Cruise & Cruise Line

First Look: Seabourn Encore’s Handsome Observation Bar

Jason Leppert
by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Tue March 29, 2016

Rendering courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Shortly after Seabourn Cruise Line revealed The Retreat and new dining venues, the company has released a rendering of the upcoming Seabourn Encore's Observation Bar.

"The Observation Bar is a stunning space that our guests will be able to enjoy throughout the day," said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. "It will be an ideal place to relax and share conversation with fellow guests while enjoying remarkable views."

READ MORE: New Seabourn Encore Suite Design Revealed

As observation lounges continue to dwindle on many new ships, favoring more staterooms or expanded spa facilities, it's nice to see Seabourn's latest emphasize the welcome feature that draws the focus to the destinations traveled to. The forward-facing venue will be positioned as the highest interior space on the ship at Deck 11 surrounded by 270 degrees of floor-to-ceiling glass and anchored by a central skylight above a bar and serving area.

Throughout the day, light dining will be available, starting in the morning with an Early Morning Riser continental service, afternoons of white glove tea service and evenings filed with canapés. No doubt the drinks of newly employed master mixologist Brian Van Flandern will be featured, enjoyed while seated in the lounge's leather chairs or high-back barstools, as well. The space itself is all part of the interior aesthetic spearheaded by hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany.

READ MORE: A Luxury Cruise Renaissance Begins

Amid a larger luxury cruise market renaissance, the 40,350-ton, 600-guest Seabourn Encore will initially launch in December 2016, followed by a second sister-ship, the Seabourn Ovation, in 2018.


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Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert - Senior Writer, Cruises and Cruise Travel - is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 100 sailings under his belt and a fresh, youthful perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. He is the founding editor of PopularCruising.com and producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel. He also contributes to the Travel Channel; Cruise Travel, Porthole and Lonely Planet magazines; Onboard.com; ShermansCruise.com; MiceChat.com and the Cruise Radio podcast.

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