The Yachts of Seabourn is arranged an intimate ceremony for the naming of the newest addition to its award-winning fleet: Seabourn Odyssey. The highly anticipated event, took place on June 24, 2009. The location of the event will be on-deck as the sun sets behind the unmistakable skyline of Venice, Italy.
 
While naming ceremonies typically invite attendees to watch from shore as an honorary “godparent” names the vessel and breaks a bottle on its bow, the anointment of Seabourn Odyssey was conducted by guests booked on the maiden voyage. Collectively, all of the guests acted as godparents, initiating the anointment with a bottle of Italian prosecco and giving the yacht its name. Each  received a commemorative certificate from the event, and their names were affixed to a plaque displayed on board.
 
With Venice as the backdrop, the colorful heritage of the city was a touchstone throughout the daylong event. Guests arriving at Stazione Marittima terminal were given a red carpet welcome, complete with musicians playing and festive banners and garland. Once all were on board, Seabourn Odyssey departed for a stately cruise down the Guidecca Canal to Riva dei Sette Martiri, a docking location near the Piazza San Marco, where she was moored for the ceremony.
 
An early dinner served in Odyssey’s superb dining venues preceded the ceremony. With darkness set to fall in Venice after 9:00pm, guests returned to find the deck transformed and the sun gilding the domes and turrets of the city – an enticing view to be enhanced by ceremonial music.
 
Seabourn revealed that a magnum of sparkling prosecco spumante was used to anoint the Seabourn Odyssey. The bottle came from a vineyard in northeastern Italy, near where the vessel’s hull was crafted, and was be broken by means of an ingenious mechanism designed especially for the event.  

The Yachts of Seabourn has announced a sister of ship to the Seabourn Odyssey. The anticipated ultra-luxury yacht will be named Seabourn Sojourn in a glittering ceremony in London in June 2010, before sailing on its 14-day Maiden Voyage. The sleek new vessel is being built in Italy, and will position from Genoa to London before its inauguration.

Like its sister Seabourn Odyssey, debuting in June 2009, Seabourn Sojourn provides the most exclusive all-suite accommodation available at sea, with 225 suites in total, 90 percent of which have private verandas. Top of the range suites include Wintergarden Suites with private solarium and veranda, and Signature Suites with sweeping verandas and unrivalled views facing forward. All suites feature separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalized stationery, iPod and MP3 connections and spacious granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks.

The two-deck, state of the art Spa at Seabourn features Spa Villas which can be reserved for hours of pure indulgence and relaxation. The new vessels will offer four dining venues, including a spacious open-seating Restaurant capable of seating all guests. Six bars and lounges will serve a full range of beverages including fine wines and spirits with Seabourn’s compliments.

Seabourn Sojourn is the second of three 450-guest vessels being added to The Yachts of Seabourn’s fleet of intimate, yacht-like cruisers, which have won numerous awards and consistent acclaim for highly personalized service, sumptuous, all-suite accommodation, superb cuisine and exceptional delivery of the most desirable destinations worldwide, resulting in exceptional value for money.

 

Return to New Ship Feature Article