Latest news with #Seabourn
Travel Weekly
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Missed the last eclipse? Cruise lines offer a remedy in 2026
Teri West Do you remember where you were on April 8, 2024? It was a day where hundreds of thousands of people congregated in states like Vermont and Ohio to experience an event that lasted only about four minutes: a total solar eclipse. If you weren't one of those who traveled for it and didn't happen to live anywhere along its path of totality, that may have been the day that you swore you'd travel to catch the next one. Cruise lines, too, made a promise to themselves that they would be there. And "there" is coming sooner than you think. A total solar eclipse will be visible next August in Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Russia. Seabourn Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages will be offering their first eclipse sailings next year, with plans to position ships within the path of totality that traverses the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Cruises filling up fast Eclipse sailings are doing incredibly well. Seabourn is offering two sailings, and both are pretty much sold out, said chief marketing officer Mike Fulkerson. One is a two-week voyage along Western Ireland and ending in Iceland, and the other will sail the Mediterranean roundtrip from Barcelona. Princess Cruises recently added a third sailing to its lineup. Eclipse cruises' popularity caught Atlas Ocean Voyages off guard when it launched sales for its 2024 sailing, but now the company knows just how much people want to be on a cruise during the event, CEO James Rodriguez told me. "If I could make more eclipses throughout the year, I would," he said. Cruises enable eclipse enthusiasts to develop a communal sense of excitement during the build-up toward the brief event and offer more dexterity than on land, he said. If one location in the path of totality has cloud cover, for example, the ships can navigate to a more favorable location as the event approaches. And since the cruises last more than just that day, the entire ship finds a sense of community as anticipation builds toward that moment, Rodriguez said. "It's kind of hard to replicate on a land vacation versus a cruise vacation because you're all there onboard [and] experience this together," Rodriguez said. "You talk about it before, you talk about it when it's happening and then you also talk about it after the cruise, and you create friends. And so for us, it's the closest expedition experience, that communal experience, that you have outside the polar regions." He's found there to be a contingency of eclipse chasers who seek out cruises on those specific dates. The company sold out half of its 2024 sailings in half a day. One of its 2026 sailings will travel through Iceland and Greenland, and the other will be in the Mediterranean. Seabourn published a graphic of an eclipse before launching sales for its 2026 voyages and saw a rush of inquiries, said Fulkerson. "Our travel agents and our internal sales team were just getting bombarded with, 'When is it going to be available?'" he recalled. "'Can I get on a wait list?'" During the early sales launch period, the company saw a 400% increase in bookings compared to similar timeframes for noneclipse cruises, he said. Preparing for 2027 The sweet spot for launching eclipse sailings is slightly more than two years out, Rodriguez told me, which is why you're starting to see sailing become available for 2027's eclipse. The path of totality in 2027 spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean with land coverage in parts of North Africa and the Middle East. Holland America launched sales for two 2027 eclipse cruises last week. "The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable," Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of deployment, said in a statement. "We jumped at the chance to create more itineraries."
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Can't decide between a hot and a cold cruise? We're here to help
Cruise lines are offering more options to sail in the Northern Hemisphere's cooler months. European river cruising started a month earlier this year, with Viking and AmaWaterways launching February departures on the Danube. Off-peak ocean cruising is set to soar in the 2026-27 winter season. From December to March, consider Seabourn in Asia, Cunard in the Canary Islands, Windstar in the Mediterranean, NCL in Mexico, MSC in the Bahamas, or Celebrity Cruises in the Galapagos. By contrast, Australia and New Zealand will have quieter winters for the next two years, as the number of ships has declined.
