Seabourn's Six-Ship Fleet Will Spotlight European Voyages in 2012

Not long ago we reported here on the Cruise Diva Blog that top-rated Seabourn will have all six of its intimate, award-winning ships in Europe this year, sailing itineraries of different lengths in diverse destinations. Once again in 2012, Seabourn's six ship fleet of all-suite ships will offer an unprecedented array of voyages in Europe. From Norway's North Cape to the czarist palaces of the Black Sea coast, the line's ships will explore 165 different destinations among the continent's landmark cities, historic sites and natural splendors on cruises of 7- to 19-days.

"Europe is really a destination that travelers will return to again and again, " noted Seabourn's President, Richard D. Meadows. "No matter how many times you visit great European cities, you always discover something new," he continued, "and our Seabourn ships also take our guests into smaller, hidden gems that many travelers never see."

Following its maiden World Cruise in early 2012, the 450-guest Seabourn Quest will offer cruisers an extended April-to-November season of voyages exploring the whole expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Appealing 7-day cruises between Venice, Athens, Istanbul, Rome and Barcelona are easily combinable into longer voyages with different ports and extra savings.

Also concentrating on the Mediterranean, Seabourn Odyssey's 7-day voyages sail east from Venice to Athens and Istanbul, calling on the gorgeous Greek Isles, the scenic coast of Turkey and, on a couple of occasions, into the Black Sea. Odyssey's week-long voyages are also combinable for more variety and extra savings.

The French and Italian Rivieras, islands and yacht harbors of the Western Mediterranean provide a wealth of fascinating ports to explore, and the 208-guest Seabourn Legend takes full advantage of that fact by sailing two different, 10-day itineraries between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Monte Carlo that include overnight stays in Barcelona and Valletta, Malta, both of which have a celebrated nightlife.

Legend's sister-ship Seabourn Spirit is offering a new 10-day itinerary sailing roundtrip from Venice to the very best of the Adriatic coast, including ravishing Kotor in Montenegro, the rustic, friendly Puglia region of Italy, the Dalmatian towns of Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia, plus Rovinj, the gem of Croatia's northern Istria peninsula. The cruise also includes a Marina watersports day in Triluke Bay in high season, and an overnight in incomparable Venice.

Summer cruises in Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Norwegian Fjords are immensely popular, and for good reason. The baroque masterpieces of St. Petersburg form the multi-day centerpiece of cruises on both the 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn and the 208-guest Seabourn Pride. Cruises of the Norwegian fjords on both ships vary from 10 to 16 days, with some including the Arctic Circle and the North Cape.

The entire eight-month season is now open for sale, and itineraries, fares and other details can be viewed on the company's website at Seabourn.com.