Seabourn celebrated a major construction milestone with a traditional coin and launch ceremony for its newest ship, Seabourn Ovation. The ship officially touched water for the first time at Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri, Italy.
The time-honored coin and launch ceremony is a maritime tradition, where a “madrina” presides over the celebratory events. Jan Stearman, Seabourn’s longest-serving female shipboard member, who joined Seabourn 22 years ago served as madrina for Seabourn Ovation’s christening. During the ceremony, Seabourn president Richard Meadows and Seabourn Ovation Captain Stig Betten observed the welding of two commemorative gold coins to the ship’s mast. Stearman then cut the ship’s cord to allow water to flow into the ship’s building dock. The ship will then be floated out from its dry dock and moved to its outfitting dock at the shipyard, where it will undergo final construction prior to the ship’s 2018 delivery.
Once delivered, Seabourn Ovation will embark on its 11-day inaugural voyage from Venice, Italy to Barcelona, Spain, departing May 5, 2018. The majority of the ship’s maiden season will be spent cruising the waters of Northern Europe on a series of seven-day Baltic and Scandinavian cruises between Copenhagen and Stockholm. The ship’s itineraries will also include Seabourn’s signature three-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia. Seabourn Ovation will also sail on longer 14-day voyages through the Norwegian fjords and British Isles.
Seabourn Ovation takes after its sister ship, Seabourn Encore in design. The 40,350-GRT ship will carry 600 guests, based on double occupancy. The all-suite ship also provides a number of in-suite amenities, including a private veranda for ocean front views and enough space for al-fresco dining. Each suite includes a living area with sofa seating, a desk, a dining table, bedding, a walk-in closet, and in-suite entertainment options with movies, music, broadcast television and radio channels. The marble bathroom has a separate bath and shower and luxury bath products. A personal bar and refrigerator will also be stocked by guest preferences, coordinated before the voyage.
On board the Seabourn Ovation, guests can receive a holistic spa and wellness experience at Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, and be entertained by the new “An Evening with Tim Rice” program. The all-new The Grill by Thomas Keller reimagines classic 50’s and 60’s gourmet American cuisine, updating classic dishes like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, table side Caesar salad, Lobster Thermidor and even ice cream sundaes.
Seabourn will continue to reveal updates on Seabourn Ovation via the ship’s dedicated microsite.
This story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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