Ultra-luxury small ship will call Australia home this summer

The ship: Seabourn Quest

• The cruise Australia & New Zealand itinerary (Sydney to Auckland, 15 days)
• The ship Built 2011, refurbished 2018
• Passengers 458 (double occupancy)
• Crew 344
• Decks 10; 229 suites
• Length 198 metres (650 feet)

Seabourn Quest under way.

Ultra-luxury small ship Seabourn Quest can accommodate a maximum 458 guests and almost always does, such is the popularity of the line that enjoys one of the highest repeat booking rates in the industry. Designed to never feel crowded, she is near-identical to sister ships Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn. Calling Australia home for the 2025 summer wave seasons, she is compact and nimble enough to visit ports that larger ships can’t navigate. As an example, on our cruise from Sydney to Auckland, we stop at Batemans Bay, a lesser-visited tender port. Launched in 2011, Quest isn’t the newest and shiniest in the fleet of six ships, but the extraordinary service, generous inclusions and convivial atmosphere onboard will charm many passengers to join the club of loyal Seabourn returnees.

Boarding

A smooth process from the minute we arrive at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Sydney. Offered sparkling wine, juice or water, we are relieved of our suitcases and ushered through to the check-in desks. At the relatively late check-in time of 2pm, there’s nobody ahead of us in the queue. We walk onto the ship and the cabin is ready, our keycards inside, alongside a chilled bottle of bubbly. Less than 30 minutes after arriving at the port, we’re sitting down to a buffet lunch.

The pool deck at sunrise.

The design

Built in 2011 and refurbished in 2018, Seabourn Quest is a luxury ship that has been well-maintained over the years; enhancements and new spaces are added regularly. With capacity for just 458 guests, the ship’s compact size makes it easy to find your way around. The ship’s design cleverly connects the outdoors and indoors, with open-air spaces to dine, drink, lounge and enjoy the scenery. Suites are generously proportioned and feel spacious, especially those with balconies. Marble bathrooms feature big bathtubs, a luxe touch on the high seas.

The spaces

By design and by capacity, the ship never feels crowded. Passengers gravitate to favourite spaces – the Observation Bar on Deck 10, the pool deck and cabanas, the hot tubs at the aft of Deck 5, the spa serenity zone. The main hub is Seabourn Square, an all-day venue serving coffee, ice-cream and snacks. It’s where the guest services and shore excursions teams are located, as well as the library, board games and boutiques. It’s an appealing space to gather and socialise, or to simply relax in one of the comfy leather recliners.

The stateroom

Inside a Veranda suite.

There are 229 suites, all with living areas and bedrooms, which can be separated by a velvet curtain. Almost 90 per cent are Veranda Suites, featuring a balcony and at least 29 square metres of indoor/outdoor space. Ocean View Suites (there are 26) are all on Deck 4, with large windows instead of balconies and a generous amount of indoor space. When cruising in warmer weather, the extra spend for a balcony is worth it. For a bigger splurge, Penthouse, Owner’s and Signature suites are akin to upscale apartments. Cream-and-brown interiors look a bit dated, though well-maintained. Two attendants work in tandem to make sure our suite is spotless, the minibar is stocked with our favourite beverages and the marble bathroom has a wide range of full-size Molton Brown toiletries. USB ports on the bedside tables are handy. Power outlets are US-style, so remember to pack an adaptor.

The food

Meals across all venues are reliably good, with a few excellent stand-outs. Everything is included in the fare; no up-sells, for-fee specialty restaurants or exclusive zones. Don’t miss the signature caviar party, when caviar blinis and cocktails are served on the pool deck (or in the surf on Caribbean cruises).

Reservations are not required anywhere except in Solis, the Mediterranean fine dining restaurant, where seating is limited. Solis replaces The Grill by Thomas Keller, a former collaboration with the well-known chef. The next day’s menus are delivered to suites during evening turndown so that tough choices can be pondered. Will it be a three-course dinner in The Restaurant, the only venue where guests are required to dress up; a more casual meal at The Colonnade, or the ever-popular room service option? If the weather’s nice, many will opt for Earth & Ocean, where fresh, inventive dishes are served under the stars. From 6-9pm each night in The Club lounge, sushi and sashimi is made to order.

During the two weeks we spend on the ship, menus are never repeated.

The aft of the pool deck.

Wellness

The spa offers the usual cruise ship indulgences – facials, wraps, massages, manicures – at high prices that won’t surprise frequent cruisers. It’s a good idea to book in treatments as soon as you embark. Many guests have on-board credit to spend, and with drinks and meals all included, there aren’t so many places to spend it. The focus on holistic wellness is still strong. Acupuncture sessions are available, as well as group yoga, meditation and stretch classes. A well-equipped gym with weights, treadmills and cross-trainers is busy most days. Personal training sessions are available at extra cost.

The additional-fee Serene Zone lacks a hydrotherapy pool or hot tub. Better to swim, soak and splash in the pools and tubs on the open decks.

Guests with healthy diet goals will find an abundance of salads, fresh proteins, fruit and vegetables available. Special requests are happily accommodated, no fuss.

The ship’s spa area.

Entertainment

The entertainment is designed to suit the interests of well-travelled guests. No magic tricks or awkward stand-up comedy, but there is a talented troupe of six performers who put on Broadway-style shows in the Grand Salon. A house band plays in The Club on Deck 5 every night. In the small casino, there are a few poker machines and tables for card games. A hotly contested trivia competition is well-attended and runs over several days.

Shore excursions are not included in the cruise fare. In most ports, a complimentary shuttle bus is provided if the attractions are not in walking distance (Lyttleton port to Christchurch, for example).
The Seabourn Conversations series, exclusive to the line, features scholars, chefs and experts in conversation. During our cruise, guests are especially engaged with the presentations by Peter Tesch, former Australian ambassador to Russia and Germany.

The crew

It’s the extraordinary service that really makes this voyage shine. Thirty seconds after I jump into the pool, a waiter appears with my favourite drink. I inquire about a product I’d like to buy from the spa. It’s out of stock, but a few days later, I’m told it’s been sourced from another ship. It’s an art to provide luxury service that’s caring and attentive, but never obsequious or intrusive.
Hailing from the Philippines, South Africa, Germany and many other places, the crew works well together and clearly benefits from extensive training. The ratio of crew to guests (not far off 1:1) means you never have to wait for assistance or a drink.

There are no butlers in penguin suits, but room attendants happy to perform the same tasks (packing assistance or in-room bar replenishment, for example), upon request.

The verdict

Great fun, great food, great people. A Seabourn voyage is a splurge, but it’s good value, with so much included in the fare. I’ve answered my own question: is 15 days too long to be at sea? It’s not long enough. Even before we disembark, I’m looking up future voyages. I’m inspired by an American woman we meet who is staying on the ship for the next four months.

Not too big, not too small, Seabourn Quest has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The compact, intimate size helps create a cosy village vibe, far from the city-at-sea atmosphere on mega-ships.

The details

From December 20, 2025, Seabourn Quest will return to Australia for a wave season of voyages exploring Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. The 15-day Australia and New Zealand itinerary departs Sydney on 20 December. From $15,199 a person, twin share.
See seabourn.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

SWELL The intuitive service and care offered by crew and officers is flawless.

NOT SO SWELL The additional-fee “serenity zone” at the spa doesn’t have a hydrotherapy pool or hot tub. Spend the money on a massage instead.

The writer was a guest of Seabourn.