On the longest day of the year, Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Quest met in passing at the island of Lipari in Italy. Seabourn Quest’s Cruise Sales Specialist Sara Ferreira sent us these pictures of Seabourn Legend. She commented: “Today Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Quest meet each other in Lipari – Italy. Unfortunately they were too far apart to get a picture of both, but we were able to get the attached photos when the Legend passed right by the Quest. Was great to see crew and guests waving to each other as true family.”

It’s been one year since Seabourn Quest joined the Seabourn family, and to mark this special occasion, the staff put on a big birthday celebration when the ship was in Santorini on May 30. Hotel Manager Guenter Steinbrunner and Cruise Director Handré Potgieter sent along the following report and photos about that evening’s festivities:

One could not imagine an evening more perfect on board Seabourn Quest. The spectacular backdrop of Santorini plus a late departure and picture perfect weather formed the ideal setting to celebrate the ship’s first birthday.

As a memento of the ship’s first birthday, guests received a signed certificate by Captain Magnus Bengtsson. Hotel Manager Guenter Steinbrunner and the entire F&B team presented a culinary symphony with our signature pre-dinner “Seabourn Epicurean” event, along with live music and white-glove service. Captain Magnus paid tribute to the officers, staff and crew and toasted to this special evening.  He complimented the ship for her true elegance in the way she sailed around the globe during her first year.

After dinner, all guests were invited to indulge in an assortment of desserts under the stars followed by a very special birthday edition of our popular ‘Rock the Boat’ dance party featuring the entire entertainment team.  It was a spectacular event guests and crew will cherish and smile about in years to come.

We’ve always been delighted in saying “thank you” for the genuine loyalty of our guests. Now, the enhanced Seabourn Club brings you more: more benefits you can enjoy sooner, the more you sail the greater your reward, and with five membership levels you will be provided with the luxury of customizing your Seabourn experience to suit you perfectly.

You can also visit our website for more details about the new loyalty benefits.

Seabourn Sojourn Captain Hamish Elliott went home this morning … and he brought 450 guests with him! Seabourn Sojourn made her maiden call to Tyne port, near Newcastle in northeastern England. Tyne port is also near Sunderland where the captain calls home when he is not at sea. The ship held a plaque exchange ceremony with port officials to commemorate the ship’s visit to the port. Below are several photos of the visit provided to us by The Port of Tyne.

Port of Tyne Corporate Affairs Director Susan Wear presents a plaque to Captain Hamish Elliott. Photo by Port of Tyne.

Seabourn Sojourn pictured here at The Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay. Photo by Port of Tyne.

Seabourn Sojourn. Photo by Port of Tyne.

Seabourn Sojourn Captain Hamish Elliott at the helm of the ship. Photo by Port of Tyne.

Seabourn has announced a major expansion of the benefits it offers to loyal guests returning to its award-winning ships.  Seabourn Club benefits, which already included a milestone award of a complimentary cruise after sailing 140 days, have always been among the most valuable in the cruise industry. Now we have added new benefits to the mix that start rewarding guests after their first cruise, and increase in value as guests sail more. In a nod to the personalization that is a hallmark of our service, Seabourn Club members are free to choose the rewards they prefer from a generous menu of onboard amenities and discounts. The new onboard benefits will be implemented on all Seabourn ships on voyages departing on or after June 1, 2012.

“Our loyal guests have always been an important part of Seabourn’s success,” said Richard Meadows, the company’s president.  “We wanted to start thanking returning guests sooner, and we wanted to offer them rewards in a different, uniquely Seabourn style,” he said. “With our new Seabourn Club, the difference is choice, and choice is luxury.”

Membership Levels, Seabourn Club Points

Club members can redeem benefits based on five different membership levels, achieved by accruing one Seabourn Club Point for each day sailed on a Seabourn ship. Additional Seabourn Club Points are awarded for days sailed in premium category suites, for onboard spending and for days traveled on Seabourn Journey overland excursions.

Menu of Benefits

Depending on the level they have achieved, Club members select the benefits they prefer from a menu that includes such amenities as laundry and pressing, internet and telephone service, daily newspaper delivery, a Signature Seabourn Club massage in the spa and savings on shore excursions, luggage shipping and premium wine and spirits purchases.  Certain levels also receive signature luggage tags and subscriptions to leading travel magazines. Club members can select the benefits they prefer and arrange for redemption through Seabourn’s website for their future cruises. Upper level members also enjoy the services of a dedicated Seabourn Club Concierge to assist with their onboard arrangements. This ability to choose which benefits they prefer mirrors the quality of personalization that is the hallmark of Seabourn’s ship-board experience, helping to create the Seabourn Moments that bring guests back to Seabourn again and again.

