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Seabourn Announces Sale of Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group for delivery in September 2024

SEATTLE, March 16, 2023 -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024, under a charter arrangement. Seabourn Odyssey will be delivered to MOL after the charter agreement.

“We are proud that Seabourn Odyssey carried our guests across the world for the last 14 years and are happy to see her join a great company, MOL,” said Seabourn President Natalya Leahy.  “As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I am excited to further optimize our fleet as we grow our expedition business.  With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years.”

Seabourn’s fleet expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition market allows for a more diverse offering of deployment opportunities, which will lead to new and exciting itineraries across all seven continents with a higher guest capacity compared to 2019 even after Seabourn Odyssey’s departure.

“With this elite, modern fleet, Seabourn continues as the leader in ultra-luxury travel, providing highly curated and immersive experiences and unique ‘Seabourn Moments’ for our guests,” Leahy said.   

About Seabourn:

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships with one under construction. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit scheduled to enter service in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com .

Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK).

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Seabourn announces sale of seabourn odyssey to mol group for delivery in september 2024.

Seabourn to Operate All Published Voyages Through August 22, 2024

SEATTLE , March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024 , under a charter arrangement. Seabourn Odyssey will be delivered to MOL after the charter agreement.

(PRNewsfoto/Seabourn)

Natalya Leahy . "As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024 , I am excited to further optimize our fleet as we grow our expedition business. With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years."

Seabourn's fleet expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition market allows for a more diverse offering of deployment opportunities, which will lead to new and exciting itineraries across all seven continents with a higher guest capacity compared to 2019 even after Seabourn Odyssey's departure.

"With this elite, modern fleet, Seabourn continues as the leader in ultra-luxury travel, providing highly curated and immersive experiences and unique 'Seabourn Moments' for our guests," Leahy said.

About Seabourn:   Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships with one under construction. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit scheduled to enter service in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.

For more details about Seabourn, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com .

Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK).

Find Seabourn on  Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube  and Pinterest . 

Notes to Editors : 

Seabourn  is consistently ranked among the world's top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler . Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for: 

  • Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
  • Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
  • Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
  • All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
  • Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
  • Tipping is neither required, nor expected
  • Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed
  • All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
  • Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
  • Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations*^
  • Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability 

*Optional programs, for additional charge  ^Available on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation   †Not available on board Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit

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Carnival Corporation Reportedly Negotiating Sale of Additional Ships

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  • May 24, 2022

Sources familiar with the situation are reporting to CNBC that Carnival Corporation may soon be selling one of the brands operating under their umbrella.

444042

Report: Seabourn Ships Being Sold

According to the report , Carnival is in negotiations to divest itself of Seabourn, the company’s high-end luxury line. If the deal goes through, the division would be purchased by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which is also known as the Public Investment fund.

Seabourn’s fleet currently consists of five operating ships: Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest, Encore, and Ovation.

A sixth — Seabourn Venture — was to begin sailing last year, but saw its arrival delayed by the shutdown. No word on whether a sale would impact the inaugural sailings, tentatively scheduled for July. A seventh ship, Seabourn Pursuit , is currently under construction.

Carnival Stocks Hit 52-Week Low

This news comes as the company continues battling back from financial losses suffered during the shutdown. On May 22, Carnival Corporation’s stock fell to a 52-week low of $11.56 per share. It’s worth noting that the 52-week high of $31.52 (which it hit on June 8, 2021) is significantly below the $71.94 high it hit back in January of 2018.

Back in 2020, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund purchased a 5.1% interest in Carnival Corporation. No word on what Seabourn’s asking price might be. CNBC reported that Carnival refused to comment on speculation, while the Sovereign fund did not reply when asked to comment.

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MOL Group acquires Seabourn Odyssey from Carnival Corporation

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MOL Group acquires Seabourn Odyssey from Carnival Corporation

The luxury Seabourn brand of Carnival Corporation has sold the 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), which operates the Nippon Maru, a one-ship Japanese cruise line.

Under a charter arrangement, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages until August 22, 2024.

MOL will receive the Seabourn Odyssey after the charter agreement is signed.

As of 2020, this is the 26th ship to exit Carnival Corp.’s fleet.

Natalya Leahy, Seabourn President, said, “We are pleased that Odyssey will join MOL, a great company.” “We are looking forward to optimizing our fleet as we grow our expedition business in September 2024.” Seabourn now has the youngest fleet in its category, with an average age of just seven years.

Seabourn’s fleet expansion into ultra-luxury expeditions will allow the company to offer a more diverse array of deployment opportunities, resulting in new and exciting itineraries across every continent, with higher guest capacity even after the departure of Seabourn Odyssey.

Leahy said Seabourn is delivering highly curated and immersive experiences and unique ‘Seabourn Moments’ through its modern fleet.

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Seabourn Sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: March 16, 2023  - Last updated: March 20, 2023

Seabourn Sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL

Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn has sold the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey to Japanese company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL).

On March 16, 2023, Seabourn announced the sale of its cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) . MOL, which is headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the largest shipping companies in the world.

Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024. under a charter arrangement. Seabourn Odyssey will be delivered to MOL in September.

Saying farewell to Seabourn Odyssey

“We are proud that Seabourn Odyssey carried our guests across the world for the last 14 years and are happy to see her join a great company, MOL,” said Seabourn president  Natalya Leahy .

seabourn cruises being sold

“As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I am excited to further optimize our fleet as we grow our expedition business. With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years,” Leahy continued.

What’s next for Seabourn

Seabourn says that its expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition cruise market will allow for a more diverse offering of deployment opportunities. The company promises new and exciting itineraries across all seven continents with a higher guest capacity compared to 2019—even after Odyssey ‘s departure.

Related: What Is an Expedition Cruise (and Why You Should Consider One)

“With this elite, modern fleet, Seabourn continues as the leader in ultra-luxury travel, providing highly curated and immersive experiences and unique ‘ Seabourn Moments ‘ for our guests,” Leahy explained.

The cruise line’s fleet includes two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships— Seabourn Venture  which launched in 2022 and  Seabourn Pursuit , scheduled to enter service in 2023.

Latest news about Seabourn

Seabourn's Entire Fleet Now Equipped With Starlink WiFi.

How do you feel about Seabourn selling Seabourn Odyssey ? Are you excited that the company is focusing on expedition cruising, or do you prefer their traditional cruise experience? Let me know in the comments below!

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Seabourn announces sale of Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn announces sale of Seabourn Odyssey

Posted on 31 March 2023

The 458-passenger cruise ship is being sold to a Japanese transport company

Seabourn has announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey.

The 458-passneger ship is being sold to Japanese transport company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) for an undisclosed sum.

Seabourn Odyssey will continue to operate all published voyages until 22 August 2024 under a charter agreement. The ship will be delivered to MOL once that ends.

Seabourn Odyssey, which entered service in 2009, will be renamed ahead of entering service for MOL in Japan by the end of 2024.

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Seabourn president Natalya Leahy said: “We are proud that Seabourn Odyssey carried our guests across the world for the last 14 years and are happy to see her join a great company. As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I'm excited to further optimise our fleet as we grow our expedition business.

“With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer [2023], Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years.”

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MOL Group, which is also is building two 600-passenger vessels to expand its single ship business from November 2023, sees the acquisition of Seabourn Odyssey as a way of accelerating expansion plans.  

A company spokesperson said: “The group aims to develop a high-quality international service based on a new concept that will enrich people’s lives and celebrate the culture of Japan.”

The firm has hired Anthony Kaufman as senior executive advisor, bringing experience from Carnival Corporation, Holland America Group and Princess Cruises, where he played a major role in the development of the inbound and outbound markets in Japan.

For all the latest cruise news and features, plus a free cruise search function, visit Connecting Travel's Cruise Hub

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Seabourn sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group (Japan)

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Carnival Corporation 's ultra-luxury expedition travel brand Seabourn announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to MOL (Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd) .

After the sale, Seabourn continues to operate all scheduled cruises through October 11th, 2024 (the last voyage is repositioning from Alaska to California/Vancouver to San Francisco), under a time-charter arrangement with the new shipowner MOL (one of the world's largest container shipping companies ). The ship is to be delivered to MOL following the charter agreement.

Natalya Leahy (Seabourn's President) said they were proud that Seabourn Odyssey had carried their guests across the world for the last 14 years and were happy to see her join a great company.

"As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I am excited to further optimize our fleet as we grow our expedition business. With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years."

Seabourn's fleet expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition market allows for a diverse offering of deployment opportunities, which leads to new itineraries across all 7 continents with a higher passenger capacity in comparison with 2019 even after Odyssey's departure.

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Reasons for a cruise being sold out

wesport

By wesport , August 11 in Seabourn Cruise Line

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I am on the 12/8/24 Encore from Singapore to Hong Kong. There were many suites available . Now it’s showing sold out.  If it’s not sold out what would be the reason?  New promo, charter?

