“A day never ends if a memory is made.”

Not only is this the title of Seabourn Ovation’s charismatic cruise director Ross Roberts’ joyful and uplifting book, but it is also a worthy goal for any situation, including a special cruise.

I met Roberts during my recent 12-day New England and Canada cruise, a voyage shared with my sister to experience the luxuries, both little and lavish, of a Seabourn sailing; drink in the splendor of fall’s turning leaves; and share in a full day with Anne of Green Gables in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. And, of course, to make memories.

From moments to memories

One of our favorite moments was exploring what Lucy Maud Montgomery called “the wonder castle of my childhood.” Now the Anne of Green Gables Museum, this home, once belonging to the author’s aunt and uncle, has been in Montgomery’s family since 1776 and was the location of the author’s 1911 wedding. It sits not far from Anne’s own “Lake of the Shining Waters” and amidst beautiful grounds that were ablaze in orange and gold during our visit.

Having read all of Montgomery’s books about Anne and her escapades and seeing every iteration of the book brought to screen, including the 2017 television drama, “Anne With An E,” it was an absolute joy to walk through rooms Montgomery had lived in and dreamed in, see autographed first editions of her many books and learn about the family from Montgomery descendants.

Afterward, we visited the Green Gables Heritage Place, part of Parks Canada’s L.M. Montgomery Cavendish National Historic Site, to walk through the house made famous through the stories of Anne; see artifacts, including the typewriter Montgomery purchased in 1906, on which she (possibly) wrote "Anne of Green Gables"; and stroll the grounds, including the peaceful woodland Anne dubbed “Lover’s Lane” and where she spent much of her time “thinking out loud.”

Books and authors also figured into our stop in Boston, where we spent a pleasurable afternoon poring over titles at the Beacon Hill Bookstore & Café before embarking on the shop’s suggested literary pilgrimage through the neighborhood to see where such luminaries as Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau once resided.

One unexpected delight for both my sister and me was Seabourn’s thoughtfully curated art collection, splashing color, texture and drama throughout the ship. We were particularly fascinated by the framed book sculptures, those intricate shadowbox dioramas with pages carefully carved away to reveal detailed, multilayered and three-dimensional scenes tucked inside the volumes. Weeks after our trip, we are still discussing the artistry of these books—the cutting, carving and collaging—and debating if we should attempt it.

From ports to possibilities

We made great memories onboard, too, where some of the voyage’s most memorable experiences unfolded between ports.

I love anything behind the scenes and thoroughly enjoyed Seabourn’s informal meet-the-cast session where Ross introduced us to the Seabourn Six, the talented singers and dancers who performed throughout the cruise. Following a lively Q-and-A, we all headed backstage to see the wardrobe pieces for the various shows and the changing rooms, and were impressed by the choreography required to support the cast’s lightning-fast costume changes throughout each performance.

Our dinner at Solis, Seabourn’s Mediterranean-inspired specialty restaurant, was one such evening. It began with a pair of elegant drinks selected from the vintage cocktail menu, the Brigitte Bardot and the Grace Kelly—the latter arriving crowned with a silky foam as light and ethereal as the actress-turned-princess. For dinner, I chose the Greek lemon chicken, a whole roasted spring chicken prepared tableside with a touch of theater and served with silky mash potato puree and glazed young carrots. Divine!

A highlight of Seabourn’s robust entertainment programming for us was pianist Roy Tan, the renowned Canadian musician whose sweeping, cinematic orchestrations and spontaneous piano artistry create breathtaking musical experiences. Tan held the packed Grand Salon audience in thrall during his “Soundtrack” performance, a spirited romp through 75 years of iconic melodies, from "Casablanca" to "Forrest Gump," "The Avengers" to a wonderfully nostalgic spy-theme medley featuring "Get Smart," "Mission: Impossible" and "Austin Powers." The piano virtuoso also paid homage to James Horner compositions "Legends of the Fall," "Braveheart," "Titanic" and "Apollo 13."

As Roberts reminded guests throughout the voyage, these are the moments that become the memories travelers carry home long after a voyage ends.

It really is the little things

Carrying just over 580 guests on this particular voyage and accommodating a maximum of 600, Seabourn Ovation pairs the elegance and intimacy of a private yacht with the warmth and conviviality of irresistible gathering spaces. Guests quickly find their favorite go-to spots, choosing from the chummy cocktail atmosphere of the Observation Bar to the mellow Piano Lounge at Solis to the vibrant Seabourn Square, site of the hustle-bustle coffee counter as well a clutch of comfy recliners offering front-row views of waterways and shorelines.

Between shore excursions and shipboard entertainment, our veranda suite quickly became a coveted sanctuary. Both spacious and cozy, the room included a comfortable sitting area and a dining area, a commodious walk-in closet and a private veranda that was perfect for watching the coastline drift by. In-suite dining is especially enjoyable on Seabourn because it is served with the same thoughtful elegance found throughout the ship, complete with crisp linens and polished place settings. A snuggly throw, cushy slippers, bedside chargers and reading lights, filled ice bucket tucked inside the refrigerator and a bar stocked with our choice of red wine were among the room’s many special touches.

With both soaking tub and separate shower, luxuriously big and fluffy towels and gleaming shelf space, our double-sink bathroom felt like a spa. My favorite feature? The collection of jewel-toned and uniquely fragranced Molton Brown body washes lining the shelf above Seabourn’s signature sapphire eucalyptus-scented set of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body wash. Every hand wash and shower felt indulgent.

As if this wasn’t enough, my sister and I also treated ourselves to facials at the spa. We scheduled our appointments for later in the day so we could float from the spa to our suite, slip into our jammies, order room service and relax over dinner and a movie.

Early in the cruise during the captain’s cocktail reception welcoming first-time Seabourn guests, the captain explained that Seabourn prides itself on accommodating guests’ personal preferences, whether that means arranging for caviar to be delivered each afternoon or fulfilling other special requests.

For me, that special request was a standing order for a bowl of popcorn and a pot of chamomile tea, delivered to my suite as a late-night snack. A small gesture, but one that perfectly illustrates how Seabourn turns personal preferences into lasting memories.

As Roberts says in his book, “In my job, making memories is the most important thing.” For me as a passenger experiencing this unforgettable chapter—sharing autumn in New England and Canada with my sister aboard Seabourn Ovation— my vocation really is the same: making memories. By that measure, we succeeded admirably.

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PLAN YOUR TRAVELS

Offering curated voyages to all seven continents, Seabourn is all-inclusive, luxury cruising in a yacht-like atmosphere with beautifully appointed ocean-front suites. The brand is known for its personalized service, commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability and surprising guests with plenty of thoughtful indulgences throughout the voyage, such as complimentary caviar.

Cruise fare includes complimentary premium spirits and fine wines at all times, including welcome champagne and an in-suite bar stocked with guest preferences. World-class dining and culinary experiences are served daily, and all dining venues are complimentary. Entertainment and enrichment, Wi-Fi packages and Signature Events such as Shopping with the Chef are also included, as is one of my favorite shipboard amenities: a self-serve guest laundry, complete with detergent. (Pack dryer sheets.) Tipping is neither required, nor expected.

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