Business Insider
11-05-2025
- Business Insider
Wealthy travelers are spending $81,000+ to live on this luxury cruise ship for 5 months — see what it'll be like on board
In early January 2027, Carnival Corp's high-end, all-inclusive cruise brand, Seabourn, says its Seabourn Quest will embark on a 145-day voyage to 67 ports across 19 countries. The itinerary, sailing round-trip from Miami, primarily focuses on destinations throughout South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Southern Pacific islands — from Peru to Easter Island to a 37-day circumnavigation of Australia. Of course, like any world cruise, travelers are expected to see more than a month's worth of sea days throughout the almost 34,000-nautical-mile journey. But no need to worry about going stir crazy — Quest has plenty of onboard amenities to help keep boredom at bay. The teenage-aged Quest isn't ancient, as far as industry standards go. Carnival Cruise Line's oldest vessel is 26 years old. But Quest is relatively dated compared to the rest of Seabourn's fleet, which averages eight years such, expect some small design details reflecting its 2011 birth year, such as lower ceilings and some less-than-modern furniture. The Colonnade operates as a breakfast and lunch buffet until nightfall, when it becomes a table-service restaurant with rotating international indoor-outdoor restaurant is more casual than Solis, the ship's upscale Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. The modern dining room marries the upscale playfulness of a Virgin Voyages dining room with the seriousness of a fine-dining menu, complete with branzino and 32-ounce Tuscan-style porterhouse steak (both prepared tableside).Don't expect to waltz in at your leisure — guests get one Solis reservation per least it is complimentary, unlike ultra-luxury competitor Silversea, which has upcharged restaurants on its newest ship. For the intellectual traveler, the cruise line invites guest speakers — such as Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak and King Charles III's former butler, Grant Harrold — to give lectures at the travelers who prefer to lounge under the sun, Quest also has a traditional pool deck and an onboard marina that opens directly onto the latter has become a popular amenity on competing ultra-luxury cruise ships, such as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections' Evrima. Walk toward the bow and past the guest cabins on deck six to find the ship's fifth hot stroll five decks up to find the quiet, staggered rows of lounge a great place to read a book or nap under the sun. There, you can pick from a selection of books, puzzles, or caffeinated pick-me-ups from the coffee the puzzles don't appeal to you, the card room's fully stocked board game cabinet is a short walk Carnival, Seabourn doesn't cater to families with young children. As such, don't expect more kid-friendly activities than the board games and upper-deck shuffleboard. Or, spend your afternoon lounging around your private balcony. There's a good chance you'll have one, after all. Quest has 229 cabins, ranging from 295 to 1,182 square feet. Most have balconies, which can add hundreds of additional square feet to the floating hotel rooms feature little touches of luxury, from the personalized in-suite bar to the walk-in certainly more luxurious than its parent company's eponymous cruise line, where paying for the cheapest accommodation means vacationing in a compact windowless cabin.
Business Insider
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
How a luxury cruise line decides where to go on a 145-day, 34,000-mile journey around the world
If you think planning a weeklong family vacation is hard, try organizing a five-month, around-the-world trip for 458 people. For the everyday traveler, it may seem logistically impossible. For Crystal Morgan, Seabourn's senior director of deployment and itinerary planning, it's just another day at work. Morgan and her team are the driving force behind the luxury cruise line's annual around-the-world voyages. And as you might expect, ideating them is no easy feat. Seabourn's recently announced 2027 world cruise is one of its most ambitious yet, spanning 145 days and almost 34,000 nautical miles. It plans to stop at 67 ports in 19 countries, with bucketlist destinations like Honolulu, Machu Picchu, and Bora Bora. These voyages offer a convenient and comfortable way for travelers to see the world. But behind the scenes, designing them can be anything but smooth sailing. "I think of itinerary planning as baking a cake," Morgan told Business Insider. "It's one part science, one part finesse. There have to be the right ingredients to go in, but how you decorate the cake is the kind of finesse when it comes to itinerary planning." The framework World cruises ideally commence in early January, when the industry is in a post-holiday lull and retired snowbirds become heat-seeking missiles. They're generally more than 100 days long — but they can't be too lengthy, or risk cutting into the peak summer season. As for the ship, Seabourn plans to deploy its smallest ocean vessel, Seabourn Quest. Its 458-guest capacity is "just the right amount for a world cruise," Morgan said. The floating resort is scheduled for several Caribbean cruises from Miami during the preceding holiday season. The world voyage will therefore sail round-trip from the popular Florida port, with fares currently ranging from $81,000 to $380,070 per person. After setting the timing and ship framework, designing the rest of the itinerary becomes, to a certain extent, a plug-and-play game — with more limitations than you might expect. The destinations Deciding which destinations to visit isn't as simple as throwing darts at a map or checking #TravelTok for trending cities. Instead, Morgan's team considers factors such as weather patterns, Seabourn's global deployments, competing itineraries, and consumer surveys. Ideally, the extended itinerary has a sensible geographic flow that balances sea days and ports that don't feel too repetitive or are only accessible to smaller ships like Seabourn's. As such, the global voyage is scheduled to sail south and westward to South America, Australia, and New Zealand before returning through Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Mexico. Throughout its transoceanic crossings, Quest is also scheduled to visit several South Pacific islands. None of Seabourn's ships are set to be stationed in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027 — two "extremely popular" destinations, according to Morgan. To fill this demand, the global voyage plans to spend 35 days circumnavigating Australia. Other ports, especially those in larger cities, are as desirable as necessary. Take Papeete, French Polynesia, for example. It's a hot destination, but more than that, it's also where the ship can restock its fuel and food supply, according to Morgan. If an attractive town doesn't make geographic sense or cuts into the time needed to reach a restocking port, it'll be nixed. As such, to ensure safety and feasibility, internal teams that oversee marine operations and supply chains also have a say in the long-haul itinerary. "Everything's like a big puzzle," Morgan said. "The hardest part is crossing all the T's when it comes to the full operation and getting everyone to agree that operationally, what we're pushing through is the best experience." External factors, such as predicted weather conditions and port availability, also impact the route. Small variables, like current trends, can even dictate the ship's speed and when it arrives and departs a particular port. So too do geopolitical tensions — Seaboun's reason for skipping the Suez Canal. "It's measuring that risk versus reward," Morgan said. "We've seen our competitors publish itineraries that do transit the Suez Canal, but as a company, right now, we're choosing not to." With all these layers, it should be no surprise that creating and approving the itinerary took 1½ years, with several months spent on itinerary ideation and review alone, according to Morgan. Yet, believe it or not, she does think planning a family vacation is more difficult.
