Regular readers and Seabourn fans will not have forgotten Seabourn’s long awaited announcement last October that a new ship is to join the fleet. After all the excitement, everything went quiet.

This is the time when everyone gets to put their oar in, and make their bids for what, in an ‘everything possible’ world, they would like from their new ship. It is an interesting process as, in a rare spirit of solidarity, operational, technical and sales and marketing departments get together to find out why what seems like a no-brainer to one is a complete no-no to another. At last, after months of detailed planning, on May 9 the first steel plates were cut.

The ship will be the first addition to the ultra luxury segment of the cruise industry in six years, so all eyes will be upon it. At 250 million US dollars, the new flagship is scheduled to enter service in mid-June 2009.

The new vessel is being designed by Yran & Storbraaten of Norway and constructed in Italy by T. Mariotti S.p.A., leaders in the construction of mega-yachts and intimate cruising vessels. The designers have aimed to mirror the distinctive silhouette of the existing Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend while adding additional facilities and amenities.

Enjoying a very loyal and growing passenger following, Seabourn has a very well deserved reputation for excellent product delivery, but has suffered for many years from hardware which doesn’t quite match up to that of its competitors. Its grand, new yacht will offer more dining options, more types of suites, more verandas, more entertainment venues and enhanced spa and recreational facilities. We are hoping that the excitement of catching up with its competitors does not prevent it from realizing that the aim is to get ahead, not get equal. But having said that, the current plans are very welcome.

Firstly, accommodation. Times and tastes have changed since the first Seabourn yacht was built, near on twenty years ago. What seemed spacious then, is nowadays considered to be rather small. So the 225 new ocean-view suites will measure from 277 to over 1,300 square feet, approximately 90% with private verandas. 22 penthouses will be 450-square-foot plus veranda, and the most expansive guest quarters on board will be five Owners Suites that measure over 700 square feet (including veranda) and four, two-bedroom Grand Suites providing over 1300 square feet of private living space.

There will be four dining venues: The Restaurant – the ship’s gourmet, open-seating dining room; the Veranda Café – a stylish, yet casual restaurant serving regional specialties, with both indoor and outdoor seating; Restaurant 2 – an elegant and intimate specialty restaurant featuring innovative tasting menus; and Patio Grill – where guests can enjoy pizza and grilled items, poolside.

A selection of lounges and bars will satisfy a myriad of moods and entertainment styles: the Grand Salon features a unique living room-like foyer furnished with inviting booths and arm chairs, and tiered banquettes that surround the dance floor; The Club – with both indoor and outdoor seating -, is where a pianist, duo or trio will perform a variety of musical genres throughout the evening; the Sky Bar overlooks the ship’s central, outdoor living space, Poolside Patio; the Patio Bar where in the evenings, guests can enjoy live, alfresco entertainment, weather permitting; the Coffee Bar – situated portside at Seabourn Square. With a dramatic square bar as its focal point, the ship’s forward-facing observation lounge is located atop the navigational bridge and boasts panoramic views; high-powered, motion-dampened spotting scopes and binoculars-behind-the-bar for use by patrons.

To match the original ships, the new yacht will feature a marina, a fold-down teak platform providing a staging area for guests to enjoy complimentary water sports including waterskiing from the ship’s own speed boat, banana boat rides, paddleboats and kayaks.

On Deck 11, at the ship’s highest and furthest-forward point, protected by a glass windbreak, guests will find a terraced enclave furnished with large sun-beds.

The spa will feature a thallasso whirlpool as its focal point, with his and hers Finnish saunas, a selection of aromatic steam rooms, separate gym and aerobics areas and two outdoor decks, for exclusive use by spa guests. Swimming pools are on Decks 8 and 5, plus a total of seven whirlpools.
Cruises on the new ship will go on sale as early as this autumn, so call us to pre-register and ensure you receive the first information available.