Pampering its passengers, attention to detail, personalized excursions, etc…. All these adjectives and many more come to mind when we talk about the Seabourn Cruise Line.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
On this occasion we visited their ship Seabourn Encore, in a charming location on the Costa Brava, specifically Palamós, a port with which they have a very special relationship.
The North American cruise line Seabourn Cruise Line first docked at the port of Palamós in 2005 with the Seabourn Legend. At the end of the 2018 season, the company will have completed 14 consecutive years visiting the Port of Palamós and the Costa Brava region with its entire fleet. Seabourn has always shown loyalty and confidence in the port of Palamós; its characteristics and services, along with the exceptional setting of the Costa Brava, have captivated 30,000 passengers over the years.
Palamós received more than 30,000 cruise passengers in 2018
During this period, the port facilities of Palamós have received a total of 90 calls from the Seabourn company. In addition to the aforementioned Seabourn Legend, the following cruise ships have called: Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Encore (the one we are discussing today), and the brand-new Seabourn Ovation, which visited Palamós this season coinciding with its inaugural voyage.
This 2018 season, the cruise line has increased its commitment to the Costa Brava, calling at the Port of Palamós up to 10 times. Seven calls were made by the Seabourn Encore, and three were unique calls by the Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Quest, and Seabourn Ovation. These calls represent 17% of the port's total calls in 2018, carrying approximately 5,450 passengers.
The Costa Brava is an internationally renowned luxury tourism destination. Its rich artistic and cultural heritage captivates cruise ship passengers.
The Costa Brava is one of the most sought-after destinations for international luxury tourism. “Anonymity and discretion” is one of the main leitmotifs of the Empordà region when it comes to luxury tourism. Businesspeople, financial executives, and professionals from North America, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and increasingly, Asia and the Nordic countries, are regular visitors to this unique area that combines small, idyllic coves, mountainous landscapes, and a dreamlike rural setting. Golf, culture, gastronomy, and history are among the main interests of these discerning and exclusive tourists who visit the Costa Brava in search of peace, tranquility, but also luxury and glamour. This same type of passenger is what Seabourn Cruises brings aboard its boutique ships. For this reason, there is a superb synergy between the destination and the cruise line, making the Port of Palamós an essential part of the company's Mediterranean itineraries.
Palamós, gateway to the Costa Brava destination.
This season, the Seabourn Cruises shipping company offers several excursion options so that its passengers can discover the wonderful Costa Brava.
Excellence, exclusivity, and anonymity are the triumvirate of luxury tourism.
Flavors of Palamós. Local Cooking Workshop. The Mediterranean diet is recognized as one of the healthiest in the world. Its key ingredients, such as fish, olive oil, herbs, and vegetables, will take center stage on this tour for food lovers. Participants will be guided to the local market, where their cooking class will be held. The chef will prepare, and demonstrate how to prepare, several traditional dishes, including octopus salad, fideuà, fish soup, and a delicious dessert invented by Augustinian monks. Finally, the day's creation will be enjoyed for lunch before returning to the boat.
Girona: A scenic one-hour journey will take passengers from Palamós to the beautiful city of Girona, known as the Immortal City. A city brimming with historical treasures, it is one of the most interesting monumental cities in Spain. The first stop will be in El Call, one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Europe, continuously inhabited for almost seven centuries. At the heart of the Jewish Quarter are the Arab Baths with their beautiful arches. Passengers will also have the opportunity to visit the Bonastruch Ca Porta Museum in the former synagogue, as well as the medieval city walls and the remains of the Gironella Tower, destroyed by Napoleon during his retreat in 1814.
Cruise passengers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local gastronomy and architecture of the Empordà.
