This was our third Seabourn cruise but the first in which we upgraded to a penthouse spa suite (because of a good deal) and the first where we crossed the Atlantic. Both were great experiences and are the focus of this review.

The suite first. There are four of these above the spa area, reached only by a flight of curving stairs and so not practical for passengers with mobility issues. The deck or terrace of these cabins is twice the size of those in the regular suites, with an expansive stern view similar to the view from the terrace of the Colonnade restaurant but two decks higher. Suite advantages include a much larger shower, a separate room for the toilet, a separate bedroom with doors if someone wants to sleep while a partner remains awake, TVs in both bedroom and living area (42-incher in the latter), access to the spa serene area (which we didn't take advantage of since our own terrace was "serene") and flowers, healthy snacks, fluffy towels, etc. We felt very spoiled with the extra space. We wouldn't pay full brochure price for this suite (unless we were in the One Percent!) but if you can get a deal on an upgrade the spa suite is worth considering. The cruise joke is that "the more you pay the more you sway" because the bigger suites are higher, but we actually found this suite much more wind protected than those toward the bow, and the motion over the stern not particularly noticeable. The canvas awning on the deck sometimes made noise, but not to an annoying extent.

We were also curious about crossing the ocean because we had enjoyed previous sea days on earlier cruises. Our itinerary was quite interesting, going from the Amazon to Devil's Island, the Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands, and Morocco before ending in Monaco. The equatorial ocean was relatively smooth (still whitecaps, however, with a steady swell) and the sea days were quite relaxing without ever being dull. There was more than enough to do with lectures, shows, contests, games, classes, the gym, pool, and so on, and we never got bored watching the moods of the ocean. Recommended for those who want more days per dollar and like the sea. Read more