Seabourn Ovation

Shore Excursions

Seabourn offers a variety of guided shore excursions, ranging from half-day to full-day; select itineraries also include Ventures by Seabourn tours for more adventurous types. (For Ovation's current schedule, these are only found in Norway.) All excursions cost extra and can be booked online before the cruise, onboard with the concierges in Seabourn Square or via the in-suite TV. Private cars and guides can also be arranged.

All full-day tours include lunch and water, while half-day tours usually include snacks and water. You'll find that there's generally minimal waiting time to disembark for tours and returning to the ship from tours. Hand-sanitizing towels and infused water are provided in a tent on the pier, to passengers returning from tours. Tour groups are generally limited to 20 or 25 people, and Seabourn purposefully does not fill buses. For example, if a tour has 60 passengers signed up, the destinations team will put them on three buses with three separate guides.

At some ports, where the ship is required to anchor versus dock, lifeboats are used as tender boats to take passengers to and from the ship and pier. Shuttle buses are brought in for ports located away from the nearest town; there is no charge for these.

A number of standard excursions include visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- developed through the line's partnership with UNESCO. Seabourn also offers the opportunity to go shopping with the chef in port, which involves visiting local markets to purchase ingredients for meals to be had onboard. This trip is complimentary but not bookable; instead, you have to keep an eye out for it in your daily cruise schedule.

The Ventures by Seabourn tours are more active, offering some type of outdoor activity by a team of onboard experts (such as historians, scientists and naturalists, who also give lectures onboard). Some tours incorporate the use of the Zodiacs and kayaks kept onboard. Others might include snorkeling (equipment is provided) and hiking, depending on the itinerary.

Daytime and Evening Entertainment

On port days, daytime activities are kept to a minimum, but on sea days, Seabourn puts on an array of activities, though nothing like you'd find on bigger ships. Expect programming to include team trivia, bridge and dance classes, cocktail-making demonstrations, beanbag toss or shuffleboard competitions, and galley or bridge tours. LGBT and solo traveler get-togethers are arranged as well, plus enrichment lectures.

The Grand Salon (Deck 6) serves as the ship's main theater and concert venue and hosts the headliner evening attraction, typically with two shows per night. Musical entertainment from the ships' four singers and two dancers (including a tribute to Hollywood's movie musicals that's exclusive to Ovation) switches off with guest entertainers, such as a solo violinist or comedian. Occasionally, a deck party with live music takes the place of a sit-down show. These evening parties, as well as sail-away events, are certain fun with live music, bar staff concocting unusual cocktails, food stations or passed hors d'ouevres, and chatty passengers making the evening feel festive. (Seabourn is known for its Caviar in the Surf beach parties, but with itineraries like Ovation's, you're more likely to find the Champagne-and-caviar fest as a deck party onboard.)

Acclaimed musical lyricist Tim Rice teamed up with Seabourn to develop its marquee show: "An Evening with Tim Rice." The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at Rice's life and the inspiration behind his work. Cast members -- who have Broadway, West End or national/international touring credits -- put on live performances of songs from renowned musicals "Evita" and "The Lion King," among others.

It's the first cruise ship show we've seen that we enthusiastically watched twice in a row. If you've seen the show already on other ships, know that it was updated in 2018 for Ovation's launch with new tech effects and at least one song change. Also, because Tim Rice demands experienced, first-rate performers, the other production shows benefit from the high caliber cast.

On Deck 5, The Club is the ship's dance lounge, where a spacious bar and adjacent lounge chairs tend to draw crowds before and after dinner, when the live band plays. Next door, there's a small casino with a selection of roulette, blackjack and poker tables, as well as slot machines. Note: The casino is nonsmoking. The ship's most stunning entertainment venue, the Observation Bar, is another popular spot for after-dinner drinks; on our cruise, a talented duo played laid-back tunes every night.

