Seabourn Encore Cruise Reviews - Reviews

We loved everything about this cruise and Seabourn Encore is now at the top of our favorite cruise ship list. The crew onboard was fantastic we met a lot of great travelers onboard some of which have become great friends. We only wished that we had more time in a couple of ports, but other than that, everything was exceptional. The coronavirus was just starting to spread to the US and Europe while we were on the cruise and we were hoping at the end of our cruise we would be quarantined on board as we weren't ready to get off the ship even after 16 days onboard. This was the longest cruise we have done and thought it might too long for us, but because there was so much to do in the ports and the onboard/at sea days were so fun (thanks to the new friends we made), we could have easily stayed on for another 7-14 days. Sadly they made us get off the ship! The memories made on this vacation are ones that I will truly cherish. The new friends made, the stories shared and the overall experience of this trip is beyond words. We were so glad that we opted to cruise on a smaller ship like Encore as the personalized service and more intimate experience was exactly what we had hoped for with this vacation. This was truly a trip of a lifetime for us and I highly recommend to anyone that will stand still long enough to hear about it. My husband and I both agreed that we could easily live in New Zealand or Australia and it would be hard to decide between the two given the opportunity.

Seabourn continues to be a fabulous cruise line. They go above and beyond expectations in every way. We didn’t even feel that we paid much more than on a regular cruise by the time you add tips, drinks and service. We used the Flight Ease program which worked out very well for us. We were also able to stay an extra week in Bali without having to make separate airline reservations. I highly recommend Seabourn to anyone who is considering a luxury cruise. You will never go back to a regular cruise line.

Overall a good experience. We had a good time. We had some concerns about the size of the ship and we still think smaller is better. Our prior experiences with the Sojourn, Pride and Quest were better.

Very fun but not enough time in some ports. Entertainment was excellent!! Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Already booked next Seabourn cruise with still another in the planning stage

This was our first cruise with Seabourn and it exceeded our expectations. We are spoiled and cannot take any cruise line with less service/luxury in the future, which is the very same sentiment we heard from several other passengers. (first Seabourn/can't do anything else). We booked 11 months out with a 'guarantee' at a great rate (and had sailed on Cunard before) and got a major upgrade. Just do it. It is worth the slightly additional premium.

Excursion choices at ports of call were pretty boring because ports of call except for amalfi and corfu were disappointing.

This was a very nice cruise all in all.  The ports were fabulous.  A mix of quiet relaxing places and more energetic places.  Just could not have been a better mix.  The ship is new, and I believe larger than Seabourn has fielded in the past.  It showed on occasion.  At times it felt crowded, especially at dinner time.  The ship does not have enough tables in its restaurants to seat the number of people aboard if the ship is full.  I suppose that makes sense as some have room service, some skip a meal, etc.  But nevertheless, it was annoying to have to wait an hour or so for dinner, and on one occasion not be seated at all.  The dining venues close at 845 pm or so, which was before dark, and that seemed early.  After spending a day ashore, who wants to rush around to try to have dinner at 630 or 700?  We finally just gave up on the dining schedule and ordered room service each evening at 9 or 930 and dined on our balcony or in our room.  That was fine and the food was good.

The staff was, in general, very good.  There were a few who could use some training in customer service.  But I suspect that is true for any cruise line. 

All in all it was a very nice cruise, and I am glad we had the experience.  But Seabourn needs to polish up its service and ship schedule if it wishes to continue to be considered a luxe operation.

Had a great time on the Seabourn Encore.  The ship was only a few months old and very well laid out.  The food was terrific although we found ourselves in a food coma by the end.  All meals were very heavy making it difficult to snack.  The entertainment was exceptional for a ship of this size.  Part of the expectations of the entertainers was to get to know the passengers so you saw them everywhere, taking passengers to dinner, etc.  Given the cost of the cruise and time of the year, the passengers were heavily weighted toward US retirees so activities shut down pretty early.  We were very fortunate to have great weather, which was especially rare in the Fjords.  The Seabourn excursions need some work...

We weren't sure what to expect with this new ship but for the most part it was great.  Of course there were a few glitches but nothing to ruin a good trip.  As always it is the staff that make all the difference.  We were spoiled as usual & felt we made new friends with the crew that we hope to see on our next voyage.  

Of all the places we visited we enjoyed Muscat the best.  That was a huge surprise.  

