You know when you take delivery of a new ship. You’re tingling with excitement. Then you see her! You step aboard … Oh yes! That new ship smell!
Imagine how the folk from one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines felt when they popped down to the dealer, signed the papers and drove away in the Seabourn Encore.
Not long after they left the showroom we were aboard at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal.
It was gleamingly sweetly-smelling brand new, just three weeks after its christening in Singapore, only months out of the shipyard where it was built in Italy. The paint, the carpets, the artwork, the woodwork, especially the woodwork, was glossy and yes it had the fragrance of newness permeating every room and corridor.
TML had experienced Seabourn before. We instantly felt a familiarity in the new ship but there were design elements that were not only crisply new, but slightly teased, a touch more rounded, a touch more adventurous in their presentation. Familiar colours subtly re-shaded gleamed throughout. It was as if you had traded in a top-of-the-range car that was only a year or two old for the latest model.
Welcome to the fleet
Seabourn Encore, the youngest international cruise ship to grace the Harbour City, joins the global fleet of Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest.
All very similar, but the new lady has one more deck, expanded passenger areas and dining and entertainment innovations. Encore’s twin sister, Ovation, joins the team in 2018. They will offer 300 suites for just 600 guests. There are almost as many crew as there are guests.
For you it will mean your own Personal Suite Stewardess to welcome you and spoil you throughout your voyage. And of course the open bar policy gives you a complimentary refresher or two by the pool, cocktails before dinner or choice of wine with meals. It also includes the stocking with your favourites of your personal ensuite fridge.
Ultra luxury is not just a word
Many travel offerings … hotels, resorts, trains and planes … talk about luxury, but you know when you’ve walked into that store, or that foyer or that showroom you can feel the real thing.
You feel it hourly on Seabourn.
When you hear experienced cruisers speak of Seabourn the words, service, courtesy, friendliness and knowledge pop up frequently.
Apart from the luxurious ‘hardware’ of the ship itself it is the attentive ‘software’ of the crew that lingers in the mind.
Encore attractions designed to bring you back
From a stage full of musical extravaganzas, through exciting and exclusive new dining options to a small precious bottle in your suite, Encore will enchant you.
Created exclusively for Seabourn is ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, a concert-style presentation of some of the best-known work of the triple Oscar, triple Tony, triple Golden Globe winning creator. You could be humming along to your favourites from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and the Lion King. Tim will be narrating through his West End and Broadway hits and making appearances throughout the fleet.
Glorious Food
Did I hear you say, “what about the food?”
May we introduce you to The Grill by Thomas Keller, multiple Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur from The French Laundry in California. The Grill will offer dishes prepared exclusively for Seabourn and Keller’s influence will flow across other restaurants aboard. You’re in for a dining experience unlike any other at sea.
Totally new and unique to Encore is Sushi, where you can sit at the sushi bar and watch your chefs prepare authentic hot and cold delights, lunch or dinner or pop in any time during the day.
Even more luxury
The precious bottles? They are the delightful result of a 14 year collaboration with London-based fragrance pioneers Molton Brown. Their products for bath, body and hair are complimentary in your suite. Just arrived are two new Signature Scents which capture and echo the aromas of some of the coastlines Seabourn visits.
Another new feature on Encore is The Retreat. It is an adult-only treasure hidden up on Deck 12. A canopy shields from the sun a central whirlpool surround by 15 private cabanas. Each one features a TV, a fridge, and your Retreat Concierge will ensure you enjoy champagne, exclusive cocktails, Evian spray, a healthy spa menu, fresh fruit baskets, premium sun lotions and personalized bathrobes.
Luxury enough for you?
The seas are yours
Seabourn Director of Sales Australia Tony Archbold is quite rightly thrilled about the future:
“Encore will be calling Australia home in 2017-18. Her second Australian season will be twice as long as her first. On the newest, most modern fleet in the ultra-luxury segment we have a program offering 36 unique itineraries of seven days up to 152 days. We believe in the growth of the ultra-luxury cruise market in our region as well as Australia’s love of the finer things in life.”
Says it all doesn’t it?
Well not quite all. There is much more to be found, much more to learn and much more to dial up your ultra-anticipation at www.seabourn.com
