The Quest is a fantastic ship. Large enough to offer many of the things we enjoy on larger ships but small enough to get into areas (including the Antarctic Peninsula) that most cruise ships cannot. Our cabin was lovely and plenty large in area, storage, etc. for our 3 week cruise. I saw one comment about the small shower stalls and, yes, they are tiny but the water pressure is excellent and, unless you are very large, you can make do with the shower size. There is also a large and deep soaking bathtub in each bathroom. The staff is the best we have ever met. From the Master who was frequently in public areas talking with passengers to the Cruise Director who did everything from introducing the entertainment to leading the trivia contests to helping kayakers get into their gear to directing the passengers for tours and landings to..., to the wait staff who quickly learned our names and food and drink preferences to the ladies in Seabourn Square who handled any and all questions and needs, to the stewardess who kept our room clean and neat to.... The food was consistently very good to excellent. We had no trouble booking the special restaurant as we did that early. If we wanted another bottle of liquor or wine in our room, it was delivered very quickly. Unless a passenger wants something from the special wine list, all food and drink is included, including at Restaurant 2. Tipping is not required nor expected but we did give a bit extra to our stewardess and to the waiter and his second since we saw them so much and they were terrific. Meals are open seating but we liked one table for two and sat there whenever in the main dining room. Seabourn goes out of its way to get passengers to know each other such as having a "block party" early on where passengers are invited to go into the hall outside of their cabins and meet their neighbors. Wine is served and all seemed to enjoy the visiting. Passengers are invited to dine with the expedition team, the entertainers, etc. we had a lovely dinner with one of the expedition team members and also with the couple who have been onboard for many antarctic cruises taking pictures, telling their incredible story, and helping one and all on the best ways to take pictures in such amazing settings. Pat and Rosemarie Keough were a very special addition to the Seabourn team and we hope that Seabourn continues to have them aboard for future Antarctic voyages!

While there were 3 formal nights, dressing to the nines was never required. On the first and third formal nights, most men were in tuxedos or suits but there were plenty in jackets and ties. On the middle formal night, we noticed many men simply wearing a jacket. On the rest of the nights, "elegant casual" was the code and few were crass enough to wear jeans in the dining venues, although some did do that. We wish that Seabourn would stick to their printed statement that jeans are not to be worn after 6pm in any dining venue but c'est la vie these days.

The ports before and after Antarctica were interesting but nothing, in our opinion, that special. On the other hand, Antarctica was beyond spectacular. One really has to experience it to understand its beauty and grandeur. Seabourn makes it possible for all aboard to enjoy the days in this wonderful place either through the several landings on the continent where passengers can walk around, hike a bit, etc. with knowledgeable and experienced expedition teams to help or on zodiak tours where we could get within yards of icebergs, seals, penguins, etc. or on kayak tours for those who wished to try that. One person was in a wheelchair and another had a broken leg. The crew carried them onto the zodiac and gave them tours around the area while the rest of us did our landings. Read more