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board a Seabourn cruise ship
Seabourn was the first to shake things up in cruising by offering a contemporary and stylish approach, unfettered by tradition. Understated elegance is its stock in trade, but it also encourages guests to have fun. The line, known for its Adam Tihany interiors and Caviar in the Surf beach barbecues (coat-tailed waiters serve caviar in the Caribbean Sea), is strong on innovation. Its expedition ships were among the first to sail with submarines. The line drew plaudits when it launched penthouse spa suites with access to a spa concierge throughout the voyage, and a decade on it partners with integrative medicine founder, Dr Andrew Weil. Seabourn launched The Collection in 2025; a range of cruises featuring one-off shoreside experiences ranging from private dinners at world-renowned wineries to seats at the Monte Carlo Masters tennis quarter-finals. Taking passengers around the world in all-suite accommodation on four ocean and two expedition ships, the line welcomes guests with in-suite Champagne and a complimentary in-suite bar. It offers gourmet dining, premium spirits, fine wines and caviar throughout the voyage. Tipping isn't required. Each suite also includes a personal host and the crew to passenger ratio is almost 1:1. 1. Where does Seabourn cruise? Worldwide and to all seven continents, including Europe and Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, and North and South America. Expedition cruises visit the Amazon, the Arctic, Antarctica, South America, the Northwest Passage, Australia's Kimberley region and the South Pacific. Seabourn Sojourn departs Dover for the British Isles, Norway and Iceland in May and June and will spend some of her summer season exploring the lochs of Scotland. Transatlantic voyages sail between Europe and the Caribbean in November and spring and World Cruises depart in January. A Ring of Fire World Cruise in 2026 will visit 63 destinations in 14 countries. 2. Who does Seabourn appeal to? Seabourn's relaxed approach to life on board attracts a well-heeled and slightly younger demographic. Those who enjoy chic, laid back luxury resorts should find a home at sea. The line offers some great itineraries for families in destinations including Alaska and it tailors excursions to culture and adventure seekers, foodies, and passengers who want to splash out on private jet travel, guides, cars and drivers. Children aged six months and over can travel, although there are no children's clubs on board. The minimum age on voyages to Antarctica or on expedition cruises is six years. 3. Seabourn's fleet Ocean Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest (458 passengers) Sojourn and Quest launched in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Décor and rooms feel slightly dated compared to the newer, Adam Tihany designed ships, but facilities and service won't disappoint. Ninety per cent of the rooms have balconies (ocean view rooms have a sea view but no balcony). Seabourn Encore (600 passengers) The line's first 600-passenger ship launched in 2016 and was followed by sister ship Seabourn Ovation in 2018. This new class of ship introduced balcony suites for all guests. Several top-tier room categories include a Penthouse Spa suite. Entry-level Veranda suites feature a walk-in wardrobe, a lounge area, a fully-stocked mini-bar and a bathroom with separate tub and shower (eight are shower only). Across the 12 decks guests will find a stylish outdoor pool with whirlpools, a bow whirlpool, a gym and luxurious spa. For more exclusivity, The Retreat has 15 'living room' cabanas with a flat screen television and a personalised bar fridge. A dedicated spa cabana is available for massages. Lively Seabourn Square is a popular coffee area and passengers can dine at the poolside Patio, the indoor/outdoor Colonnade for buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinner, Solis for light Mediterranean food, the fine-dining Restaurant and the Observation Bar for snacks and/or cocktails with a view. The Club opens for afternoon tea then becomes a live-music venue in the evening. The Discovery Centre hosts cultural lectures. Seabourn Ovation (600 passengers) Sister-ship to Encore, Ovation launched in 2018 and features 300 ocean-front balcony suites and the same amenities, facilities and relaxation and restaurant options as Encore (above). Expedition fleet Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit (264 passengers) Built to Polar Class standards Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit launched in 2022 and 2024 respectively. Each ship has 132 balcony suites, a spa, an outdoor infinity pool, eight places to eat and drink and a Discovery Centre for talks and lectures. Both carry two custom-built submarines, double sea kayaks, mountain bikes, e-bikes and a fleet of 24 zodiacs. A 24-person expedition team sails on each cruise. A submarine expedition costs $1,000pp (£753pp). 4. Loyalty Scheme The Seabourn Club rewards guests in two ways – the Milestone Awards Programme features a complimentary seven-day cruise for club members with 140 redeemable sailed days, or a 14-day cruise when 250 Redeemable Sailed Day* is reached. Guests can also earn Seabourn Club Points which afford additional benefits on board and at home. 5. Access for guests with disabilities The fleet has several wheelchair accessible staterooms and passengers are asked for detailed information in advance. Those requiring a wheelchair or mobility assistance device during the cruise must provide their own (the line provides wheelchairs for embarkation and disembarkation only).
