Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn Ovation accommodates 600 guests and is looked after by a crew of approximately 400. This crew-to-guest ratio is among the highest in luxury ocean cruising, which is what makes the service feel genuinely attentive and the atmosphere on board so relaxed throughout the voyage.

Seabourn Ovation entered service in 2018, two years after her sister ship Seabourn Encore, as the second of Seabourn’s Encore Class. She represents Seabourn’s most recent ocean-going vessel and reflects the line’s most current expression of the Encore Class design.

A Seabourn Ovation cruise is genuinely all-inclusive. The fare covers all dining venues, including Sushi and Solis, fine wines, premium spirits, and champagne throughout the ship, gratuities, and 24-hour in-suite dining. Most lines treat one or more of these as extras, so it’s worth factoring in when comparing prices across the luxury market.

It’s one of the questions we’re asked most often, and the honest answer is that the two ships are remarkably similar. As sister vessels in the Encore Class, they share the same design, the same suite categories, the same dining venues, including the dedicated Sushi restaurant and Solis, and the same all-inclusive Seabourn experience on board.

The main practical differences are subtle: Seabourn Ovation features an enhanced Seabourn Square and is the more recent of the two ships, having launched in 2018 versus Encore’s 2016. The deployment patterns also differ, with Ovation typically focused on the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Northern Europe, while Seabourn Encore tends to split her year between Alaska in summer and Asia in winter. In most cases, the right choice comes down to where and when you want to travel rather than the ship itself.

Seabourn Ovation has five distinct dining venues, all included in the fare. These are The Restaurant for refined evenings, The Colonnade for casual and themed dining, the poolside Patio (which transforms into Earth & Ocean after dark), and the two speciality venues, Sushi and Solis. 24-hour in-suite dining is also available, so you can always enjoy a quiet meal on your own veranda.

Yes, but they’re more relaxed than the formal nights of traditional cruising. Seabourn Ovation typically schedules one or two “elegant casual” or “formal optional” evenings per voyage, when guests dress more smartly for dinner. There’s no requirement for black tie, though some guests choose to wear it on the most formal evenings. Most evenings on board are smart casual.

Seabourn Ovation’s current and upcoming programmes have her focused on the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Northern Europe, with transatlantic crossings between seasons. Her smaller size allows her to access the smaller harbours and historic ports in these regions that the larger ships of other luxury lines cannot reach.

The Retreat is Seabourn Ovation’s private sun-deck enclave: fifteen cabanas arranged around a central whirlpool, distinguished by their flower-shaped canopy. With a dedicated concierge, a tailored menu and complimentary champagne, it’s a more exclusive way to spend a sea day. Cabanas are reserved for an additional charge and tend to book early on warm-weather voyages, so it’s worth speaking to your Voyage Consultant at the time of booking.

Yes. Seabourn Ovation is a strong choice for guests stepping up from premium cruise lines to genuine luxury, with the all-inclusive fare structure, intuitive service and small-ship feel making the transition straightforward. Seabourn is widely considered one of the most approachable luxury lines for first-time guests.

The Seabourn dress code is generally relaxed. Daytime is resort casual, and most evenings on board are smart casual: jacket without a tie for men, dressy separates or a dress for women. There are typically one or two more formal evenings per voyage, but black tie is optional rather than required. To learn more about Seabourn’s dress code – including for expedition cruises – take a look at our guide on what to pack for your Seabourn cruise.