Enrichment

Seabourn is known for its Conversations program and gets some decent guest speakers onboard, especially on sailings with more sea days. Port-intensive itineraries offer at least a destination lecturer to give you some insight into the countries you're visiting. You also will find seminars on topics such as mindful living and the usual array of talks from the Steiner-run spa, designed to sell products.

For more adventurous spirits, the Ventures by Seabourn program includes onboard lectures that focus on the history, culture and wildlife of the cruise region. Lectures are hosted by guest speakers -- consisting of historians, scientists and naturalists -- and complement the guided Zodiac and kayak tours. This program is only offered on select sailings.

Seabourn Ovation Bars and Lounges

The bars and lounges on Seabourn Ovation are beautifully designed spaces, and each has its own vibe. What they do have in common, though, is that almost all beer, wine and cocktails served at the bars are included in the cruise fare (with the exception of a few premium drinks). Seabourn has partnered with mixologist Brian Van Flandern to offer specialty cocktail menus that are unique to each bar; we were partial to the refreshing honey dew cocktail in The Club.

The Club (Deck 5): The classy late-night venue, conveniently adjacent to the casino, is where passengers go to drink and dance. There's a spacious bar on one end and a dance floor in the center, surrounded by chairs and cocktail tables. Tunes are courtesy of the ship's dance band (or the show band with a singer during breaks) that plays before dinner and afterward, until late.

The Grill Bar (Deck 8): While this bar is located inside The Grill by Thomas Keller, it's not exclusively used by those who have a reservation. Do seek it out; the bar and most of its comfortable seating is located around the corner from the hostess stand, so hidden from view when you first walk in. The bar is a great pre-dinner spot, with its live music courtesy of a talented pianist.

Patio Bar (Deck 9): This poolside bar sits in one corner, with wooden barstools -- though, thanks to the ship's highly attentive service, you'll likely never have to get up from your chair to order a drink at the bar. The pool deck's gelato bar is here, too.

Sky Bar (Deck 10): One deck up from the pool on the starboard side, this small bar is similar to the Patio Bar below but saves those already on Deck 10 from having to walk downstairs to get a drink. It's by the smoking area, so smokers tend to congregate here.

Observation Bar (Deck 11): Another Adam D. Tihany icon is the Observation Bar, which boasts a contemporary beachy design that includes a blue and tan color scheme, a skylight adorned with a playful sculpture depicting a school of fish and a wall of windows bringing in the ocean vistas. Ample seating is located throughout the space, while a center bar offers additional seating overlooking the mixologists at work. The bar, located at the front of the ship, also hugs a curved deck space that offers bridge-like views. This is your spot for sunset or chilly sail-aways, and for pre- or post-dinner drinks while listening to the easy-listening tunes of a lovely duo.

Seabourn Ovation Outside Recreation

The main pool is located on Deck 9 and flanked by two shaded hot tubs. Its surrounding teak deck space offers mesh loungers with headrests, a few daybeds and rattan chairs with cushions; one deck up, you'll find more loungers and larger daybeds with a view of the pool. Soft towels are easily accessible at various stations, while waiters make the rounds -- taking drink orders, offering sunblock and cleaning loungers' sunglasses.

On Deck 5, outside The Club, you'll find a smaller plunge pool with two hot tubs and a handful of lounge chairs and tables. The space is a hidden gem due to its "out of the way" location; it's only accessible through The Club or Seabourn Square followed by two flights of stairs down.

Another tranquil hideaway is the hot tub on Deck 7, tucked away at the very front of the ship. It's surrounded by loungers and, despite its offbeat location, is still regularly serviced by waiters taking drink orders.

Other out-of-the-way deck spaces with seating or lounging furniture include Deck 7 aft of Seabourn Square, and a small section of Deck 12 forward, which is accessed most directly from the stairs outside the Observation Bar's deck.

