My first night dining choice was the Sushi restaurant, small and intimate and with no reservation required. Meanwhile the al fresco dining option on The Patio was quickly to become my favourite dining spot on Encore, and I visited many times enjoying breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In Valencia, I took the complimentary shuttle to the city and got lost in the maze of the old town, a blend of old and new buildings with an abundance of eateries and cafes.
Food was very much on the agenda that evening when I experienced the famous Grill by Thomas Keller. This is the only restaurant on board that requires a reservation - book early to get the time you require. It is inspired by the classic American chophouse, a unique culinary concept from the three Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, exclusive to Seabourn.
My only sea day gave me time to really relax and get to know the ship. The programme was fairly low key, so Seabourn is probably not for you if you want lots of things going on. I enjoyed time around the pool, chatting to other guests and listening to the house band, and sampled the Seabourn ice cream - freshly made with flavours changed daily, this became part of my own daily programme from here on in!
At Cádiz, we docked in the heart of the city centre. It was a Sunday, so whilst a lot of the shops and other attractions were closed, wandering to the fortress and along the coast made a great alternative to Seabourn's full day excursion to Seville and the White Villages of Andalusia.
The very spacious and comfortable theatre, the Grand Salon, offers two shows per evening. I loved the famous 'An evening with Tim Rice' show, narrated via video and highlighting some of his much loved work, from Jesus Christ Superstar to Aladdin and The Lion King, performed by the in-house entertainment team.
In-suite dining for breakfast was a lovely way to start the day, before visiting the sights of Rabat and Casablanca in Morocco on a full day trip. Rabat, Morocco's capital, is on the Atlantic Ocean and is known for landmarks including the Kasbah, the Hassan Tower Mosque and the Royal Palace. We also enjoyed a traditional local lunch, including a delicious meat tagine and cous cous. In Casablanca we had a driving tour around the many different neighbourhoods, and a stop to see the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Africa.
Dinner that evening was in the Restaurant, my first visit since boarding. Decorated with stunning blown glass chandeliers, this venue offers a full à la carte menu accompanied by fine wines, more like the traditional cruise dining experience. An open dining policy ensures you can enjoy an intimate table for two or dine with new friends on a table for 8 or 10.
Tangier was my last port of call and we docked only a few minutes' drive by shuttle from the old medina, which featured narrow streets full of local crafts as well as fountains and mosques. Don't wander too far from the centre as you could easily get lost in the maze of streets!
Our final dinner on the Terrace was an Indian-themed evening, and as this is my favourite cuisine I could not have asked for a better way to say farewell to Seabourn Encore.
Encore offered an exceptionally high level of service in a relaxed environment, which for me was simply perfect. Nothing was too much trouble, every little detail was taken care of and it was totally stress- and hassle-free.
