Join us onboard Seabourn Ovation in the Mediterranean!
What's better than experiencing a ship for yourself?
Our Senior Cruise Specialist, Gemma Lovell, and Marketing Manager, Jessica Woods, stepped onboard Seabourn Ovation for a heavenly four-night cruise around the Mediterranean from Rome to Monte Carlo, stopping at Sardinia, Corsica and Portofino along the way. Home to only 600 guests, this luxury ship truly is a five-star hotel on sea – with an onboard spa, five delicious dining venues, a central outdoor pool and several open-air hot tubs – and we are over the moon to be able to share our first-hand experience with you!
Our Seabourn Moment…
For more information or to start your journey, give us a call today on +44 (0)1491 528 988
Welcome onboard…
Sailing from Rome to Monte Carlo – via Sardinia, Corsica and Portofino – the iconic summer destinations were second only to the incredible ship which truly became our home away from home. From our flawless Veranda Suite to the hidden hot tub we discovered at the ship’s bow, every inch of Ovation welcomed us with open arms and luxurious surprises. Our Suite Attendant, More, greeted us with mimosas, canapés and our own selection of luxury soaps – even though the bathroom was already stocked with enough Molton Brown to last a lifetime!
Every suite onboard Seabourn Ovation has a private veranda, marble bathroom with separate shower and full-size bathtub and walk-in closet. Four categories of the entry-level Veranda Suite area available across different areas of the ship, while Penthouse Suites additionally feature a glass-separated bedroom area with an extra flat-screen TV. The next level up are the Penthouse Spa Suites which sit directly above the spa and include access to the Serene Suite, a social space a unique combination of heat experiences and monsoon-like showers.
The Owners Suite enjoys a larger, corner veranda with spacious living areas, dining table and separate WC. The pinnacle accommodation onboard Ovation are the two Wintergarden Suites on deck 8 in the middle of the ship.
Dining onboard…
Despite sailing at full capacity, there was never a struggle for a poolside sunbed, a seat in the lounge or a stool at the bar. We dined in every restaurant onboard, enjoying the brand-new speciality Solis restaurant on our first night. We were treated to silky artichoke pappardelle in a creamy herb sauce, freshly prepared salt-crusted dorade with roasted lemon potatoes and white asparagus, and strawberry and mint pavlova, all washed down with paired wines and a bespoke after-dinner cocktail.
The following morning began with the most extensive buffet breakfast we have ever seen at The Colonnade, complete with Halloween decor, of course! Every component of the perfect breakfast was on offer: sausages, beans, tomato, mushroom, bacon cooked two ways, every variety of fresh fruit, eggs, omelettes and pancakes made to order. The waiters even helped us carry our overloaded plates back to our table! We also treated ourselves to room service one morning and dined on our balcony…
A sublime bento-box-style lunch was had at the Sushi Restaurant onboard, with options for grilled salmon, chicken teriyaki or veggie gyozas, as well as our choice of speciality rolls. This restaurant is a far cry mass-market buffet-style sushi, and instead conjures an exclusivity with its small size and extremely personal service. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant does not take reservations so you may need to wait for a table – but it will be worth it.
Every evening onboard Seabourn welcomes an ‘elegant casual’ dress code (excluding informal attire), but once or twice per voyage, you’ll be treated to a ‘formal’ evening of black-tie dress. Our such evening consisted of a seven-course Signature Experience in the Main Restaurant, devised by Exécutive Chef de Cuisine Lindsay Lewis and his team. Citrus and dill marinated fresh cured salmon with poached lobster medallion came first, followed by sunchoke cream soup, steamed jumbo white asparagus and a champagne-topped passionfruit sorbet, before we were presented with our choice of pan-seared dorade, pink-roasted beef tenderloin or goat cheese and nicoise olive tart. An open-faced fresh strawberry macaron and ice pralines ended the evening in style.
Our final evening at Earth & Ocean on the outdoor patio was a highlight, with a relaxed feel and an outstandingly fresh menu of panko-breaded shrimp, monk fish curry and poached peaches. Of course, we also visited Seabourn Square for our cappuccinos, cookies and coconut kisses throughout the days onboard!
Let’s explore…
Although we didn’t really want to get off the ship, we took ourselves out in each port to explore the destinations – and ended up seeing five places in five days! Our first port of call was Olbia in Sardinia, a beautiful old town full of charming restaurants, cute alleyways and hand-crafted souvenir shops. We jumped on a tender which took us to the port, and then hopped onto one of Seabourn’s included shuttle buses to the centre of Olbia. Of course, there are numerous excursion options in each destination you visit on a Seabourn cruise, but we were happy exploring for ourselves for a few hours.
