Seabourn Again Wins Travel + Leisure’s ‘World’s Best Small-Ship Line’ Award

The readers of Travel + Leisure have ranked Seabourn the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for the third consecutive year. Seabourn achieved the highest score awarded to any cruise line, regardless of ship size category, according to the results of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best 2011 readers’ survey published in its August issue and available now on TravelandLeisure.com/WorldsBest. It is the fourth time the line has won the award in five years.

The latest win underlines the company’s remarkably consistent record of attracting and satisfying discerning, affluent travelers in the highly competitive ultra-luxury segment of the cruise industry. Seabourn has also won Best Small-Ship Line honors from readers of Departures, and in the 2008 and 2010 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

“Winning for the second time in a row last year was wonderful,” said Seabourn president Richard Meadows, “and when we win for the third time in a row, you have to say ‘Now we are starting to see a pattern.’ To win the Travel + Leisure award for three consecutive years is a remarkable accomplishment anytime,” he continued. “But for Seabourn’s shipboard staff to win it in the last three years, when we added three new ships and tripled our capacity, is simply unprecedented.”

Seabourn’s win was undoubtedly aided by the tremendous response to its trio of new ships, which have been universally acclaimed as “game-changers” for the luxury segment. Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest are the smallest new ships being introduced into the ultra-luxury fleet, but carrying just 450 guests, they provide the highest ratio of space per guest in the industry, and a complement of nearly one staff member per guest. Innovative onboard features such as Seabourn Square - the popular concierge lounge that serves as the ship’s “living room” - and the largest spa on any luxury vessel are bolstered by highly personalized service delivered by a crew that is the envy of the industry.

Seabourn’s entire fleet, including the line’s original trio of 208-guest ships: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, all share the key elements that set Seabourn apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandahs; superb dining in a choice of venues; open bars throughout the ship; fine wines poured at lunch and dinner; the aforementioned award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board.

Seabourn’s six-ship fleet circles the globe throughout the year, sailing to the world’s most desirable destinations at their peak seasons. Cruises of seven days to World Cruises of over 100 days visit hundreds of ports, including marquee cities and lesser-known yachting harbors and hideaways that few travelers ever see. Remarkably all-inclusive fares offer tremendous value for one of the world’s finest travel experiences. For details, contact a travel professional, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit http://www.Seabourn.com.