Seabourn Quest Review

Chef Anton “Tony” Egger, seen here on Seabourn Quest, helped create the Solis restaurant concept and menu. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)

Seabourn Quest is a luxury experience designed for cruisers who want to sail to the smallest ports in the world with fellow travelers who soon might become lifelong friends.

Built in 2011, the 458-passenger ship has been fastidiously maintained over the years, with regular refurbishments designed to add new spaces and keep the ship and its public spaces feeling fresh.

Food on Seabourn Quest is mostly a delight, especially its specialty venues: Solis and Earth & Ocean at the Patio. All restaurants are included in the cruise fare, so passengers can find their favorite restaurants and enjoy a wide range of food. I had a couple of less-than-stellar dishes in the main dining room mostly due to over and underseasoning. They were quickly replaced with better-prepared items.

The ship does a wonderful job of connecting with the outdoors, as many venues have indoor and outside seating, a nice touch that is especially appreciated on warmer weather sailing.

The ship and its crew seem to think of everything a guest might want. If you’re dining outdoors and it’s a big chilly, a fluffy blanket might appear. If you’ve enjoyed the same cocktail a couple nights in a row at a lounge, expect one waiting for you when you show up the next time.

Guests on Seabourn are especially loyal, and they seem to love welcoming newcomers into the fold; onboard activities are really set up to drive meeting new people and doing things in groups.

Suites are decently sized, though many show their age more so than the rest of the ship, especially the dated furniture and color choices. Likewise, suite bathrooms are a little tight, though the big bathtubs are a wonderful touch.

Overall, Seabourn Quest offers a strong value in the luxury space, offering an all-inclusive experience that will appeal to cruise travelers looking for friendly luxury that isn’t fussy.

Seabourn Quest Deck Plan is Easy to Navigate

A spiral staircase is a beautiful centerpiece on Seabourn Quest. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)

Seabourn Quest is a small ship, relatively speaking, and the deck plan is easy to navigate. You’ll get to know the ship quickly once you’re onboard.

It’s smartly designed: most of the public spaces – bars, restaurants, the theater and the spa – are at the aft (back) of the ship. Most of the cabins are midship and forward (at the front). The main pool is midship on Deck 8, and a beautiful Observation Bar is forward on Deck 10.

The Seabourn Quest deck plan has plenty of outdoor space, with almost every restaurant and bar offering outdoor seating. The ship also has an expansive Sun Terrace.

The hub of the deck plan is Seabourn Square -- part coffee bar, part library, part guest services and part gathering space. It’s one of the best places for relaxation onboard; it’s not unusual to see a passenger or two reading a book with their eyes closed while lounging in a comfortable chair.

Seabourn Quest also has a marina, which wasn’t open on my fall sailing to Canada/New England. On warm weather sailings, it might be open for Marina Day, where it can be used as a jumping off point for watersports. (Note: This generally coincides with Seabourn Quest’s Caviar in the Surf and beach barbecue day.)

Suites on Seabourn Quest Well-Appointed but a Bit Dated

A Veranda Suite on Seabourn Quest. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)

On Seabourn Quest, all rooms are referred to as suites, as there are distinct living areas and bedrooms, which can be separated by a heavy curtain. All suites are flawlessly maintained, though the furniture choices and colors are a bit dated when compared with more modern luxury ships.

All suites have a good amount of space, and most include balconies. (Only a handful of suites, all found on Deck 4 have windows instead of balconies.)

Suites are serviced by a pair of attendants who make sure every guest's needs are addressed and fill a cruise with surprises. I found my suite attendants anticipated needs I didn’t even know I had. (For example, I bough some local beer on one of the ports we visited so I could enjoy it onboard. My attendants took the liberty of rearranging my mini-fridge so I had room to chill my purchase). They help a cruise feel personalized.

The top-end suites, from the Penthouse Suite on up, come with significantly more room and perks galore. The two Owner’s Suites on Deck 8 have wow-worthy wraparound balconies, and the beautiful Wintergarden Suites have glass-enclosed sunrooms with giant soaking tubs and endless views.

If you’re worried about noise, avoid the suites those above and below busy public spaces, like pools or restaurants. As with all cruise ships, these rooms could pick up some noise. Likewise, the two Owners’ Suites at the front of Deck 6 could hear noise from the anchor being lowered or raised.

If seasickness is a concern, stick with the middle of the ship, on the lower decks – 4 through 6. A general cruise ship rule is cabins higher up and toward the front or back of the ship are more prone to movement; middle, lower cabins are more stable.

Food on Seabourn Quest is Consistent, with Some Real Standouts

Dishes at Solis on Seabourn Quest are fresh and beautifully plated. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)

Food on Seabourn Quest is very good, with some touches of excellence throughout. All food on Seabourn Quest is included in your cruise fare; diners have five restaurant options from which to choose.

The newest addition to the ship’s restaurant lineup is Solis, added in 2024. This replaced The Grill by Thomas Keller. Solis is a welcome substitution, offering a slightly lighter menu than TK did, with Mediterranean options including lots of seafood.

Food in the main dining room, The Restaurant, offers variety and carefully prepared dishes that reflect the region to which the ship is visiting.

Earth & Ocean at the Patio was the biggest surprise to me on my cruise. This casual outdoor venue consistently offers excellent grilled dishes and pastas, exciting tagines and fantastic service.

Of course, Seabourn is famous for its caviar, delivered any time you want it, anywhere on its ships. This is an indulgence worth trying at least once. I recommend pairing it with sushi as a predinner snack in The Club.

Who Is On Board?

The sun risers over Seabourn Quest's pool deck. (Photo: Colleen McDaniel)

Seabourn Quest passengers tend to be well traveled and well off; they spend on the things that are important to them, like fine wines and premium experiences. Most guests are 60 and older, though on shorter itineraries, the mix is somewhat younger. Families are more common during the summer and over holiday periods, when kids have extended time away from school.

Passengers tend to be uber-loyal to Seabourn, so you’ll find that lots of guests know each other and the crew. If you’re new to the line, though, you’ll quickly be welcomed to the “club.”

Seabourn offers solo mixers for cruisers traveling alone. LGBTQ+ passengers are offered mixers as well.