Journey to the past: Visit Empúries, a Roman city dating back to 550 BC. This modern name comes from emporion, meaning market or trading center. This name accurately describes the site's purpose, as the city was favorably situated in the (then) delta of the Fluvia River and at the crossroads of several trade routes. Such a strategic location also offered protection to merchant ships. The city quickly became one of the most important trading ports on the Mediterranean coast at the time. During the tour, you will see examples of Greek and Roman city architecture and their distinctive features. A visit to the ruins reveals the marketplace, the agora, and the sacred area where the temples stood, including the main one dedicated to Jupiter. The Greeks adapted their buildings to the site and terrain, while the Romans preferred the land to accommodate their grid-like city layout. Back on the ship, we'll visit Begur, one of Girona's most popular towns, not only for its unique character but also for the important historical remains found there, including Begur Castle.
Pals and Cycling: An excursion for cycling enthusiasts. Using an e-bike, participants will discover a diverse array of picturesque locations: rugged coastal coves, forests, fields, and medieval villages. The route follows the so-called "Tren Petit" (Little Train) line, which was once a narrow-gauge railway. After a couple of kilometers, the tour stops at Cala Castell, one of the most enchanting coves on the Costa Brava. This entirely Iberian settlement is perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings. Following farm tracks, the tour continues to the medieval village of Pals. The heart of the old town is dominated by a Roman tower, built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Cobblestone streets, semicircular arches, facades with pointed arch windows, and stone balconies are typical features. The town walls boast four square towers dating back to the 4th century. After some free time in Pals, cruise passengers are returned to their ship.
Cala Castell is considered the most unspoiled beach on the Costa Brava, and a symbol of the local struggle for the preservation of the natural environment.
The Rice Route: Visit the incredible medieval village of Pals, which includes a train journey through its local rice paddies. You'll board the train in Pals' old town. The journey to the mill takes about 20 minutes and passes through the farmland of Pals and typical fields of the Baix Empordà region. The train stops at the Molí de Pals (Pals Mill), where you'll learn about the history of the building, which contains texts related to rice dating back to 1452. Afterward, you'll visit the facilities where electricity was generated in the early 20th century. Here, you can observe the rice whitening process using demonstration equipment. The tour concludes with the train's return journey through the rice fields back to the village of Pals, surrounded by the nature, animals, and birds of the Montgrí, Medes Islands, and Baix Ter Natural Park.
As we can see, the Costa Brava is a global destination that has successfully adapted its full potential to cater to tourists seeking a higher level of quality and exclusivity in all its services. According to figures provided by the port authority, the following tours were the most requested by Seabourn Cruise Line passengers in 2018 during their stops in Palamós. At the top of the list is the excursion to medieval towns such as Pals and Peratallada (a tour that is usually combined with a visit to the Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol). In second place is the visit to the city of Girona (old town and Jewish quarter). Thirdly, passengers have chosen cycling tours that follow the coastal path and greenways, taking them to the town of Pals. Fourthly, tourists have visited the Empúries archaeological site and the historic town of Begur. Further down the list are visits to Figueres, Tamariu, Calella, and Cadaqués.
for
excellence in all the destinations and services it offers its customers. The luxury cruise line prioritizes quality over quantity, and it's clear that after 14 years of partnership, Palamós and the Costa Brava understand the company's needs.
Guest satisfaction is paramount. In a global market like the cruise industry, where assets are mobile and can be moved from one place to another around the world with relative ease, Seabourn passengers continue to choose the Costa Brava, which is why the cruise line includes this port in its itineraries year after year.
Empúries is the only archaeological site on the Iberian Peninsula where the remains of a Greek city, Emporion, coexist with those of a Roman city, Emporiae.
During our visit aboard the Seabourn Encore, we had the opportunity to speak with several passengers and learn their impressions of the destination. We were pleasantly surprised to find that, despite being a relatively small region, the Costa Brava was familiar to many passengers. For a large number of them, especially European passengers, it wasn't their first time visiting the area, and they took advantage of the stopover to explore new options beyond those they had experienced on their initial visit. Those visiting the area for the first time, mostly middle-aged American couples, were delighted with their tour.
