Aboard the Seabourn Encore From Dubrovnik to Athens

We sailed Seabourn in September 2025 on a 7-night itinerary from Dubrovnik to Athens with my multigenerational family ranging from eight months to 85 years old. We chose Seabourn very intentionally because we had a tight one-week window and wanted a truly upscale, all-veranda experience that would feel seamless across age groups.

The itinerary included stops in Kotor, Gallipoli, Sarandë, Zakynthos, and Athens, with one sea day, and it struck an excellent balance between culturally rich ports and a relaxed onboard pace. Embarkation and disembarkation were notably smooth and stress-free, which made a meaningful difference when traveling with both elderly family members and a baby.

Accommodations

All accommodations on board are veranda staterooms, and we booked a range from base verandas through the Owner’s Suite. The staterooms were generously sized, particularly the bathrooms, which felt much larger than what most guests expect at sea. One main highlight was a soaking tub and double sink in every room category.

The Owner’s Suite, in particular, stood out as one of the nicest shipboard suites I have experienced, with excellent layout, storage, and overall comfort.

Public spaces throughout the ship felt clean, modern, and upscale without tipping into anything overly formal or stuffy. The overall ambiance felt refined but approachable.

Dining & entertainment

Dining was a strong highlight, especially the sushi restaurant, which consistently delivered high-quality meals. That said, by the end of seven days, the dining and entertainment offerings began to feel repetitive. The entertainment team was small, and guests often saw the same performers and sets throughout the week. The onboard crowd skewed older, largely late 60s and above, with a high percentage of repeat Seabourn sailors, which reinforced the calm, traditional luxury atmosphere onboard.

In port

The destinations themselves were excellent, but the ship-organized shore excursions were underwhelming relative to the caliber of the itinerary. I would strongly recommend private shore excursions for clients who want deeper cultural access, more flexibility, or a higher-touch experience.

Who is this for?

Seabourn is an especially good fit for older clients, multigenerational families anchored by grandparents, and travelers who prioritize space, service, and ease over nightlife or high-energy programming.

From an accessibility standpoint, not all areas of the ship were fully accessible. I noticed small lips in some doorways, including near the pool deck, as well as steep embarkation stairs and tender access that would be challenging for full-time wheelchair users. Guests would need to be comfortable managing a few steps with assistance.

There was no programming available on board that was suitable for children; our two were the only ones on board under the age of 18. I would not recommend this liner for grade-school children, not because they would be unwelcome, but because they would be bored.

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