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Gourmet Gal

Gourmet Gal

I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

Just now, Gourmet Gal said: I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

As little as 5 days ago.

40,000+ Club

Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.

250+ Club

The question is how will Encore go from Athens to Singapore between Nov 3 and Dec 8.

3 hours ago, Hlitner said: Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.   Hank

Usually means itinerary changes coming but this is very late for that.  Perhaps impending war fears and route deviations.

Cool Cruiser

Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea

July 23, 2024 Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release.

The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added.

According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal.

The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe.

“Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained.

According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings.

“We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn.

“We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added.

The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures.

The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025.

The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama.

Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia.

Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon.

Thanks

52 minutes ago, —BW said: Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea   July 23, 2024 Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release. The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added. According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal. The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida. The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe. “Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained. According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings. “We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added. The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures. The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025. The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama. Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia. Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon. This is December 2024

So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

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On 8/14/2024 at 8:48 PM, wesport said: So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

4 hours ago, Isr45 said: Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day. 

Seems to be ok. 

13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

1 hour ago, wesport said: Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day.    Seems to be ok.    13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

19 hours ago, Isr45 said: Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

Do you mean the transit from Athens after disembarkation on Nov 3 to Singapore around Africa to bypass the Red Sea?  They are going to do that with no passengers and minimal crew again.

On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.    

Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.

I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!

51 minutes ago, Sunprince said: On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.     Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.   I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!
51 minutes ago, Sunprince said:  

We have been avid cruisers for over 50 years, and have often snagged last minute "deals."  While we generally book far in advance (we take some very long and complex itineraries) I have long had a lot of fun with the last minute bookings.  But here's the deal.  With nearly all the cruise lines (we have been on 18) a last minute booking (inside the final payment period) does not give you any room to change your mind.  You book the cruise, generally must pay at that time (or within 24 hours), and cannot cancel or make changes without losing everything or suffering a huge penalty.  It is also one of those times where hesitation can be expensive.  When we see a great deal, we book. Immediately.  I have actually had times when one of my computers was booking the cruise, I was down to the last click before finalizing, and on another computer I was checking for the price and availability of air.  This is not a game for those who cannot make quick decisions.  DW and I have sometimes found ourselves having about a week to get ready for a last-minute trip to Europe, Asia, etc.  

The reality is that most folks cannot pick up and go at a moment's notice, so these deals are for a small segment of society.  I should add that these last minute deals are best for folks who are very independent travelers.  We usually have to grab last minute air, last minute hotels, etc.  For folks that like cruise line excursions (we dislike large group excursions) a last minute booking can mean that nearly all the best excursions are sold-out.  For those of us used to doing things on our own, that is not an issue.  

Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said: Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned.   

23 minutes ago, Sunprince said: We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned.   

Transparency in the travel industry?  Surely you jest.  You are talking about an industry that touts rip-of art auctions, sells "gold by the inch,"  has Duty Free shops that charge more for booze than I pay at our local "State Store," etc. etc.  One can whine/complain about the way the game is played, or learn how to play.  Consider that many folks book cruises direct with cruise lines instead of using a decent cruise/travel agency that can save them 10%.  Why do they do this?  P.T Barnum had it right and nothing much has changed since his days.

BasandSyb

We have been told the sold out indicator means that Seabourn has temporarily closed the bookings down to do cabin assignments behind the scenes and make wholesaling decisions with other companies. It can take a few days during which time agents can’t get access. We went through that process recently. It can mean some cheap cabins popping up when the site is refreshed or only higher level suites. Pot luck.

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seabourn cruises being sold

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Reasons for a cruise being sold out

wesport

By wesport , August 11 in Seabourn Cruise Line

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I am on the 12/8/24 Encore from Singapore to Hong Kong. There were many suites available . Now it’s showing sold out.  If it’s not sold out what would be the reason?  New promo, charter?

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Gourmet Gal

Gourmet Gal

I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

Just now, Gourmet Gal said: I think you’re asking if it’s now sold out?  Could be a charter or an impending itinerary change or cancellation.  How long ago were many suites available?

As little as 5 days ago.

40,000+ Club

Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.

250+ Club

The question is how will Encore go from Athens to Singapore between Nov 3 and Dec 8.

3 hours ago, Hlitner said: Something strange about the Encore sailings.  Look for any of the November sailings.  They all seem to have disappeared along with most of the December sailings.  Wonder if it is just a software glitch.   Hank

Usually means itinerary changes coming but this is very late for that.  Perhaps impending war fears and route deviations.

Cool Cruiser

Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea

July 23, 2024 Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release.

The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added.

According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal.

The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe.

“Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained.

According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings.

“We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn.

“We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added.

The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures.

The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025.

The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama.

Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia.

Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon.

Thanks

52 minutes ago, —BW said: Seabourn Changes Encore’s Spring 2025 Itineraries to Avoid Red Sea   July 23, 2024 Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release. The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added. According to Seabourn, the new itineraries feature 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many firsts for the Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the Panama Canal. The Encore will also make its first-ever visit to U.S. ports, with visits to destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida. The new itineraries replace a series of cruises that were scheduled to sail during the period and would take the vessel westbound from Asia to Europe. “Changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans,” the company explained. According to Seabourn, guests who book the revised itineraries by Nov. 19, 2024 can take advantage of  ten percent savings. “We are pleased to offer these new and exciting voyages on our beautiful Seabourn Encore to visit and explore a diverse range of destinations,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “We are proud to mark Seabourn’s maiden visits to two brand-new ports, giving guests the unique chance to experience two enchanting destinations in Japan with our signature ultra-luxury service. We hope guests will take advantage of our special offer and join the Seabourn Encore as she sails to a number of destinations for the very first time,” she added. The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures. The Seabourn Encore will make 18 maiden calls during the period, including its first transit through the Panama Canal and its maiden visit to the U.S., in Hawaii, California and Miami between March and April 2025. The ship will also visit two new ports of call in Japan never before visited by the Seabourn fleet:Tokushima and Wakayama. Additional itinerary highlights include overnight calls in Honolulu, Hawaii; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Kobe, Japan; and evening departures from Yokohama, Japan; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Cartagena, Colombia. Also new on select voyages will be a curated onboard entertainment program, featuring a lineup of performers and guest speakers. Additional details will be announced soon. This is December 2024

So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

Like

On 8/14/2024 at 8:48 PM, wesport said: So, they shortened the cruise by a day. Now 13 instead of 14. One less sea day. Will get options probably tomorrow. 

Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

4 hours ago, Isr45 said: Do you know what is going on with your cruise now?

Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day. 

Seems to be ok. 

13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

1 hour ago, wesport said: Just got notice. Not leaving Singapore till the 9th instead of th 8th.  Seabourn will provide one night at the four seasons and provide transportation to the port from the four seasons. Also the rate will be reduced by one day.    Seems to be ok.    13 days means shareholder is now 100 instead of 250

Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

19 hours ago, Isr45 said: Still nothing on website for the 6 weeks before that on the Encore

Do you mean the transit from Athens after disembarkation on Nov 3 to Singapore around Africa to bypass the Red Sea?  They are going to do that with no passengers and minimal crew again.

On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.    

Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.

I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!

51 minutes ago, Sunprince said: On the original topic re cruises being “sold out”, my advice is…do not necessarily believe it.  We recently booked a cruise where the price was fluctuating and suddenly the day we were ready to book (and final payment required since it was within 90 days), the price then went up. So our agent held space for us with 24 hours to decide. Our TA was then told by Seabourn that the cruise was “sold out”.  So thinking it was sold out, we booked at the higher price. It was still a great deal but nevertheless higher than the original quote.     Lo and behold, a few days later, after full payment was made, the cruise now reappears at the original lower price with lots of availability across all cabin classes.  Our TA contacted Seabourn and asked for the original price to be honoured (or upgrade or ship credit) but was declined.  It was escalated to a Seabourn supervisor and declined.  We are waiting on our TA to hear from their Seabourn sales rep to see if they can resolve this.   I understand pricing is fluid, but indicating a cruise is “sold out” when that is not true is false presentment/advertising. If it hadn’t been sold out we would have monitored pricing and availability and not been “pressured” to book at a higher price.  The cruise was never “sold out” and is still available, so don’t believe what appears to be factual info!
51 minutes ago, Sunprince said:  

We have been avid cruisers for over 50 years, and have often snagged last minute "deals."  While we generally book far in advance (we take some very long and complex itineraries) I have long had a lot of fun with the last minute bookings.  But here's the deal.  With nearly all the cruise lines (we have been on 18) a last minute booking (inside the final payment period) does not give you any room to change your mind.  You book the cruise, generally must pay at that time (or within 24 hours), and cannot cancel or make changes without losing everything or suffering a huge penalty.  It is also one of those times where hesitation can be expensive.  When we see a great deal, we book. Immediately.  I have actually had times when one of my computers was booking the cruise, I was down to the last click before finalizing, and on another computer I was checking for the price and availability of air.  This is not a game for those who cannot make quick decisions.  DW and I have sometimes found ourselves having about a week to get ready for a last-minute trip to Europe, Asia, etc.  

