Update Archive

SEATTLE, August 31, 2020 – Seabourn, the ultra-luxury resort at sea, announced today that it will cancel additional voyages for three cruise ships in its fleet as a part of its pause in global ship operations.

The announcement applies to Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Encore, and Seabourn Quest with each ship having a different “effective through” date. Specific details are as follows:

• Seabourn Ovation: with its operations pause effective through January 3, 2021
• Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through January 6, 2021
• Seabourn Quest: with its operations pause effective through May 10, 2021.
  
  

Seabourn is also announcing a revised delivery date for its new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, which is now scheduled for December 1, 2021. The delay is because of shipyard closures at T. Mariotti earlier this year as part of responses to COVID-19, which resulted in disruptions to the overall construction and finishing process for the ship.

The brand announced that Seabourn Quest will operate the line’s 2021-2022 award-winning Antarctica experience. Seabourn Venture will debut in December 2021 with a series of first-ever “Norwegian Winter” voyages where they may be able to see the Northern Lights. Guests will be able to place a future cruise deposit on the new Northern Lights itineraries.

Details about the revised inaugural season for Seabourn Venture are currently being finalized and will be announced in October. The brand has opened a wait list for guests interested in the voyages from December 2021 to April 2022. Guests currently booked on the inaugural voyage for Seabourn Venture will be offered the opportunity to sail on the new inaugural itinerary on a priority basis before it is open for sale to the general public. Additional details on rebooking for other affected Seabourn Venture voyages will be shared with booked guests and travel advisors in mid-October.

Due to the redeployment of Seabourn Quest to Antarctica, the line is cancelling Seabourn Quest’s Panama Canal voyages scheduled for November 7 - December 19, 2021.

Seabourn is continuing to assess the timing to resume operations on Seabourn Odyssey in the Caribbean. As a courtesy to guests booked on December sailings aboard Seabourn Odyssey, final payment will now be due 60 days prior to departure.

Seabourn had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 through May 2021, depending on the ship, effectively cancelling all voyages for those ships scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive action to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

“Our utmost priority is the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations. We recognize the long lead time for planning an ultra-luxury Seabourn experience and with that in mind, we proactively announce the cancellation of these additional voyages,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “We are working very closely with science and medical advisors as well as our source and destination markets to develop protocols for the ultimate return to operations.”

Seabourn will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension timeframe with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Guests who are currently confirmed on one of the affected voyages on Seabourn Quest’s Antarctica, Amazon, Panama Canal, South America and Transatlantic cruises scheduled between November 7, 2020 and April 25, 2021, will automatically be re-accommodated in the same suite on the same voyage during Seabourn Quest’s 2021-2022 season, at rate paid, within 30 days, as well as receive a shipboard credit that is calculated based upon voyage length. The shipboard credit is $300 per suite for voyages up to 20 days in length and $500 per suite for voyages of 21 days or more.

Guests booked on impacted cruises on Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will automatically be cancelled and all guests will receive Future Cruise Credits. They can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn. Specific details are as follows:

• Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
  
  
• Deposited bookings: those guests with deposited bookings will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid, up to the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
  
  

The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking. Alternatively, guests may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

Guests and their travel advisors will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. Seabourn asks guests and travel advisors to use the online resources available on its website first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.

For reservations or more i

Updates on Seabourn’s Global Ship Operations

August 18, 2020 – Seabourn has cancelled additional voyages on Seabourn Odyssey, as part of its voluntary pause of global ship operations:

• November 21, 2020, which was scheduled to depart Barbados on a seven-day cruise
• November 28, 2020, which was scheduled to depart Barbados on a seven-day cruise
  
  

The pause details for the rest of the fleet were announced previously and apply to each of the five ships differently, with each having a different “effective through” date. Specific details are as follows:

• Seabourn Quest: with its operations pause effective through November 6, 2020.
• Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through November 25, 2020. 
• Seabourn Odyssey: with its operations pause effective through December 5, 2020. 
• Seabourn Ovation: with its operations pause effective through December 20, 2020. 
• Seabourn Sojourn: paused through World Cruise 2021, with its operations pause effective through May 24, 2021.
  
