Age Policy
Seabourn’s age policy is designed to maintain its signature sophisticated, adult-oriented atmosphere while still accommodating families. Because Seabourn operates many remote and expedition style itineraries, their requirements are stricter than many mainstream cruise lines.
Minimum Age to Sail
The minimum age depends entirely on the type of itinerary and the number of consecutive days spent at sea:
- Standard Cruises: Infants must be at least 6 months old on the day of embarkation.
- Transoceanic / Remote Itineraries: If a cruise has more than two consecutive sea days (such as Transatlantic or Transpacific crossings), the minimum age is 12 months.
- Expedition Cruises: For voyages to Antarctica or other expedition-specific itineraries, guests must be at least 6 years old.
Note: The Captain or Expedition Leader has the final say on whether children aged 6+ can participate in specific shore excursions based on weather and safety conditions.
Booking & Cabin Requirements
Seabourn generally requires guests to be adults to hold a reservation:
- Minimum Booking Age: No guest under 21 years of age is permitted to book a cruise independently.
- Cabin Supervision: Guests under 21 must travel in a suite with someone 21 or older who assumes responsibility for them.
- Multiple Suites: If a family is booking multiple suites, at least one person in each suite must be 16 or older, provided they are traveling with a parent or legal guardian in a nearby suite.
- Married Couples: An exception is often made for underage married couples (both 18+), though proof of marriage may be required at booking.
Alcohol, Gambling, and Smoking
- Alcohol: The minimum age to purchase or consume alcohol on board is 21. On certain international sailings, this may be lowered depending on local laws, but the standard fleet-wide policy is 21.
- Gambling: You must be at least 21 years old to enter the casino or engage in any gaming activities.
- Tobacco: The minimum age to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products is 18.
Pregnancy Policy
For safety reasons related to medical facilities on board, Seabourn cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the cruise. A physician’s letter stating the expected due date and fitness to travel is highly recommended for those earlier in their pregnancy.
Dining Information
Seabourn is widely regarded for its no-upcharge approach to dining. Unlike most cruise lines, every restaurant on board—including specialty venues—is included in your cruise fare.
Key Dining Venues
- The Restaurant: The main, elegant dining room. It features open seating, meaning you can arrive whenever you like during dining hours and sit with whomever you choose.
- Solis: (New for 2026) Replacing The Grill by Thomas Keller, Solis focuses on modern, light Mediterranean coastal cuisine. It features fresh pastas, seafood, and signature dishes like Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Reservations are required and can be made via the Source app.
- The Colonnade: A more casual venue with indoor and outdoor seating. It serves lavish buffets for breakfast and lunch, while dinners are regionally themed with table service (e.g., Market Night or Adria Night).
- Earth & Ocean at The Patio: An al fresco evening experience poolside. The menu changes nightly and features global flavors served under the stars.
- Sushi / Sushi at The Club: Dedicated sushi restaurants are found on Encore and Ovation. On other ships, high-quality sushi is served in The Club during the evening.
- Seabourn Square: The living room of the ship, offering specialty coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and artisanal gelato throughout the day.
In-Suite Dining
Seabourn offers one of the best room service experiences at sea:
- 24-Hour Menu: A wide variety of appetizers, mains, and desserts available around the clock.
- Course-by-Course Service: During dinner hours, you can order from The Restaurant’s full menu and have it served in your suite or on your veranda, course-by-course, with white linens and silver service.
Dress Code (After 6:00 PM)
- Elegant Casual: The standard for most nights.
- Men: Slacks with a collared shirt or sweater; jacket is optional.
- Women: Slacks, skirt, blouse, or dress.
Note: Elegant jeans are permitted in all venues.
- Formal Optional: Typically held once on cruises up to 13 days and twice on 14+ day cruises.
- In The Restaurant: Men are required to wear a jacket (tuxedo or suit preferred); women should wear evening gowns or formal attire.
If you prefer not to dress up, all other venues remain Elegant Casual on these nights.
Dietary Requirements
Seabourn is highly proactive with dietary needs:
- Advance Notice: You should notify the line of allergies or restrictions (like Gluten-Free, Vegan, or Kosher) at least 6 weeks prior to sailing.
- Onboard Consultation: The Maitre d’ will typically meet with you on the first day to review menus and can often customize dishes with 24 hours’ notice.
Tip: While most dining is open-seating, Solis and the Sushi restaurant are very popular. It is recommended to book your one guaranteed reservation for Solis through the Source app as soon as you have paid your deposit.
Fuel Surcharge Policy
Seabourn (as part of Carnival Corporation) currently maintains a policy where they reserve the right to implement a fuel surcharge, but they rarely exercise it unless oil prices hit extreme levels.
