VANCOUVER — It was a milestone moment in Vancouver last week as the Seabourn Encore made its maiden call during a seven-day sailing to Juneau, marking the start of the cruise line’s 2026 Alaska season.

The nine-year-old ship will sail weekly between the two destinations until September, when it will cross the Pacific and spend seven months in Asia before returning to Vancouver next spring. 

At just 690 feet in length and 92 feet in width, the 600-guest luxury ship can reach remote areas and travel narrow waterways throughout its West Coast sailings.  

“The small ship size lends itself to going to destinations that the larger ships can’t reach,” says Irene Lui Sanders, Seabourn’s senior manager of public relations and communication. “Our guests are looking for those experiences, that access. They want to see and do unique things, and we have different experiences at different ports.”

Irene Lui Sanders in the Grand Salon

On Alaska sailings, that means visiting small-ship ports like Wrangell, an Alaskan frontier town rich with gold rush history, and Klawock, a historic Tlingit village home to Alaska’s most extensive collection of authentic totem poles. Optional excursions give guests an up-close view of glaciers and wildlife in less-travelled small waterways by Zodiac or kayak. 

Beyond the advantages of smaller ships, Lui Sanders says Seabourn’s key differentiators are the crew and the level of service onboard. A crew of about 400 for the ship’s 300 suites allows exceptional attention to detail. 

“Our returning guests will say, time and time again, that they love our crew, from the bartender to the waiter to their suite host,” she says. “It’s just very warm. We can teach our crew the skills, but we also really look for a crew that has that innate ability to care and be able to offer almost a clairvoyant level of service.”

Seabourn Encore Veranda Suite

That service was on display last week as local media toured the ship. We were greeted with champagne and canapes, the standard welcome for guests as they arrive on board. In-suite bar areas are stocked with full-sized bottles based on guests’ preferences, and complimentary caviar events are offered throughout each sailing. Bathrooms feature Molton Brown amenities, and each guest on Seabourn’s Alaska sailings receives a Helly Hansen Polar Shield Parka. 

As the largest ship in Seabourn’s fleet of five, Encore offers 13 categories of suites ranging from 251 to 1,306 square feet. All suite categories offer walk-in closets, large bathrooms with a separate shower and tub, and private verandas. The ship’s interior spaces were designed by Adam D. Tihany of Tihany Design, a master designer known for luxurious hospitality spaces.

Seabourn Encore Solis

“It was designed to feel residential, like a yacht,” Lui Sanders said, noting details like dark woods, glass installations and an expansive skylight in the Observation Bar ideal for viewing the Northern Lights. 

Returning guests will notice a new fine-dining restaurant onboard. After Seabourn’s partnership with Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Keller ended in 2024, the space occupied by The Grill by Thomas Keller was redesigned into a bright, airy Mediterranean restaurant known as Solis. It’s one of four dining rooms, all included without extra cost. That’s representative of Seabourn’s all-inclusive approach, which encompasses drinks, dining, tips and Wi-Fi, as well as signature events like Shopping with the Chef. 

Seabourn Encore Observation Bar

“It’s a small group experience,” says Lui Sanders. “Our executive chef will get off at a port and take guests to a local market, where they shop for ingredients. They bring everything back onboard and make dinner out of it.”

Several sailings for this year’s Alaska season are already sold out so early booking is encouraged. Learn more at seabourn.com.