Best cruise ever, best ship, best food and restaurants

Perfect! I love Seabourn. Everybody does! Personal touches and smiling faces. Hugs all around. The crew seem to be enjoying themselves as much as the passengers. A wonderful caring atmosphere all the way😃

A 19 day cruise with 10 sea days - seemed to me at first that it would be a bit too much of doing nothing. But actually doing nothing is optional as Seabourn ensure there is plenty to occupy those who are less inclined to lie by the pool. As it turned out i thoroughly enjoyed each and every sea day. The Ports we visited were interesting. The on board activities were interesting as were the many fellow passengers we met on board.

We chose Seabourn again, because we had tried other lines - Silversea and Regent. On those other lines the excursions were great, we were not impressed with the food or service. Seabourn had recently hired a new chef for the pool deck evening dining venue - called Earth and Sea. Phenomenal food. Better than any restaurant we have in Seattle or anywhere else. After trying the other dining choices, all of which were good, we ended up eating at Earth and Sea every night. By the end of the cruise word had spread, and it was hard to get a table there. We weren’t impressed with the Thomas Keller dining room…oddly pretentious and mediocre food. They do offer exceptional wine by the glass and wine pairings at Keller, which is a nice addition. We had a much better steak at Earth and Sea. The cruise director was very entertaining and engaging. The staff was warm and attentive. The ship is beautiful - with staterooms larger than the ones on their former smaller ships. Most, but not all, of the land excursions were very good. Seabourn didn't offer an opportunity to rate the land excursions that the other cruise lines do. I think that's a missed opportunity to get valuable feedback, particularly where passenger safety is concerned. In addition to a pool and hot tubs, there are many activities offered throughout the day. The spa management seemed a bit disorganized, but the services were good. We have already decided to a Seabourn cruise for 2020 and 2021. Highly recommend.

Wonderful ship shame about the food well below expectations considering the cost of the cruise.

I have been on cruises with unhappy people who are complaining all the time. That was never the case. Seabourn cruisers are all happy and planning their next Seabourn cruise. We appreciate efficient srvice and the quality that Seabourn delivers.

This Cruise in the Seabourn Encore has been one the best in my Cruising experience with my wife and two other couples. As a group we were very satisfied with the service, food, activities. For us what make it possible is the personal Of Seabourn.

Everything was a class act. All the crew were wonderful and always ready to help. The food was plentiful and of great quality and presentation. All the restaurants were superb. The entertainment was a high quality from dancers, singers, comedians, lecturers, cruise director and assistant director. Seabourn is top of the line.

If you have never sailed on Seabourn' or their new larger ( 550 passenger) Encore class ships , you would give it the highest marks. Service is very good and it is a first class experience. That said, having sailed with Seabourn on 4 other occasions on the slightly smaller ( 400 passenger) Odyssey class ships I can see that teh smaller ships was a bit nicer. The Encore easily handles the extra passengers. I was in PH cabin 1120 . It seems that these cabins on the new ship are about 6 narrower but maybe a 3 ft longer in size...plenty of room. My stewardess service was excellent but long time Seabourn passengers will notice that passenger name recognition is sadly missing among the crew and food and beverage service has definatey slipped. That said, if you are new to Seabourn ( lets say from other cruise lines with big ships) you wil have an excellent experience.

My wife and I decided to sail on Seabourn’;s new ship, at the time, the Encore on June 24th, 2017 starting in Venice and ending in Piraeus, Greece on July 1st. We were very excited as we had previously cruised with Seabourn which had been excellent. We arrived, all the way from Vancouver, Canada and boarded the Encore. The cabin was as described and we settled in. Early the following morning we were awakened by a rumbling sound which steadily got worse becoming unbearable, we were docking at our first destination. Then in the afternoon as we were resting in our cabin, and due to leave port, the rumbling started again rising to an unbearable level. I have a hearing disability which accentuates the noise, resulting in my having to leave the cabin as soon as the rumbling starts albeit at some unearthly hour in the morning. We reported the situation to the guest relations on board who informed us that it was anchor noised and that our cabin was directly over the anchor. They could not move us to another cabin because the cruise was fully booked. On our return to Vancouver we have been in protracted correspondence with Seabourn whose response has been to credit us less than one fifth of the cruise cost, which is totally unacceptable for the experience that they put us through. Now, Seabourn has put a notice out to travel agents that the cabin is subject to anchor noise. Had we been informed ahead of time, we would never have booked the cruise. Seabourn needs to understand that when customers make a booking with them, we place a lot of trust in their reputation. Obviously they don’t feel the same way. So disappointing Seabourn….