Life On Seabourn Ovation: An Insider’s Review

There’s something very addictive about ultra-luxury cruising when it’s done properly – these journeys and vessels hit that sweet spot where open-ocean romance meets the ease and familiarity of a boutique hotel… that somehow already knows your coffee order. Fresh from an early-summer sailing tracing the Atlantic from Lisbon to Bordeaux, Caroline Coe - one of our Cruise Concierges - returned with thoughts about life on board Seabourn Ovation.

As someone who knows the world’s most prestigious cruise lines inside out, she boarded with high expectations and still found herself pleasantly wrong-footed. From the generous comfort of a Veranda Suite to sun-soaked lunches at Solis, she discovered that the real luxury lies in the details you don’t notice until - suddenly - you realise just how relaxed you feel. 

In this blog, she shares how Seabourn stacks up against its closest rivals, the dining moments she’ll perhaps never stop imagining, and why this slow, queue-free way of seeing the world is such an enticing escape.

You’ve just returned from sailing the Med with Seabourn. First impressions? 

Seabourn Ovation is a beautiful, well looked after ship. Quiet and spacious were my first impressions with so many hidden areas. There isn’t a main, towering Atrium area which you often get on larger vessels, but the layout is so intuitive you can easily find wherever you need to go. Instead of a busy central lobby, the social heart of the ship is Seabourn Square, which feels more like a welcoming, upscale living room with its barista bar and armchairs. The staff on board made this really special. They were all so attentive and polite.

Where did you sail? 

We sailed from Lisbon to Bordeaux, which was just beautiful at this time of year. It was like each destination was slowly coming to life again for the spring.

You’ve sailed with Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises before. How does Seabourn compare? 

I really loved it. Seabourn Ovation was bright and airy and so clean. It felt more like a boutique hotel than a ship. The suites were a lot bigger than I was expecting as well for the ship's relatively small size – you never feel hemmed in, and the ratio of space per guest is incredibly generous compared to what I’ve experienced in the past. It has that understated, sleek elegance rather than over-the-top opulence.

What surprised you most about life on board? 

The food! The food options were endless and incredible. With smaller ships you don’t normally have as much choice, but even in the main dining venue, The Restaurant, there were 6 plus options per course, beautifully executed with open-seating flexibility. We went there three times and I didn’t see anything twice, which was really impressive. The menus truly change daily to reflect the regions you're passing through.

Did the ship size make a difference? 

100% there were never any queues for anything – sun beds were always available, and you never had to do that dreaded early morning race to the pool deck (although I’ve never, ever experienced this on a luxury cruise ship). Everything moves at a calm pace.

Tell us about the suites. 

The suite was amazing, and we weren’t short on space at all. We were in a Veranda Suite which was so just spacious: around 300 square feet of beautifully designed interior space plus a lovely private teak veranda. The layout is brilliant, with a clear and comfortable living area as well as a floor-to-ceiling glass door that floods the room with natural light. Your personal suite host even offers a custom pillow menu and a complimentary in-suite bar fully stocked with your preferred wines and spirits. The interactive TV was even fully stocked of films and series should you want a lazy evening.

The bathroom especially was incredible and had a proper spa-like feel. It had a double vanity with a stunning marble finish, a full-size bath, and a separate walk-in shower. Molton Brown toiletries - including their signature coastal scents - were a lovely treat as well.

Is there a dress code? 

No rigid dress code – it was country club chic I’d say, very relaxed but elegant. Think linen trousers, sundresses, and smart-casual shirts in the evening. We did have one formal night on board, but really you can be as involved as you like; if you don't want to tuxedo-up, you can easily opt for one of the more casual venues. We enjoyed dressing up for this occasion, though, and most of the passengers seemed to get involved.

How was the food? 

Such good food! Even in the more casual dining options, the standards were wonderful. We loved eating al fresco at The Patio by the pool for lunch – they had an incredible salad bar alongside freshly grilled meats, fish, and pizzas.

I personally loved Solis, the speciality restaurant. It’s Seabourn’s newest dining concept developed by Master Chef Anton Egger, and it’s a lovely Mediterranean-style, intimate venue. The space has this beautiful, sun-kissed evening glow, and the food was chefs kiss. They focus on "foods of the sun" from the Rivieras and coastal Greece and Italy. The signature dishes like the light fresh tomato tart and the spectacular Bistecca alla Fiorentina were exceptional, and - being perfectionists - Seabourn pair everything with these brilliant, vintage-inspired coastal cocktails like special Aperol Spritzes.

Did you have any standout dining moments? 

I absolutely love sushi, and the dedicated restaurant was fabulous. We went here for lunch and this venue was even smaller and more intimate than Solis. For lunch, they do these brilliant, beautifully presented bento boxes (you can choose between meat, seafood, or vegetarian options) which are perfect for a lighter mid-day meal. The quality is incredible; they actually have their hamachi and tuna shipped directly from Japan. You need to book for dinner, but for lunch, it’s quite easy to secure a spot. 

How did the service compare to other ultra-luxury lines? 

The service on board Seabourn Ovation was so attentive, the team were able to strike the perfect balance of always being present but never intrusive. After sailing with Seabourn’s competitors, I like to test the waiters a little and ask for a cocktail that isn’t on the menu. I did this a few times and nothing was ever questioned; the mixologists just smiled, and what was delivered was better than anything I’ve ever tried from a menu. I was very impressed. Not to mention how they remembered our exact drinks orders the very next day!

Who do you think Seabourn is perfect for? 

I think Seabourn cruises are great for couples that want to truly unwind and relax – hard workers needing to recoup and reconnect. They’re also for travellers who like to explore interesting ports of call - because the smaller ships like Seabourn Ovation can slip into places the mega-liners can't reach - but who value a quieter, more refined style of luxury. Who like the finer things in life and boutique hotels if travelling on a land holiday.

Is Seabourn good for first-time cruisers? 

I definitely think so. Sometimes people worry about the clichés of big-ship cruising, but Seabourn completely dismantles that. I think Seabourn would be for the client who likes smaller, independent hotels with high-end service, exceptional food, and fine wine included seamlessly. It spoils you for anything else, really.

 Explore All Seabourn Ovation Offers 

Answers by Caroline Coe, Cruise Concierge at Destinology.

Images a combination of Caroline's own & photographer images from Seabourn library.