I am frequently asked with is better and my response is each one has pluses and minuses so to complete that answer here is my observation. Note: all the Crystal descriptions are post-bankruptcy and updated as of 2026.
The number in parentheses before each item weighs the importance to me (0-10).
(5) Main Dining rooms are comparable. Dress requirements at both are the same.
(5) The Bistro on Crystal is similar to the Coffee Bar at Seabourn Square.
(4) The library on Crystal is larger and more organized than the books located in Seabourn Square.
(4) There are magic shows on Crystal Serenity but not on Seabourn or the Symphony.
(7) The Avenue Salon on Crystal is similar to the Solis Piano Bar.
(8) The shows are comparable.
(6) There is more crew interaction on Seabourn.
(4) The Trident Grill on Crystal is similar but smaller to the patio dining on Seabourn.
(2) The non-suite cabins are smaller on Crystal with smaller closets and bathrooms.
(1) There are many more non-balcony cabins on Crystal. Seabourn has almost none. Crystal has many more suites.
(8) Umi Uma on Crystal (reservations required and only open at night with very limited space with a $75 upcharge after the number of free visits are exceeded) is in IHO the best restaurant on any cruise ship.
(8) The Suchi restaurant on Seabourn (not on the Quest) serves bento boxes for lunch (my favorite lunch spot) and a spectacular tasting menu on formal nights.
(3) The Marketplace in Crystal and the Colonnade on Seabourn are comparable for breakfast and lunch. The Marketplace is closed for dinner. The Colonnade is my least favorite dinner option. The Colonnade is a good place to go to avoid the formal night dress restrictions.
(3) The Beefbar on Crystal is a decent place to get steak dinner. I was not thrilled with the one lunch I ate there.
(8) Earth and Ocean on Seabourn has a very limited menu that changes daily but is one of my favorite dinner places when I like what is on the menu and the weather is good.
(10) The hosted tables on Seabourn are a great way to meet people and interact with entertainers, officers and speakers.
(0) There is much more ballroom dancing on Crystal and there are Ambassador Hosts for ladies who want dance partners.
(0) There are dance lessons on Crystal.
(3) On the Serenity on formal nights they hold a “Supper Club” which is a 1930s style NY night club offering a limited menu and entertainment during dinner. This is a good way to meet other passengers. This is one seating with reservations required and they are very limited.
(2) On Crystal all cabins/suites have butlers and tablets.
(3) On Crystal excursions can be booked in advance and paid for on board. On Seabourn excursions can be booked in advance but paid for in advance. When on board, the amounts paid can be refunded if cancelled or if on board credits are used.
(10) Before the bankruptcy for solo travelers, Crystal was less expensive than Seabourn if space was purchased well in advance. Now it is more expensive. Now for solo travelers there are only a few rooms that do not have a 100% supplement. Now that more cabins have been converted to suites, several couples have told me that they needed to purchase more expensive suites since the standard cabins were not available. Crystal has started offering a 25% supplement for some suites on a few cruises.
(9) Seabourn’s frequent traveler program is much better than Crystal’s. For example, free laundry service is not attainable for frequent travelers who do not stay in the most expensive suites.
(0) Crystal’s guest laundry facilities are much larger than Seabourn’s. This is no longer an issue for me since I get free laundry on Seabourn, but it was before.
(2) Osterila D’Ovidio Crystal’s Italian restaurant like Uni Uma had limited seating is subject to a $75 upcharge for visits exceeding the free allotment. Solis Seabourn’s specialty restaurant also has limited seating but has no additional charge if space is available and visited more frequently.
(2) On Seabourn the room attendant changes the clock when there is a time change. On Crystal they do not. However when I requested it, my butler did it.
(4) On Seabourn if you own 100 shares of Carnival stock you get $100-$250 (depending on the length of the trip) On Board Credit (OBC) for each trip. Crystal does not have a similar credit. Both cruise lines have promotions that vary on each booking for additional OBC.
(3) Crystal offers bridge instruction and duplicate games on sea days on almost all trips. Seabourn only offers that on trips with lots of sea days. I think this is the same for art classes.
(0) Crystal offers computer learning classes. Seabourn does not.
(8) Crystal offers a 5-7.5% on board credit for new cruises booked. Seabourn offers 10% and has the option of making a non-specific future cruise deposit for a 5% savings.
(0) Crystal has a dedicated room for cigar smoking. Seabourn does not.
(5) The Observation bar on Seabourn and Palm Court on Crystal are comparable. I prefer the Observation bar.
(10) Both offer a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails.
(0) Both offer tea time.
(5) Both have in room large flatscreen TVs offering movies and access to previous lectures.
(7) Crystal connects to NFL games. Seabourn does not.
(2) Crystal has a movie theater for showing films not on the TV and uses it to hold some lectures and religious services. Seabourn does not.
(5) Crystal does not serve drinks during the shows. Seabourn does.
(3) Crystal has better nighttime chocolates.
(5) The shops on Seabourn are terrible. Crystal has better selection and prices.
(3) The room service menu on Crystal is very limited. It is larger on Seabourn and is expanded to include everything on the Main Dining Room menu during dinner hours.
(0) Both have spas and casinos.
(1) Crystal is building 3 new ships. Seabourn is not building any.
(0) Crystal employs professional photographers to take guests pictures and offer them for sale. Seabourn does not.
(2) Crystal has electronic do not disturb and clean room notification light. Seabourn uses a paper doorknob hanger that can fall off.
(0) Crystal has a large stall shower and I have heard more
than one guest complain that the stall shower on Seabourn is too small. Seabourn has bathtubs in all rooms. Crystal only has them in suites.
(3) Seabourn has prefilled in
luggage room locators downloadable off of the website that fit into luggage
tags cases provided on previous cruise.
Crystal mails blank luggage room locators that can easily fall off.