Those looking for something a little more exclusive can splurge on a day or half-day pass to The Retreat. This closed-off sun deck has a center hot tub surrounded by lounge chairs and tables, as well as cabanas and a bar offering drink service (with slightly more premium brands than the regular complimentary menu and a special cocktail menu by Brian Van Flandern). Each cabana has a sofa, fridge, flat-screen TV with wireless headphones, fluffy robes and slippers and two large loungers out front. They feature plantation-style shutters; of the 15 cabanas, nine have shutters that don't open but six on the sides have shutters that open up to sea views. Choice of cabana is first-come, first-served. You are presented with a souvenir tote bag, bottle of Bollinger Champagne and an exotic fruit plate on arrival. Lunch service is available from a special menu, and afternoon tea is brought up as well.

The Retreat is typically quiet and chill, and great ventilation and protection keeps the area neither too hot nor too windy. The cost is $149 for a port or embarkation day, $249 for a sea day or two port days, and $129 for a half-day (sea or port, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 6 p.m.). The price includes a $50 spa voucher so you can get a discount on a massage in The Retreat's spa cabana; book in advance or day of. Minimum age to use The Retreat is 18 and cabanas accommodate a maximum of two people.

One downside of The Retreat is that there isn't a good place to do a walking loop of the ship, which you could have done on Deck 12 if the exclusive area weren't there. There's also no putting green.

In terms of recreational activities, Seabourn Ovation has a water sports marina onboard where passengers have access to kayaks, pedal boats, banana boats and other toys. Bear in mind: The marina is only open when the ship is anchored -- not docked -- in warm-weather ports, and its hours are weather- and port-permitting. This means the ship can go entire seasons without opening up the marina to passengers, depending on the itinerary.

Seabourn Ovation Services

Seabourn Square is the heart of the ship, acting as the concierge center as well as a quiet space to read or simply enjoy the ocean views with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. There are four concierge desks in the middle of the room, and the staff handle all requests from billing questions to shore excursion bookings and everything in between. The future cruise consultant has a desk off to one side. The rest of the space is composed of various seating arrangements like couches and recliners, bookshelves and TVs -- in fact, the space feels more like a cozy living room than a cruise ship service lounge. In select ports, a local representative takes over one of the sitting areas to hand out maps and provide recommendations.

Computer stations are available for use; there also is Wi-Fi available for an additional fee, and the internet is the fastest on any Seabourn ship thanks to new technology the line is testing. Internet prices are $0.40 per minute pay-as-you-go; two hours for $19.95; three hours for $29.95; four for $39.95; seven days for $239.95; and unlimited for seven days or more is $399.95.

On the outskirts of Seabourn Square is where you'll find the onboard shops, which sell logowear, designer cruise wear, perfume, beauty products, jewelry and watches, purses and bags, and everyday essentials. On select itineraries, specialty purveyors will come onboard to sell destination-related products, such as nesting dolls and amber necklaces on a Baltic cruise to Russia.

Other services include a card room on Deck 8, and two meeting rooms on Deck 7 used for private events, youth activities and religious services.

A launderette is located on Deck 5. Passengers can either opt to use the washers, dryers, steamers and ironing boards for free, or pay for laundry/dry-cleaning service, taken from and delivered to their suites. The laundry room can be hopping, so don't be surprised if you have to wait for a machine and do set a timer to pick up clothes in a timely manner. On our cruise, passengers smartly left their laundry bags hanging off the handle to their machine, so if they were late, another passenger could at least put their clothes in their bag rather than unceremoniously dumping them on a surface, college dorm-style.

The ship's medical facility is on Deck 4.

Cigarette smoking is not permitted indoors, and is limited to the starboard half of Deck 10 by the Sky Bar (including at the bar), on the starboard half of the pool area aft of The Club on Deck 5 and on the deck space behind Seabourn Square on Deck 7. The Deck 7 space is the only place onboard where pipe and cigar smoking is permitting. Electronic cigarettes may be used inside suites and in the other smoking zones; water pipes and glass pipes are not permitted onboard.

Following in the footsteps of its sister ship, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation features more dining choices than the smaller ships in the fleet. It's also the first ship to offer the line's new dining concept -- Earth & Ocean -- a pop-up venue that takes over The Patio poolside grill, every night.

