Seabourn Ovation

The 2018-built Seabourn Ovation cruise ship is among the newest vessels in the Seabourn fleet and belongs to the same class as the sistership Seabourn Encore (2016).

The vessel (IMO number 9764958) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000585) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Seabourn Cruises is a top-luxury (all-inclusive) cruise company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Seattle WA. The line operates global itineraries ranging from 7-day Caribbean cruises to 100+ day around-the-world voyages. Since 1998, Seabourn has been fully owned by Carnival Corporation — the world's largest passenger shipping company. Seabourn is positioned as a signature luxury brand and competes directly with Silversea and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas in the ultra-premium cruise segment.

The 600-passenger ship Seabourn Ovation is a luxury vessel offering an extensive range of facilities. Compared to earlier ships such as Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn, Ovation is about 26% larger and accommodates 34% more guests, while maintaining a high space-per-guest ratio typical for Seabourn’s luxury ships. The vessel also features an additional deck and expanded public areas.

Decks and Cabins

Seabourn Ovation staterooms (302 total) are all suites across 13 categories. Like all Seabourn vessels, Ovation is an all-suite ship, and every suite includes a private veranda. The accommodations are designed to resemble luxury residential spaces, featuring separate lounge areas.

The Owner’s Suites measure up to 1065 ft² (including veranda space), while four Grand Suites (two-bedroom accommodations) offer up to 1680 ft² of living space. Penthouse Suites (21 units located on the upper decks) provide up to 540 ft² of space.

The ship has 12 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 7 contain cabins.

Under the company’s loyalty program “Seabourn Club,” passengers at Silver level and above receive benefits including complimentary Internet packages, free international phone minutes, complimentary spa treatments, access to the Spa Serene Area, complimentary laundry service (one bag per 7 cruise days), discounts on premium wines and spirits, reduced fares on future bookings, luggage shipping discounts, and access to exclusive onboard events.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Seabourn Ovation operates with an all-inclusive concept and offers multiple dining venues and open-bar lounges. Guests can dine when, where, and with whom they wish. The ship’s interiors were designed by Adam D. Tihany, including the Main Dining Room and the Seabourn Square lounge.

The complete list of dining venues on Seabourn Ovation includes:

• The Restaurant (main dining room offering open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner; dress code “elegant casual” with optional formal evenings)
• Sushi Restaurant (replacing the former “Restaurant 2” concept on Odyssey-class ships)
• Patio Grill (poolside venue serving grilled specialties, salads, and pizza)
• The Colonnade (buffet and open-kitchen restaurant with themed dinner menus)
• The Grill by Thomas Keller (a luxury chophouse concept created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller and designer Adam Tihany)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The onboard atmosphere of Seabourn Ovation is relaxed and activity-rich. Many sailings feature signature events such as the “Caviar in the Surf” beach barbecue or Marina Days where guests can enjoy watersports directly from the ship. Seabourn’s service standards are widely recognized as among the best in the luxury cruise sector, with highly personalized guest service. Gratuities are included in the cruise fare.

Additional amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, Internet/WiFi access, laundry services, and onboard enrichment activities. Wedding ceremonies can be held in several public venues on board, although the ship does not feature a dedicated chapel.

The ship’s entertainment venues include:

• Living Room (relaxed lounge space)
• The Casino (roulette table, blackjack and poker tables, slot machines)
• The Club lounge (nightclub and dance venue)
• The Club Pool area (plunge pool and whirlpools)
• Grand Salon (main theater for shows and lectures)
• Card Room (board games and card games)
• Three duty-free boutiques
• The Coffee Bar (patisserie and specialty coffee venue in Seabourn Square)
• Patio Pool (main pool deck with cabanas and whirlpools)
• Sky Bar (poolside drinks bar)
• “Spa at Seabourn” wellness complex (11,400 ft² spa spanning two decks)
• Fitness Center and Motion Studio (gym and aerobics/yoga studio)
• Observation Bar (panoramic lounge with piano)
• Promenade and outdoor relaxation areas (The Retreat, Sun Terrace, Spa Terrace)
• The Retreat (open-air relaxation area featuring a 9-hole putting green and deck games)

Itineraries

Seabourn Ovation operates worldwide luxury itineraries. The ship’s inaugural cruises opened for booking in January 2017. The European inaugural season (May–November 2018) included itineraries in Northern Europe (Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, Russia), the British Isles, and the Mediterranean.

• The 11-day Maiden Voyage departed on May 5, 2018, from Venice to Barcelona, visiting ports in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Malta, Italy, France, and Spain.
• Baltic itineraries included 7-day cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm with a signature 2-night stay in St. Petersburg.
• Additional itineraries featured 14-day voyages exploring the Norwegian Fjords and the British Isles.

