Passengers: 450
World's Best 2016 Awards Rank: #2 Midsize Ocean Ship
Best for: High-end cruisers who love sophisticated cuisine and the intimacy of a small ship
Sails: Africa, Antarctica, the British Isles, the Caribbean, Central America, the Mediterranean, New England & Canada, Northern Europe, South America
At a Glance: A Travel + Leisure World’s Best 2016 winner, placing second in the Midsize Ocean Ship category. Like its fellow Odyssey-class ships Odyssey and Sojourn, this haute mid-size vessel spoils passengers with warm service, inventive food, and lots of little luxuries.
Related: Explore 100+ ships with the T+L Cruise Finder
Almost 90 Percent of the Cabins Have Balconies
The high number of cabins with verandas onboard means that most people don’t have to leave their room to spend time outside. This goes doubly for passengers in the 1,097-square-foot Wintergarden suites, each of which have a large balcony and a glassed-in solarium with a tub and a day bed. Even guests without a veranda still have plenty of room to move: ocean-view staterooms are a spacious 295 square feet.
Related: Five Things to Know About Seabourn's Sojourn Cruise Ship
Five Things to Know About Seabourn's Odyssey Cruise Ship
Five Things to Know About Seabourn's Encore Cruise Ship
It’s All-Inclusive
This is a luxury ship, so you won’t have to worry about being nickeled and dimed once you’re onboard. Most beverages (including many wines and spirits) and all meals are included in your fare, as are gratuities.
The Food Is Fresh
In 2016, Quest became the first Seabourn ship with The Grill by Thomas Keller. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, the chic space is all curves and leather banquettes, while the menu is a riff on the American chophouse, with tableside preparations of Caesar salad and traditional favorites like lobster thermidor and creamed spinach. The main dining room is called The Restaurant. There, guests choose among cruise classics like beef carpaccio and filet mignon, and creative options like chipotle-glazed escargots and sautéed scallops in coconut curry. Or go casual at The Colonnade, which has regionally themed menus. On a South American night, for example, you might choose from ceviche, a foie gras and dried fig empanada, and a pan-seared grouper with warm lobster salad.
It’s Ice-Strengthened
This ice-class ship has a hull strong enough to navigate the route to the Arctic and Antarctica. That means passengers who want to travel to the polar regions can take an expedition-style voyage and still enjoy luxurious perks like stellar cuisine, an open bar, and Seabourn’s signature service.
Guests Sip Bubbly In the Sea
During one of Seabourn’s signature Caviar in the Surf beach days, expect to see the crew pushing surfboards piled with caviar and champagne into the water to pass out to guests. Also on the agenda: lunch on the beach, a massage area, and plenty of kayaks, banana boats, and other watersports.
