We chose this cruise for the itinerary and also to see whether we enjoyed the Seabourn product and typical clientele vibe enough to book the 2024 world cruise. We were blessed with great weather from start to finish so enjoyed the wonders and majesty of the Alaskan fjords in all their glory. The excursions on this trip were certainly pretty pricey but the wildlife sightings we enjoyed - bears fishing for salmon, eagles, whales, sea otters, stellar sea lions, seals - did 'exactly what it said on the tin'. Thank you Seabourn. The onboard zodiacs felt a tad overloaded with people and quite snug, compared to others experienced such as Scenic Eclipse and Viking Octantis. Destination staff, zodiac drivers were knowledgeable and helpful.

Odyssey has undergone a lot of cabin and public area refurbishment and recent new furnishings but in a curiously outdated style. Its certainly comfortable but is very 'brown', very 'velvety' and would have looked modern about 20 years ago. The area where this time warp was most noticeable was the main restaurant. Menus, recipes, food presentation and whole food ethos clearly very outdated by 10 - 20 years compared to European operators. There is a lot of different choices, however Mains were always tiny portions of indeterminate 'stuff' with lots of colorful but tasteless dots and dashes of decoration and foams. Pale colored 'stuff' was apparently fish, with the darker 'stuff' some form of meat. Nothing had much or any taste, just a texture differential. One night the green vegetable part of the main dish consisted of 3 peas and one very small shaved head of asparagus. I lost 3lbs in weight on this cruise!. No use of herbs or spicing or seasoning whatsoever evident. The most varied and best of the food offering to our European taste was at the pool cafe but despite the overhead electric fires, it still felt cold and odd eating dinner in Alaska wearing a top coat. The worst food deception was the Grill by Thomas Keller. I quote from the menu 'updated versions of iconic dishes prepared using the freshest products from artisan purveyors'. Oh no it isn't - you ought to be ashamed of yourself Thomas Keller!!!. The only fresh produce on the WHOLE menu is the caesar salad and the iceberg lettuce salad. The rest of the starters, plates and sweets are ALL frozen and reheated - just like a TV dinner!. The maitre'd' did assure us that it was all 'freshly frozen'.!!. He said that it was the first time anyone had asked him for fresh food!.

The absolute jewel in the Seabourn crown though is their staff - from management and down the ranks - unfailingly polite, helpful, smiley, enthusiastic and very keen to give great service - even the tender guys and those not usually customer facing. This was by far the best part of our whole Seabourn experience. Thank you!. Read more