Seabourn appoints captain and hotel director for Seabourn Ovation

Seabourn has named Stig Betten as captain of its newest vessel, Seabourn Ovation, and Helmut Huber as the ship’s hotel director.

Betten will oversee all operations on Seabourn Ovation. Hailing from Norway, Betten comes from a long line of seafarers and began his own career at sea in 1997 with a Norwegian seismic exploration company, before joining Seabourn in 2001. Working his way up from second officer to captain, Betten has worked on former Seabourn ships Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit, and Seabourn Legend, as well as current vessels Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest. He was also staff captain in the start-up team during the construction projects for both Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.

Huber will supervise the hotel department, which includes suites, housekeeping, and food and beverage services. An Austrian native, Huber started his career in the cruise industry in 1992 as a busboy/assistant waiter, working his way up to the management level, before completing several university degrees and certificates to work in the onshore hospitality industry. Huber returned to the cruise industry in 2007 and joined Seabourn as hotel director in 2015.

“These gentlemen are two seasoned professionals and they will be fantastic as we launch Seabourn Ovation,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “They both have years of luxury experience to guide them and our guests and crews have really enjoyed their distinct personalities during prior assignments on our ships. I’m confident they will do well as they provide leadership throughout the ship’s delivery and into the maiden season.”

Set to launch in May 2018, Seabourn Ovation is a sister ship to Seabourn Encore, which launched in December 2016. The vessel will be designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany and feature various design innovations. The 40,350gt newbuild will carry just 600 guests and every suite will have a private veranda.