WE HAVE arrived in Athens to embark on a cruise onboard Seabourn Encore. For 7 glorious days, we’ll be whisked away on a voyage around the Aegean, discovering some of the smallest and most picturesque Greek Islands.
Upon boarding Seabourn Encore, the luxurious ambience of the polished mahogany, ornate crystal chandeliers and dazzling art instillations is more reminiscent of an oligarch’s megayacht than a cruise ship.
Aerial view
We head to our Veranda Suite. It’s surprisingly spacious with aqua-toned furnishings, walk-in closet and a dove-grey marble bathroom that wouldn’t look out of place in any five-star hotel, with its stand-alone shower, separate bathtub and shelves filled with lashings of Molton Brown amenities.
In our cosy lounge-area, a bottle of chilled champagne, accompanied by a tray of snacks, is displayed on our coffee table, and a fully stocked fridge brims with all our alcoholic favourites. Double doors lead out to our private balcony, the perfect romantic spot to view the sun dipping into the horizon each evening.
The swiftly-run 24-hour room service is available at any hour, so we can call for a midnight snack or even request a three-course lunch or dinner from the in-room menu and our suite will be transformed in minutes, complete with a full-on candles and white-table-cloth affair.
Atrium
We meet up with the Austrian hotel director onboard, Peppi Josef, who explains that the Seabourn Cruise Line, with its fleet of seven ships, prides itself on offering a unique range of itineraries for every destination it sails into around the globe. Holidays at sea offer superb value for the most discerning traveller, with an all-inclusive package that encompasses luxury accommodation, and alcoholic beverages that include a selection of fine wine.
What’s not to like about waking up each morning in a different destination, especially if you only need to unpack your suitcases just once? With the Seabourn team taking care of all our immigration paperwork at each port, there’s no waiting around when disembarking each day, allowing us more time to explore the shore.
It’s mid-October and the weather has been picture-perfect every day, allowing us to take a morning swim in the heated pool before departing on our daily land excursion. We return later to the comfort of our ship, spending a bit of quiet time relaxing in the sunshine. We can be social if we choose or select a tranquil space, or even cabana, to be as private as we wish.
Penthouse Spa Suite
Throughout our 7-day voyage, we manage to work our way through the ship’s numerous gourmet restaurants. Occasionally, we order room service for breakfast on our balcony, but usually we head up to the al fresco buffet and à la carte breakfast at the Colonnade. It’s the perfect spot for the grand views of the morning sail-ins to each destination, including sunsplashed vistas of Grecian white-washed buildings and intense blue-domed churches blending into the rugged verdant hillsides.
At night-time, the Colonnade becomes an atmospheric dining space, with its Mediterranean menu and a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. The main dining room is the more formal option, serving generous portions of classic choices, focusing on regional cuisines.
For specialist dining, the sushi restaurant with its Japanese chef contributes to its authentic atmosphere. And for dining under the stars, the breezy Patio Grill with its pool-side setting offers an extensive casual menu.
Pool deck
Most fellow travellers appear to be repeat passengers, turning the ship into a home away from home, while the crew we chat with during our voyage seem to have remained loyal to Seabourn for many years. Couples, families and plenty of solo passengers just become part of the family.
This warm atmosphere permeates through our entire voyage and, with 420 crew members on board looking after a maximum of 600 guests, we’re made to feel like celebrities from the moment we embark to the moment we depart.
For discovering hidden treasures of the world on one seamless luxurious vacation, a voyage on a Seabourn cruise is a gem of an experience that awaits even the most seasoned traveller.
by Amanda Bernstein
Seabourn’s 7-Day Aegean Gems & Eastern Mediterranean onboard Seabourn Encore is a roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens), Greece that departs on 22nd September and arrives on 29th September 2024, priced from £3,099 per person sharing a Veranda Suite. Includes accommodation and all meals and drinks (except premium wine and spirits) and gratuities. Optional shore excursions and spa treatments will be charged as booked.
For reservations or more information on other destinations, please contact Seabourn on 0344 338 8615 or visit seabourn.com