Seabourn Ovation
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
In ...iterranean
In ...iterranean
Seabourn’s all-suite, all-inclusive Ovation is the ultra-luxurious sister ship of the Seabourn Encore. Launched in 2018, she has 300 all-balcony suites that accommodate up to 600 passengers. With a variety of public areas for its guests, including five restaurants, seven bars, six hot tubs, and two pools spread out over 12 decks, the Ovation never feels crowded. Additionally, there’s a casino, a card room, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a grand salon. Read More
As if the Ovation isn’t luxurious enough, take it up a notch and pay to book a full day in The Retreat. Located on the top deck, this private enclave has 15 private cabanas, each equipped with loungers, a stocked fridge, a flat-screen TV with Bluetooth headphones and Evian mist spray in case you get hot. The cabanas are set up in a circular style around a large hot tub and are sheltered from the elements by a large sun shade. The Retreat also has dedicated butlers who always keep your glass of Champagne full.
Guests typically begin their day at Seabourn Square, where baristas prepare specialty coffee drinks. Days end with pre-dinner cocktails in the Club or Observation Bar. The Ovation has a large shop that sells clothing, sunglasses, cosmetics, handbags, and jewelry. And by partnering with world-renowned chef Thomas Keller and wellness expert Dr. Andrew Weil, Seabourn has taken the luxurious cruising experience up another notch. Despite the ship’s size, the Ovation crew is able to offer personalized service, and the sophisticated atmosphere caters to affluent travelers looking for a hassle-free vacation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
Each of Ovation’s 300 balcony suites, including the entry-level Veranda Suite, has a sitting area with comfy seating, an all-teak wood veranda and lots of storage space. Suites vary in size from 246 to 1292 feet, and all come with a walk-in closet, dining area, dressing table, and a marble bathroom featuring a double vanity, full-size tub, separate shower and Molton Brown toiletries. Cabins have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges stocked with your favorite beverages, which you may select in advance of the trip.
Beds can be made up as either two twins or a queen and come with cotton linens, a fluffy all-season duvet, and a choice between firm or soft pillows. There’s turndown service each night, and you’ll be welcomed with Champagne and bite-sized nibbles upon arrival.
Seabourn has six specially designed accessible suites for guests who require mobility assistance. These accessible suites have wider entry doors and bathroom doors, measuring at least 32 inches wide, with either transfer or roll-in showers with grab bars, benches/seats, hand-held shower heads, and lowered closet and towel rods.
When the ship cannot dock at a port, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. These transfer operations may not be fully accessible to guests using wheelchairs or scooters, making it difficult to embark or disembark the ship due to steep gangways and steps.
Seabourn recommends that guests submit a Special Requirements Information form (SRI) before the cruise’s departure.
Food & Drink
There are multiple dining venues on the Ovation. Menus are posted daily on the Seabourn app to help you decide where to eat. The Restaurant, open for all meals, is the main dining room with the most extensive menu and seating for 400 passengers. Unfortunately, the service can feel chaotic and poorly executed when the dining room is full.
For a casual dining experience, The Colonnade has lavish buffets for breakfast and lunch and an a la carte menu for dinner. At The Patio, guests can enjoy poolside breakfast and lunch, while in the evening, it transforms into Earth & Ocean, offering a rotating menu of Mediterranean dishes. Sushi, which is open for both lunch and dinner, does not offer reservations despite its small size. So to avoid waiting, it’s best to arrive when it first opens
To dine at The Grill by Thomas Keller on Seabourn Ovation, guests must make a reservation beforehand, but there’s no extra charge. The decor and ambiance harken back to 1960s steakhouses, complete with leather banquettes and black-and-white photos. Classic dishes such as shrimp cocktail, blue cheese wedge salads, lobster thermidor, New York strip steak, and eggplant parm are served with white glove service. Additionally, guests can choose from a comprehensive list of premium wines, including expensive bottles of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Brunello, for an additional cost.
Additionally, if you prefer to dine in the privacy of your own suite, 24-hour room service is also available.
The Ovation has several bars where you can enjoy complimentary beer, wine, Champagne, and spirits, but if you’re interested in premium wines, you’ll need to pay an extra fee.
During the day, you’ll find many guests grabbing a Piña Colada or Mai Tai at the Patio Bar by the pool to bring back to their lounge chairs or gathered around the small Sky Bar on Deck 10, which overlooks the pool. The Observation Bar, with panoramic views, is a favorite in the evening for pre-dinner cocktails. Get there early if you want a seat at the bar, as it gets crowded quickly but also empties quickly when the restaurant opens. Likewise, the Club Bar is busy before and after dinner. You can grab a seat at the swanky bar at the Grill by Thomas Keller even if you don’t have dinner reservations that night.
Entertainment
In the evenings, guests can enjoy piano music in the Observation Bar before dinner while sipping cocktails and later head to The Club for music and dancing. The Grand Salon serves as the main showroom for lectures, demos, movies during the day, performances like an Evening with Tim Rice, music, and dancing at night. There is also a card room for game nights, a small casino with blackjack and poker tables, and the Ovation hosts a high-energy pool party with a DJ or live music at least once during the voyage.
Spa & Fitness
Seabourn’s Spa has more to offer than just relaxation and wellness services. It includes an oceanview gym with state-of-the-art equipment, personal training services, a motion studio for fitness classes, a full-service hair and nail salon, and an exclusive Barber Shop, a men’s only refuge.
Seabourn has partnered with Dr. Andrew Weil to create the first-ever at-sea Mindful Living Program dedicated to caring for the whole body and soul. In addition to mindful meditation and yoga sessions, it includes a full range of specialized body and facial treatments such as acupuncture, bamboo massage, aroma stone therapy, and sound baths.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Seabourn has developed a tool that allows passengers to check the vaccination and/or testing requirements for their upcoming voyage; however, before sailing guests are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated and have received a booster (if eligible).
The ship has a small medical facility staffed with a doctor and a nurse. This facility can provide medical assistance in the event of an illness or accident during the voyage, but it isn’t designed to provide continuous medical treatment.
To learn more about Seabourn’s health and safety protocols, please visit their website, which is regularly updated to reflect any changes or adjustments in protocols.
Dress Code
During the day, casual, resort-style attire, including jeans and shorts, is ok in all lounges and dining venues until 6 pm. Bathing suits, short shorts, cover-ups and exercise wear are only acceptable by the pool, on deck or in the spa and fitness center.
In the evening, the dress is “elegant casual” with women wearing anything from jeans with dressy tops to long, flowing sun dresses. Jackets are optional for men except for formal nights that occur once on cruises up to 13 days, twice on cruises of 14 to 20 days and three times on cruises that are 21 days or more. On these nights, women dress in glitzy, glamorous gowns.
Junior Cruisers
There is no formal youth program, but they do allow children and teens to board their ships. Keep in mind that infants who are 6 months or younger are not allowed on non-transocean sailings, and those who are 12 months or younger cannot go on transocean sailings. Since there are no specific facilities for children, parents must take responsibility for their children’s behavior and entertainment. Anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone, and each person requires one adult chaperone.
Service
Expect a high level of personalized service with a smile from the friendly crew throughout the cruise. Staff members seemingly go above and beyond to ensure guests have everything they need and often address passengers by name and remember their preferences.
Tipping
The price of the cruise fare includes gratuities, so there is no need or expectation to tip the staff on the ship. However, gratuities are not included in the pricing of shore excursions, so guests should be prepared to give tips to local guides and drivers.