The reality is that most folks cannot pick up and go at a moment's notice, so these deals are for a small segment of society.  I should add that these last minute deals are best for folks who are very independent travelers.  We usually have to grab last minute air, last minute hotels, etc.  For folks that like cruise line excursions (we dislike large group excursions) a last minute booking can mean that nearly all the best excursions are sold-out.  For those of us used to doing things on our own, that is not an issue.  

Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

8 minutes ago, Hlitner said: Many of our last minute bookings have been on fantastic itineraries that were "sold out" until we booked :).  Why does this happen?  I honestly have no clue.  But we have taken some exotic "sold out" cruises that seemed to have quite a few empty cabins (once aboard).

We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned.   

23 minutes ago, Sunprince said: We very well understand the benefits and risks of a last minute booking.  In this case, it did save us more than 50% of what it would have been if we had booked early.  My challenge is that lack of transparency or should I say honesty in adverting a cruise to be “sold out” when it is clearly not. That clouds the decision making process and makes you wonder the accuracy and trustworthiness of the company that you are dealing with.  Now we know, so lesson learned.   

Transparency in the travel industry?  Surely you jest.  You are talking about an industry that touts rip-of art auctions, sells "gold by the inch,"  has Duty Free shops that charge more for booze than I pay at our local "State Store," etc. etc.  One can whine/complain about the way the game is played, or learn how to play.  Consider that many folks book cruises direct with cruise lines instead of using a decent cruise/travel agency that can save them 10%.  Why do they do this?  P.T Barnum had it right and nothing much has changed since his days.

BasandSyb

We have been told the sold out indicator means that Seabourn has temporarily closed the bookings down to do cabin assignments behind the scenes and make wholesaling decisions with other companies. It can take a few days during which time agents can’t get access. We went through that process recently. It can mean some cheap cabins popping up when the site is refreshed or only higher level suites. Pot luck.

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– Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part I – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part II – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part III – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part IV (What Group Travel Should Really Be About!)

– Norwegian Gem – Budget Cruises Pitching Luxury: You Don’t Get What You Pay For, You Only Think You Do.

  • HERE IS THE ARTICLE LINK

– Princess Cruises Doesn’t Treat You Like Royalty; Celebrity Cruises Does! Which is a Better Value for the Upscale Cruise Guest? Part I – Celebrity Silhouette vs. -Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part II: The Standard Veranda Staterooms – Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part III: Treating You Right From The Start – Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part IV: The Wine Lists Speak Volumes (As Do The Beverage Packages)

   Regent Seven Seas Voyager – August 2017

  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017)
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Getting There and First Impressions
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part III (Florence and Ajaccio: Starting to Drill Down on the Regent Experience)
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part IV (La Spezia and Monaco: Consistent Inconsistencies and Misses)
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part V (Antibes and Marseilles: The Ensemble Experience, Cultural Wine “Tasting” and Sette Mari – Luxury Experiences for Sure)
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part VI (Palamos, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca & Valencia: Culinary Bliss..and Consistent Inconsistencies)
  • Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: August 1, 2017) – Caveat Emptor! Consistently Inconsistent: Not a “Six Star Luxury” Cruise Experience

– Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue – Prologue – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas – My First 24 Hours – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas – A Hurricane Runs Through It…Almost – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue – The Last Days …

– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part I – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part II (Getting There, The Stateroom and First Impressions) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part III (“You Can’t Teach Five Star Service” and Bonafacio, Corsica) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part IV (Calvi, Monaco, Portofino, Porto Azzurro…and Stale Bread) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part V (My Last Day…and How The Chef’s Team Makes It Happen)

  • Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part I
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises –Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part II (Singapore & Raffles Hotel)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part III (Ship Happens: Singapore Day 2)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises –  Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part IV (The Ship Arrives)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises –  Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part V (The Expedition Begins – Orangutans & Jimmy Buffett)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VI (What is an Expedition Cruise? Why am I Here?)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VII (Myanmar – No Complaints!)
  • Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VIII (Myanmar – Developing Tourism & Finding Nemo Again)

   

  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part I
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part II
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part III
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part IV
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part V
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part VI
  • Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part VII
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part I
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part II (Anticipation)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part III (South Georgia Island)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part IV (Hope Bay, Cuverville Island, Lemaire Channel and the Iceberg Graveyard)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part V (Paradise Bay, Torgersen Island & Half Moon Island)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica and Patagonia – Goldring Travel’s Third Expedition – Part VI (Patagonia)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part I (Pre-Cruise Perspectives and Santiago)  
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part II (Desolation, Getting the Party Started and Perspective – Chilean Patagonia)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part III (Ushuaia and The Drake Passage – Are We There Yet?)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part IV (First Days in Antarctica: Revelations, Deception and Ansel Adams)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part V (Antarctica Weather, Wonder & WOW!)
  • Seabourn’s Antarctica Revisited – Part VI (The Falklands – It’s Ain’t Over Till Seabourn Says It Is Over!)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part I
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part II (Falkland Island Penguins)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part III (Drake Passage and Greenwich Island-Yankee Harbour)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part IV (Torgersen Island/Neko Harbor – “The Lifting of the Fog!”)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part V (Peterman Island)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part VI (Captain Larsen and Class, Crossing the Southern Polar Circle & Breaking Records)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part VII (Waterboat Point, Kayaking…and Sadness)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part IX (Punta Arenas & Goldring Travel Goes Local and Culinary)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part X (El Brujo Glacier, Galley Market Lunch and Castro, Chile)
  • Antarctica and Patagonia: An Adventure on the Seabourn Quest – Part XI (Reflections + Puerto Montt and Heading Home)
  • Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska – Part 1 (Getting There)
  • Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska – Part II (Calm Seas, Great Views, but a Rough Start)
  • Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska – Part III (A Seabourn Moment and “Such a Hike. Oy!”)
  • Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska – Part IV (Tourism, Tracy Arm, Kayaking and a Duck)
  • Seabourn Sojourn in Alaska – Part V (Seabourn Ventures: Inian Islands, Icy Strait and College Fjord)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part I (Getting There…Oy Vey…and Copenhagen)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part II (Seabourn Signature Suite & Gothenburg, Sweden)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part III (Olso & Sandefjord, Norway…Getting Culinary – Norwegian, Sushi and Earth & Ocean…and Discussing Whaling!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part IV (Newcastle upon Tyne, Thomas Keller and Complimentary Wines)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part V (Invergordon, Scotland – Glenfiddich Whisky!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part VI (Scrabster, Scotland and Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland – Who Knew?)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part VII (Goldring Travel Grand – Scottish & English – Culinary Event, Galley Market Brunch & More)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2019 Culinary & Cultural Cruise -Part VIII (Bremerhaven and The Kiel Canal, Germany)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part I (Getting Ready and Looking Forward)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part II (Barcelona and Mahon, Menorca)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part III (Monaco and Portovenere, Italy)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part IV (Rome and Amalfi, Italy)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part V (Syracusa, Sicily and Crotone, Italy…and Chef David )
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part VI (Corfu, Greece – A Culinary & Cultural Day to Remember!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2018 Culinary & Cultural Cruise – Part VII (The Seabourn Chefs Let Loose! and Katakalon, Greece)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part I (Getting There and Getting On With It)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part II (Tangier, Morocco: Why It Is “Culinary & Cultural”; Not “Food & Wine”)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part III (Cadiz and Portimao : Sherry, Cocktails, Cheese…and a Mixology Competition!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part IV (Incredible Private Cooking Demonstration and Fireworks in Gibraltar)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part VI (Tapas…And I Mean Tapas!)  
  • Goldring Travel’s 2017 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise – Part VII (The Famous Food & Wine Event: Chef’s Nine Court Tastin g)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part I
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part II (British Wine Tour and More)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part III (Torquay, Pokémon Go and Little Things)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part IV (Stornoway, Scotland and Smoked Salmon)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part V (Kirkwall, Ullapool, Whiskey and the Kindness of a Stranger)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part VI (Oban, Greenock and Belfast – Seabourn Moments!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2016 Culinary & Cultural (Food & Wine) Cruise on the Seabourn Quest – Part VII (Belfast, Liverpool – And Another Seabourn Moment!)
  • Part I (A Look Back and A Look Forward)
  • Part II (Copenhagen & The First Day)
  • Part III (Flam & Alesund)
  • Part IV (Slovlaer and Tromso)
  • Part V (Honningsvag) – Ventures By Seabourn
  • Part VI (Sea Days & Private Culinary Events)
  • ​Part VI (Bergen, Stavanger & The Last Two Culinary Events: Shopping with the Seabourn Chef and A Cheese Tasting)
  • Preparations and a Plan…Sort Of! 
  • Take Off…and A Fresh Perspective 
  • Air Travel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Meat! 
  • The First 24 Hours and Ihhabela, Brazil 
  • The Little Things (Paranagua and Porto Belo, Brazil) 
  • Seabourn Quest’s Chef Creates An Incredible Tasting Event 
  • The Event: Montevideo, Uruguay- Caviar, Caviar and Sturgeon ​
  • Part II (Perspective)
  • Part III (Storms A Brewing…And A Double Rainbow!)
  • Part IV (Fish & Chips…And A Great Beer)
  • Part V (Cork, Ireland and a Lucky Leprechaun Named Darina Allen)
  • ​Part VI (A Day at Sea with Special Events…And Then A Most Charming Port )
  • Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 1)
  • Part VII (Bordeaux- Day 2: Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lynch-Bages)
  • Part VIII (Relaxing and “Basque”ing)
  • Part IX (Shopping With The Chef)
  • Part X (The Goldring Travel Food & Wine Tasting)
  • The Beginning…Almost .
  • The Beginning…Leaving On A Jet Plane
  • Oy, Such Problems!
  • Doing So Much and Doing Nothing
  • A Sea Day and Some Thoughts About The Dining Experiences
  • Shopping with the Chef and Sicilian Seafood Experiences
  • Malta and Food for Thought
  • Pizza or the Wintergarden Suite’s Spa? Let’s Try Both!
  • The Food & Wine Tasting to Die For!
  • Finding Pizza and What It Means to “Travel”
  • 2009 Goldring Travel Food & Wine Cruise on the Seabourn Spirit
  • Some Pre-Cruise Thoughts and My Plan
  • The Start: It’s All About The Clothes???
  • Walking With Wine In Venice
  • Finally Onboard…Err, I Mean, Home!
  • Split, Croatia: Shopping With the Chef & Chilling Out Seabourn Style
  • Its About The Fish!
  • Meeting Up With The Big Sister & Chef’s Surprises
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Travelogue Part I
  • Travelogue Part II
  • Travelogue Part III (The Food & Wine Tasting!)
  • Goldring Travel’s 2007 Seabourn Food & Wine Cruise
  • Part VI – The Photos!
  • The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue
  • The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue – Part II
  • The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue – Part III (The Seabourn Sojourn Has Been Delivered!)
  • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage – Part VI
  • Seabourn Sojourn Inaugural and Maiden Voyage – Part XII – Some Videos and Photos
  • The Ca’ Segredo Hotel Starts The Sojourn
  • First Impressions
  • Cuisine, Venues, People
  • The Standard Suites – Part I
  • The Standard Suites- Part II
  • The Upper Suites

