Two hundred and thirty-two dates, and two weeks of February 2017
The Seabourn Encore carries two hundred and thirty-two departure dates with
us. Built by Fincantieri at Marghera in 2016, she is two hundred and ten metres
long by twenty-eight wide, measures forty thousand three hundred and fifty
gross tons, and holds two hundred and sixty-six suites, every one with a
private veranda, for five hundred and thirty-two guests at double occupancy and
three hundred and thirty crew. Twelve decks. She is the first hull of her
class, followed two years later by the
Ovation.
What is on the record
On 12 February 2017, at Timaru in New Zealand, a southerly gust parted every
one of the ship's aft mooring lines. She drifted and struck the cargo vessel
Milburn Carrier II. Both hulls were damaged, nobody was hurt, guests were put
up ashore and the ship was held for inspection. Eleven days later, at Picton,
an ammonia leak from a building on the wharf closed the berth: doors and
windows shut for an hour, nobody allowed on or off.
More recently, in April 2025, a norovirus outbreak affected thirteen guests
and twenty-two crew on a Pacific crossing between Japan and Los Angeles,
reported by the US health authorities. None of this condemns a ship. But a
client who finds it after reading our page will judge us on what we left
out.
What is included, and what is not
Seabourn is clear on this, and that deserves saying because not every line
is. Gratuities are neither required nor expected. Premium spirits and wines
are served on board at all times at no extra charge. Every restaurant is
included, with no exceptions and no cover charge. Starlink satellite Wi-Fi is
included, in unlimited-minute packages. Caviar is included. Your suite bar is
stocked to your preferences.
What is not included fits in one line, and it is the one to remember: shore
excursions and the Ventures by Seabourn programme are charged separately. On
an expedition voyage that is the item that can weigh most after the fare
itself. Get the list before you sail.
Elsewhere in the fleet
The Seabourn Quest belongs to the earlier,
smaller generation. The Seabourn Venture is an
expedition ship of an entirely different kind. And
the fleet as a whole has lost two hulls in two years.
Booking from Quebec
The contract repays a careful reading, because it is markedly less
favourable than several competitors'. The carrier is Holland America Line
Limited, which has operated the Seabourn ships since 17 December 2024. United
States maritime law applies, and where it does not, the law of the State of
Washington.
A personal injury or death claim goes to the United States District Court
for the Western District of Washington at Seattle, or a court in King County.
Every other claim goes to binding arbitration in that same
county. And the contract imposes a class-action waiver: you sue alone, never
as a group.
The notice periods are the shortest we have recorded on this site. Six
months for injury or death. Fifteen days for any other claim.
One year to file suit, ninety days to serve. Fifteen days go quickly once you
are home: write the disembarkation date down somewhere.
The carrier also reserves the right to cancel the cruise or deviate from
the route, ports and timetable, for any reason and without notice. Nothing
establishes a Quebec licence for it. Your protection comes from here: Voyages
AquaTerra holds a licence from the Office de la protection du consommateur,
your payments pass through a trust account, and your departure is covered by
the compensation fund for travel agency customers.