We have sailed twice on the now sold Seabourn Spirit, an intimate ship with exceptional staff, and once on the similarly sized Sea Dream II. Our first impression of Odyssey was that it was too large for our liking. After 15 days aboard, our lasting impression is that it is a very comfortable ship, providing all the amenities we could want and, most importantly, staffed by a crew who try their best to deliver the "Seabourn Difference" that makes a vacation on sea or land exceptional. My wife jokingly suspects they take "happy pills" because of their always pleasant and helpful demeanor.
What is the "Seabourn Difference"? On our very first cruise on Spirit, it was meeting the Captain very early one morning in the men's steam room. He was there -- clipboard in hand -- putting the area through his own personal, rigorous, inspection. "I am the Master of this ship, and Seattle's ranking representative on this vessel", he told me. "It is my responsibility to see to it that all areas and staff on this ship deliver the experience Seabourn intends and guests expect". Wow! Staff assured me that he literally did manage by walking around the entire ship, that he was a stickler, but very professional and fair. Bravo!
David Bathgate also was skippering the Odyssey on our April / May cruise through Greece and Turkey. No coincidence that all was "ship-shape". On this journey, however, Destination Director Ben met the Seabourn gold standard for us by personally, quickly and very satisfactorily resolving an issue involving a purchase made at one of the ports. Others may have "left us at sea" with the matter, but Ben and Seabourn moved heaven and earth.