– A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part I – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part II – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part III (Spa, Beauty and Fashion) – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part IV (Cuisine: Street, Sublime & Surreal)

– Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part I – Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part II – The Transformation of A Cruise Line – Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part III – The Windstar Experience 2.0

– Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part I – Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part II – Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part III

Windstar’s Wind Surf – Caribbean – January 2014

  • Luxury Hotels
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seabourn cruises being sold

Goldring Travel Blog – Making Waves

Cruise & travel news, reviews, opinions, deals & more.

  • May 24, 2022

Goldring Travel

Seabourn cruise line is, in fact, for sale.

Yes, Seabourn Cruise Line is for sale.   No, it is not my being “anti-Seabourn”.

Seema Mody, of CNBC, tweeted today, 

Carnival in discussions to sell Seabourn brand to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund , per sources. Talks are still ongoing, no deal finalized as of yet. Comes <1 week after Carnival went to the debt market to raise $1b at 10% yield. Saudis currently own 5.1% stake in $CCL .

I know there are some – and some who have written me some pretty harsh emails – who have claimed my reporting and analysis were unfair and based upon Seabourn “blacklisting” me.  The reality is that it has all been pretty unemotional for me from the standpoint of whether Seabourn is for sale. 

Knowing this, please take a fresh look at my most recent article:  Is Seabourn Cruise Line for Sale? I’m Not The Only One Wondering! – Goldring Travel   As well as the portion of my May 3, 2022 article about the news out of the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference:

No New Cruise Ships for Seabourn  – During the Luxury Cruise panel discussion I asked a question with two purposes. The second one was to confirm that Seabourn has no plans to build any more classic luxury ships. And Josh Leibowitz confirmed that to be true.  (Remember the Seabourn Venture and Pursuit were supposed to be sailing for two years now, so one must truly discount their addition as offsetting new classic luxury ships into the future!) In contrast, Silversea just launched the Silver Dawn, Silver Moon, and has the Silver Nova and another yet unnamed ship under construction. Explora Journeys has at least four ships coming with two under construction, Ritz Carlton has just announced two more ships to be built. Ponant has more than doubled its fleet and is still growing. Regent Seven Seas has the Grandeur and Oceania has the Vista just out or coming out.  But not Seabourn!  So does this mean that Seabourn does not see it expanding its offerings for at least a decade while virtually (if not literally) all of the other luxury brands expanding their classic luxury cruise ship fleets?  I mean adding two small expedition ships doesn’t really add much inventory (both ships combined are equal to one classic luxury ship) and after those are operational in the next year there is nothing. Clearly, the idea of no growth is not normal; especially for a publicly-traded company like Carnival Corp.  So does it mean something else?

You will see that I have looked, as I always try to do, at the facts. (That is what you count on me to do, isn’t it?!)

Obviously, I think the sale of Seabourn happening – rather than its prospect looming over the brand – is a positive. As I have said for decades, “ The only thing that happens if you sit on the fence is: You rip your pants! ” And, to me, I’ve been seeing small tears happening.

I know that the Saudis have been very interested in the cruise industry of late. During the peak of the Covid pandemic Saudis chartered a Silversea ship as well as the Scenic Eclipse. Was that done to test the Arabian cruise market? Or was it to become more educated in how to operate a cruise ship? Or a combination of both? Or totally unrelated?  At this point, I don’t know, but it certainly raises some interesting thoughts.

I don’t have any concern that if the sale goes through Seabourn will become an Islamic-focused product. I am sure alcohol will continue to be served, pork will be served, etc. And the product will remain very Western-focused.  Heck, I am all for the most culturally diverse experience possible!

Where I think the changes will come are more related to rational pricing, addressing the increase in customer service lapses, onboard cut-backs, employee retention, better itineraries, and more relevant marketing.

Might there also be a move to purchase the two Crystal Cruise ships which are going to auction on June 7, 2022?  Alas, that is a long shot, but Ya Never Know!  

Interested in a Luxury Journey by Cruise, Expedition, or Land?

Contact goldring travel for truly expert advice, email:  [email protected] , us: (877) 2go-luxury or (530) 562-9232, uk: 020 8133 3450, aus: (07) 3102 4685, whatsapp: +1 732-693-8797, facebook:  goldring travel.

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Report: Carnival Corp. Eyeing Seabourn Brand Sale to Saudi Arabia

  • May 24, 2022

seabourn cruises being sold

Carnival Corporation may be in discussions to sell ultra-luxury brand Seabourn to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, according to a Tweet from CNBC reporter Seema Moody.

In an email sent to Cruise Industry News on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation said: “We don’t comment on rumor and speculation.”

Saudi Arabia has been known in industry circles to be eyeing a major investment into the cruise industry.

Having already developed ports and having attracted cruise calls and homeporting operations, rumors have persisted in industry circles that the country’s public wealth fund desires a greater role in the cruise business.

Carnival Corporation and the Saudi Public Investment Fund have a long-standing relationship, as the fund took a large stake in the cruise operator when the pandemic hit in 2020.

In March, cruise executive Lars Classen was appointed as the CEO of Cruise Saudi , with the Cruise Saudi said to be pursuing the development “of the cruise sector in the Red Sea and elsewhere.”  Classen played a key role recently starting The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and was previously the CEO of A-ROSA River Cruises and president of AIDA Cruises, Carnival Corporation’s German brand. 

Carnival in discussions to sell Seabourn brand to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, per sources. Talks are still ongoing, no deal finalized as of yet. Comes <1 week after Carnival went to the debt market to raise $1b at 10% yield. Saudis currently own 5.1% stake in $CCL . — Seema Mody (@seemacnbc) May 24, 2022

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seabourn cruises being sold

Three Seabourn ships sold to Windstar owner

This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.

Seabourn, the ultra-luxe six-ship cruise line, has sold their three oldest and smallest ships to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, owner of Windstar Cruises. The three ships being sold are the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and the Seabourn Legend. The transition of ownership will be completed by May 2015. Seabourn’s three newest ships, each with more than double the cabins of their predecessors, may see a new addition to the family in the next couple of years.

