Review: Seabourn Ovation

What is the line? Seabourn

Name of ship? Ovation

Passenger occupancy? Just over 600 passengers

Itinerary? St. Maarten to Barbados

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

While you may expect tuxedoed butlers, formal dinners, and white glove service, what you will find is quite different. Sure, there are butlers and fancy meals, but missing is the stiff-upper-lip crowd. Seabourn’s customer is adventurous, curious, and well-traveled.

The staff is the biggest calling card for Seabourn. They go above and beyond (and then some). No matter the destination, this is why Seabourn receives such high accolades.

Tell us about the ship in general.

With a dozen decks, Ovation is spacious with more space per passenger than you will find on most other ships. At its heart is the main pool ringed by lounge chairs and a pair of whirlpools. There are numerous restaurants, a full-service spa, expansive gym, several bars, and lots of tucked-away outdoor decks where you can spend hours watching the sea without anyone around you.

Thoughtful design elements appear everywhere, from the art and photography collection that spurs conversation to the living room ambiance of the main lounge. The leather reclining chairs at the front of the ship surrounded by shelves of interesting books and magazines is perfect for a day at sea. If a cruise ship conjures images of crowded eateries and long lines, Seabourn is just the opposite. There are rarely waits anywhere, and you are more likely to find quiet spots for contemplation than raucous debauchery.

Ovation plies the Caribbean waters in the winter months, but crosses the Atlantic for Mediterranean and European adventures during spring and summer.

Who is on board?

Seabourn’s higher price point means this is not the cruise for a weekend vacation on a budget. Instead, you will find a mature traveler who is curious about exploring new places and getting to know the people around them. Previously, it would have been fair to say that the guest list is mostly made up of high net worth individuals, but today, Seabourn brings in a wider range of travelers ready to make a splurge on bucket list trips. Most hail from North America and Europe, but the demographics vary by itinerary.

There is a much younger age demographic than previous years, too. It’s not just retired couples, but also travelers in their 40s and 50s, as well as multi-generational families excited to travel together, but you won’t usually see children. Seabourn as a whole is evolving, and there is a freedom to be yourself on the ship that was not always that way before. It creates a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for everyone.

Describe the cabins.

The cabins, known as suites, are larger than average with spacious living areas and pillow-top bedding. Walk-in closets are a pleasant surprise, and the marble bathrooms have soaking tubs and showers with excellent water pressure, and a stash of Molton Brown toiletries.

All cabins have ocean views, and most are Veranda Suites with balconies. Premium suites expand upon the living space with larger seating areas and bigger bathrooms. One of the largest is the Owner’s Suite, which has a lovely corner terrace.

The cabins come with complimentary minibars that can be stocked with your preferred beverage. Want a specific Pinot Grigio and club soda restocked daily? You got it. A pair of butlers attends to each cabin, refreshing them twice a day. They leave nothing askew in the room. Expect clothes to be folded, charging cables to be tied with a ribbon and a tray of soaps to meet your arrival to choose your preferred scent. No detail seems forgotten.

Tell us about the crew.

An almost two-to-one ratio of guests to staff means you are always looked after no matter where you are. The crew makes the trip—always cheery and never bothered, it’s hard to find fault with their disposition. When the volume on my cabin’s TV appeared stuck, an army of staffers descended on the problem and followed up multiple times to make sure it was working properly. They seem to always be there when you need them without being intrusive.

In the sushi restaurant (a personal favorite), the maître d’ Tomomi greeted me with genuine pleasure and always knew my order. In fact, servers in the restaurants remembered guest names and personal preferences, an impressive feat. I have sailed on dozens of cruise ships, and Seabourn nails the service aspect in every regard.

What food and drink options are available on board?

As a member of the culinary Chaîne des Rôtisseurs association, Seabourn takes dining seriously, and you won’t go hungry on any sailing. Almost everything is included with Seabourn from meals and snacks to a full bar menu of drinks. There are some premium labels with an additional cost, but the complimentary list is quite extensive. Room service is a special treat, especially when they dress the table with white linens and elegant china. Don’t worry about packing a tux or ball gown, Seabourn has an elegant casual dress code in the evening. There is typically one formal evening, but fancy dress is not required. Most guests don blazers with designer jeans and cocktail dresses.

