We’re on board Seabourn Quest for a 10-night sailing of the Caribbean, taking a look at the Seabourn experience and all it has to offer. Follow along by subscribing to our email updates, checking our SeaLog, Twiter updates or Facebook posts.
It had been quite some time since we sailed on a less-than-mega sized cruise ship. But it did not take long on Seabourn Quest to remember one of the key elements of a small ship experience: They have all the needed features, you just don’t have to walk as far between them.
We found that to be true years ago on similarly small 48,000-ton Empress of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. A walking tour of Quest brought back memories of that experience but just briefly. Seabourn Quest, at an even smaller 32,000 tons, is a whole lot more ship.
Example: We boarded in San Juan when most other guests were ashore. Still, an abundance of crew members on duty attended to guests in a more personal way, taking time to stop, chat and engage guests in a warm, welcoming way. On deck, I caught myself staring/gawking as a highly motivated staff took care of business more than a few times.
Just on the ship for less than a day, the on board ambiance of Quest reminds me of a Cunard sailing. Maybe it’s the abundance of British accents, a noticeably higher level of service or the refined decor. It might be the well-traveled guests we’ve met so far.
Example: Featured prominently rather than tucked away in some obscure location is the ship’s library, full of best-selling titles. A good number of guests can be found reading one of those books in various locations throughout the ship.
It was then that I remembered one of the things it took us a couple days on a transatlantic crossing of Queen Mary 2 to understand: We had to Relax.
We pretty much wasted the first two days of a 6-night crossing wondering what to do. Over the years we had been expertly programmed (gladly) by mega lines to buy into the experience. In order to get the most out of our sailings, we were waiting for someone to point us in the right direction. That, they did not do on Cunard. That, I doubt they will do here.
At first glance, this appears to be all about traveling to fabulous places on a well-appointed ship that is staffed by an engaged crew who cares for a well-traveled complement of guests.
The ship is the stage.
The stage is set.
See the stage.
All photos on this journey by Whitney Owen
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