Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Ovation: High-end cruising on a mega-yacht
Snapshot
In May 2018, Seabourn introduced Seabourn Ovation, a sister ship to Seabourn Encore. The $380 million mega-yacht carries 604 passengers and measures 41,865 gross tons.
Ovation features all-suite accommodations with larger verandas and bigger public rooms that include a greatly expanded Seabourn Square, the ship’s hub, with computers, books, barista-operated coffee bar and a reception area. Like Seabourn Encore, she offers a restaurant created by celebrity chef Thomas Keller, notably of Per Se in New York and the French Laundry in Napa.
Renowned designer Adam D. Tihany designed the ship's interiors. While the architecture of the ship is similar to the other three Seabourn ships, the interiors represent the kind of luxury found on private yachts.
Seabourn Ovation is 26 percent larger than Seabourn's older ships, Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn. Ovation features an additional deck and expanded public areas.
Who will like sailing on Seabourn Ovation
Those who've been on a Seabourn cruise tend to come back again, attracted by the beauty of the ships, the personalized service and some of the best cuisine at sea. Ovation takes this tradition to the next level for those looking to visit exotic destinations around the world in luxury and style.
Where Seabourn Ovation will sail
Seabourn Ovation sails on a variety of voyages in and around Europe, hailing at ports throughout Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Mediterranean.
Ship highlights
When Master Designer Adam D. Tihany was tasked by Seabourn to bring Seabourn Ovation to life, he sought to create a ship “imbued with a sense of spontaneity and exhilaration, to elicit surprise and delight that will complement the rest of the guest’s travel experiences."
Seabourn Ovation offers a number of elegant but not stuffy spaces, from the views in the Observation bar to the Wellness Spa to the world-class dining experiences on board. All the while, guests get to take advantage of top-flight personalized service and one of the roomiest vessels at sea (specifically, a generous ratio of space per guest).
Dining
On Seabourn's ships, dining never incurs an extra charge, whether at meals in any of the ship's dining venues or spur-of-the-moment snacks. Beverages, from coffee and teas to fine wines and spirits, are complimentary throughout the voyage, either in the ship’s lounges and restaurants or from the bar in your suite, stocked in advance with your preferences.
Guests dine when, where, and with whom they wish. Seabourn Ovation will feature multiple dining venues:
- The Restaurant is the main sit-down dining venue with open seating for all three meals.
- The Grill, in partnership with acclaimed chef Thomas Keller, known for his Michelin-starred restaurants The French Laundry, Per Se and Bouchon, will seat 94 passengers, with an option for al fresco seating.
- The Colonnade offers casual dining with a mix of buffet and a la carte options
- The Patio Grill will be the spot for outdoor dining at poolside during lunch and dinner.
- Seabourn Square offers cafe offerings such as pastries, sandwiches, coffee and gelato.
- Sushi Restaurant, which replaces the traditional Restaurant 2 on Seabourn's Odyssey-class Seabourn ships
- Plus, there's room service, which includes in-suite delivery of the Restaurant's menu items during dinner.
Entertainment options
The ambience of Seabourn Ovation is relaxed with dress leaning to country club casual. Most sailings still feature Seabourn’s Caviar in Surf Beach Barbecue or Marina Days, when you can go kayaking or sailing right from ship. Seabourn’s service, with one of the best passenger-to-crew ratios at sea, is highly personalized and attentive. Tipping is not expected.
Entertainment spaces include the Grand Salon, a main show lounge on deck 6 for musical productions, classical musicians, comedians, dancing, guest lectures and more; the Club on deck 5, another lounge for music, dancing and socializing; the Club Terrace, an outdoor space with a plunge pool, two whirlpools and fountains that light up at night; the Casino, with three gaming tables for blackjack and poker, 15 slot machines and a roulette table, and the Sky Bar and Observation Bar.
By day, the Patio Pool area features a swimming pool, two whirlpools, sunbathing area with loungers, private cabanas and the occasional barbecue party.
Wellness
Last fall Seabourn announced that it was amping up its health and fitness offerings with a special wellness program designed to reduce stress, a major malady for anyone who keeps up on the news these days. The new Spa and Wellness program with the famous Dr. Andrew Weil, the father of integrative medicine, debuted on Seabourn Encore last December as the first of its kind at sea.
On Seabourn Ovation, in addition to daily meditation and yoga classes conducted free of charge, The Spa at Seabourn features an 11,400-square-foot wellness area spanning two decks, with an outdoor relaxation deck area, massage treatment rooms, steam room, saunas, thermal suite, glass-roofed spa pool and beauty salon.
The Retreat is a popular open-air relaxation area with a nine-hole golf putting green and courts for deck games such as giant chess and shuffleboard.
The ship also has a Fitness Center (gym) and Motion Studio (separate Aerobics Room).
Outdoor activities
Seabourn Ovation features a water sports marina at the back of the ship offering free use of kayaks, pedal boats and windsurfers. On the ship's top deck, The Retreat will be a covered area with 15 cabanas available for rent, priced at $350 per day. The area features a hot tub, bar, sun loungers, spa cabana and food and drink service.
Staterooms
Like all Seabourn ships, Ovation is an all-suite vessel. In addition, every Suite has its own private veranda. All accommodations are thoughtfully appointed, designed in the style of a home with a separate lounge room to unwind and entertain. Suites, starting at 300 square feet, come with roomy walk-in closets, comfortable seating and sleeping areas, a well-stocked in-suite bar, personal entertainment options and the service of a personal "suite stewardess" who can replenish your mini-bar and assist with special requests.
The sophisticated color palette, choice of fine fabrics, rich materials and lustrous finishes reflect Adam D. Tihan's master touch. All-marble bathrooms feature a modern design, separate tub and shower, double sinks and Molton Brown bath products.
The five Owner’s Suites on board measure up to 1,065 square feet, including a veranda and separate sleeping and living areas.
Four Grand Suites (with two bedrooms and dinner seating for up to six) come with up to 1,680 square feet of private living space.
And the 21 Penthouse Suites on the uppermost decks toward the front of the ship measure up to 540 square feet each. The Penthouse Spa Suites, toward the aft, have a different configuration.
Your take
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Interested in a cruise on this ship?
If you're interested in a cruise on Seabourn Ovation, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. You'll get a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.