Complimentary Cruises

The popular award of a complimentary seven-day cruise after sailing 140 days,  or a 14-day cruise after 250 days, remains the richest element of the program, and far exceeds anything offered by any other line. These complimentary cruise awards are based strictly on days actually sailed on board. In addition to the awards, Seabourn Club members receive exclusive offers, additional savings for onboard booking, invitations to events on board, as well as Tiffany & Co. recognition gifts as they achieve loyalty milestones. Complete details of Seabourn Club membership benefits are available here.

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’s original sisters still have the knack of slipping into snug harbors to delight their guests with exceptional experiences. Seabourn Legend’s CSO Ivan Britvic perfectly captured this advantage in a photo he sent along from a visit to the port of Bonifacio, on the French island of Corsica in the Mediterranean.  Thanks for sharing, Ivan!

Corsican sister: Seabourn Legend on a sunny day in Bonifacio.

June 4, 2011 marked the first anniversary of Seabourn Sojourn’s naming in London. Since the day corresponded to the welcome Gala Dinner on board this year, Captain Hamish Elliott decided to make celebration of it. We’ll let him tell it in his own words:

Good morning.

I’d like to share a few pictures with you for the Seabourn Signal. On June 4^th, Seabourn Sojourn celebrated a year in service since her naming on June 4, 2010. As this coincided with the Welcome Gala on our current cruise I took the opportunity to present some of the crew who have been with the Seabourn Sojourn for the whole 12 months. We have well over 100 crew members who were present at the delivery and start-up of this ship, and these are the people who have really helped make Seabourn Sojourn what she is today – one of the finest ships afloat! Unfortunately, some were not able to attend as someone has to work! After a short film showing the construction of the ship, the crew was presented to huge applause in the Grand Salon. A toast was made to a successful first year and many more to come. We also had a birthday cake on display at the entrance to the main restaurant and special dessert featured on the menu. Finally, of course, as well as the crew, we have one very special passenger who was with us at the naming and is still going strong. Mrs. Alene Witzke was also mentioned and pictured with Hotel Manager Hubert Buelacher and myself. All pictures were taken by Paul Charlsey, our Personnel and Training Manager.

 

Capt. Hamish Elliott presents the start-up crew from Sojourn's first year.

Sojourn's First Birthday Cake by Pastry Chef Silvia Daetwiler.

 

Sojourn Hotel Manager Hubert Beulacher, Mrs. Alene Witzke and Capt. Hamish Elliott at Sojourn's Birthday Party.

What a beautiful sight! Here is a photo of Seabourn Odyssey anchored off the Dalmatian coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia.  A UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik is rich in history and beautiful architecture. Within its ancient walls are museums, restaurants, shops, buildings with red-tile roofs, and Europe’s second-oldest synagogue.  Thanks to Ben Luckx, Seabourn Odyssey’s assistant manager of destinations services, for sharing this great shot!

When Seabourn Quest debuts in the summer of 2011, the ship will feature Seabourn Square, an innovative concierge lounge with a “club room” ambiance, offering a variety of attractions and amenities making guests feel at home during their cruises.

It is one of the most distinctive features of the ship and considered to be “hub” of the ship.  Need a café latte? Check.  Want to check your email from loved ones?  Check. Have a question about a shore excursion or a charge on your shipboard account? Check.  Want to read a book or the latest headlines?  Check. Or how about just sitting back and taking in some fresh air overlooking the wake of the ship? Check, check.

The Coffee Bar in Seabourn Square aboard Seabourn Quest

Open from 6:15 a.m. until 6 p.m., the lounge is furnished with comfortable sofas, easy chairs and cocktail tables, and the walls are lined with fiction, nonfiction and reference books.  Eight computer workstations are available for guests to check their emails or surf the Internet during their cruise.  One of the most popular spots in Seabourn Square is the European konditorei-style coffee bar, with a tall, gleaming espresso machine serving specialty coffees, drinks, sandwiches, pastries and gelati.

The Seabourn Square aboard Seabourn Quest

In the center of the room is an enclave housing a team of Guest Services Specialists.  They sit discreetly at individual desks, ready to assist guests 24 hours a day with any inquiries they may have, from onboard account questions and money exchange to reserving shore excursions and giving advice about ports of call.  The Destination Services staff is also present in Seabourn Square, and there is a separate desk where the onboard Cruise Sales Specialist can discuss guests’ future bookings in privacy.

Guests who are planning to sail on Seabourn Quest will no doubt enjoy Seabourn Square’ relaxed atmosphere. It was designed to encourage sociability and we’ve heard much positive feedback about the Square from guests who sailed on Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn.  We want to hear from you: what do you like most about Seabourn Square?