As with just about everything else on Seabourn Ovation, restaurants are included in the cruise fare -- even The Grill by Thomas Keller, whose land-based establishments easily can cost more than $500 per person and require diners to reserve seats months in advance.

Introduced with Ovation's 2018 debut is ship-made gelato, handcrafted onboard by chefs who underwent training at Carpigiani University in Bologna, Italy, and served in nearly every dining venue. Cruisers can choose from milk- and fruit-based options, and a variety of unique flavors; different flavors appear in different venues on the same day, so make the rounds if you're picky and don't see the kind you like at your first stop.

While we love the increase in dining options on Seabourn's larger ships, we experienced and heard talk of more service gaffs than we have found on the line's smaller ships. It remains to be seen whether these will disappear once old and new staff gel and get used to the bigger ship, or whether this is the new reality of larger, 600-person ships. For the most part, dishes were cooked perfectly (we only took issue with one rubbery piece of fish).

We do find the line to be just adequate for vegetarians. If you eat meat-free, you might consider making a few special orders.

To help you choose where to dine each evening, a summary of the next day's menu for every restaurant is provided in your suite each evening. Don't miss the Thomas Keller additions to The Restaurant menu, which are listed on the front page (when available) rather than with The Restaurant's main menu. Also worth noting: Unlike other cruise lines, dinner hours are not standard across restaurants. The specialty restaurants open earliest, at 6 p.m., while Earth & Ocean is the last to open at 7:30 p.m.

Note: Complimentary caviar is available anytime, anywhere, upon request.

The Restaurant (Deck 3): Seabourn Ovation's version of the main dining room is a perfect representation of Adam D. Tihany's work -- a gorgeous, off-white room boasting soft contemporary lines in the columns and walls, and a cathedral ceiling with geometric beams and a whimsical chandelier. The Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and can seat up to 400 diners at a time -- with table arrangements for groups of 10, eight, six, four and two.

Ask for a table of two or to share a table with others; Restaurant staff are happy to comply. We also appreciate that Seabourn invites passengers to dine at tables hosted by officers or entertainment staff; most passengers will receive a couple of invites, while solos receive invitations nightly. It's fine if you don't wish to go, but please RSVP to be polite.

Breakfast offers a menu of eggs Benedict, omelets made to order, bacon, hash browns and steaks, as well as assorted fruits, cereals, a wide range of pastries and healthier items like smoked salmon.

For lunch, diners can select dishes from two different menus: one that features "always available" items such as hot dogs, burgers and steaks, and another with more innovative options that change daily. Dishes on the daily-changing menu might include a pan-sauteed salmon and a chipotle peppered beef wrap. Each menu features a small selection of starters, main courses and desserts, including a wide selection of gelato.

Dinner is open seating, meaning diners can show up anytime between 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. Seabourn labels The Restaurant as its most elegant dinner venue, with a stricter dress code.

Every night, diners can choose from three starters, two soups, five mains and four desserts (plus a lengthy gelato and sorbet menu) as well as an "always available" menu of more basic options like steaks, salmon and chicken breast. Typical dishes include a foie gras and morel terrine, miso-glazed salmon, goat cheese tart and, for dessert, chocolate chip lava cake and a hot fudge sundae. Thomas Keller dishes also are available in The Restaurant, on select nights. They're printed on the front page, but your waiter will open your menu to the middle, so be sure to check because they're easy to miss but often quite delicious and inventive additions to your meal. We particularly enjoyed an heirloom carrot salad and a creatively presented phyllo-wrapped falafel atop roasted romaine lettuce.

Sushi (Deck 8): This intimate dining venue serves up fresh sushi and sashimi -- beautifully presented and paired with inventive ingredients. The venue itself is a light, cream-colored room with large picture windows along one side and a sushi counter on the other. Diners can either sit at the counter, with a view of the chefs in action, or in the surrounding dining area.

