R Below left: Observation Lounge. Below right: The Restaurant. REFLECTING ON OUR LIFETIME of la dolce amore – the sweet romance – of seeing the world together, my husband, Ken and I decided on sailing the Seabourn Spirit’s Adriatic Gems itinerary for our 45th anniversary. Having sailed all the Seabourn vessels, we relished returning to the familiar intimacy of this 200-guest yacht, knowing we were in for sumptuous ambience, gracious service and delectable cuisine. As the 10-day itinerary looped from Venice, it invited a pre-cruise interlude at the historic Westin Europa & Regina Hotel, where we’d celebrated both our 15th and 18th anniversaries. It was meant to be! On deck as the Spirit sailed out of Venice’s blue lagoon, passing by the architectural glories of the Venetian archipelago, we toasted champagne to the stone Lion of Venice, symbol of the ancient Venetian Republic. We settled in our lovely suite, enjoying the view from our French balcony. As always on Seabourn, the welcome was perfect. Flowers, a bowl of fresh fruit and champagne chilling in a silver bucket graced the table. Our bar was stocked with wines and spirits. This signature of Seabourn’s all-inclusive style also extends to all drinks on board. Our bathroom with its twin sinks held a lush array of Molton Brown amenities – including Oriental-style potions for a Zen bath. Our stewardess arrived, introducing herself and offering Hermes soap and a soothing herbal bar. And, as the Adriatic coast is rich with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, plus diverse nature and adventure attractions, the concierge had left a note outlining her top picks for special interests. For active types, she suggested kayaking in Montenegro’s Kotor Bay; and from Croatia’s Split, a river-rafting expedition down Tregir Island’s Cetina River rapids. For culture buffs: a visit from Brindisi to see Alberabello’s ancient Trulli houses; and from Venice, a day trip to Murano glassblowers and Burano lace makers. For gourmands and oenophiles: joining a local fisherman in Split to see oyster and mussel beds; or exploring the Rovinj wineries and olive groves, with tastings along the way. For romantics: a night-time gondola ride through the back canals of Venice; or a visit to Romeo and Juliet’s Verona, where the world’s best preserved coliseum dates to 30 BC. As this was our third Adriatic experience, we planned independent sightseeing in familiar places, and private guides for first-time visits to Kotor and Brindisi. Being at sea for the first day proved a great advantage. After an exhilarating walk around deck, we attended a lecture on the Adriatic Sea which boiled down to a litany of conquests by the Romans and Greeks; the Venetians who scattered images of their lion on city walls and in squares; Napoleon, and the Austrian Hapsburgs who succeeded him. Sea days offered many chances for pure bliss on board the Spirit: a chance to lounge side-by side on the pool deck while clairvoyant servers brought cool towels, frothy spritzers and skewers of fruit; a chance to indulge in the spa, as I did with a skin-silkening seaweed massage; an opportunity to mingle with other guests: British judges and barristers; Australian business moguls, American doctors, European professors, Canadian teachers and real estate magnates. Yes, Seabourn’s clientele is well-heeled, but not pretentious and all mingle happily. And since many had sailed on other Seabourn vessels, everyone compares notes. The consensus: the Spirit for the Adriatic; the newer Odyssey for the Caribbean. 38 CRUISE HOLIDAYS PHOTOS COURTESY SEABOURN