Seabourn Spirit

“Seabourn remains dedicated to our mission of creating the world’s finest travel experiences through our small-ship cruising product,” said Seabourn president Richard Meadows. “Our three newest vessels, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, and Seabourn Quest have raised the bar for ultra-luxury cruising and we intend to add a fourth ship of similar design,” he continued. “Seabourn is already in discussion with shipbuilders and an order is likely to be announced within the current fiscal year. The new ship will allow Seabourn to maintain much of its current guest capacity.”

According to Seabourn, all published voyages for the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will not be affected by the sale and the transfer of ownership will occur after each ship completes its current schedule. The Seabourn Pride will be transferred in April, 2014 while the Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will be transferred to Windstar in April 2015 and May 2015, respectively.

Windstar Wind Surf refurbished suite

The addition of these three small ships will double the size of Windstar’s fleet. Currently, Windstar operates three luxurious, masted sailing ships throughout Europe and the Caribbean. In 2014, Windstar will return to Tahiti with the recently refurbished 148-passenger Wind Spirit sailing 7-night cruises from Papeete, Tahiti.

Windstar Wind Surf in the Caribbean

There’s even a new name for this fleet expansion project, Global Windstar, which will catapult Windstar to become the cruise industry leader in small ship cruising. Each of the six ships in the new Windstar fleet will carry no more than 300 passengers, with no more than 208 guests on the three Seabourn ships.

“Windstar is proud of its heritage in sailing and will continue to offer voyages on all three sailing yachts,” said Hans Birkholz, Windstar’s chief executive officer. “What our guests continue to be enthusiastic about is our intimate, yacht style of cruising. This style is the core of our brand experience and the new ships are a perfect fit to build on that foundation.”

Sources and photo credits: Seabourn; Windstar Cruises

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Updated on December 2, 2020 by Sherry Laskin

Seabourn Pursuit cruise ship review: An expedition vessel built for luxury lovers

Gene Sloan

Editor's Note

Are you looking for a cruise ship that can take you to the most remote places in the world in style? Seabourn Pursuit will surely be on your short list of candidates.

Unveiled in August by Seabourn , one of the world's best-known luxury lines, Seabourn Pursuit is a small and agile expedition ship designed to visit such hard-to-reach and rugged destinations as Antarctica and Australia's Kimberley coast. But it's also a luxury ship that delivers some of the highest levels of service and pampering at sea.

For more cruise reviews, guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

As I saw during a recent 10-night voyage in the Kimberley region, Seabourn Pursuit combines some of the best attributes of both expedition ships and traditional luxury ships to offer an unusually upscale adventure experience.

The biggest caveat to picking this ship: It doesn't come cheap. Suites on the vessel — and every cabin is a suite — often start at around $2,000 per day.

Overview of Seabourn Pursuit

seabourn cruises being sold

Seabourn Pursuit is one of the world's newest and most elegant expedition ships.

Like all expedition ships, it's specifically designed and equipped to get travelers to remote and hard-to-reach places like Antarctica that most people never get to see.

For starters, it's built to be inordinately tough. Its strengthened hull allows it to bump through ice in polar regions, and its unusually large fuel tanks and food storage areas allow it to operate for long periods in remote areas without reprovisioning.

Additionally, it travels with its own landing craft — small rubber Zodiac boats — to get passengers ashore in remote areas. It also carries other adventure gear for exploring remote areas, including kayaks, snorkeling equipment and scuba gear, and it has two submarines for exploring deep underwater.

Related: Expedition cruises: The ultimate guide to cruising to remote, hard-to-reach places

As is typical for expedition ships, Seabourn Pursuit travels with a large expedition team of experts on the places it goes. The members of the team lead landings and lecture on board.

While small compared to most cruise ships, including Seabourn's five traditional luxury ships , Seabourn Pursuit is relatively large for an expedition ship at 23,615 gross tons — something that has both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to operating expedition-style trips.

Twice the size of the latest expedition vessels built for such expedition cruise leaders as Lindblad Expeditions and Quark Expeditions, it offers a wider array of eateries, lounges and other onboard venues than is typical for such a vessel. But its bigger size also comes with a capacity for more passengers, which can be a drawback when operating expedition-style landings in remote areas.

Seabourn Pursuit is the second of two nearly identical expedition ships that Seabourn has launched over the past two years as it moves into the expedition cruising space for the first time. The first vessel in the series, Seabourn Venture , also sails to remote parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

What I loved about Seabourn Pursuit

Its elegant and upscale onboard experience.

seabourn cruises being sold

Seabourn Pursuit offers an elegant and upscale onboard experience that is unlike almost anything else found in the expedition cruise space. Its onboard venues, including its restaurants, lounges and spa, are beautifully designed, as is typical for Seabourn ships. It also sails with an extraordinarily high ratio of crew to passengers, allowing for high service levels (on my sailing, the ratio was exactly one-to-one, with 238 crew and 238 passengers).

Essentially, what Seabourn has done with Seabourn Pursuit is create an expedition ship that mimics the luxury feel of its traditional ocean ships. Or, to put it another way, Seabourn Pursuit is a luxury ship with all the adventure-focused trappings of expedition cruising overlaid on top.

This is relatively unusual in the expedition cruise space. Some of the best-known luxury cruise operators, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal, don't operate expedition ships. Those that do, such as Silversea Cruises , don't always operate expedition vessels that are as elegant and upscale in feel, in part because they sometimes are older vessels.

Its always available caviar

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Speaking of elegant and upscale, one of the wonderful little luxury touches on Seabourn Pursuit is that you can order caviar to your room or anywhere else you happen to be on the ship at any time, day or night. There's no extra charge. It's a small thing, but it speaks to the luxury level you'll get when sailing on Seabourn Pursuit. Just note that Seabourn doesn't advertise this much on board, presumably because of the cost. You sort of have to be in the know (and now you are, so ... order away).

What I didn't love about Seabourn Pursuit

The high passenger count.

Seabourn Pursuit can carry up to 264 passengers — a large number in the expedition cruise ship space. The newest ships from two of the best-known expedition cruise operators, Lindblad Expeditions and Ponant, by contrast, carry just 126 passengers and 184 passengers, respectively. New ships from Aurora Expeditions are built to hold 132 people. In expedition cruising, this sort of differential in passenger capacity is a big deal. It can make a considerable difference in the quality of the expedition cruise experience.

The more passengers an expedition ship has on board, the more its expedition guides have to break them up into separate groups for landings, slowing down the process of exploring at any single landing site. The result is that passengers on smaller ships often get to see more wildlife and scenery up close than passengers on bigger ships. This is particularly true in polar destinations such as Antarctica, where passenger landings are restricted to 100 people at a time.

Related: Is this the ultimate Antarctica cruise ship? Our take on Lindblad's National Geographic Resolution

Seabourn built Seabourn Pursuit larger than many existing expedition ships in part to offer passengers the same sort of luxury experience that they get on the line's traditional ocean ships. The ship had to be bigger to make room for all the upscale venues, including multiple restaurants and lounges, that Seabourn passengers expect. But in expedition cruising, sailing on a smaller vessel with fewer people is its own type of luxury.

Seabourn Pursuit cabins and suites

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Picking a room on Seabourn Pursuit isn't as complicated as it is on some ships. There is basically just one main cabin category that accounts for the vast majority of the 132 accommodations on board: the Veranda Suite.

On paper, there are five categories of Veranda Suites, but all the rooms in these categories — 101 in all — are basically the same, with the only difference between them being their location. Higher-category Veranda Suites are toward the middle of the ship, which is considered more desirable. Lower-category Veranda Suites are toward the front of the ship.

My cabin was one of the lower-category Veranda Suites toward the front of Deck 6, and just like the higher-category Veranda Suites, it measured 355 square feet — a generous amount for an expedition ship cabin. That space included a 78-square-foot balcony area, the same as you'll find with higher-category Veranda Suites.

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As with all Veranda Suites, my room featured a queen-size bed that could be split into two twin beds, a built-in cabinet and wall-mounted TV opposite the bed and an adjacent seating area with a sofa, a chair and a built-in desk. There was also a walk-in closet and a bathroom.

Decor-wise, it was a lovely cabin with all the high-end finishings and amenities you would expect on a luxury ship. The look was contemporary and residential, with synthetic walnut and bronze cabinetry topped with expensive marble, quality bone white furnishings, patterned mocha and bone carpeting and walls covered in faux parchment.

I particularly liked the custom bedside panels with perfectly placed built-in bedside lights and foldaway reading lamps controlled by vintagelike toggle switches. The bed itself was opulent, with a super-comfortable mattress and high-end sheets. Each side of the bed was topped with three large white pillows that, from top to bottom, were extra firm, firm and soft (as explained on a pillow menu). Two red patterned throws and a sumptuous faux fur pillow rounded out the high-end look.

