It's not always easy to compare an upscale line with a true luxury cruise company, but that's exactly what many people try to do when looking at the differences between Oceania Cruises and Seabourn.
Oceania offers an a la carte approach to cruising, with a base cruise fare and then for-fee packages for everything from alcoholic beverages to shore excursions. Seabourn comes to the table offering intuitive service and a fare inclusive of alcohol and gratuities. Yet both lines share a commitment to fine dining and destination exploration.
Can service be compared across these lines? Oceania may get high marks, but how does it stack up against a top luxury line like Seabourn? Find out how we rate Oceania vs. Seabourn.
Fleet
Oceania CruisesThe Oceania Cruises fleet includes six ships: four 684-passenger, older-yet-beloved R-class ships and two newer, 1,250-passenger O-class ships that were built specifically for the cruise line. The smaller R-class ships include Insignia, Nautica, Regatta and Sirena. Regatta, Insignia and Nautica joined the Oceania fleet in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively (all refurbished in 2014); Sirena joined the fleet in March 2016. For those looking for newer, larger ships with more bells and whistles, the O-class options are Marina, launched in 2011, and Riviera, launched in 2012.Oceania's R-class ships, which were refurbished in 2014, are all scheduled for upgrades from 2018 to 2020. The planned refurbishment, called OceaniaNEXT, will shell out $100 million to redesign staterooms and suites, incorporate new decor in shipboard restaurants, and update bars and lounges. Insignia will be refreshed first in December 2018, followed by Sirena in May 2019, Regatta in September 2019 and Nautica in June 2020. Marina and Riviera will also get upgrades and enhancements.SeabournSeabourn sails five ships. Three sister ships -- Seabourn Odyssey (launched in 2009, with a 2017 refurb), Seabourn Sojourn (2010, with a 2017 refurb) and Seabourn Quest (2011, with a 2016 refurb) -- each accommodate 458 passengers. Two newer ships -- the 600-passenger sister ships Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation, based on an augmented version of the Odyssey-class design -- debuted in 2016 and 2018, respectively.The cruise line is scheduled to debut two expedition ships in June 2021 and May 2022. Both ships meet PC6 Polar Class standards for Antarctica and Artic itineraries, and will each sail with two submarines, two dozen Zodiacs and a kayak fleet. The 23,000-GRT vessels, offering 132 balcony suites, will accommodate 264 passengers.Price
You may assume that it will be difficult to make a price vs. value comparison between Oceania, an ultra-premium line, and the highly regarded luxury line, Seabourn. But it may be easier to do than you think. That's because, pricing wise, Oceania has come to the table with its OLife promotion that packages airfare with your choice of perk (free shore tours, a beverage package or onboard credit), and the line already offers free Wi-Fi and free specialty dining with its cruise fare. So if you are comparing Oceania's OLife fare with Seabourn's general fare, it will be a pretty even comparison. Things aren't as cut-and-dried when it comes to the actual cruise experience though. Seabourn's ships are smaller and more intimate than Oceania's, and that leads to more personalized attention, spacious accommodations and an overall more luxurious-feeling voyage.Choose Oceania if you want more control over what you're paying for.

Itineraries
When it comes to choice of itineraries, both of these lines offer a plethora of options; you truly can sail the globe with either line. Oceania has an excellent track record in Alaska, sailing seven-, 10- and up to 14-night voyages. The line also offers plenty of options in the Caribbean and Panama Canal; Canada and New England; Northern Europe and the Mediterranean; South America and the Amazon; Australia and New Zealand; Asia; the South Pacific; and even Africa. Seabourn sails to each of those destinations, plus Antarctica and Patagonia aboard Seabourn Quest, and the Middle East and India via Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Encore and the line's newest flagship, Seabourn Ovation.Choose Oceania for its 180-day world cruise.

Shore Excursions
Both Oceania and Seabourn offer a deep list of shore tours to entice all types of travelers, from those looking to learn about the culture of the destination to people seeking a more thrilling, active adventure. Seabourn-sponsored shore excursions tend to get better reviews than those offered by Oceania. In part, that might be because Seabourn limits the number of passengers aboard motor coaches, ensuring a comfortable ride and optimal touring conditions for everyone. Seabourn also partners with experts across the globe and even has a partnership with UNESCO, allowing in-depth exploration of World Heritage Sites around the globe. Oceania, on the other hand, gets glowing reviews of its culinary-focused shore tours that introduce cruisers to the food and wine of the destination.Choose Oceania if you're a foodie and you want shore tours that focus on food, wine, craft beer and more.

Cabins
Both lines offer some pretty spectacular staterooms, but Oceania comes to the table with several cabin categories that are smaller than Seabourn's entry-level Ocean View Suite, which is available aboard Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest. But if you can book a Penthouse or higher aboard an Oceania ship -- especially on the newer and larger O-class ships, Marina and Riviera -- the digs will be more comparable to what's on offer from Seabourn.Choose Oceania if you want the most variety in cabin categories.

Dining
Oceania fans rave about the specialty restaurants found onboard and also have great things to say about the main dining room. Seabourn loyalists say you can't compare the two lines when it comes to cuisine; they insist Seabourn is a cut above. But it's fair to say that foodies will find plenty to keep them happy on both ships. Here's why.Choose Oceania if you want a lot of choice at mealtime.

Entertainment
Oceania and Seabourn ships definitely have a different onboard vibe, which is particularly noticeable when you compare the entertainment options available. Oceania offers more structured daytime entertainment options such as cooking classes and art projects -- especially aboard its O-class ships. If you love water sports, Seabourn is the winner since all of its ships (with the exception of Quest) have an onboard marina. In the evening, most cruisers will tell you that Seabourn has the edge when it comes to theater shows and performances by onboard musicians.Choose Oceania if you love learning to cook something new or want to use your creative side in an art studio.

Family
Neither Oceania nor Seabourn are a match made in heaven for families -- mainly because none of their ships offer dedicated kids clubs, supervised children's activities or babysitting. While Seabourn doesn't promote the fact, it will bring a kids counselor on the ship if a large number of families have booked passage on a particular voyage. On those very limited sailings, families will be notified of kid-friendly activities.Choose Oceania if you want to visit Alaska and have kids in tow.

Bottom Line
Choose Oceania for more control or customization over where your money goes, more choices in cabin types (especially if you need a more budget-friendly, entry-level option), if you prefer food-centric activities and shore excursions, and if you like bigger ships. Choose Seabourn for excellent evening entertainment, a chance to experience the line's signature Caviar in the Surf event, and for overall pampering. Seabourn is known for incredible service and intimate ships so if you want to feel like a prince or princess, Seabourn is the line for you.Updated December 12, 2018
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