Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn is synonymous with service, so when I say throughout this review how easy a process was or how great the ship’s crew was, it’s genuinely the truth. Nothing will feel like an inconvenience with the Seabourn team at the helm.

We met a Seabourn representative at the airport in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, and joined other cruisers on a shuttle to the port. Inside, there were no lines and we checked in right away and were aboard quickly. Seabourn holds onto your passport for the duration of your trip to easily clear customs and immigration at the respective ports.

You often hear horror stories of tight, cramped cruise line quarters, but this wasn’t the instance on Seabourn Odyssey. I was traveling with my mom, on a mother-daughter trip through the Caribbean. The accommodations were roomy enough for us both to spread out.

Upon entrance, the bathroom is to the right. It boasted both a shower stall and a tub, and had granite countertops and first-rate amenities. Outside the bathroom door, as you continue down the short hallway, was a small vanity and a large walk-in closet. We had the bed separated into two twin beds, each was flanked by a nightstand. Across from the beds was a dresser. A TV was part of another section of storage between the bedroom and the sitting area, which boasted a couch and coffee table and a dinner table with two chairs. A verandah with a small table and two chairs rounded out our impressive cabin.

A nice aspect of a Seabourn cruise is the all-inclusive nature. You can order that afternoon cocktail without worry and try dining in several different outlets with no concern for upcharges.

We dined everywhere, ensuring we tried all the ship offered. Standout evenings included Earth & Ocean on the Patio and a Sunday evening meal at The Grill by Thomas Keller (one reservation per sailing is allowed). The Restaurant offers a more formal dining experience, and The Colonnade and The Patio were perfect options for casual breakfasts and lunches. We also enjoyed a girls’ night in with in-room dining one evening. I’d also recommend partaking in the afternoon tea.

A spa, in partnership with Andrew Weill, is offered, along with a fitness studio. Seabourn Square is the perfect spot for relaxing or socializing, as well a midday or morning caffeine pick-me-up. “An Evening with Sir Tim Rice” is the pinnacle of entertainment on the ship, and a casino, shopping, card room and multiple bars are available.

We chose to enjoy a combo of shore excursions and time on our own. Even on islands where we had to tender, getting to/from land was still efficient and quick.

Unfortunately, given flight times and sailing times, we didn’t get to experience Sint Maarten. In St. Kitts, we enjoyed Seabourn’s signature Caviar in the Surf event. If this is an offered option on your cruise itinerary, do it! It’s phenomenal. The unique beach barbecue is a blast and it’s fun to watch the ship’s crew hop in the water to serve caviar from surfboard. Everyone has a good time.

Anguilla brought rain, so we decided to lay low on the ship. In St. John’s, Antigua, we chose a snorkeling adventure, one of the shore excursions available for purchase — after some morning shopping, of course. Guadeloupe was our favorite of the islands; we wandered Terre-de-Haute on our own and had a wonderful day. In St. Lucia, Bequia and Barbados, we were part of organized shore excursions. The aerial tram in St. Lucia was a unique way to see the island, and our tours in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados offered excellent overviews of the islands. If you have an afternoon or evening flight from Barbados, I’d highly recommend the tour as it takes the hassle out of luggage and airport transfers.

Seabourn Cruise Line

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