Among thoughtful touches to the room were its heated compartment for fast-drying wet clothing after Zodiac landings and Swarovski Optik binoculars to borrow during the voyage. A minibar was also stocked with almost any drink I wanted. (Though the one drink I wanted most in my cabin, a morning coffee, was unavailable. Unlike many cabins on high-end ships, the room had no espresso maker.)

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On a practical note, the room was loaded with power outlets of all sorts — enough to keep even the most device-laden traveler fully charged. The bedside panels on both sides of the bed had both U.S.-style 110-volt and European-style 220-volt outlets, as well as two USB ports (alas, there were no fast-charging USB-C ports, something that is increasingly standard on new ships). More outlets and USB ports were located at the desk area and above the cabinet across from the bed.

If there was a flaw to the room's design, it was its storage space, which seemed to take a back seat to the overall look. The built-in cabinet across from the bed was stylish but too narrow to be practical. The desk across from the sofa lacked drawers that would have made it more functional — no doubt to keep its minimalist line.

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More notably, perhaps, the room's walk-in closet was just a tad too narrow to be fully functional. It offered lots of room for hanging clothes on one side but was light on shelving for sweaters, folded shirts and the like — the result of a significant amount of its space having been left open so that passengers could walk into it. A less elegant but more practical use of this block of space would have been to forgo the idea of a walk-in closet and create large built-in wardrobes that opened from the outside.

The same sort of style-over-practicality in design was evident in the bathroom. It was a beautiful space with marble tile walls and floors, a built-in marble vanity and high-end Grohe fixtures, but it wasn't optimally designed for function. Despite being larger than the typical cruise ship bathroom, it had a comically tiny shower (so tiny it was an exercise in contortion to soap up) and lacked a single drawer for hiding away toiletries. The only storage was three impractically small and narrow shelves to the side of the vanity and several hard-to-reach shelves tucked under the corners of the vanity.

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The bathroom also contained a bathtub that few people would use. A bathtub is a nice touch when there is room for one, but in this case, there wasn't. The bathtub ate up the space that could have allowed for a bigger shower — something everyone expects these days.

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For those who want something more spacious than a standard Veranda Suite such as mine (and are willing to pay significantly more for the privilege), Seabourn Pursuit also has more than two dozen larger suites — a few truly spectacular.

The most over-the-top suites on the ship, by far, are its two Wintergarden Suites. Measuring a whopping 1,175 square feet, they are two-story-high apartments that each have an expansive living area on their lower floors and a stunning bedroom with a bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass walls on their upper floors. Both of the suites can be combined with an adjacent Veranda Suite to create an even larger two-bedroom complex that measures 1,605 square feet.

Also spectacular are the ship's two rear-facing Signature Suites, which fill up the entire back of Deck 8. Each of the suites measures 1,380 square feet, not including its balcony, and has a massive living area overlooking the ship's wake in addition to a bedroom. Each also has a seemingly endless wraparound balcony with its own Jacuzzi and elegant lounge furniture.

Related: Ditch the polar gear: 7 warm-weather expedition cruises that will wow nature and adventure lovers

Two more larger suites on the ship are its Owners Suites, which measure 1,023 square feet, including balcony space. Located at the front of the vessel, they also have large living areas separate from their bedrooms.

Two other categories of suites on Seabourn Pursuit that are larger than the standard Veranda Suites but not nearly as big as the Wintergarden, Signature and Owners suites are its nine Penthouse Suites and 16 Panorama Veranda Suites. These two categories of rooms measure 527 square feet and 417 square feet, respectively, including their balcony space.

Seabourn Pursuit restaurants and bars

As is typical for small ships, Seabourn Pursuit has just a handful of eateries. Still, it manages to offer a wide range of cuisines with rotating theme nights in one of its restaurants. Several bars and lounges offer a diversity of drink choices.

Restaurants

Seabourn Pursuit has two main restaurants: The Restaurant and The Colonnade.

The Restaurant is the more formal of the two, offering a fine dining experience in a stylish space filled with custom-designed, modern Italian furniture and bronze-framed wine displays.

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Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Restaurant offers classic cuisine such as eggs Benedict in the morning and grilled snapper and beef tenderloin in the evening.

The Colonnade is a more casual alternative eatery that offers a buffet service for breakfast and lunch (augmented with some a la carte menu items that you can order from your waiter). It then transforms into a waiter-served sit-down restaurant at dinnertime.

The Colonnade's cuisine at dinner changes daily, offering passengers a more diverse dining experience in the evenings than one might expect from a ship with just two restaurants. One night, it'll have a French focus, the next, Spanish. When I was on board, nights devoted to Australian, Thai, Italian and American cuisines were also on the schedule.

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Additionally, on several nights of each cruise, The Colonnade morphs into a pop-up eatery called Earth & Ocean that offers an eclectic mix of dishes inspired by the places the ship visits around the world.

The Colonnade has both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor area known as The Patio. Seabourn touts The Patio in its marketing material as a separate eatery, but it's not really.

In addition to the above, passengers will find sushi made to order every evening in The Club, one of the ship's bars. A nod to the popular sushi eateries found on Seabourn's bigger ships, the sushi dishes at The Club can be something you order as an appetizer before heading to The Restaurant or The Colonnade for dinner, or they can be your full meal. Just note the sushi menu is relatively limited.

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You'll also find quick grab-and-go bites available during the day in The Bow Lounge, a small, unstaffed lounge space overlooking the ship's bow. It has a refrigerator stocked with small portions of salads and wraps in glass containers. The Bow Lounge also has a self-serve espresso machine for cappuccinos, lattes and other espresso drinks.

Additional small bites are available throughout the day at Seabourn Square, a living roomlike lounge space that is home to the ship's main coffee bar, guest services desks, games tables and a library area.

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Along with barista-made coffee drinks, Seabourn Square's European-style coffee bar serves pastries in the morning and small sandwiches, homemade cookies and desserts during the day. It's also one of two places on the ship where you'll find lovely homemade gelati — the other being The Colonnade (at lunchtime).

Should the above options not be enough to keep you satiated, you can always order room service. Seabourn Pursuit offers in-suite dining around the clock, with an all-day menu of six starters, a dozen mains and various desserts. The menu is a mix of casual items such as sandwiches and burgers and more elegant dishes such as a Black Angus New York steak. During dinner hours, passengers can also order anything they want off the day's The Restaurant menu.

In general, the cuisine on board Seabourn Pursuit is high-end but nothing that will leave you wowed. Dishes in The Restaurant skew to classic continental fare that is traditional and safe, with relatively simple plating. A typical night might bring such main dishes as a filet of red snapper draped over cooked Swiss chard with piped mashed potatoes on the side or slices of pork tenderloin over polenta with vegetables. The choices don't typically include anything overly innovative. On my sailing, the execution was also hit-or-miss.

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Additionally, for those who like flavorful food, be warned that dishes at both The Restaurant and The Colonnade come out very unseasoned — that is, they are very light on salt, pepper, herbs and spices. This is by design, as Seabourn has many older customers who are on low-sodium diets or have other health or taste concerns for which they have requested blander dishes. Still, it could be a turnoff if you're the type of luxury traveler who travels in part for distinctive culinary experiences.

Foodies also should note that the complimentary wines included with meals are more down-market than you might expect for a luxury ship. On my sailing across Australia's Kimberley region, the ship was serving a 19 Crimes shiraz as its main red on some nights that retails in Australia for under 10 Australian dollars (about $6.70). Tastewise, it was about what you'd expect at that price point.

There are plenty of wonderful wines on Seabourn Pursuit, for sure. But for the most part, they're only available with an upcharge.

One standout element of Seabourn Pursuit's culinary offerings is its breakfast buffet in The Colonnade. I loved such luxury touches as the giant juice machine for making fresh orange juice to order; the wide array of available fruits, including fresh berries (something you generally only find at breakfast buffets on luxury lines); the array of homemade breads; and the congee station.

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If you're heading out for a drink in the evening on Seabourn Pursuit, you're probably heading to one of three places: the Expedition Lounge, the Constellation Lounge or The Club.

Just outside the ship's theater, where expedition-related briefings take place, the Expedition Lounge is a cozy space that evokes the age of exploration with steam trunk-inspired leather and fabric furnishings. Anchored by two fireplaces with faux flames, with a bar tucked into the wall in between, it lacks a menu of signature drinks, but its bartenders will make you whatever you desire.

Given its location, the Expedition Lounge is popular as a drinking spot just before and after the evening expedition briefing.

