabourn Spirit will visit the best of the Adriatic and Dalmatian coasts on alternating 10- and 11-day cruises from Venice. Guests will be able to explore the region’s picturesque villages and enjoy an onboard overnight in the romantic city of Venice at the end of each voyage.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, Seabourn Odyssey will explore the Greek Isles and Turkey on seven-day cruises alternating between Athens and Istanbul, and Venice and Athens.  The ship will also operate three seven-day voyages to the Black Sea, featuring a full day and overnight onboard in Istanbul.

Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Pride will be based further to the north in the Baltic and Scandinavia. Seabourn Sojourn will operate a series of seven-day Baltic cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm and feature three days in the majestic city of St. Petersburg, a signature Seabourn offering.  The ship will also operate a pair of cruises to the beautiful Norwegian fjords, as well as a 21-day cruise from Dover to Montreal, visiting quaint towns and ports in Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland and Québec.

Seabourn Pride will offer longer Baltic cruises, with 12- and 14-day voyages that include overnight stays in St. Petersburg. The ship will also operate a new 21-day North Cape cruise, venturing into the Arctic Ocean, calling on Longyearbyen and Ny Aalesund in the dramatic Norwegian Spitsbergen islands and skirting the shining polar ice pack. In addition, Seabourn Pride will sail on a 15-day British Isles voyage round-trip London with overnight stays in Edinburgh (Leith) and Dublin.

For additional information or reservations, contact your travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

The intimate, all-suite ships of Seabourn deliver accommodations, service, cuisine and attention to detail that place it among the elite in the global hospitality industry, according to the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. For 2012, the prestigious organization has invited the small-ship cruise specialist into the rarified ranks of its Six Star Diamond honorees, comprising a roster of the world’s finest hotels, resorts, spas, luxury transportation providers and others who cater to the most discerning clientele around the world.

“Seabourn’s dedication to excellence in service, cuisine and its unique ability to provide travelers with authentic experiences in ports of call made it a standout among our original Five Star Diamond honorees,” said AAHS president Joseph Cinque. ”Then the company introduced three new luxury vessels that quite simply reset the bar for what luxury cruise guests can expect, and that made them a natural choice to be among our first Six Star award-winners.”

Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s president, said “We are proud to be in such distinguished company. Our onboard service team has a well-deserved reputation and commitment to being the best, and for that reason they wear the Six Star Diamond insignia with pride.”