(Update: In 2018, Seabourn will introduce Seabourn Ovation, a sister-ship to the already prestigious Seabourn Encore, which launched since this posting.)
We bestow our own “most lavish spa day at sea award” to Seabourn Quest thanks to the incredible four hours of pampering and relaxation we experienced in the ship’s expansive upper deck Spa Villa during one of our three sea days on our Athens-to-Malaga sailing.
Seabourn boasts the largest spa facility on any luxury cruise ship, with six treatment rooms and much more. The Spa at Seabourn, a head-turner, is found on Deck 9 Aft. One deck up is the private Spa Villa alongside shared hot tub and loungers.
Within the spa, you’ll find a fabulous Thermal Suite Lounge with large hydro-pool, dry float, sauna and steam rooms including an herbal-infushed laconium.
Among treatments are nine facial therapies for men and women including the Seabourn 24 Karat Gold Facial. Ten massage options include Thai Massage, Bamboo Massage and the Elemis Absolute Spa Ritual that includes a facial. In addition to Elemis products, the spa also incorporates Skinceuticals. Kathy sampled an Elemis facial and Swedish massage with therapist Avalon. She rated it outstanding.
The spa features a full-service salon offering hair styling, hair color and nail services including the popular Fire and Ice Manicure combining cooling gels with heated stone massage.
The gym area is well-equipped, and a motion studio features a Kinesis Wall and Thai massage area.
Seabourn has refined the concept of a spa day at sea with not only the Serene Area with its heated wood-slab beds, but with a most fantastic Spa Villa.
The Spa Villa shares Deck 10 Aft with the Spa Terrace, which features a whirlpool and deck loungers, but the private Spa Villa, is partitioned off at one side as its own fabulous playground.
Inside we were wowed by his-and-hers massage tables, an oversized day bed with gauzy curtain, a huge his-and-hers shower, a dining table, plus a bathing tub for two.
We made full use of it all, starting with a couple’s massage, followed by a bubble bath for two that the therapists had thoughtfully drawn for us.
Then, at the pre-set time, our lunch arrived and was presented by our own waiter, complete with wine and dessert. Post lunch, a little nap was required.
Afterward, we raved to the spa manager over the spa villa, the service and of course our spa treatment. Our masseuses were excellent. “I have a lovely team and I’m very, very proud of them,” said Spa Manager Marigold Desouza.
Our time with masseuses Nicole and Avalon was described as the Sweet Surrender Spa Ritual. It begins with a light body scrub and exfoliation complete with heavenly hot mitts that we loved. Afterward, each masseuse cocooned us, bundling our feet and lifting them to add the bolster under our legs for the massage.
During the massage, somehow a seafaring frog or cricket found its way in the Spa Villa. We ask the ladies about it, and they, like us, are unsure which it is. We laugh and consider it part of the serenade, along with pitter-patter of falling rain — not to worry, there’s covering overhead.
We quickly relax to the very good massages. At the end, our therapists adjust each table under our heads, tilting them upward. The end of the table adjusts so your back is upright. What a great addition; we wish more spas had this.
Later, we talk with the spa manager (pictured at left) about the villa space. “We do a lot of couple’s massage, vow renewals, even marriages,” she says. “We also get guests who just want time (there) for themselves, just a retreat area. We recommend guests wanting a special spa moment to book it toward sunset. It’s a great time here at the very back of the ship.” While we did not see sunset, our rainy day did not dampen our experience in the least — in fact, we were rewarded with a fabulous rainbow over the ocean as we prepared to leave (click here to see the video).
After experiencing the luxury and pampering aboard Seabourn Quest, we are not the least bit surprised that Seabourn earned the title World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for the fourth consecutive year from the readers of Travel + Leisure in its 2012 annual poll.
Readers scored Seabourn's fleet of six intimate, all-suite ships higher than any other cruise line. The award is the ultra luxury line's fifth World's Best win since 2007, making the company a charter member of the publication's "Hall of Fame," comprised of companies that have scored "World's Best" status for a decade or more.
For more: Contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 800.929.9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