Sushi is open for lunch and dinner. At lunch, diners get to choose from a selection of bento boxes, served with miso soup, a salad and dessert. Choices include pork dumplings, miso salmon and ramen noodles, plus you can get a side of sushi (salmon, crab, eel, shrimp or vegetable). Lunch is better suited for diners looking for Japanese cuisine rather than just sushi.

The dinner menu includes sushi and sashimi starters and main courses, as well as small plates, salads and desserts. Vegetarian dishes also are available, but there are no main course dishes that are not sushi or sashimi. On formal night, Sushi offers a set, multicourse menu; otherwise, the menu does not change. Among the drink choices are Japanese beer, sake, wine, Sencha green tea and Sushi's signature cocktail.

Despite Sushi's small size, reservations are not available. Come when the restaurant first opens, or at an off-time to avoid a wait. We beat the lunch rush by arriving at 12:45 after the noon diners had finished but before many hungry passengers showed up en masse at 1 p.m. and the line snaked out the door. Dinner runs 6 to 8:45 p.m.

The Grill by Thomas Keller (Deck 8): Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller is the mastermind behind this venue -- having developed everything from the menu and wine list (with the help of The French Laundry sommelier Erik Johnson) to the decor and background music playlist. It serves American classics with a twist -- the twist being the ingredients used as well as the way dishes are presented. Reservations are required; make sure you claim your spot before the cruise, as seats tend to fill up fast. It's open 6 to 9 p.m.

Looks-wise, The Grill by Thomas Keller is a dim-lit, stately space, with lots of dark browns and golds and pops of red. There's a bar and lounge seating area toward the entrance, which flows into the dining area -- complete with standalone tables and booths for parties of two, four, six and eight. Don't ask for a window table, as all the window shades are closed at dinner.

On the menu, you'll find starters ranging from Caesar salad prepared tableside to shrimp cocktail and New England clam chowder, and mains such as Dover sole meuniere, New York strip steak, lobster thermidor and roast chicken for two. Desserts include a moist dark chocolate layer cake, lemon meringue tart and a vanilla ice cream sundae. Everything is cooked to perfection, and highlights include elaborate tableside preparations for dishes such as the Caesar salad and Dover sole.

These menu items don't change -- and haven't since the restaurant opened on sister ship Seabourn Encore in 2017. To help change things up for repeat cruisers, The Grill now offers three daily specials. For example, at our dinner, we could choose from a chilled white asparagus starter, chicken cordon bleu or egg yolk gnocchi.

The Patio (Deck 9): During the day, The Patio -- Seabourn's casual poolside grill -- offers a buffet-style lunch with salads, pizza and daily specials like fajitas and grilled fish. You can order grilled items -- including Thomas Keller's Napa Burger and Yountwurst hot dog, as well as regular burgers, hot dogs and fish of the day -- from the roving waiters. Veggie burgers are available off-menu, but aren't always on hand; expect a brief wait. In the morning, it offers a smoothie bar.

At night, the space transforms into an alfresco pop-up venue called Earth & Ocean. Developed by Seabourn's culinary consultant, chef Anton Egger, the concept features menus inspired by his world travels, as well as contemporary background music and rustic table settings designed by New York-based ceramic artist Wynne Noble. With its eclectic twist and outdoor setting, Earth & Ocean is the ship's most casual dinner option. It's also the ship's late-dining option, open from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Menus change nightly over the course of the week and include three starters, three mains and three desserts, always with a vegetarian option, in addition to delicious warm bread. Dishes could be tandoori rotisserie chicken and Peruvian-style roasted salmon. Shareable plates are presented in Moroccan-style serving pots. Blankets are kept on hand and provided to diners who need them on chilly nights.

If you're skeptical about a pool deck dinner option, don't be. The food, service and setting are all up to Seabourn's high standards, and it's lovely to dine alfresco or watch the sun set as the ship sails.

The Colonnade (Deck 9): Seabourn Ovation's self-serve venue features tastefully displayed buffet stations with both to-go and made-to-order items available. The buffet is open for breakfast and lunch; at dinnertime, passengers can enjoy casual table service . (On occasional evenings deemed Market Dinners, the Colonnade does opt for a dinner buffet.) Look for short menus of a la carte dishes on the tables and don't miss the daily special, listed on a chalkboard by the hostess stand.

