Seabourn Ovation Review October 2023

Seabourn Ovation Review: Four Days from Monte Carlo to the Costa Brava

  Four days on Seabourn Ovation is not long enough. That is probably the most useful thing I can tell you upfront. The ship calls at Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, Marseille, and Palamos in that time, which sounds generous. By the time you settle in and start to understand how the ship works, it is already the final morning. Here is what those four days looked like.  

The ship and the suite

Seabourn Ovation carries 604 guests and is one of the largest ships in the Seabourn fleet. Paired with Seabourn Encore, she sits at the top of the line's ocean-going fleet before the newer expedition vessels. The public spaces are generous: a full Grand Salon, the signature Seabourn Square, the Dr Andrew Weil Spa and Wellness Centre on Deck 10, and The Retreat on Deck 12.

We were in a V4 Veranda Suite on Deck 8. The layout works well: a well-sized bathroom with a proper shower and Molton Brown toiletries, a walk-in wardrobe leading through to a lounge area with a sofa bed and chairs, and a balcony with a lounge chair and recliner. In port, the balcony earns its keep. Waking up in Monte Carlo with the harbour view and nowhere to be is the kind of thing that makes the upgrade worthwhile.  

Day one: Monte Carlo

We arrived in Monte Carlo early. Old Town, the Palace, Cafe Royal: a good morning's exploration that reminded me why this itinerary exists. Back on board, lunch at The Colonnade, Seabourn's buffet venue with hot and cold stations and themed evening menus, set the tone for what the food would be like for the next four days.

Dinner in The Restaurant that first evening was excellent. Caramelised sea scallops to start, herb-crusted rack of lamb with roasted garlic jus as a main, and a peanut butter and dark chocolate bar for dessert that was better than it had any right to be. The Restaurant does an à la carte menu that changes daily and executes it consistently well.

The evening entertainment was the Let's Dance Party Show in the Grand Salon, with The Band, Lanie, and the Seabourn Singers. It set the right tone for the nights that followed.  

Day two: St. Tropez

A training meeting in the morning, then lunch poolside at the Patio. The charred warm shrimp is the kind of dish that sounds simple and tastes considerably better than expected.

The Observation Bar on Deck 11 does early evening well. Floor-to-ceiling windows, panoramic views, and live music in the background. It works as a pre-dinner ritual and I would recommend building it into the daily rhythm.

Dinner at The Grill by Thomas Keller was the highlight of the trip. A Maryland-style crab cake to start, steak Diane with mushroom and brandy sauce for the main, and an ice cream sundae to finish. It sounds straightforward and it is anything but. The reservation is essential and worth securing on embarkation day. One important note: Seabourn has since replaced The Grill with Solis, a new Mediterranean-focused restaurant, across the fleet. Reservations are still required for Solis.

Jamie Raven in the Grand Salon followed dinner, and then The Duo played late into the evening. The Grand Salon on Ovation is an intimate single-level theatre that handles both the larger shows and the late-night sessions well.  

Day three: Marseille

A slower day in port, which turned out to be exactly right. Lunch at The Colonnade, then a pre-dinner talk from Justin Van Breda on the fashion and artistic influences of the French Riviera. The enrichment programme on Seabourn is genuinely good, and talks like this one are the reason.

The signature Caviar and Voci event followed: Seabourn's singers performing with a continuous flow of caviar and libations. It is one of those evenings that only works on a ship of this size, where the atmosphere can be properly intimate. Dinner at Earth and Ocean at The Patio closed the evening, followed by a show from Corlea Botha, who performed her way through all seven continents. An unusually good evening from start to finish.  

Day four: Palamos

We docked early at Palamos on the Costa Brava. A quiet final day: a relaxed morning, lunch in the Observation Lounge, and then the Officers on Deck and Team Member Salute to close out the voyage. The Band and Laine performed and the tone was warm and celebratory. A good way to end.  

The Retreat and the rest of the ship

One afternoon we explored the ship properly. Six jacuzzis across four decks, which is more than adequate. The Retreat on Deck 12 is an additional cost, starting from $129 per suite, and covers 15 private cabanas, a central whirlpool, spa credits, a dedicated concierge, a tailored menu, and complimentary champagne. It is not a small outlay for a sea day. For guests who want a genuinely private outdoor space and are willing to pay for it, it is worth it.

Sushi is also worth knowing about. An included speciality venue serving hot small plates at lunch and cold small plates with sashimi, nigiri, and maki at dinner. No reservations, first-come, first-served. Arrive early for dinner if you want a table.

Seabourn Conversations

For solo guests, Seabourn Conversations is worth knowing about. Officers and the entertainment team host tables in The Restaurant and join guests on excursions. Activities in the Card Room, The Club, and Grand Salon are also organised with solo guests in mind. It is handled with discretion rather than fanfare, which is exactly right. For more on travelling solo with Seabourn, our Seabourn suite guide covers what to expect across the fleet.

Interested in sailing with Seabourn? Browse our latest Seabourn cruise deals or get in touch with our Voyage Consultants to discuss the right ship and itinerary for you. You can also read our Seabourn onboard experience guide for more on what to expect day to day.