Sailing the North Sea with Seabourn Ovation: A Hosted Journey to Remember

This past August, my husband, Richie, and I embarked on a voyage that was as much about connection and beauty as it was about travel itself. I had the privilege of hosting a Seabourn Cruise aboard the stunning Seabourn Ovation, sailing round-trip from Copenhagen on a 14-day journey through the North Sea and the breathtaking Norwegian fjords. We added a pre-cruise stay in Stockholm to start things off, and from the moment we left home, the adventure began.

Stockholm – A Sweet Start After a long travel day — complete with a front-row seat to what I now call the “Baby Crying Choir” on our European connection — we landed in Stockholm late in the day. Even with plane crud and exhaustion, we couldn’t resist a celebratory 9 p.m. drink to toast the start of vacation.

Our hotel, the Mornington Hotel Stockholm City, was a gem: cozy, stylish, and in the perfect location to walk to the city’s main attractions. Breakfast was a standout, with my new Swedish favorite — a soft roll with cream cheese and slices of cheese — earning a permanent spot on my “best breakfasts” list.

We wandered through sunlit streets, admiring carved wood doors, copper gutters, and design shops, but the highlight was the Vasa Museum. Seeing this incredible 17th-century warship, preserved almost entirely intact, was a dream come true for Richie, who’d had it on his bucket list for 15 years. That evening, we savored the best Swedish meatballs I’ve ever had at Nybrogatan 38.

Train to Copenhagen The next morning, we boarded a five-hour train to Copenhagen — business class, which I highly recommend for comfort and space. The scenery was a delight, from the bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark to wind turbine farms in the sea. Copenhagen welcomed us with bicycles in every direction, a chic stay at Hotel Skt. Petri, and a pop-up dinner at The Secret Garden that was both delicious and unexpected.

Of course, I made time to visit an international market for my favorite cooking souvenir: Knorr Polish mushroom bouillon cubes — four boxes, this time!

Boarding the Seabourn Ovation Embarkation was seamless — just 15 minutes from taxi to suite. Our spacious accommodations were filled with thoughtful touches, including fresh flowers and a soaking tub I knew I’d make good use of. That first night, we dined at Sushi, one of Seabourn’s specialty restaurants, before heading into the open sea — and straight into the biggest North Sea storm the ship had faced in 25 years.

With waves reaching 25 feet and winds up to 55 knots, it was an exhilarating start. We embraced it with good humor — even when it meant missing our first port in Ålesund. Between exploring the ship, hosting my cocktail party for our group, and indulging in homemade pasta and gelato by the pool in the rain, we made the most of it.

Into the Arctic Circle Once the seas calmed, we arrived in Svolvaer under bright skies, above the Arctic Circle. From ice bars to fjord views and the sight of thousands of jellyfish as we sailed away, it was magical. In Tromsø, I fell in love with traditional Norwegian homes, flower towers, and the fuzzy bees that seemed to be everywhere. The fjords here were unlike anything I’ve seen — their beauty is something I want everyone to experience at least once.

North Cape & Beyond At Honningsvåg, we stood at the North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe, just shy of the North Pole. We saw puffins, reindeer, and even a wedding at the cape. Other days brought glacial blue waters in Loen, rainbow-framed sail-aways from Skjolden, and learning about grass-topped roofs and farm animals on their annual “vacation” roaming freely through villages.

Of course, there were the onboard pleasures too: caviar and champagne sail-aways, trivia tournaments, decadent meals (including Thomas Keller’s “happy cow” beef), and spa days. One of my favorite memories was an afternoon in the ship’s launderette, where Richie earned the title “Lint Man” while we helped fellow guests with machines and made new friends.

Final Ports & Farewell Our last days took us through Stavanger’s historic streets, Farsund’s coastal charm (where I collected snapdragon seeds), and Denmark’s fishing port of Skagen. We hosted our group for a behind-the-scenes bridge tour, celebrated our anniversary with Seabourn’s special touches, and soaked in the final sunsets from our suite’s balcony.

Leaving the Seabourn Ovation was bittersweet. We returned home with three flights, one missing suitcase, and countless memories. From the wild beauty of Norway’s fjords to the refined luxury of Seabourn, this journey was the perfect blend of adventure and indulgence — and a reminder that travel is as much about the people you meet and moments you share as the places you see.