Seabourn have four ships in service – the new Seabourn Encore has recently been launched to accompany the three vessels that were launched between 2009 and 2010.
Six Star Cruises Managing Director, James Cole, attended the Christening of Seabourn Encore, and also enjoyed a tour of Seabourn Sojourn. Here, he shares his thoughts…
I have just returned from a brilliant trip to Singapore, where I was privileged to attend the christening of Seabourn Encore and also a comprehensive tour of Seabourn Sojourn, a ship I haven’t seen since her launch in 2010.
Seabourn’s ships
What always impresses me about Seabourn is the look and feel of the ships and the atmosphere on-board; it’s like no other ultra-luxury cruise line. The yacht-like appearance of the ships, the intimacy of having less than 300 suites on-board and the friendly welcome of the crew, made me instantly feel at home.
Whilst the other ships in the Seabourn fleet have all you would expect from Seabourn, I was very lucky to be able to walk from Encore to Sojourn and compare the two side by side, Encore has something extra special. Whether its the elegantly individual spaces created by world-renowned designer Adam Tihany, or perhaps the new partnership with three Michelin Star Chef Thomas Keller and the introduction of the The Grill by Thomas Keller, or it could be the typical Seabourn smile that you get from every member of the crew I met, I felt really special to be onboard this wonderful new ship.
The Christening of Seabourn Encore
The launch was a true fanfare occasion too – all the top Seabourn guys had flown in for the launch party. Micky Arison, Chairman of Carnival Corporation, Arnold Donald, CEO and President of Carnival Corporation, Rick Meadows, President of Seabourn, and Lynn Narraway, UK Managing Director of Holland America Line and Seabourn. Some local acts accompanied the moving speeches along with the traditional smashing of a Champagne bottle on the ship from the Godmother Sarah Brightman, the world’s best-selling Soprano.
My time in Singapore
It would be amiss of me not to mention Singapore. I last travelled to Singapore more than 15 years ago. Back then I remember it to be a pleasant, clinical city with not much going on. What a different place I found when I landed at Changi airport last week. Vibrant, multicultural, elegantly modern, British loving, progressive; I cannot use enough superlatives to describe what a wonderful City State Singapore has become. We were privileged to be hosted by Singapore Tourist Board so were treated to three days of exploring the very best of what Singapore has to offer.
From dining on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel (the iconic building that looks like a ship has been placed on top of its three towers) to visiting the home and museum of Alvin a proud Peranakan, to a trip down the Singapore river. Of course, a trip to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without a Singapore Sling at Raffles and several dining experiences including a trip to China town, little India and a night out in Clarke Quay. Since returning from Singapore I have been waxing lyrical and trying to persuade as many people as possible to visit this wonderful place, which I can wholeheartedly recommend and say it’s now my favourite place to visit.
My verdict
I’d highly recommend taking a cruise on-board Seabourn Encore and we’ve put together some fantastic holiday ideas for you. One includes a stay in Singapore so you can discover it as I have, there’s also an exotic Sydney to Bali trip and one a little closer to home in the Med.
Here at Six Star Cruises, we have a team of dedicated Cruise Concierge who will delight in helping you to plan every aspect of your Seabourn cruise. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0207 980 2848 if you’d like any assistance.