  

Guests booked on Seabourn Odyssey’s Nov. 21 and Nov. 28, 2020 voyages will automatically be cancelled, and all guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit. They can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn. Specific details are as follows:

• Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
  
  
• Under Deposit: those guests with bookings under deposit will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
  
  

The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking to be used in any manner selected by the guest. Alternatively, guests may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

SEATTLE, August 10, 2020 – Seabourn, the ultra-luxury travel experience, announced today that it will cancel upcoming voyages for three cruise ships in its fleet as a part of its pause in global ship operations.

The announcement applies to Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation, and Seabourn Sojourn with each ship having a different “effective through” date. Specific details are as follows:

• Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through November 25, 2020.
• Seabourn Ovation: with its operations pause effective through December 20, 2020.
• Seabourn Sojourn: paused through World Cruise 2021, with its operations pause effective through May 24, 2021.
  
  

The brand had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 to November 20, 2020, depending on the ship, effectively cancelling all voyages scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive action to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

“We’ve been saying for some time that our resumption of service will come gradually, and this action reflects that discussion. The health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit remain a top priority,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “Like many who watch the travel industry, we are encouraged by the signs emerging around the world that point to travel’s progress toward return. When our expert science and medical advisors and our destinations support the ability to resume travel on Seabourn, we’ll be ready.”

Seabourn will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension timeframe with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Guests currently confirmed on Seabourn Sojourn’s 2021 World Cruise will be automatically re-accommodated in the same suite on Seabourn Sojourn’s 2022 World Cruise, at rate paid, within 30 days.

Guests with impacted cruises (except World Cruise 2021) will automatically be cancelled and all guests will receive Bonus Future Cruise Credits. They can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn. Specific details are as follows:

• Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
• Under Deposit: those guests with bookings under deposit will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
  
  

The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking. Alternatively, guests may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.  

SEATTLE, May 6, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, announced today that it will extend the voluntary pause of global operations for its five cruise ships.

The pause will apply to each of Seabourn’s five ships differently with each having a different “effective through” date in either October or November. Specific details are as follows:

• Seabourn Odyssey: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 20.
• Seabourn Sojourn: paused through Alaska/British Columbia season, with its operations pause effective through October 13.
• Seabourn Quest: paused through the Canada/New England season, with its operations pause effective through November 6.
• Seabourn Encore: paused through the Europe season, with its operations pause effective through October 19.
• Seabourn Ovation: paused through Europe season, with its operations pause effective through November 6.

The brand had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 – June 30, 2020, effectively cancelling all voyages scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

“We know travelers, as well as our past guests, are thinking about and looking forward to traveling based on a lot of information we are seeing lately. With many cruise ports still closed, destinations opening in phases, and airline capacity limited, a continuation of our pause gives us additional time to prepare for our eventual return to service,” said Rick Meadows, president of Seabourn. “When we resume and social gathering is acceptable once again, we will do so with the health and safety of our guests, crew and the people in each of the destinations we visit as a priority, just as it has been throughout our history.”

Seabourn will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension window with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Guests Automatically Receive Future Cruise Credit 

Guests with impacted cruises will automatically be cancelled, and all guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit as follows:

• Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn.
• Under Deposit: those guests with bookings under deposit will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid, plus an onboard credit of $300 per suite.

SEATTLE, April 14, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, announced today that it will extend the voluntarily pause of global operations for its five cruise ships to voyages scheduled to depart through June 30, 2020.

The brand had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 - May 14, 2020, effectively cancelling all voyages scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision is a proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.
  
Seabourn will be communicating changes for voyages scheduled to depart in the extension window with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Seabourn guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125% refund on monies received in the form of a future cruise credit, which must be booked by Dec. 30, 2020 but can be applied toward any future cruise through December 31, 2021. For guests who do not opt to choose the 125% future cruise credit, a 100% refund of the monies paid to Seabourn will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

Guests and their travel advisors will be sent details on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation online. Seabourn asks guests and travel advisors to use the online resources available first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.   

SEATTLE, March 30, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, announced today that it will extend the voluntarily pause of global operations for its five cruise ships for an additional 30 days. The 30-day extension includes sailings scheduled to depart through May 14, 2020.

The brand had announced an initial 30-day pause in global operations, which took effect on March 14, 2020. The decision is a proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19. 

