Seabourn, the award-winning small-ship cruise line, has long set the standard for luxury at sea, and with the upcoming launch of the Seabourn Encore, it's raising the bar even higher. The ship, set to launch in December of this year, expands on the cruise line's Odyssey-class ships, which set a precedent for ultra-luxury cruising in their own right when they were first introduced in 2009.
The 40,350-GRT Encore will continue this rich tradition, and with a maximum capacity of 600 guests (based on double occupancy), those sailing aboard the Encore will enjoy highly personalized service and the finest in accommodations and amenities keeping in line with Seabourn's tradition of understated elegance.
Underscoring the tranquil ambiance onboard the ship will be The Retreat, a new sanctuary that will make its debut on the Encore. Outfitted with bespoke details, The Retreat will be centered on a whirlpool with step up access to the water, all housed under a flower-shaped canopy. The Retreat will also feature 15 private cabanas designed as individual living spaces complete with large HD flat screen TVs and a refrigerator stocked with a personalized selection of beverages, a Spa Treatment Cabana and room for 28 guests to stretch out on sun loungers.
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The ship was designed by Adam D. Tihany, known throughout the hospitality industry for his innovative work. Tihany's aesthetic exudes serenity with curved lines and tasteful fabrics that invite guests to live, explore and socialize on board. The fact that guests of the cruise line are onboard for at least a week - and some for considerably more time - Tihany worked to infuse a sense of playfulness while maintaining an overall sophistication by incorporating nautical and design elements on par with those seen on private yachts.
"I realized how much of Seabourn's overall product is dedicated to satisfying their guests' appetites for surprise," Tihany said. "From the planning of itineraries to the cuisine to their style of service, they are always focused on surpassing expectations and eliciting the sort of delight that results from the unexpected. With that in mind, I have designed a ship that is imbued with a sense of spontaneity and exhilaration, to elicit surprise and delight that will complement the rest of the guests' travel experiences."
The ship will kick off its maiden season on Dec. 4 with a 16-day pre-inaugural cruise originating in Athens, making stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; Petra, Jordan; and Muscat, Oman before arriving in Dubai. The return 18-day voyage will depart Dubai on Dec. 20 with stops in Arabia, India and Southeast Asia before arriving in Singapore. After the gala naming ceremony slated to take place on Jan. 7, 2017, the ship will set sail on its 10-day inaugural voyage, to Bali, with stops in Surabaya, Java; Celukan Bawang, Bali; and Slawi Bay, Komodo, Indonesia. The remainder of the maiden season will see the Seabourn Encore making a series of 16-day voyages, cruising the Pacific Rim in Australia and New Zealand.
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