Seabourn Cruise Line

Best For People Who Want:
To feel as though aboard a yacht; gourmet dining; large cabins; exotic itineraries; exemplary enrichment program.

Should Be Avoided By People Who Prefer:
Cabins with private verandas; diverse nightlife; extensive fitness/sports facilities; a casual dress policy; children's programs

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Onboard Experience:
Legend's European staff seems to derive profound pleasure from indulging your every whim, and the food's deliciousness humbles our powers of description. The ships visit some of the world's most glamorous ports of call, many of them off limits to megaliners. But there isn't much to do but dine, and then wait to dine again.

Recent drydock maintenance and interior refurbishment, you will be further enticed to learn, included the installation of DVD players and flat-screen televisions in all suites and improvement of the indoor/outdoor Veranda Cafe alternative dining venue.

Decor:
There are those find the Scandinavian decor just a bit�chilly. But handsome prints line the walls and nearly everyone looks her best in the low lighting at night.

Public Rooms:
For people used to soaring atria with marble walls embellished with brass and glass, at first these ships seem too modest for the price of admission, however, the luxe is in the small details such as the finest quality fittings, furniture and finishings which make the entire ship look just right for the casual elegance they promote as their style. The Horizon Lounge also serves as the observation lounge decorated in ochre-colored leather furniture with floor-to-ceiling windows for a great view ahead. Popular for pre-dinner cocktails and dancing is The Club, a stylish room with an adjacent small casino. Areas in the room are partitioned for more intimacy and the pale beige colors of the room create a wonderful contrast to the unfolding blue sea beyond.

Cuisine:
A gourmet's dream come true, dinner is that to which everyone looks forward most avidly all day. The chef is given plenty of liberty to create, using locally purchased goods at times. There are always vegetarian and heart healthy selections offered. By the way, Everyone dresses to the nines and pre-dining dancing is encouraged. Even the Captain is known to cut a rug.

Restaurants:
You probably won't have eaten in many more elegant settings than the main restaurant, where a small ensemble entertains as you savor the description-defyingly delicious food. Arrive when and sit where you please. Casual breakfast, lunch and some evenings, dinner, are available in the Veranda Cafe.

Situated in the ships' Veranda Cafes each evening, the new casual dining room '2' offers a tasting that will make you feel as though you've died and gone to Heaven. Three different menus are offered every seven days. Reservations for the 50 seats are required, but there is no charge. Dress is casual most evenings.

Service:
A match for the food. The extraordinarily attentive, extraordinarily solicitous staff seems to know what you crave before you crave it.

Tipping:
Gratuities are included in the fare. Tipping is neither required nor expected onboard the yachts of Seabourn.

Entertainment:
Rather an afterthought, it seems; typically, a small floorshow that might make you wonder if you'd have been better back in your cabin watching CNN. There's a good dance band aboard, though. Nighttime activities now include the occasional deck party with live bands and dancing in the moonlight. Seabourn also lays claim to having invented shipboard "Movies under the Stars" poolside at night. For the more cerebral, it is "Legendary" that you won't find a more cut-throat bridge or team trivia crowd on any line than Seabourn's.

Cabins:
Legend offers some of the most expensive cruises you can go on, and huge staterooms, but until 2000 only six of the larger suites had private verandas. Mortified with embarrassment, the line added "French balconies" -- mini-veranda accessed through sliding glass doors - to 44 standard Seabourn Suites, creating a new category they imaginatively called Seabourn Balcony Suites. Inside, Seabourn Suites and Balcony Suites are the same, measuring 277 sq. feet, with separate sitting area, walk-in closets, marble bath with shower, tub, hair dryers and designer toiletries, TV/VCR, tables that convert for in-suite dining, fully-stocked bar, and large marble vanities. In addition, there are 400-sq. ft. Classic Suites; Double Suites measure 554 sq. ft., Owner's Suites 530 and 575 square feet.

Fitness/Spa:
Aft, Seabourn Legend has a water sports platform much beloved of water-skiers and swimmers when the sun is shining warmly. There's a beauty salon with masseuse, and two whirlpools on deck. All ships recently had their formerly pint-sized gyms upgraded to nearly twice the size as before. Expect them to fill up quickly with the newly involved younger Seabourn clientele.

Attire:
If you're not going to pull out all the stops on this ship, you're never going to pull out all the stops. Tuxedos are de rigueur on formal nights, when women unveil their most cherished designer attire. Shorts are welcome in the Veranda Cafe at breakfast and lunch. Plan on elegant casual wear for dinner there.