Seabourn will be communicating changes to voyages scheduled to depart in the extension window with all booked guests and their travel advisors. 

Seabourn guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125% refund of the fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit, which can be applied toward any future cruise through December 31, 2021. For guests who do not opt to choose the 125% future cruise credit, a 100% refund of the monies paid to Seabourn will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation online. Seabourn asks guests not to call the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.   

SEATTLE, March 13, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, announced that it will voluntarily pause global operations of its five cruise ships for 30 days, starting March 14. The decision is a voluntary response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution.

“In this unprecedented situation, we feel a pause is necessary,” said Rick Meadows, president of Seabourn. “Through this action, it is our absolute intention to convey to our guests and the travel advisor community that we have the health and safety of all who travel with us as a top priority. Our pause should also reassure the hundreds of destinations we visit each year that we want to be responsible in our operations as we bring travelers into their communities each time we visit.” 

Current voyages that are underway will end by March 22. Seabourn will be communicating these changes with all booked guests and their travel advisors.

Seabourn guests on impacted voyages will receive a 125% refund of the fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit, which can be applied toward any future cruise through December 31, 2021. For guests who do not opt to choose the 125% future cruise credit, a 100% refund of the fare paid will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.

Seabourn asks guests not to call the Reservation Call Center due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation. Information and instructions for requesting a refund will be available online at Seabourn.com.

Seabourn Cruise Line has cancelled these upcoming voyages:

• Seabourn Ovation, which was scheduled to depart Dubai on April 5, 2020 for a 20-day voyage ending in Piraeus (Athens), Greece on April 25, 2020.
• Seabourn Encore, which was scheduled to depart Dubai on May 5, 2020 for an 18-day voyage ending in Piraeus (Athens), Greece on May 23, 2020.
  
  

The decision comes out of an abundance of caution considering the highly dynamic and unpredictable changes we have seen recently in travel restrictions and port operations that could affect the cruise. While we expect things will stabilize, we never want to put our guests in the position of having an experience that doesn’t live up to their expectations.

Guests who were booked on this voyage will receive a refund of the fare paid for their voyage, as well as any prepaid purchases made through Seabourn including flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, and shore excursions. Because the cruise was cancelled close to the departure date, guests will also receive a future cruise credit. Guests and travel advisors are being notified.

We continue to assess the situation and will provide a further update on future voyages as we have more information.

For more information, visit the Seabourn website. Guests who have questions should contact their travel advisor or the appropriate Seabourn Office in their market.

Seabourn Cruise Line has cancelled these upcoming voyages:

• Seabourn Ovation, which was scheduled to depart Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 14, 2020 for a 23-day cruise ending in Dubai on April 5, 2020.
• Seabourn Encore, which was scheduled to depart Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 17, 2020 for a 19-day cruise ending in Dubai on May 5, 2020

The decision comes out of an abundance of caution considering the highly dynamic and unpredictable changes we have seen recently in travel restrictions and port operations that could affect the cruise. While we expect things will stabilize, we never want to put our guests in the position of a having an experience that doesn’t live up to their expectations.    

Guests who were booked on this voyage will receive a refund of the fare paid for their voyage, as well as any prepaid purchases made through Seabourn including flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, and shore excursions. Because the cruise was cancelled close to the departure date, guests will also receive a future cruise credit. Guests and travel advisors are being notified.
  
We continue to assess the situation and will provide a further update on future voyages as we have more information.

Guests who have questions should contact their travel advisor or the appropriate Seabourn Office in their market.

Due to the unpredictable changes we have seen the past few weeks in travel restrictions and port operations throughout Asia, Seabourn Cruise Line has replaced the Southeast Asia port calls for Seabourn Encore through April 2020.

Specific changes to the turnaround ports on the affected Seabourn Encore voyages include:

Port calls from March 23 – May 2 are also affected, with some destinations changed and others rescheduled to alternate dates.

Guests who are booked on affected voyages will receive a future cruise credit. Both booked guests and travel advisors are being notified along with specific details related to their itinerary.
  
Guests who have questions should contact their travel advisor or the appropriate Seabourn Office in their market.

Due to the unpredictable changes we have seen the past few weeks in travel restrictions and port operations throughout Asia, Seabourn Cruise Line has replaced all Southeast Asia port calls for Seabourn Ovation sailings through April 2020.

