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.

Would anyone like some caviar and champagne?

Sea duty (L-R): Waiter Florin Dumitrescu; Bar Mgr, Roland Nema; Waiter Trine Johansen; Restaurant Mgr. Altin Alija; Exec. Chef Imre Vago; Waiters Karoline Dannemueller and Joshua Burt; Bartender Roberto Castillo; Sen. Asst. MD Warren Kree.

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

Staff Includes Expert Naturalists, Lecturers, Award-Winning Photographers

To ensure that our guests have the best and most memorable Antarctic cruise adventure, we have contracted some of the world’s most experienced expedition staff to guide our “Ultimate Antarctica and Patagonia” cruises aboard Seabourn Quest during our inaugural Antarctic season of 2013 and 2014.

The skilled team consists of naturalists, scientists, political and historical experts and other lecturers with decades of Antarctic experience, who will be sharing their knowledge, guidance and passion for Antarctica during the cruise and accompanying guests on excursions ashore to add valuable insights to the adventure.  Award-winning photographers will also be on board to offer digital photography coaching, helping guests capture exciting wildlife images and the visual splendor of the White Continent. The expedition team will sail on the four 21- to 24-day voyages aboard Seabourn Quest starting in November of 2013.

Expedition Leader Robin West is a veteran of over 40 Antarctic voyages. He and his staff will plan and coordinate the five days spent on the Antarctic Continent, plotting opportunities for wildlife sightings from the ship and choosing from numerous available sites for Zodiac landings, based on real-time weather and wildlife reports.

“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.”

To meet the members of Seabourn Quest’s Antarctic expedition team, click here.

Beginning Nov. 20, 2013, Seabourn Quest will sail on a series of four 21- to 24-day voyages between Valparaíso, (Santiago) Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. They include days exploring the Chilean coast and fjords, Beagle Channel, Glacier Alley, the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park, Cape Horn, the Falkland/Malvinas Islands, Montevideo and five days of cruising and landings on the Antarctic Continent in uncompromised Seabourn luxury. A 24-day Holiday version, departing Dec. 11, 2013, will include two days exploring the sub-Antarctic wildlife Eden of South Georgia Island, renowned for its beauty and its vast, teeming rookeries of king penguins and other seabirds, as well as breeding elephant and fur seals.

For more information or reservations about Seabourn’s new Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia voyages, contact a travel professional, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

Dear Traveler,

I am writing to invite you on an epic adventure to the most remote place on earth. I hope you’ll join me as I sail the beautiful Seabourn Quest on our Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia voyages during the austral summer of 2013 and 2014. I have had the good fortune to sail these waters before, and I can attest that the places we will explore on these voyages guarantee a cruising experience beyond anything you’ve witnessed.

The Patagonian portion alone is an awe-inspiring voyage along some of the most magnificent coastlines in the world. We will cruise by great sea-run glaciers, thread channels between tall, forested islands, and visit rustic, fascinating ports and breathtaking landscapes. Add far-flung outposts such as Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands and Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, and it’s a traveler’s dream.

But, of course, the heart of our journey will be spent in the pristine, unspoiled Antarctic. We have equipped Seabourn Quest to show you Antarctica in style. You will be joined by a skilled expedition staff specializing in a number of disciplines, who will inform you on board and accompany you ashore to interpret the wonders you encounter. Landings at historic sites, teeming wildlife colonies, and Zodiac cruising among fantastically shaped icebergs and abundant sea life will fill each day.

And you will see it all from the gracious, luxurious base of Seabourn Quest, furnished with every comfort and amenity you could desire, and a staff dedicated to filling your time on board with Seabourn moments that match the wonders outside.

I have experienced Antarctica before, and I can promise you that, if you sail with me on Seabourn Quest, you will discover the White Continent in a way that no one has before.

I hope that I may welcome you on board to share one of these voyages.

Captain Bjarne Larsen

Master, Seabourn Quest

Last year, writer Kathryn Armstrong set sail on her first cruise ever aboard Seabourn Odyssey. She was captivated from the moment she stepped on board.

“The ship had not even moved and we were hooked,” Armstrong said.

During the seven-day voyage, she savored the delicious food, socialized with fellow guests from around the world, and explored small towns and ports in Greece and along the Adriatic Sea. One of her most memorable experiences was shopping with the chef at local markets in Ravenna, Italy.

Ms. Armstrong wrote about her experience in the latest issue of Luxe Magazine. Turn to page 74 to read more about her Seabourn cruise: http://www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/archive/2013/LXissue20/pageflip.html.

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

Are there any pinners out there? Seabourn is on Pinterest! We have a lot of wonderful photos of our ships and some of the places we visit around the world. We’ll be adding more boards in the future, but in the meantime, we hope you will follow us and start re-pinning! Check out our Pinterest site here!

Happy pinning!