Around the World with Seabourn
By: Katrina Archer and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

Luxury small-ship cruise line, The Yachts of Seabourn, will next year operate its first ever world cruise, giving Australians the chance to see Seabourn Odyssey in Sydney and Melbourne.

Seabourn CEO Pam Conover (left) was in Sydney last week to promote the new vessel, which launches in June 2009.

Seabourn Odyssey is the first of three sister ships commissioned by the line, which will also add Seabourn Sojourn in 2010 and an as-yet unnamed newbuild in 2011.

The three new ships will each accommodate 450 guests, significantly boosting Seabourn's capacity.

Once Odyssey is named in Venice it will sail in the Mediterranean before heading off around the world on 05 January 2010 - arriving in Melbourne on 22 February 2010 and Sydney two days later.

Conover also outlined the company's existing fleet of three 208-guest yachts, Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend.

Seabourn is building the new ships to handle increased demand, which appears to be holding up despite the global economic ructions.

In fact last week the firm's US call centre set a new one-day call volume record, driven by an aggressive promotion offering 'Yachting Collection' savings of up to 65% for 2009 departures.

"What is especially exciting is how many of these are first time Seabourn guests booking with travel agents who have not previously booked a Seabourn yachting vacation," Conover said.

All of the Seabourn vessels target the luxury segment, with all-suite accommodation and a very high crew to guest ration.

"It's almost like travelling on your own yacht," Conover said, with the intimate size also enabling Seabourn vessels to access smaller ports bypassed by larger ships.

Luxury touches also include menus designed by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer and signature Caviar in the Surf beach parties. See your travel agent for more information on The Yachts of Seabourn.

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