The ship’s next scheduled embarkation, originally planned for March 14, 2020 in Singapore, will now take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka on the same date.

Port calls from March 15 – April 3 are also affected, with some destinations changed and others rescheduled to alternate dates.

Guests who are booked on affected voyages will receive a future cruise credit. Both booked guests and travel advisors are being notified along with specific details related to their itinerary.

Guests who have questions should contact their travel advisor or the appropriate Seabourn Office in their market.

Due to the unpredictable changes we have seen the past few weeks in travel restrictions and port operations throughout Asia, Seabourn Cruise Line has replaced the Asia port calls on its World Cruise 2020 aboard Seabourn Sojourn with calls in Australia and New Zealand.

Specific changes to the turnaround ports on the affected Seabourn Sojourn voyages include:

Port calls from March 11 – April 30 are also affected, with some destinations changed and others rescheduled to alternate dates.

Details of the revised itineraries are being communicated to guests and travel advisors. Guests who are booked on affected voyages will receive a future cruise credit. Both booked guests and travel advisors are being notified along with specific details related to their itinerary.
  
Guests who have questions should contact their travel advisor or the appropriate Seabourn Office in their market.

Seabourn Cruise Line has cancelled the next voyage on Seabourn Ovation. The decision comes out of an abundance of caution considering the highly dynamic and unpredictable changes we have seen the past couple of weeks in travel restrictions and port operations that could affect the cruise. While we expect things will stabilize, we never want to put our guests in the position of a having an experience that doesn’t live up to their expectations.    

Seabourn Ovation was due to depart Singapore on February 15, 2020 for a 14-day round trip cruise. We have had no known or suspected cases of coronavirus on board. 

Affected guests will receive a refund of the fare paid for the 14-day voyage. Guests and travel advisors are being notified and those guests in Singapore will be hosted in local hotels while they rebook their onward travel. While this decision will be disappointing for our guests, we feel they will understand the commitment to continue to work closely with the health authorities because we share a common goal of looking after the safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the places we visit.  

We continue to assess the situation and will provide a further update on future voyages in Asia once we have more information.”

For guests booked on Seabourn Ovation in Asia, in light of new restrictions throughout the region on travelers coming from Hong Kong, disembarkation on Saturday, February 29 (departed on February 15) will now take place in Singapore rather than Hong Kong. Guests who have purchased their air through Seabourn’s Flight Ease will have their return flights rebooked to depart from Singapore rather than Hong Kong at our expense. Guests with independent travel arrangements should rebook their air to depart from Singapore’s Changi Airport no earlier than 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 29. Guests arriving for the February 29, 2020 voyage aboard Seabourn Ovation should also rebook their travel to depart from Singapore rather than Hong Kong. Please be sure your inbound flights do not route though any city in mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong.

All sailings aboard Ovation in Asia from the February 15 departure through March 14 will not visit China, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Itinerary revisions and related policies for these cruises, where necessary, will be communicated to guests and their travel advisors. Similar policies as noted above will apply for guests with Flight Ease, independent air and Seabourn pre- and post-cruise hotel arrangements. 

Most airlines and hotels are allowing guests to change travel plans involving China with no penalty, but should you incur expenses related to adjusting your travel plans we recommend you retain your receipts to support a claim with your travel insurance.

For guests who sail and are required to modify their flights as a result of a change to embark/debark port we will cover up to $250 per person in airline change fees for carriers who are charging fees. This excludes fare differences. Proof should be sent to the following address and compensation will be issued in the form of an onboard credit.

Seabourn
Attn:  Guest Relations
450 Third Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
Fax:  (206) 501 2901
Email:  guestrelations@seabourn.com

If there are any additional itinerary changes required to Ovation itineraries in Asia they will be communicated to booked guests and their travel advisors as soon as they are finalized.

We know our guests have questions and concerns around Coronavirus and travel. To ensure you have the latest information, this page will be updated as need with new details.

Most airlines and hotels are allowing guests to change travel plans involving China with no penalty, but should you incur expenses related to adjusting your travel plans we recommend you retain your receipts to support a claim with your travel insurance.

The following is an outline of updates and advisories issued for past voyages.
Health Travel Advisory – Past Voyages