Q – We are anxious for any news you might have about the new Seabourn ship. Will it mirror the Quest which we recently sailed in Europe? We found the Seabourn product to be sufficiently upscale to fit out tastes. Elegance at sea is still possible,it would appear. Hoping the new ship is the same size – 450 guests seemed ideal as per your full review.
A – The books are open for the new Seabourn Encore scheduled for delivery at the end of 2016. She is being built at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard, the first of two identical ships under contract. The keel ceremony took place in September of 2015 for the41,700 Gross ton vessel. She will accommodate 150 more guests than the existing Seabourn fleet.
We have our doubts as to whether or not you are going to be seeing any new luxury ships designed for fewer than 600-700 guests in the future.
Those who really insist on smaller ships will have options like Sea Dream Yacht Club and the new Crystal Yacht product. These vessels carry fewer than 150 guests.