Specialty restaurants are also included, and only The Grill by Thomas Keller requires a reservation. There, you can indulge in tableside Caesar salad made to order, Lobster Thermidor, and sizzling steaks that would otherwise cost triple digits on land. Seabourn is planning to phase out the Thomas Keller restaurant in the coming year, however, and replace it with a new, but equally exciting concept.

At The Colonnade, breakfast and lunch are available buffet-style with live cooking stations and an al fresco patio. Themed menus change daily. A poolside grill serves up casual fare like pizza, gyros, and salads, but in the evening, it transitions to “Earth and Ocean” preparing unique variations on international cuisine. My lentil naan was both tasty and filling. The sushi venue, my favorite spot on the ship, has made-to-order rolls and bento boxes. The Restaurant is the main dining room, and the coffee shop has a range of sandwiches, pastries, and gelato made on board. Occasionally, the chef has live cooking demonstrations by the pool, which are popular.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

The spa is a lovely space at the front of the ship with relaxation areas, a sauna, beauty salon, and fitness center. Yoga and fitness classes are in a dedicated studio, and the treatment menu is curated by Dr. Andrew Weil. It’s not just massages and facials; the menu is extensive including things like acupuncture, body sculpting, and nutrition-focused consultations.

In the gym, chilled water and towels line the shelves, and the workout equipment features built-in TVs and USB power ports. There is also a walking track around the pool area and on the lower level. No matter which pool you choose, there is always a basket with sunscreen and wipes for sunglasses (you'll even find those benefits when you disembark the ship in port).

What about activities and entertainment?

Most travelers get out and explore the destinations, and there are often free transfers in ports and complimentary tours to keep them busy. What sets Seabourn apart is that its smaller ships can visit ports of call less frequented by larger vessels. With such a well-traveled clientele, it is the lesser-known destinations that many will find appealing.

Not everyone goes ashore though, and there is no reason to feel guilty about it. Live music swoons in various bars around the ship, and poolside concerts take place regularly. Educational lectures, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and a thorough library fill the gaps between land-based tours and pool time. Entertainment is available on occasion by the pool and always in the lounge on a set schedule. But if it’s a late night you’re after, the club is always a good time.

A small cast of singers and dancers perform most evenings, and there are special guest entertainers and comedians that add to the variety. It’s not unusual for some cruisers to be on board for several cruises in a row, and they appreciate the oft-changing lineup of performers. A small casino suits those that want to press their luck.

How was the experience for families?

This is not Seabourn’s focus, and there are rarely kids on the ship. Instead, you are more likely to see parents traveling with their adult children.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

Starting in St. Maarten and winding through the Leeward Islands down to Barbados, the Caribbean ports were colorful. Many of the excursions centered around beach visits, botanical gardens, and water sport activities.

My favorite was the visit to Carambola Beach on St. Kitts where Seabourn has an exclusive beach club. There, they set up a lavish barbecue, had plenty of umbrella-shaded lounge chairs, and all kinds of watersport equipment for guests to use without charge. It was also where they did their famous Champagne and caviar service with the staff wading through the ocean fully dressed serving bubbly from a surfboard dressed in white linens. It’s a highlight of most Seabourn voyages.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Single-use plastics are on the way out. Instead, refillable water bottles get stocked in cabins daily, and reusable coffee cups replace the traditional paper to-go cups. Food waste biodigesters break down unused food to help reduce overall waste.

Anything we missed?

For those that want even more privacy and elevated service, The Retreat is a private area in the front of the ship with cabanas. There, a dedicated team of butlers serves from an upscale menu with premium drinks and a shaded whirlpool. Here, the perks get a further upgrade to Elemis toiletries, fancier towels and drinks, and special dinners under the stars.

Seabourn is reinventing itself and shedding any stodgy atmosphere in favor of a younger, more active experience. This is notable in the new expedition vessels it launched to places like Antarctica and Greenland.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Known for its intimate ships, upscale service and interiors, and smaller port destinations, Seabourn delivers a top-notch cruise product for the discerning traveler. With a price to match, it is a stellar experience that has repeat cruisers swearing off any other line. Having sailed with Seabourn in the Mediterranean, I already had high expectations for this Caribbean adventure, and I was not disappointed.