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Five decks higher at the top front of the ship, the Constellation Lounge is a classic observation lounge with stunning 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. As its name suggests, it takes its theme from the night sky with carpets and cushions patterned from the constellations. Even the lighting follows the theme, with dozens of ceiling-mounted lightbulbs mimicking the stars above.

Unlike the Expedition Lounge, the Constellation Lounge has live music every night (on my sailing, it was a singing and guitar-playing duo), and it's also home to a signature cocktail menu designed by mixologist Brian Van Flandern — a well-known drinks creator. In the early evening, it offers a self-serve buffet of tapas along its back wall.

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The Club, on the same deck as the Constellation Lounge but at the back of the ship, is another cozy space with a faux fireplace and warm, residential furnishings. As noted above, it features sushi made to order in the evenings. It also has a signature drinks menu with an array of sake-infused Saketinis, as well as handcrafted cocktails with such names as Smokin' Margarita and Honey Dew Wop.

Like the Constellation Lounge, The Club has live music nightly. During my sailing, it was home to a piano player.

Because of its made-to-order sushi bites, which are popular, The Club is always the busiest of the bars at night. There were times in the early evening when I had trouble finding a table.

The Club also has the most interesting cocktail menu on the ship. That said, in general, the cocktails on Seabourn Pursuit aren't as cutting edge as what you'll find at high-end cocktail lounges on land, despite the brand's relationship with mixologist Van Flandern. You're not going to find sophisticated garnishes, handmade bitters, smokers for infusions or unusually shaped ice cubes as you do nowadays at upmarket cocktail bars on land. The bartenders don't appear particularly steeped in cocktail culture.

Related: The most epic cruise ever? What it's like traveling to the North Pole on a luxury icebreaker

I was especially surprised to find Old-Fashioneds and Negronis ordered at the ship's bars arrive loaded with small machine-made ice cubes of the sort you get in your soda at a fast food outlet. These ice cubes melted fast and diluted the drinks to a point where they were undrinkable after a few sips. If you want a mixed drink, be sure to order it "up" (served without ice).

In addition to the above, Seabourn Pursuit offers two small outdoor bars that are open part of the day: the Sky Bar and the Patio Bar.

The Sky Bar is at the top of the ship just outside of The Club and serves a small outdoor sunning area with hot tubs. It's also the one bar area on the ship where you can smoke.

The Patio is the bar for drinks around the infinity pool at the back of the ship.

Seabourn Pursuit activities

As is typical for expedition ships, the activities on Seabourn Pursuit revolve heavily around experiencing and learning about the wildlife and natural wonders of the mostly remote destinations that the vessel visits.

Seabourn Pursuit sails with a 24-member expedition team that includes experts in geology, marine biology, ornithology, local cultures and other topics of relevance. The team leads outings for exploring, typically by Zodiac boat, and lectures on board about what passengers are seeing on such outings.

A typical day in Antarctica, for instance, might include a Zodiac landing to see penguins, a secondary Zodiac outing to cruise coastal waters in search of whales and icebergs, and an onboard lecture on the history of Antarctic exploration.

In Australia's Kimberley, a typical day might bring a Zodiac cruise down a mangrove-lined river in search of crocodiles or an up-close look at the region's otherwordly red rock formations, followed by a lecture on the region's thousands-of-years-old Indigenous Australian rock art.

The hub for such activities is the Discovery Center, a theaterlike space used for daily lectures, recaps of the day's explorations and briefings on the next day's off-ship exploring.

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Seabourn Pursuit also has two side-by-side mud rooms (called The Landing Zone) with lockers where passengers can change, clean and store their boots and gear following excursions.

Just off the mud rooms are the side-of-the-ship portways where passengers board Zodiacs for the daily outings.

Seabourn Pursuit sails with a fleet of 24 Zodiacs for such outings, stored at the very top of the ship and lowered by cranes during landing operations. The ship also carries eight sea kayaks for included-in-the-fare kayaking tours, snorkel gear for snorkeling during outings and two submarines for extra-charge underwater exploration. The latter is still relatively rare on expedition ships.

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Both kayaks and submarines are used on the ship's Antarctica and South Pacific sailings but not in the Kimberley. The presence of crocodiles in the Kimberley makes the use of kayaks risky. Other factors, such as strong tides, keep Seabourn from using the submarines in the Kimberley.

In addition to the above, Seabourn Pursuit offers complimentary scuba diving sessions led by an onboard divemaster in select warm-water destinations in the South Pacific.

While expedition cruise-style adventure is the focus of trips on Seabourn Pursuit, the vessel also offers traditional cruise ship allures such as a sun deck with an infinity pool, two whirlpools and chaise lounges at the back of Deck 5. More chaise lounges are located at the backs of Deck 6 and Deck 7. There are two more whirlpools at the back of Deck 9.

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Seabourn Pursuit also has a small but elegant spa and wellness center with four treatment rooms (including a room for couples treatments), separate men's and women's saunas that offer stunning views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows, a hair and nail salon and a small fitness room.

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Just be prepared to pay up for spa services. As is often the case on cruise ships, particularly luxury cruise ships, the pricing is sky-high. A 50-minute facial, for instance, will cost you about $270, including an 18% gratuity that is automatically added to bills.

Unlike on Seabourn's bigger ocean ships, there is no casino on Seabourn Pursuit. Seabourn regulars also will notice the ship lacks a back-of-the-ship marina or a secondary pool area.

Another difference with Seabourn's bigger ocean ships is its open-bridge policy. On most days, while the ship is underway, passengers can visit the bridge at will and watch it in operation. This is more common on expedition ships than on bigger traditional vessels.

Seabourn Pursuit itineraries and pricing

Seabourn Pursuit currently spends its summers in the Kimberley region of Australia and its winters in Antarctica. In both cases, the ship operates expedition-style trips that revolve around landings to see wildlife and scenery.

Seabourn Pursuit also offers a few one-off sailings across the South Pacific and down the coast of Chile in the spring and fall, traveling between the Kimberley region of Australia and Antarctica.

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The Kimberley sailings are mostly 10-night trips that follow one-way routings between Broome and Darwin, Australia. The Antarctica sailings range from 11 to 21 nights in length, with the longer sailings including visits to South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands.

Fares start at $8,499 per person, based on double occupancy, for a 10-night Kimberley cruise.

An 11-night Antarctica trip that includes 10 nights on the ship and a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, starts at $8,498 per person.

What to know before you go

Required documents

Seabourn Pursuit sails global itineraries for which passengers always need a valid passport. For some itineraries, passengers also need visas to enter countries on the schedule. Be sure to research visa requirements far in advance of your sailing so you have time to get everything in order before you go. Visa processing can be a time-consuming process. Note that you will very likely be denied boarding if you arrive for your cruise without the proper travel documentation. In such cases, you are not eligible for a refund.

When assembling your documents, be sure your passport will be valid for six months beyond the end of your cruise, as that's a requirement to enter many countries .

You will also need to fill out preboarding documents online before your cruise.

Related: When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department

Seabourn's all-inclusive fares cover all crew gratuities, and passengers thus aren't expected to tip when on board Seabourn ships. The only time you might be expected to tip while on a Seabourn cruise is during an off-the-ship excursion, as gratuities for tour guides and drivers on shore tours are not included in fares.

All passengers can access the ship's Wi-Fi for free. Passengers in Ocean View and Verandah suites receive unlimited standard internet service (basic browsing, messaging and emailing) on one device, while passengers in higher-category Penthouse and Premium suites get unlimited premium internet service (streaming and video calling) on multiple devices. Passengers who have reached the Diamond tier of the Seabourn Club loyalty program also will receive the faster premium service, no matter their suite category.

Passengers in suites that only come with standard internet service can pay about $20 a day to upgrade to the premium service that allows for streaming. Upgrading also lets you access the internet on up to four devices simultaneously.

Carry-on drinks policy

All drinks are complimentary on Seabourn Pursuit, with the exception of the most expensive wines and liquors. However, if you are particular to certain brands, you can bring on board an unlimited amount of wine and liquor, both on embarkation day and in ports of call, and you do not have to pay a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

The only place you can smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes on Seabourn Pursuit is along the starboard half of the ship's outdoor Sky Bar area. Smoking such items anywhere else on the ship, including in all interior areas, in suites and on private balconies, is prohibited.

The rules are slightly looser for electronic cigarettes, which can be smoked in passenger suites and the Sky Bar area.

Passengers caught smoking traditional cigarettes, cigars or pipes in their suites or on balconies will be charged a $250 per day cleaning fee.

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You have two options for doing laundry on Seabourn Pursuit. You can pay to have your clothes washed, pressed or dry-cleaned by the ship's laundry service, or you can clean them yourself for free using the self-service launderette found on Deck 5.