Breakfast options include all the usuals, such as eggs, breakfast meat, pastries, yogurt and smoothies, cereal and fruit (including little glass bowls of fresh berries daily). Waiters will take tea, coffee and juice orders -- or order a mimosa, because, hey, you're on an all-inclusive cruise! The daily special (a masala omelet or Belgian waffle with berries) and hot items like eggs and pancakes can be ordered from your waiter.

At lunch, The Colonnade offers a buffet version of The Restaurant's menu. It offers a salad bar with DIY and premade options, hot dishes with a loose theme (like British or pasta) and daily specials, like Indian butter chicken, and a soup of the day. Burgers and hot dogs can be ordered from your waiter. There's a separate dessert section, plus four flavors of gelato are available at a cute, vintage-style ice cream cart during lunch.

Dinner typically starts at 6:45, but might be opened earlier to accommodate passengers going out on evening tours. It's generally a themed menu (Mediterranean, American, Russian, etc.) with table service, no reservations needed. Options are limited to three starters, two mains and one dessert, so not the best option for picky eaters or vegetarians.

On select nights, The Colonnade hosts a Thomas Keller theme night, which must be reserved in advance. The menus -- which change each time -- include family-style dishes, inspired by those served at his Napa Valley restaurant, Ad Hoc. The portions are larger than the typical Colonnade entree, and the food is heavier (like platters of ribs and fried chicken).

On other nights, often after a long day of touring or when there's a late night in port, The Colonnade will offer a themed Market Dinner, which is a dinner buffet, set up similarly to the lunch buffets. During a Scandinavian Market Dinner, a folding table was set up as a special addition to the buffet with local items purchased in Helsinki during the previous day's Shopping with the Chef outing. Definitely worth keeping an eye out for those sorts of regional goodies.

Dining staff is accommodating of tours, and on some nights with late-returning evening tours, The Colonnade opens for a midnight comfort food buffet with sliders, fried shrimp, chicken wings, soup and sweets. (No pizza, though, which we thought would have been a nice addition to the greasy fare.)

Seating in The Colonnade is available both inside and outside, on a shaded deck space, and there's a nice flow to the layout. However, on days when large numbers of passengers show up for breakfast at the same time or if the outdoor seating is closed for weather, the buffet can turn into a zoo, with tables difficult to find. On sunny days, if the aft terrace is crowded, know that there is additional seating down one deck (essentially outside The Grill) with an additional salad bar for convenience.

Seabourn Square (Deck 7): Seabourn Square's coffee bar is the ship's go-to for a morning cup o' Joe or afternoon pick-me-up. It serves everything from the basics (American coffee and espresso) to specialty coffees, tea and frozen Frappuccino-style drinks from a machine. The bar is equipped with a mini-roastery, too, so you know you're getting high-quality brews. A glass display feature snacks that change throughout the day -- yogurt parfaits, pastries and doughnuts in the morning; finger sandwiches, cookies and gelato from midmorning until 6 p.m.; and chocolate truffles from 6 to 8. At peak times, there can be a queue for coffee.

Afternoon Tea: Every day at 4 p.m., Seabourn Ovation's Observation Lounge hosts afternoon tea. It's a lavish affair -- complete with china and silver table settings, an extensive loose-leaf tea menu and a beautifully decorated self-serve table with scones, sandwiches, pastries and unique cakes like chocolate peanut butter ganache and apricot.

Room Service: A small selection of comfort food is available for in-suite dining, from shrimp cocktail and tomato soup to penne pomodoro, roast chicken breast, club sandwiches and burgers. Gelato, cookies and cheese are all on the dessert menu. Room service is available 24 hours, with a separate menu for breakfast, which includes hot dishes. You also can order items off The Restaurant menu to be delivered to your suite during dinner hours.