We were looking for an all inclusive, luxury ocean cruise in the Caribbean and selected the 10-day Seabourn Ovation cruise from Barbados to Miami. The Ovation is a beautiful, well-designed ship with attractive and comfortable public areas. Though we were booked in the lowest category veranda suite on deck 5, it was the best stateroom we ever had on a cruise ship. Spacious with plenty of storage, walk-in closet and a large veranda. The bathroom had dual sinks, which was a big plus, along with separate bath and shower, granite countertops and good storage. The bed was comfortable though the pillows were a bit too soft. Our only complaint about the ship was the side-to-side roll during the night as we went to the next island. Nothing major but it was noticeable. During the sea days at lower speeds, no roll was evident.

A strength of the Ovation was the personal service and attention we received. The "team members" have great attitudes and do whatever they can to ensure you have an excellent cruise. We were always greeted with a smile, often by name, and any complaints seem to rise to the highest levels. A weakness of the Seabourn Ovation was food service that did not meet expectations. The main restaurant (The Restaurant) at dinner starts off well if you arrive when it opens (too late with dinner starting at 7pm) but service begins to diminish by the time of coffee and dessert. I recall asking about five times for coffee before getting served. The desserts are mediocre and the food quality and preparation, in general, are no better than what we experienced on the major cruise lines. The breakfast buffet in The Colonnade was somewhat frustrating. You have to order coffee (including refills) instead of the more customary and efficient self-serve. The same breakfast items were served everyday except for the egg dish of the day. If you wanted something other than scrambled eggs, that had to be ordered. On the other hand, Seabourn really does pour premium wines, beer and spirits (first time I had a margarita made with Cointreau). The Sushi restaurant has a great staff and delicious sushi that makes it a relaxing and enjoyable alternative.

A highlight of the cruise was the beach party at Carambola Beach Club on St. Kitts. What a blast! Champagne and caviar in the surf followed by lunch with delicious, all you can eat lobsters, mahi-mahi, other BBQ foods and sides. Another highlight is The Retreat on the Ovation. With a separate menu and reserved cabanas for the day, it was really relaxing. Otherwise, the ports were so-so with an uninteresting offering of excursions. Read more