How the Policy Works
In your cruise contract, there is a Fuel Supplement clause. This allows Seabourn to add a daily charge to your booking—even after you have paid in full—if the price of fuel exceeds a specific threshold.
- The Threshold: Typically, if the price of light sweet crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) exceeds $70.00 per barrel on the NYMEX, the cruise line may trigger the surcharge.
- The Cost: If activated, the charge is usually capped at $9.00 USD per person, per day, applicable only to the first and second guests in a suite.
Payments / Refunds
Deposits & Payments
Standard bookings require a percentage-based deposit of 15% of the total cruise fare. This scales dynamically, so higher-tier suites (Wintergarden or Signature) require proportionally higher deposits. Final payment deadlines are strictly tiered by voyage duration: 120 days prior for cruises of 21 days or less; 150 days prior for cruises of 22 to 69 days; and 180 days prior for cruises of 70 days or more. Bookings made inside the final payment window require immediate full payment. Cancellations made outside standard penalty windows are subject to a flat administrative cancellation fee per guest: $100 (<=21 days), $250 (22-69 days), or $500 (>=70 days), which is converted to an FCC valid for 12 months, with the remaining deposit refunded.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation fees depend strictly on sailing duration and timing.
Cruises 21 Days or Less
- 121 Days or More: $100 USD (converted to FCC; remaining deposit refunded)
- 120 to 91 Days: 15% of Total Price (Deposit Amount)
- 90 to 46 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 45 to 31 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 30 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
Cruises 22 to 69 Days
- 151 Days or More: $250 USD (converted to FCC; remaining deposit refunded)
- 150 to 121 Days: 15% of Total Price (Deposit Amount)
- 120 to 91 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 90 to 76 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 75 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
Cruises 70 Days or More
- 181 Days or More: $500 USD (converted to FCC; remaining deposit refunded)
- 180 to 151 Days: 15% of Total Price (Deposit Amount)
- 150 to 121 Days: 50% of Total Price
- 120 to 91 Days: 75% of Total Price
- 90 Days or Less: 100% of Total Price (No Refund)
Smoking Policy
Seabourn maintains a very strict smoking policy to ensure the comfort of all guests, particularly given the intimate size of their ships.
No Smoking in Suites or on Verandas
- Staterooms: Smoking of any kind (cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) is strictly prohibited inside all guest suites.
- Verandas: Smoking is prohibited on all private balconies and verandas.
- Penalty: Guests found smoking in their suites or on their verandas will be charged a $250 cleaning fee per day of the violation. Repeated violations can result in being asked to leave the ship without a refund.
Designated Smoking Areas
Smoking is only permitted in clearly marked outdoor areas. These areas vary slightly by ship class:
- Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn, and Quest:
- Sky Bar (Deck 9): Starboard half of the open deck.
- Seabourn Square (Deck 7): Starboard half of the outdoor terrace. (This is the only area where pipes and cigars are permitted).
- Seabourn Encore and Ovation:
- Sky Bar (Deck 14): Starboard half of the open deck.
- Seabourn Square (Deck 7): Starboard half of the outdoor terrace.
- Seabourn Venture and Pursuit (Expedition Ships):
- Sky Bar (Deck 9): Starboard half of the open deck.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Seabourn is one of the few luxury lines with a specific carve-out for vaping:
- Inside Suites: The use of electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers is permitted inside the confines of your guest suite.
- Verandas/Public Areas: Vaping is not permitted on your suite’s veranda or in any public indoor areas. In public, it is only allowed in the designated outdoor smoking areas mentioned above.
General Restrictions
- Indoor Venues: All indoor public areas—including lounges, bars, the casino, and dining venues—are entirely smoke-free.
- Fueling: Smoking is strictly prohibited on all open decks while the ship is in port and undergoing fuel bunkering operations.
- Marijuana: Despite its legal status in many regions, marijuana (including medicinal use and edibles) is strictly prohibited on all Seabourn vessels.
Travel Protection
Seabourn offers the optional SeabournShield travel protection plan. Benefits include Trip Cancellation/Interruption (100%), Trip Delay ($1,000), Sickness Medical ($20,000), Emergency Medical Evacuation ($75,000, increased to $100,000 for World Cruises, Grand Voyages, and Expedition sailings), and Baggage Protection ($3,000). The plan cost is calculated as a tiered percentage of the total cruise price, with no age-based pricing. The plan can be added up until the final payment deadline, and pre-existing medical conditions are generally excluded.