In 2019, the ship operated Asian roundtrip cruises from Singapore and Hong Kong, visiting ports across Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Following the global COVID-19 crisis, Seabourn announced the restart of operations in April 2021, with Seabourn Ovation resuming service on July 3.

• The initial program included 7-day Eastern Mediterranean roundtrips from Piraeus-Athens visiting Greek island destinations such as Agios Nikolaos (Crete), Rhodes, Mykonos, Nafplio, Patmos, Santorini, and Spetses.
• Two itineraries were offered, including calls at Limassol and Paphos (Cyprus).
• Back-to-back 14-day combination voyages were also available.

Later in 2021, Seabourn opened bookings for Caribbean and Central America cruises from Miami (November 18, 2021 – March 27, 2022).

• 11-day Caribbean cruises included visits to San Juan, Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe), Jost Van Dyke (BVI), St John’s (Antigua), and Charlestown (Nevis).
• Central America itineraries included partial Panama Canal transits and visits to ports in Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama.
• The season also featured two full Panama Canal crossings: a 21-day voyage from Miami to Los Angeles and a 19-day return voyage.

The vessel (Fincantieri Sestri Ponente yard/hull number 6258) has a volume of 41,865 GT-tons, DWT (deadweight tonnage) of 4,784 tons, and a maximum draught of 6.8 m. The powerplant is based on Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 12V32) with a combined output of 23 MW. The registered shipowner and manager is SEABOURN CRUISE LINE LTD, while the ISM Manager is HOLLAND AMERICA LINE NV.

Seabourn Ovation's sistership by design is Seabourn Encore (2016).

Compared to the company's three Odyssey-class vessels, Ovation is approximately 34% larger (about one-fifth greater in size), with passenger capacity increased by roughly one-third (26% at double occupancy). The ship also features an additional deck, redesigned venues, expanded public spaces, one of the largest spas at sea, and new onboard programs.

The vessel's construction started on June 7, 2016, when the steel-cutting ceremony was held at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard (Genoa). The event was attended by Richard Meadows (Seabourn's President) and Raffaele Davassi (the shipyard's Director).

The ship's assembly began on December 2, 2016, when the traditional keel-laying ceremony took place in Genoa. The event was attended by the vessel's assigned Captain Stig Betten (Norwegian) and the shipbuilder's General Manager Alberto Maestrini.

In January 2017, the ship's inaugural cruise itineraries were opened for booking. The 11-day inaugural cruise (Venice to Barcelona) departed on May 5, 2018. The itinerary included ports in Croatia, Montenegro, Malta, Greece, Italy, France, and Spain.

The vessel was launched on September 1, 2017. Between 1990 and 2017, Fincantieri built a total of 78 cruise vessels, including 55 constructed between 2002 and 2017. Of these ships, 63 were ordered by Carnival Corporation. In 2017, Fincantieri had a total of 31 cruise vessels either under construction or in the design phase, including 8 for Carnival Corporation.

On March 18, 2018, the vessel completed her 4-day sea trials, during which officers and engineers tested all technical and mechanical systems. The ship was officially delivered on April 27, 2018. The ceremony was attended by Richard Meadows (Seabourn's President) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

The ship's christening ceremony took place on May 11, 2018, in Port Valletta (Malta). The vessel's godmother is Elaine Paige (English singer and musical theatre actress). In 1995, she was awarded the OBE ("Order of the British Empire") by HM Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremony featured a live performance by Elaine Paige accompanied by a full orchestra on the Pool Deck. Passengers and VIP guests also witnessed the debut of Seabourn Cruises' anthem "We Sail to See the Lives of Others," performed live for the first time. The naming ceremony concluded with a fireworks display in the harbor.

Inaugural itineraries 2018

The following tables show the ship's inaugural cruise itineraries in 2018. Prices shown are indicative, in USD, per person, based on double occupancy (Veranda Suite cabin).

11 nights / 12 days, Inaugural Mediterranean Cruise from Venice to Barcelona (from $8,000 per person)

14 nights / 15 days, Inaugural Baltic Cruise from Amsterdam to Copenhagen (from $10,000 pp)

14 nights / 15 days, Inaugural Norwegian Fjords Cruise roundtrip from Copenhagen (from $15,000 pp)

21 nights / 22 days Inaugural British Isles Cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen (from $15,000 pp)

(repositioning from Europe to Asia) 52 nights / 53 days from Piraeus-Athens to Hong Kong (from $23,000)

Godspeed!