p20 Cruise July3 30/6/09 13:42 Page 20
Cruise
Lee Hayhurst
020 7921 8001
lhayhurst@ttglive.com
For the latest cruise news, visit ttglive.com/cruise
New ships need
new customers
THE THREE new vessels that will be built in Italy
for Yachts of Seabourn have been designed to
resemble its existing three ships, despite being
double their size.
While Seabourn regulars may wonder how
service levels can be retained on such a large
ship, there will be much that is familiar, including
the design of the two funnels.
Ship launch sees
Seabourn claims the additional space will offer
guests greater choice and freedom. There are
four dining rooms, six bars, a luxury spa with
private “villas” and Seabourn Square featuring
Seabourn go large
an internet centre, a library and boutique shops.
As on the existing ships, menus will be
overseen by US celebrity chef Charlie Palmer.
Chief executive Pam Conover said there was
Yachts of Seabourn signals a new era for its brand of luxury
already evidence that new-to-brand customers
with the launch of Seabourn Odyssey, the first of a new were being attracted to Seabourn.
range of larger ships. Lee Hayhurst reports from Venice
“We clearly have to attract more people; when
you have more than 200% growth you cannot
THE BACKING of cruising superpower Carnival it always will, and sometimes you cannot time achieve that with your existing business.
Corporation means Yachts of Seabourn can your arrival at the peak.” “Bookings for 2009 versus 2008 are showing
afford to focus on brand building rather than Carnival chairman Micky Arison indicated a 90% increase in the number of people cruising
profits while the economy recovers. Seabourn would be allowed to concentrate on with Seabourn for the first time.”
Last week the luxury line launched Seabourn product delivery while the economy suffers. The line’s older ships will be redeployed to
Odyssey in Venice. It is the first of three new “It’s a very small part of Carnival Corporation more off-the-beaten-track itineraries, she said.
400-passenger ships, all of which are double the and whether it made no money or a little money,
size of its existing three ships. it was never going to make a lot with three small
Asked if the downturn had made Carnival ships,” he said. Seabourn Odyssey’s programme, ranging
question the wisdom of investing $750 million in “When times are bad you do not have to do from seven to 28-days itineraries, includes:
new hardware for the luxury market, president anything but build the brand. Whether Seabourn ■ Myths and Legends of the Greek Islands and
and chief executive Pam Conover said: “I would makes zero or 15% return, it will hardly be a blip the Black Sea: 14 nights, Venice to Istanbul
love to be introducing these ships in a strong in the overall Carnival situation.” from June 24, 2010. Destinations include
economic environment but the basic business Conover added: “I feel an awful lot better Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and the Greek isles
model when you place an order for these ships when I go to sleep at night knowing I am part of of Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and Mylos.
remains the same. Carnival Corporation.” Later in the summer, Odyssey will sail the
“We are building 30-year-plus assets. The eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
economy and the industry always goes in cycles, ■ Odyssey video: http://tinyurl.com/n39hzw ■ The Yachtsman’s Caribbean itineraries
include bays and harbours normally only
visited by small private yachts, as well as
Seabourn Odyssey
some of the bigger islands including
Accommodation offering more than 700sq ft St Martin, Deshaies and Guadeloupe.
225 ocean-view suites, (including terrace) ■ Global Treasures World Cruise (2010) departs
ranging from 277sq ft to Four are two-bedroom Fort Lauderdale on January 5. The 108-day
more than 1,300sq ft grand suites with 1,300sq ft cruise takes in five continents and 40 ports
13 categories of suites, 90% of living space of call. Odyssey will then sail to the UK for a
with verandas All feature separate bath planned call on the river Thames.
22 suites are penthouses and shower, complimentary ■ Prices start from £325 per day for a 12-day
with 450sq ft interiors bar, flat-screen TV and Caribbean cruise in a Seabourn Suite.
Five are owners’ suites personalised stationery
20 03.07.2009
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