Seabourn’s superb service comes in all sizes.  Here are two Seabourn Sojourn staff members – Ian Clements, public rooms manager, and Johan Lovgren, bar waiter – welcoming guests back from a long day in Warnemünde, Germany.  While there is quite a height difference between them, both Ian and Johan have the same big smiles as they cheerfully greet returning guests with a special drink — warm coffee infused with Baileys Irish Cream.

We have uploaded more images from the Seabourn Quest Naming Ceremony, as well as photos from Blythe Danner’s tour of the ship on the day prior to the event.

Seabourn President Richard Meadows, Seabourn Quest Godmother Blythe Danner and Seabourn Quest Captain Magnus Bengtsson

Visit our Facebook page to view the pictures! http://www.facebook.com/seabourn.

As the sun set over the waterfront of the Spanish Mediterranean city of Barcelona, Seabourn introduced the new 450-guest Seabourn Quest to the world on June 20^th during a glittering naming ceremony presided over by Blythe Danner. The award-winning actress served as godmother to the new luxury vessel, Seabourn’s third new ship and the sixth to join its fleet, completing a three-year expansion for the line.  

Guests booked on Seabourn Quest’s Maiden Voyage had the unique opportunity to participate in the festivities.  A full orchestra was arrayed on either side of the swimming pool, and a projection screen set above the deck allowed guests to view the climactic moment when a bottle of champagne smashed against the bow of the ship.  Adjacent to the screen, a contingent of crew members who had served in the start-up teams of all three new ship launches instantaneously broke confetti-filled champagne bottles in a synchronized wave pattern and as the bottle crashed. The memorable evening was capped off by a dazzling fireworks display sparkling against the city’s skyline.

“Seabourn Quest is the embodiment of Seabourn-style cruising,” said Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s president.  “She is sleek and stunning, with spacious decks and public rooms, luxurious suites, a variety of award-winning dining experiences, and an amazing crew offering intuitive and highly personalized service. We can assure guests the very finest travel experiences when they cruise with us on this beautiful ship.”

Following the naming ceremony, Seabourn Quest departed on a 14-day Maiden Voyage to Athens, and will stop at beautiful seaside towns and ports in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Seabourn President Richard Meadows proudly looks on as award-winning actress Blythe Danner names Seabourn Quest.

 

It was a beautiful naming ceremony!

 

The newest member of the family: Seabourn Quest

 

It was certainly a most beautiful night in Barcelona for a naming ceremony.  Fireworks lit up the Spanish sky as Seabourn Quest was named this evening.  Here is just one photo from the event; more to come soon!

We are proud to introduce you to Seabourn Quest! Come aboard our newest ship and get a taste of Seabourn-style cruising experience. Watch our newest video here:

Introducing Seabourn Quest

The new Seabourn Quest received a surprise visit by its smaller sister, Seabourn Legend, last week off the coast of Italy.

On the evening of June 7, as international travel partners and media were gathering for pre-dinner cocktails on Seabourn Quest, Captain Magnus Bengtsson made a surprise announcement from the bridge. Seabourn Legend, under the command of Captain Erik Lund Anderssen, was “in the neighborhood” and wished to make a courtesy visit to welcome its newly-minted sister to the Seabourn family. Staff and guests poured to the windows and out onto the deck to see Seabourn Legend sailing toward Seabourn Quest.

As Seabourn Legend approached in the late sunlight, the ship turned slowly to reveal guests and crew lined along the decks, just as they were on Seabourn Quest.  The two ships offered everyone on deck a lingering opportunity to admire their graceful profiles, as crew members greeted friends serving on the other ship, and guests exchanged waves and salutes. Both ships sounded their horns, and then Seabourn Legend slowly pulled away to continue its voyage, and everyone on Seabourn Quest returned to their evening’s activities.

There was a certain glow and a bit of a grin on the faces of both guests and staff that couldn’t be hidden. Something special had happened – something that will be remembered by everyone for a long time to come.

Seabourn Legend and Seabourn Quest greet each other off the coast of San Remo, Italy.

It was a short but sweet visit.

The sisters side by side.

June 4, 2011 marked the first anniversary of Seabourn Sojourn’s naming in London. Since the day corresponded to the welcome Gala Dinner on board this year, Captain Hamish Elliott decided to make celebration of it. We’ll let him tell it in his own words:

Good morning.

I’d like to share a few pictures with you for the Seabourn Signal. On June 4^th, Seabourn Sojourn celebrated a year in service since her naming on June 4, 2010. As this coincided with the Welcome Gala on our current cruise I took the opportunity to present some of the crew who have been with the Seabourn Sojourn for the whole 12 months. We have well over 100 crew members who were present at the delivery and start-up of this ship, and these are the people who have really helped make Seabourn Sojourn what she is today – one of the finest ships afloat! Unfortunately, some were not able to attend as someone has to work! After a short film showing the construction of the ship, the crew was presented to huge applause in the Grand Salon. A toast was made to a successful first year and many more to come. We also had a birthday cake on display at the entrance to the main restaurant and special dessert featured on the menu. Finally, of course, as well as the crew, we have one very special passenger who was with us at the naming and is still going strong. Mrs. Alene Witzke was also mentioned and pictured with Hotel Manager Hubert Buelacher and myself. All pictures were taken by Paul Charlsey, our Personnel and Training Manager.

 

Capt. Hamish Elliott presents the start-up crew from Sojourn's first year.

Sojourn's First Birthday Cake by Pastry Chef Silvia Daetwiler.

 

Sojourn Hotel Manager Hubert Beulacher, Mrs. Alene Witzke and Capt. Hamish Elliott at Sojourn's Birthday Party.

Seabourn President Rick Meadows and other Seabourn executives hosted a group of U.S. travel agency partners and media during a special sneak‑preview voyage aboard the new Seabourn Quest. The three‑day cruise provided agency principals and managers and writers with the opportunity to explore the company’s newest vessel and experience Seabourn’s top‑notch amenities and award‑winning service. Seabourn executives also met with agents to discuss how the line can further support them to meet their businesses’ goals and objectives.

Guests had opportunities to experience some of Seabourn’s signature services and amenities, including the 11,400‑square foot Spa at Seabourn, the ship’s unique watersports Marina and a rollicking “Rock the Boat” cocktail party on the night before disembarkation at Monte Carlo.

Master Chef David Burke, one of America's most accomplished chef restaurateurs, provided guests with a cooking demonstration on Seabourn Quest. Assisted by Seabourn chefs and waiters, he prepared a simple but elegant tuna tartar parfait, as well as tuna tartar tacos in crisp taco shells he had carefully transported from the States.

At the end of the demonstration, Seabourn waiters distributed a sample of the tasty dish to each member of the audience.

Seabourn Quest Sommelier Johannes Kahrer and Assistant Sommelier Melinda Hegyi conducted a wine tasting on board during the three day preview voyage. Wine tastings are a popular and regular feature on Seabourn's ships, and all dining service staff members receive ongoing training from the sommeliers in wine appreciation and wine and food pairing.

Seabourn Quest makes a stop at Le Lavandou, France, where the ship opened up the marina for guests to enjoy.

You can see more pictures from the Seabourn Quest cruise on Facebook page — http://www.facebook.com/seabourn.

In our previous post, we told you about a helicopter circling Seabourn Quest and taking pictures and video of that beautiful day. The photographer snapped some amazing shots of the ship and watersports from marina day!  At one point, the crew gathered at the bow and waved hello to the photographer as he whizzed by the ship. More photos to come of Seabourn Quest!