Luxury & Premium Small Ships
Seven Seas Splendor vs Seabourn Ovation
Seven Seas Splendor and Seabourn Ovation both sit at the top of the ultra-luxury ladder, but they get there differently. Splendor is the larger, more lavish 750-guest ship with famously all-in fares, while the 600-guest Ovation leans into an intimate, yacht-like feel and highly personal service.
At a Glance
Seven Seas Splendor
Regent Seven Seas
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Seven Seas Splendor
- + Chartreuse
- + Chartreuse (French)
- + Compass Rose (main restaurant)
- + Compass Rose Restaurant
- + Connoisseur Club
- + Meridian Lounge
- + Observation Lounge
- + Pacific Rim
- + Pacific Rim (Pan-Asian)
- + Regent Suite
- + Sette Mari at La Veranda (Italian)
- + Splendor Lounge
- + Theater & Shows
On both
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Coffee Bar
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Hot Tub
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
Only on Seabourn Ovation
- + All-suite ocean-view accommodations with verandas
- + Caviar in the Surf beach event
- + Complimentary open bars and premium spirits
- + Earth & Ocean
- + Earth & Ocean at The Patio
- + In-suite complimentary stocked bar
- + Library
- + Main Dining Room
- + Marina
- + Nightclub
- + Observation Bar
- + Retractable watersports marina (kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfing)
- + Sky Bar
- + The Club
- + The Colonnade
- + The Grill by Thomas Keller
- + The Restaurant
- + The Retreat private cabanas
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions.
Seven Seas Splendor
- Genuinely all-inclusive - specialty dining, premium drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and a free excursion in nearly every port leave the onboard bill near zero
- Outstanding crew with a high ratio of about 548 crew to 746 guests, so staff learn names and preferences fast
- All-suite, all-balcony layout where even entry suites are spacious with walk-in closets and marble baths - no windowless cabins
- Food is a true highlight across Compass Rose, Chartreuse, Pacific Rim, Prime 7, and Sette Mari, with specialty venues included
- The 4,443 sq ft Regent Suite features an in-suite spa and a roughly 1,300 sq ft wraparound bow veranda
- Premium pricing - some travelers feel cheaper lines can deliver comparable value
- Fare-drop frustration, with a guest reporting suites later sold roughly 40% cheaper with no recourse
- Entertainment underwhelms - Constellation Theater shows felt below luxury expectations to some
- Older demographic and quiet nights with limited nightlife
- Occasional inconsistent service moments despite a strong overall crew
Seabourn Ovation
- Genuinely intuitive, personalized service - staff learn names and preferences within a day and consistently go out of their way
- All-suite layout means every guest gets a spacious veranda suite with a stocked in-suite bar, double-sink bathroom and walk-in closet
- Truly all-inclusive pricing: gratuities, premium drinks, specialty dining and most extras are baked in, so there are few onboard surprises
- The Grill by Thomas Keller delivers a standout specialty-dining experience that few competitors can match
- Small-ship intimacy (around 600 guests) creates a relaxed, club-like atmosphere where you recognize faces and never feel crowded
- Notable inconsistency in food and service - some recent cruisers report a clear decline while others say it has returned to top form
- Perceived cost-cutting, including reduced choice between main dining room and buffet at breakfast and lunch, frustrates loyal Seabourn guests
- Some suites and soft furnishings (sofas, dining tables) are showing wear and feel due for refurbishment
- Cabins located near the smokestacks can get soot/exhaust on balconies, requiring daily cleaning
- Ultra-luxury pricing is steep, and disappointed guests feel value-for-money slips when standards waver
The Verdict
You can't go wrong at this tier, so it comes down to inclusions and vibe. Regent's fare on Splendor is the most genuinely all-inclusive in the business, folding in unlimited shore excursions, premium drinks, specialty dining, and often airfare, which makes budgeting simple and the ship itself feels like a five-star resort with generous suites and grand decor. Seabourn Ovation runs a lower nightly rate but excludes shore excursions and airfare, trading some of that all-in polish for a smaller, more sociable ship with arguably the more attentive, name-remembering service and standout touches like the Thomas Keller Grill and caviar in the surf. Splendor suits travelers who want everything handled and love a bit of grandeur; Ovation suits those who prize intimacy, refined service, and a more yacht-like scale, and don't mind arranging excursions a la carte.
Choose Seven Seas Splendor if…
Choose Seven Seas Splendor if you want a truly all-inclusive fare with excursions and drinks baked in, larger suites, and the feel of a grand luxury resort at sea.
See Seven Seas SplendorChoose Seabourn Ovation if…
Choose Seabourn Ovation if you prefer a smaller, more intimate ship with deeply personal service and are happy to pay for excursions separately to get a lower base fare.
See Seabourn Ovation