Tipping Policy
Onboard gratuities are 100% included in the base cruise fare. No tipping is required or expected of any guest. The daily automatic service charge on a guest’s onboard account is exactly $0, and there is no option onboard to remove or adjust tips. Tipping inclusions apply equally to all guests across all suite categories and itineraries. A few exceptions apply: an 18% gratuity is automatically added to spa and salon services. Shore excursion guides and drivers are independent entities and are tipped at the guest’s discretion. Guests can also make voluntary contributions to the collective Crew Welfare Fund at Seabourn Square.
Dress Code
Daytime is casual resort wear (shorts and jeans are welcome). After 6:00 PM, the standard dress code is “Elegant Casual” (slacks, collared shirt/sweater for men, jacket optional; slacks, skirts, blouses, pantsuits, or dresses for ladies). Jeans are not allowed in any public venues after 6:00 PM.
Formal Nights
- Seabourn features “Formal Optional” evenings (1 night for cruises up to 13 days, 2 nights for 14-20 days, and 3 nights for 21+ days). In the main restaurant, men are required to wear a tuxedo, suit, or slacks with a jacket, while women wear evening gowns or formal apparel. Other dining venues remain Elegant Casual.
Excursions
- Enhance your cruise vacation by pre-booking your excursions (recommended for most savings and to guarantee availability) via the cruise line app or book while onboard. Space is limited and popular excursions sell out fast!
Why Seabourn?
All-Suite, Oceanview Accommodations
Every Seabourn guest stays in a spacious oceanview suite, most featuring a private veranda. Luxurious furnishings, walk-in closets, marble bathrooms, and personalized in-suite service elevate the onboard experience.
Nearly All-Inclusive Luxury
Seabourn cruise fares include fine dining, premium spirits, champagne, wines, gratuities, onboard entertainment, and enrichment programs offering exceptional value in ultra-luxury cruising.
Intimate, Yacht-Like Ships
With small, elegant ships carrying fewer guests, Seabourn delivers a relaxed atmosphere, easy navigation onboard, and access to exclusive ports unreachable by larger cruise ships.
World-Class Dining Experiences
Menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs showcase gourmet cuisine crafted with premium ingredients, regional flavors, and open-seating dining with no fixed schedules or assigned tables.
Exceptional Personalized Service
A high staff-to-guest ratio ensures attentive, intuitive service. The crew quickly learns guest preferences, creating a highly personalized and welcoming experience.
Carefully Curated Global Itineraries
Seabourn sails to iconic destinations and lesser-visited ports across Europe, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Antarctica, Asia, Africa, and beyond, offering immersive cultural experiences.
Award-Winning Expedition Cruises
Seabourn’s expedition fleet provides expert-led voyages to remote regions, featuring Zodiac landings, kayaking, and guided exploration with a highly trained expedition team.
Refined Yet Relaxed Atmosphere
Seabourn combines elegant surroundings with a casual, stress-free onboard culture no formal seating times, no pressure to dress up, and a sophisticated social ambiance.
Enrichment and Cultural Programs
Guests enjoy lectures from destination experts, historians, naturalists, and guest speakers, enhancing each voyage with meaningful insights and discovery.
Wellness and Spa Excellence
Seabourn’s spa and wellness programs focus on relaxation, fitness, and holistic well-being, offering treatments, fitness classes, and tranquil spaces at sea.
Exclusive Shore Experiences
Select itineraries include unique experiences such as private events, cultural immersions, and complimentary expedition activities that bring destinations to life.
Outstanding Value for Ultra-Luxury Travelers
When considering inclusions, personalized service, and destination access, Seabourn delivers one of the best values in ultra-luxury cruising.
FAQ
What is included in a Seabourn cruise fare?
Seabourn fares typically include luxury accommodations, all dining venues, premium beverages, gratuities, onboard entertainment, and enrichment programs.
Are drinks included on Seabourn cruises?
Yes, complimentary premium spirits, fine wines, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
Does Seabourn offer Wi-Fi?
Complimentary internet is included, with enhanced packages available for guests who need higher bandwidth.
Are shore excursions included?
Select excursions and special experiences may be included, depending on the itinerary. Additional excursions are available for purchase.
What is the dress code onboard?
The dress code is elegant casual during the day and evenings, with optional formal attire on select nights.
Are Seabourn ships large?
No, Seabourn operates small, intimate ships designed to access ports that larger vessels cannot reach.
Is Seabourn suitable for first-time luxury cruisers?
Yes, Seabourn is an excellent choice for travelers new to luxury cruising due to its inclusive pricing and attentive service.
Does Seabourn offer spa and wellness services?
Yes, guests can enjoy a full-service spa, fitness center, and wellness-focused programs onboard.
Can special dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes, Seabourn accommodates special dietary requests with advance notice.
Why book Seabourn through TopCruiseDeals.com?
TopCruiseDeals.com offers competitive pricing, exclusive promotions, and expert guidance to help travelers secure the best Seabourn cruise deals available.