Seabourn Odyssey

Overview:

Odyssey was the first of a new class of ship for Seabourn when she launched in 2009, upping the ante in cruise travel, and was also the line’s first new build. She has two siblings, Quest and Sojourn, all of which are virtually identical from stem to stern. Spacious and contemporary, they offer all-suite ocean view accommodations, top class cuisine overseen by the celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, and a host of enhanced features for Seabourn including a two-deck spa with a private villa which is perfect for that romantic getaway at sea.

Fast Facts:

Launched: 2009.

Tonnage: 32,000.

Cruising Speed: 19 knots.

Number Of Passengers: 450 at double occupancy.

Crew: 333.

Staterooms: 225, all suite with private balconies.

Where She Cruises: Australia and New Zealand, the Mediterranean, Asia.

Suits: Couples. 

Things You Might Not Know:

Odyssey was almost double the size of her older siblings when she launched, and instead of having a single godmother, she was christened by all guests on her inaugural cruise. Seabourn has recently offloaded its older ships, Pride, Spirit and Legend, to focus on developing the Odyssey class ships and building a fourth new ship, Seabourn Encore.

Staterooms:

There are 225 all-suite accommodations, 197 with ocean views and private verandas. They all feature comfortable living areas with a queen or twin beds, and standard amenities including an in-suite bar and fridge stocked to your preferences, a spacious walk-in closet, flat screen TV, Wi-Fi, a handheld hairdryer, daily fresh fruit and an umbrella for inclement weather.

Veranda staterooms are extremely spacious and good value for money at the top end of the scale. Their decor is simple yet elegant with a classy fusion of chocolate, cream and gold. Bathrooms feature lots of marble and granite, full sized bathtubs and luxury amenities. The interactive TV system is among the best at sea, programmed with new and old movies and music videos, and you can also perform functions such as checking your account and ordering onboard services such as wine.

There are also a range of larger suites dotted around the ship, including five Owners suites, four two-bedroom Grand suites, and 22 Penthouse suites.  

Facilities And Entertainment:

Odyssey has more of a boutique hotel at sea feel, rather than a traditional cruise ship. At the centre of its public areas is Seabourn Square, a concierge-style lounge featuring a library, boutiques, an outdoor terrace, a cafe, banks of computers for internet access, as well as the ships customer relations and shore excursion desks. 

Although there are six lounges and bars, a cozy theatre, and a casino, entertainment is relatively low key. However, the nightly show will feature either be a solo artist, or have a cabaret style. Musicians of various types perform in the key bars before and after dinner to keep the groove going.

For daytime activities, there’s a good sized gym packed with modern fitness equipment including weights and cardio, and a studio for exercise classes. Unique for her size, Odyssey also has two outdoor pools including one on the aft deck; a retreat when the ship is busy or the weather is windy. 

Dining:

Service aside, this is one area were Odyssey true excels. Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer is the brains behind the top quality cuisine at Seabourn - and it shows. The primary dining room, The Restaurant, is an elegant open-seating venue which has the capacity to accommodate all guests at any one time, while The Colonnade is a venue exclusive to the Odyssey class ships, combining indoor and al fresco dining, and an open kitchen. Lunch has a buffet option, while dinner is an a la carte affair, with a different menu drawn from the great cuisines of the world each night. 

Restaurant 2 is a contemporary dégustation dining experience where food and wine are carefully paired, and dinner is a long leisurely sitting. Like all of Seabourn’s dining venues, it doesn't have any surcharge, but you do need to make reservations here. Finally, the Patio Grill, a casual daytime option for a light meal, is also the place for casual dining if you don’t fancy dressing up. It also has a small bar.

The Spa:

The elegant Spa at Seabourn is one of the largest on an ultra-luxury ship of her size, and spans two decks aft. Highlights include a lavish spa villa, which can be hired for anything from a few hours to half a day or more and comes equipped with treatment tables, a lounge area, a bathtub, sun deck and day bed. 

The Low Down:

Seabourn raised a few eyebrows with the Odyssey class ships, venturing away from its much smaller yachts. Odyssey was the beginning of a new era for the line, and in cruise travel, however, the elegant ship attracts a new clientele who prefer a relaxed-yet-elegant "Four Seasons" experience at sea. You don’t have to worry, though; the luxury accommodations, top class cuisine and five-star service are all still there, together with the caviar parties at sea making this the ultimate romantic getaway on the high seas.