We’ve talked about the Sun Terrace that is situated high atop Odyssey on Deck 11. That is the location with tiered banks of double sun loungers for sun worshippers and those who just like to relax, listen to their iPods and read.

Just aft of the Sun Terrace is the Retreat, a multi-activity piazza that features all kinds of deck sports for those who want a little more activity. It will be a great place for early morning yoga and fitness classes in the open air. (more…)

Seabourn Odyssey set out to sea today for a weekend of sea trials. Marco Ghiglione was good enough to send along these dreamy pictures of our heroine as she prepares to show her stuff.  Thanks Marco and good luck and Godspeed to Seabourn Odyssey!

Seabourn Odyssey is in the drydock in Genoa, having finishing touches put on the parts of the hull below the waterline. Meanwhile the men and women of her crew are starting the move-in process. Because they are in a drydock, it’s only possible to put up one small gangway –but that won’t stop a Seabourn crew. They gamely took up positions shoulder to shoulder and simply started loading on that way. Well done!

Seabourn Odyssey Loading Gang

One of the items Seabourn Odyssey will need on board is anchor chain. After all, she will not only be calling at major marquee ports, but, like all the Seabourn yachts, she will also call at smaller, yachting harbors where she will have to anchor. Here you see some crewmembers laying out the anchor chains to be loaded into the hold.

Seabourn Odyssey Anchor Chains

And here you can see the chains being winched up into the hold. And doesn’t Odyssey look smart with her neat black line along the shear!

Seabourn Odyssey Drydock

Seabourn Sojourn at Nogaro

Seabourn’s second new yacht, Seabourn Sojourn, has been growing at San Giorgio di Nogaro in a process pretty similar to the one we tracked for Seabourn Odyssey. The two halves of her hull were formed and then floated down to Rijeka in Croatia where they were joined together into one sleek piece. That is an amazing feat! (more…)

Seabourn Odyssey moved this week from the Mariotti fitting-out berth to Drydock Number 5 at Genoa, where preparations will continue for her sea trials next week   The sea trials are an important milestone. Odyssey will be “put through her paces” with starts, stops, turns and other maneuvers to confirm that she performs according to specifications. Here are a couple of pictures, one is the first image we have of Odyssey moving under her own power.

Seabourn Odyssey Heads to Dry Dock

The second was sent by Captain Buer, and shows Odyssey high and dry again in the drydock as they prepare to do some work below the waterline.   Captain Buer’s comment:  “As you can see, she is now a Seabourn yacht!”

Seabourn Odyssey at Dry Dock

If you agree that variety is the spice of life, then dining aboard Seabourn Odyssey will suit you to a T. Seabourn continues its collaboration with award-winning chef/restaurateur Charlie Palmer because….well,  because we really like his food!  On Odyssey, The Restaurant will be open-seating, just as it is on Pride, Spirit and Legend, and will feature a fine-dining setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While The Restaurant can accommodate all guests, you frankly wouldn’t expect to see everyone there, because of the delicious alternatives available. (more…)

Guests who have sailed on Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend will notice differences in Seabourn Odyssey right away. Odyssey is, after all, quite a bit bigger than her older sisters. But it’s important to remember what all that extra size is being used for. Odyssey wasn’t designed to be bigger just for the sake of the size. The new yacht includes features and amenities that a lot of guests have been suggesting for years.
Probably the most prominent wish fulfillment feature is the verandas. Ninety percent of the suites have private verandas, and they are really big. (Big enough to dine on.)  So you take a suite that is about the same size as the suites of Pride, Spirit and Legend (OK, they are a little bigger, too!)  and add a veranda, and guess what? The vessel gets bigger. (more…)