Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	457
Accommodation	200	186
Food	400	347
Service	400	353
Entertainment	100	86
Cruise	400	352

How this score is created

This is spread over three decks, and there are nine price categories, the price depending on size, grade and location you choose. The all-outside cabins (called suites in brochure-speak) are comfortably large and beautifully equipped with everything one could reasonably need. Electric blackout blinds are provided for the large windows in addition to curtains. All cabinetry is made of blond woods, with softly rounded edges, and cabin doors are neatly angled away from the passageway.

All the suites have a sleeping area (European duvets are standard, as are Frette linens) and separate lounge area with Bose Wave Radio/CD unit, DVD?player and flat-screen TV, vanity desk (with hairdryer) and personalized stationery, world atlas, mini-bar and refrigerator (stocked with soft drinks, and two bottles of your favorite liquor when you embark), a large walk-in closet (illuminated automatically when you open the door) and wooden hangers, electronic personal safe, umbrella, and wall-mounted clock and barometer.

A full passenger list is also provided – a rarity these days – as are a fresh fruit basket (replenished daily) and flowers.

Marble-clad bathrooms have one or two washbasins (depending on the accommodation grade), a decent (but not full-sized) bathtub (four suites have a shower enclosure only – no tub), plenty of storage areas, 100% thick cotton towels, plush terrycloth bathrobe, designer soaps and Molton Brown personal amenity items. A selection of five Molton Brown aromatherapy bath preparations can be ordered from your stewardess, who will prepare your bath.

In 2001, Seabourn Cruise Line added 36 French balconies to suites on two out of three accommodation decks. These are not balconies in the true sense of the word, but they do have two doors that open wide, onto a tiny teakwood balcony that is just 27 cm (about 10.6 inches) wide. The balconies allow you to have fresh sea air, however, together with some salt spray.

Course-by-course in-cabin dining is available during dinner hours (the cocktail table can be raised to form a dining table); there is 24-hour room service. Also provided are: personalized stationery, and fancy ticket wallet. Non-smoking cabins are available. Menus for each dinner are delivered to your suite during the day.

Four Owner’s suites (King Haakon/King Magnus, each measuring 530 sq. ft/49 sq. meters, and Amundsen/Nansen, each 575 sq. ft/53 sq. meters), and two Classic Suites (King Harald/King Olav, each 400 sq. ft/ 37 sq. meters) offer superb, private living spaces. Each has a walk-in closet, second closet, full bathroom plus a guest toilet with washbasin. There is a fully secluded forward- or side-facing balcony, with sunloungers and wooden drinks table. The living area has ample bookshelf space (including a complete edition of Encyclopedia Britannica), large refrigerator/drinks cabinet, television and DVD player (plus a second TV set in the bedroom). All windows, as well as the door to the balcony, have manually operated blackout blinds, and a complete blackout is possible in both bedroom and living room.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008