Calvi in Corsica (part of France) was actually a highlight of our trip! We stepped off the tender right into the centre of the town and walked up the hill to the viewpoints which were incredible (we even spotted our ship!) – stopping in a tiny sloping cafe with a gorgeous sea-view along the way. Calvi is full of sea-front bars, restaurants and culinary shops so we came back with bags full of goodies!
The iconic port of Portofino was next on our list and one we were both very excited for – and it did not disappoint! Being a relatively small cruise ship, Seabourn Ovation is able to get much closer to destinations than the larger ships, so we tendered just outside the bay and caught a tender right into the famous port. After an inspiring walk through cobble streets and up to the church and castle, we settled in the main square for an aperol spritz (or two) in the glorious sunshine!
Arriving into Monte Carlo, we were immediately hit with the stunning sight of yachts galore! Unfortunately, we had a flight to catch today but we jumped onto the first tender of the day at 8am and spent an hour walking around the famous city before it woke up (it was a Sunday…) before heading back to the ship for a final snack from Seabourn Square’s coffee bar. We were even given sandwiches and crossword puzzles to take away for our flight by the wonderful staff!
Andddd relax!
Back on board, we found a hidden gem! Right at the front of the ship on deck 7 is a hot tub, surrounded by loungers, that was completely deserted! It felt undiscovered, although from speaking to other guests, we learned that there are just so many of these hidden spots all over the ship (and never a struggle to find space on the main deck) that most are just left quiet – a sign of a truly luxurious experience which highlights the miniscule number of guests that Seabourn have chosen to enjoy the space on a ship this size.
A visit to the spa was next on the list, where we arrived wrapped up in robes and slippers ready for our full body massages and facials. They ended up being two of the best spa experiences we had ever had. All spa treatments are an added extra, like the shore excursions, but if you manage to snap up one of our special offers with onboard credit then you are welcome to use this here!
If you want some added luxury, guests can book into The Retreat collection of 15 private cabanas housed in a distinctive flower-shaped canopy that shields from sun and wind, surrounding a central whirlpool. Cabanas are designed as individual luxury living rooms that each feature a large HD flat screen television and a fridge stocked with a personalised selection of beverages.
In the evenings, there is always something going on. Whether it’s a production from the Seabourn Singers & Dancers, life music or magician performances, games of chance in the Casino, or occasional Evenings Under the Stars on deck. We even had a Halloween party on our sailing, where all the staff had dressed up and decorated The Club with fantastic decorations. They had even made a selection of gore-themed cocktails!
Welcome to the Seabourn Difference
Seabourn welcomes you to all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruising refined to its purest form. Where hand-selected itineraries take you to places beyond the reach of larger ships. Every suite is a luxury home-away-from-home, where Suite Attendants care for your every need and desire. All dining and drinks across a selection of truly world-class restaurants, bars and cafes are included, as well as the little touches like your customised in-suite mini bar that will transform your journey.
INTIMATE YACHT-LIKE ATMOSPHERE
All ocean-front suites luxuriously appointed, most with a private veranda, in intimate ships with a private yacht-like atmosphere masterfully designed by iconic hospitality atelier Tihany Design*.
COMPLIMENTARY SIGNATURE EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Complimentary Signature Events including Caviar in the Surf, Evening at Ephesus, Shopping with teh Cheg, Caviar on the Ice, Marina Day, Polar Plunge and more, as well as onboard shows, live music and complimentary Wi-Fi powered by SpaceX’s Starlink.
INTUITIVE SERVICE & SEABOURN MOMENTS
Intuitive, personalised service provided by a team passionate about exceeding guests expectations to create unforgettable Seabourn Moments.
WORLD-CLASS INCLUDED DINING
World-class dining and culinary experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere in the world, all included. Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times as well as complimentary caviar, welcome Champagne and a complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences.
VENTURES BY SEABOURN
Optional shore excursions designed to enhance and extend your experience in select destinations so you can engage with destinations in a more interactive, experiential and participatory way.
SEABOURN EXPEDITIONS
Onboard ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, with a world-class 24-person Expedition Team and included experiences at every stop, such as curated shore excursions, cultural tours, guided Zodiac® cruises, hikes, nature walks, and snorkelling, as well as optional Expedition Experiences including the state-of-the-art 6-guest submarines.