Some even lamented not having an overnight stop to spend an extra day visiting other destinations. While almost all the passengers we spoke with had opted for an organized tour, we observed others asking the crew and port staff for advice on exploring Palamós and enjoying the local cuisine at a restaurant.
This last point highlights the quality not only of the destination but also of the port's infrastructure, which allows cruise passengers to easily and accessibly explore the town of Palamós. The feeling upon disembarking from the Encore is that Palamós/Costa Brava and Seabourn Cruises are a solid partnership with a strong chance of lasting.
Cruise tourism in
Palamós, Costa Brava, began its season on Sunday, March 4th and will end on November 9th. A total of 17 cruise lines will visit the two ports of the Costa Brava, 55% of which will be luxury cruises. The Port of Palamós expects to close 2018 with 47,500 passengers and 47 port calls. This represents an 11% and 12% increase, respectively, compared to the previous year. This activity will generate a direct economic impact of €3.9 million in the region, according to figures provided by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Each passenger disembarking in Palamós/Costa Brava spends an average of €62, and each crew member, €25. This amount also includes port service fees, which amount to €6 per passenger.
Encore
is an evolution of Seabourn's popular Odyssey-class ships. At 40,340 tons and with a capacity of 600 passengers, it is one of the largest vessels in the fleet, compared to its smaller siblings at 32,000 tons and 458 passengers.
Seabourn Cruise seems to have found the Costa Brava to be the best destination for its demanding cruise passengers.
The ship debuted in December 2016 and offers its passengers a 1:1 passenger-crew ratio. This unbeatable ratio guarantees the best and most exclusive service for its passengers, in other words, a luxury vacation.
All cabins aboard the Seabourn Encore are suites with private balconies overlooking the sea. Each suite becomes a haven of peace and tranquility for its occupants. The standard suites range in size from 23 to 28 square meters and are all equipped with either a queen-size bed or two twin beds, fine Egyptian cotton linens, a plush duvet, hypoallergenic pillows, bathrobes, and slippers. They also feature a dining table for two, a walk-in closet, a bar and refrigerator stocked with items upon request, a vanity, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, and personalized stationery. To assist with anything needed, each suite includes a personal assistant available 24 hours a day. All guests are welcomed on board on their first day with chilled champagne and fresh fruit.
Each suite has a personal assistant available 24 hours a day.
The ship is structured to facilitate passenger flow. All accommodations are forward, and all public areas are aft. This strategy is reinforced by its compact size, combined with elevators and staircases at the bow and stern, and a stunning spiral staircase that extends from Deck 10 to Deck 3.
Its main innovations in the dining area, compared to its smaller and older sister ships, are two new restaurants: Sushi and “The Grill by Thomas Keller.”
The Sushi restaurant was the first dedicated to this type of Japanese cuisine. The menu includes a selection of dishes, along with a selection of maki rolls, sushi, sashimi, and salads. In addition, the restaurant offers three varieties of Bento boxes for lunch: meat, seafood, and vegetarian. Sushi is currently available on board Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation.
The Grill focuses its menu on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests who step into its elegant dining room will be invited to enjoy a timeless menu based on the freshest ingredients. The menu features everything from fresh salads to a selection of grilled dishes, such as Lobster Thermidor with creamed spinach. A cocktail program and an extensive wine list complete the menu.
Another highlight of the ship is The Retreat, an ultra-exclusive, complimentary VIP area located on the upper deck. The Retreat comprises 15 private cabanas designed as luxurious individual living rooms, each featuring a large HD flat-screen TV and a refrigerator stocked with a personalized selection of beverages. Up to 28 guests can enjoy a central whirlpool tub, a selection of fresh fruit, premium sun lotions, thermal water, plush towels, and personalized bathrobes, while a concierge is on hand to attend to guests' needs.
The Seabourn Encore has managed to expand its capacity without losing its luxury passenger service.
