Encore Extraordinaire

One of the most eagerly anticipated ship debuts of 2016 was arguably Seabourn’s ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore.

The all-suite, 40,350-ton ship, which carries 600 guests, is approximately 25 percent larger than its four 32,000-ton Odyssey-class fleet mates, which accommodate 458 guests each.

The line has definitely made excellent use of the additional space, adding an extra deck, expanding the immensely popular Grill by Thomas Keller and debuting an outstanding sushi restaurant. Another first for the line is The Retreat on Deck 12, which, for a fee, provides guests with the use of 15 posh, private cabanas and a whirlpool at its center.

Maybe most importantly, though, Seabourn’s hallmark service is ubiquitous throughout this stunning ship.

“If there was one bedrock from the beginning, it was the foundation of service,” said Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s president. “You can have the most amazing hardware in the world, but if you don’t have an even higher level of service it won’t matter.”

Fanciest and Most Common Accommodations

The ship is equipped with 12 categories of suites, all of which feature walk-in closets with safes, flat-screen TVs, makeup vanities, mini-bars stocked with guests’ preferences, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi access, along with Molton Brown, Hermes and L’Occitane bath products.

The crème de la crème of accommodations are two 989-square-foot Wintergarden Suites, which can welcome up to six guests. In addition to 138-square-foot verandas, the suites are equipped with dining area for six, whirlpool bathtubs, guest baths, glass-enclosed solariums with tubs and day beds, along with a pantry with wet bar.

Most common are the Veranda Suites, which range in size from 246 square feet to 302 square feet with balconies measuring from 68 square feet to 83 square feet. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows; living area with couches, chairs and dining tables for two; queen-size beds or two twin beds, and bathrooms with separate tubs and showers.

What’s Included

Gratuities; open bar throughout the ship; dining in all restaurants; and 24/7 room service, which includes such luxuries as champagne and caviar.

Excursions

Seabourn has partnered with UNESCO to offer excursions that bring awareness to the organization’s mission to protect and promote natural and cultural sites.

The weeklong Rome-Barcelona itinerary included the “Discover Cinque Terre: A UNESCO Partner Tours” ($199 per person), which explored the breathtakingly gorgeous World Heritage site of Cinque Terre, an area comprising the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

What’s for Dinner?

The Restaurant offers open-seating dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The latter, which is a true fine-dining experience, includes such options as artichoke carpaccio and pâté de foie gras for a first course; watermelon and mache salad for second courses; basted venison sirloin or pan-seared salmon for main entrees; and hot bittersweet chocolate and blueberry cake for desserts.

The Grill by Thomas Keller—whose other restaurants include The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro and Per Se—has created a one-of-a-kind dining experience that pays homage to vintage steakhouses. Starters include classic Caesar salads prepared tableside, along with main courses such as lobster thermidor and prime New York strip steak. For dessert, there are ice cream sundaes and seven-layer coconut cake.

The indoor/outdoor Colonnade is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering buffet and à la carte options. Dinners are themed. One night, for instance, featured a Thomas Keller designed clambake.

Seabourn Encore’s most casual dining option for lunch and dinner is The Patio, which is set poolside. Main entrees may include surf and turf or roast chicken, along with a healthy sampling of appetizers and a pasta dish. At lunch, recommend that your clients sample the hamburgers and french fries, which are Thomas Keller creations (and so worth the calories).

Last but not least, Sushi serves up a generous selection of very high-quality sushi, sashimi, maki rolls, salads and small plates in the evening. (Bento boxes are for lunch.)

WATCH Seabourn: Immersive Destinations & Luxury Unbound  

Entertainment

Tell your clients not to miss “An Evening with Tim Rice,” which includes hits like “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from “Evita” and “Hakuna Matata” from the “Lion King.” They won’t be sorry!

With seven lounges to choose from, guests will find a host of venues for cocktails and dancing. During the day, the ship offers health and wellness seminars through its mindful living program with Dr. Andrew Weil.

Who Goes on This Ship? 

Approximately half of Seabourn Encore’s guest complement hails from the U.S. and Canada, while the rest are from the U.K., Europe and other parts of the world. Age demographics are equally broad, ranging from the 40s to 80s. Seabourn guests are typically well-traveled, intellectually curious and affluent.

Key Selling Points

Extremely high service levels, coupled with myriad activities, accommodations and public-area choices are what make the Seabourn Encore experience truly shine.

“Consumers today really want choice in the luxury category. They really want to do different things at different times,” said Meadows. “That was one of the guiding principles for [building] the slightly larger ships.”

Seabourn Encore is also an excellent vacation option for solo travelers, and Meadows noted that the line hosts plenty of them: “We know how to engage and entertain our solo travelers. We make sure that they’re completely comfortable.”