By
Rebecca Gibson |
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a letter of intent to construct a new cruise ship for Seabourn, which is due for delivery in the second half of 2016.
The new ship will feature many of the popular amenities and facilities found onboard the line’s three newest vessels Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.
“We are very pleased to have acquired a new customer like Seabourn and at the same time to have strengthened our historic partnership with the Carnival Group,” said Gabriele Cocco, Fincantieri’s executive senior vice president of merchant vessels. “This agreement is particularly important, as it strengthens our leadership in the luxury cruise niche and confirms our primacy in the cruise industry.”
The vessel will replace Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Spirit, which were purchased by Xanterra Parks & Resorts in February 2013 and are set to enter its Windstar Cruises’ fleet in April 2014, April 2015 and May 2015 respectively. As part of the Global Windstar project, each ship will be renovated and renamed before beginning service, making the company the market leader in small-ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers.