First Steel Cut for Seabourn’s Newest Luxury Ship Seabourn Ovation

Richard Meadows, President of Seabourn (left), and Raffaele Davassi, Director of the Fincantieri Shipyard (right), Celebrate the Steel Cutting of Seabourn Ovation in Sestri Ponente

Seattle, June 7, 2016 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, has taken a giant step forward toward the launch of its next new vessel, Seabourn Ovation, with the commemorative cutting of the first steel. The ceremony, held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, was presided over by Seabourn President Richard Meadows and Genoa shipyard Director Raffaele Davassi.

“The cutting of steel is a significant milestone in the creation of Seabourn Ovation, as well as the continuing evolution of the Seabourn fleet and the ultra-luxury cruise segment,” noted Meadows. “We are excited to witness this important step and look forward to seeing the ship come together. With Adam D. Tihany’s extraordinary design vision and the excellent craftsmanship of Fincantieri, Seabourn Ovation will be matched only by its sister ship, Seabourn Encore, as the most beautiful ultra-luxury vessel ever built.”

Scheduled to join the Seabourn fleet in spring 2018, Seabourn Ovation will expand and build upon the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were first introduced between 2009 and 2011. Seabourn Ovation will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling a highly personalized level of service.

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Rendering of Seabourn Encore

Sister ship Seabourn Encore will debut in late 2016, and with the addition of Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn will have the youngest and most modern ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, Seabourn Ovation will feature modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line’s reputation for understated elegance. The approx. 40,350-GRT ship will be configured with one additional deck and new expanded public areas, and is expected to carry just 600 guests, based on double occupancy. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda.

Liam Cusack

Liam P. Cusack is the Managing Editor of Cruise & Travel Report (www.cruiseandtravelreport.com), a publication dedicated to providing travelers the same news that industry insiders receive. A self-described “travel nerd”, Liam is an Ocean Liner and Cruise Industry historian who has traveled to more than 60 countries, every US state and sailed on more than 60 cruises. After nearly two decades as an award-winning political journalist and investigative reporter at a major NYC daily newspaper, he decided to dedicate his career to helping avid travelers, like himself, be more well-informed. With Cruise & Travel Report, Liam strives to provide news and tips to make every vacation a dream vacation.