If you choose the former option, your suite attendant will pick up your dirty clothes and bring them back clean. Prices for such service range from $6.50 for a men's shirt to $11 for a dress unless you have status in Seabourn's loyalty program. If you do, you might get some or all of your send-out laundry done for free. The amount depends on your loyalty level, with top-tier Diamond Elite members getting complimentary normal laundry and pressing services throughout their sailing, plus limited dry cleaning services.

For those doing their own laundry, the ship's launderette has washers, dryers, complimentary detergent and ironing boards.

Electrical outlets

Seabourn Pursuit suites offer both U.S. 110-volt and European 220-volt outlets, as well as USB ports next to beds. You'll find additional outlets and USB ports at the built-in desks in suites and above the cabinets across from beds in Veranda Suites. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms, where the outlets are all European-style.

The onboard currency is the dollar, regardless of where Seabourn Pursuit is in the world. The ship operates on a cashless system. You will use your cruise keycard to pay for all purchases and then receive a final bill at the end of the cruise. You can pay that bill with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, American Express or Discover) that you've registered with the ship or with cash.

You can request a cash advance on board but will be charged a 3% fee on the amount.

Drinking age

The minimum drinking age on Seabourn Pursuit is 21, with some exceptions. On sailings departing and returning to Australia, New Zealand, Europe and some parts of Asia, the drinking age is 18. For cruises departing and returning to Japan, the drinking age is 20.

The ship's crew can also refuse to serve alcohol to anyone they deem excessively inebriated or a danger to others on board.

Pack for your cruise like you would for a stay at a high-end resort. During the day, you'll want casual outfits suitable for the day's weather and activities, including appropriate swimwear cover-ups and comfortable shoes for walking. Guests tend to be stylish and elegant even when dressed casually, but shorts and jeans are welcome in all lounges and dining venues.

In the evening, after 6 p.m., guests should adhere to Seabourn's "elegant casual" dress code. For men, it's slacks with a collared dress shirt or sweater; jackets are optional. For women, it's slacks or a skirt with a blouse, a pantsuit or a dress.

Seabourn makes a point of noting jeans are not allowed in The Restaurant after 6 p.m.

Bottom line

Seabourn Pursuit is one of the most elegant and upscale expedition ships currently sailing the world's oceans. Like all Seabourn ships, it features lovely interior venues designed by noted hospitality design firm TIhany Design, and it has spacious, high-end accommodations, including some truly spectacular suites. It sails with a large number of crew to passengers, ensuring high levels of service. If you're looking to explore the ice-filled coast of Antarctica or the rugged shores of Australia's rugged Kimberley region in the utmost style and are willing to pay up for the privilege, this could be the ship for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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IMAGES

  1. Seabourn Cruise Line Has Been Sold!*

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  2. Seabourn sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group (Japan)

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  3. Seabourn Venture 2021-2022 “Extraordinary Expedition” itineraries open

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  4. Seabourn Quest

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  5. Three Seabourn ships sold to Windstar owner

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  6. Seabourn Cruises 2023-2025

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COMMENTS

  1. One of the world's best-known luxury cruise brands to shrink in size

    Another major cruise line is downsizing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luxury line Seabourn on Thursday announced it had sold one of its six vessels — the 458-passenger Seabourn Odyssey — to a Japanese company that offers cruises aimed at the Japanese market.

  2. Carnival in Talks on Possible Sale of Seabourn Brand

    Carnival Corporation is in talks about a possible sale of its luxury cruise brand, Seabourn Cruises to the Saudi wealth fund.

  3. Seabourn Announces Sale of Seabourn Odyssey

    Seabourn Announces Sale of Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group for delivery in September 2024. SEATTLE, March 16, 2023 -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through ...

  4. Seabourn Cruise Line Has Been Sold: What Lies Ahead?

    Seabourn Cruise Line Has Been Sold!*. According to the Saudi Tourism Authority, Seabourn Cruise Line has been sold to the Saudis. The people I spoke with were definite and quite excited. They, in fact, emphasized the point by placing their fingers on a map of Saudi and stating, " Do you think we are building these two new cruise ports for no ...

  5. Seabourn Announces Sale of Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group for delivery

    SEATTLE, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024, under a charter arrangement. Seabourn Odyssey will be delivered to MOL after the charter agreement.

  6. Carnival Corporation Sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group

    Carnival Corporation and its luxury Seabourn brand have announced the sale of the 450-guest, 2009-built Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), which currently operates a one-ship Japanese cruise line with the Nippon Maru.

  7. Carnival Corp. Sells Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

    Carnival Corporation's Seabourn Cruise Line in a surprise move today announced that it is selling its 14-year-old cruise ship, the Seabourn Odyssey to Japan's Mitsui O.S. K. Lines. While ...

  8. Carnival Corp. Reportedly Selling Seabourn Cruise Ships

    Report: Seabourn Ships Being Sold According to the report, Carnival is in negotiations to divest itself of Seabourn, the company's high-end luxury line. If the deal goes through, the division ...

  9. CNBC: Carnival is Exploring Sale of Seabourn to Saudi Investors

    CNBC first reported the news this afternoon saying that preliminary negotiations are ongoing exploring the potential sale of Seabourn Cruise Line to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, the Public ...

  10. MOL Group acquires Seabourn Odyssey from Carnival Corporation

    The luxury Seabourn brand of Carnival Corporation has sold the 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), which operates the Nippon Maru, a one-ship Japanese cruise line.

  11. Seabourn Sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL

    On March 16, 2023, Seabourn announced the sale of its cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). MOL, which is headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024. under a charter arrangement.

  12. Carnival Sells Cruise Ship From its Luxury Brand

    Luxury line Seabourn, a Carnival Corporation brand, announced it has sold one of its older ships, Seabourn Odyssey, to a Japanese transport company. The line, which in recent years has expanded ...

  13. Seabourn Odyssey to Leave Seabourn Fleet in September 2024

    Seabourn has sold Seabourn Odyssey, transferring it to the MOL Group as of September 2024

  14. Seabourn announces sale of Seabourn...

    The 458-passenger cruise ship is being sold to a Japanese transport company Seabourn has announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey.

  15. Seabourn sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group (Japan)

    March 17, 2023 , Cruise Industry. Carnival Corporation 's ultra-luxury expedition travel brand Seabourn announced the sale of Seabourn Odyssey to MOL (Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd). After the sale, Seabourn continues to operate all scheduled cruises through October 11th, 2024 (the last voyage is repositioning from Alaska to California/Vancouver to San ...

  16. Reasons for a cruise being sold out

    July 23, 2024. Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for the Seabourn Encore to avoid the Red Sea region, the company announced in a press release. The new deployment includes a series of voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025, the company added.

  17. Seabourn Sells Seabourn Odyssey & Reduces Capacity

    Seabourn Sells the Seabourn Odyssey…and Reduces Capacity Seabourn Cruise Lines announced it has sold the Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The Seabourn Odyssey will continue, under a charter agreement, to operate as a Seabourn vessel until August 22, 2024.

  18. Seabourn Odyssey is sold to Mitsui OSK Lines

    Seabourn's oldest ship, the 2009-built Seabourn Odyssey, has been sold to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines for delivery in late August 2024. Seabourn will continue to operate Odyssey's published voyages through Aug. 22, 2024, under a charter arrangement.

  19. Seabourn Cruise Line

    In 2001, Carnival bought out the Norwegian shareholders, and Seabourn's parent company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival. That summer, Seabourn Goddess I and Seabourn Goddess II were sold to Seabourn's original founder, Atle Brynestad, in order to establish his own cruise line SeaDream Yacht Club.

  20. Reasons for a cruise being sold out

    I am on the 12/8/24 Encore from Singapore to Hong Kong. There were many suites available . Now it's showing sold out. If it's not sold out what would be the reason? New promo, charter?

  21. Goldring Travel Reveals Seabourn Cruise Line Is Up For Sale

    Learn about the surprising news of Seabourn Cruise Line being on the market with Goldring Travel. What's next for this luxury brand? Find out more!

  22. Report: Carnival Corp. Eyeing Seabourn Brand Sale to Saudi Arabia

    Carnival Corporation may be in discussions to sell ultra-luxury brand Seabourn to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, according to a Tweet from CNBC reporter Seema Moody. In an email sent to Cruise Industry News on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation said: "We don't comment on rumor and…

  23. Three Seabourn ships sold to Windstar owner

    Seabourn, the ultra-luxe six-ship cruise line, has sold their three oldest and smallest ships to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, owner of Windstar Cruises. The three ships being sold are the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and the Seabourn Legend.

  24. Seabourn Pursuit cruise ship review: An luxury expedition vessel

    While small compared to most cruise ships, including Seabourn's five traditional luxury ships, ... Despite being larger than the typical cruise ship bathroom, it had a comically tiny shower (so tiny it was an exercise in contortion to soap up) and lacked a single drawer for hiding away toiletries. The only storage was three impractically small ...