By
Rebecca Gibson |
Seabourn’s latest newbuild is to offer two pre-inaugural cruises in Asia, Arabia and India before she is christened in January 2017.
Following her delivery in December 2016, Seabourn Encore will offer two pre-inaugural cruises including a 16-day voyage from Athens in Greece to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The ship will call at various ports such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel; Petra, Jordan; and Muscat, Oman. She will then offer an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Arabia, India, Southeast Asia and Singapore.
Seabourn Encore will be named on 7 January 2017 in Singapore, before embarking on her official ten-day maiden voyage to Bali, calling at Surabaya, Java; Celukan Bawang, Bali; and Slawi Bay, Komodo, Indonesia.
The vessel will then operate a series of 16-day voyages in the Pacific Rim, calling at Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, and both islands of New Zealand. While in New Zealand, guests will be able to visit Auckland, Wellington, Oban on Stewart Island, and Picton, the gateway to the Marlborough Sound.
In April 2017, Seabourn Encore will return to Europe for two 16- and 18-day Arabia and India voyages, before offering a series of seven-day voyages in the eastern Mediterranean throughout the summer.
“We’re excited to offer a diverse range of itineraries for the maiden season of Seabourn Encore and provide our guests with the opportunities to visit some of the most charming and sought-after destinations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand on the world’s newest and most beautiful ultra-luxury ship,” said Richard Meadows, Seabourn president. “Seabourn Encore will set a new standard of ultra-luxury cruising that can only be found on Seabourn and we can’t wait to share her with our guests.”
Seabourn Encore is one of two newbuilds for the line. Her sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will debut in spring 2018.
At 40,350gt, the two newbuilds will be larger than the line’s three existing Odyssey-class vessels – Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest – and will feature an additional deck and expanded public areas. Each ship will accommodate 604 guests based on double occupancy in all-suite, veranda accommodations.
Hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany will design the indoor and outdoor guest areas of both newbuilds, including the multiple dining venues, The Spa at Seabourn, showrooms, casino and lounges, outdoor deck areas, and Seabourn Square.
The new vessels will boost Seabourn’s capacity following the sale of the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend vessels. The three older ships will be transferred to Windstar Cruises over the next two years.