The latest update from Neil Carney at the Odyssey shipyard….

As we all know Seabourn Odyssey will be named in Venice. But it is a proud moment to actually see her name spelled out on the bow. As you can see from the photo, the starboard bow now has the steel letters of her name spot welded in place. (more…)

Seabourn Guest Services Trainees

The trainees for the Guest Services Specialists who will care for Odyssey guests at Seabourn Square have arrived in Seabourn’s Miami headquarters for a six-week course designed by Barbara Poelmans. (more…)

What would Seabourn be without its renowned cuisine? A sadder, less satisfying place, that’s for sure.  For Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn’s Director of Culinary and Beverage Operations Tony Egger has been working with Corporate Executive Chef Jochem Lambrechts and Odyssey Executive Chef Graeme Cockburn to get ready for launch… (more…)

We’ve mentioned Seabourn Square a number of times here in the past. It’s a new style of service center on Seabourn Odyssey that will replace the more typical “lobby” style of reception area. Rather than separate desks for pursers’ business, tours and other travel services, Seabourn Square will be a location that feels more like a lounge. And in that lounge, there will be unobtrusive, semi-private desks where guests can find a new hospitality professional called a Guest Services Specialist. Part purser, part destination services manager, part concierge and part future cruise expert, these multi-tasking marvels will be able to assist Seabourn guests with virtually any inquiry or request on the spot.

So where does Seabourn find people who can do all that? (more…)

Adam Snitzer, Seabourn’s marketing VP, recently visited Venice to check out the plans for the festivities around the debut of Seabourn Odyssey.  Here is his report:

You know things are getting close when thoughts turn to celebrations.  With the launch of Seabourn Odyssey only four months away, the Inaugural Events Team is working at full tilt. (more…)

Last Fall, famed food critic John Mariani sailed the Mediterranean with Seabourn. His opinion?

“Seabourn was easily the best of the cruise ships I’ve ever traveled on–impeccable service, first-rate cuisine, very well-chosen wines, and passengers that reminded me of what it must have once been like to hobnob with those who sailed back in the 1950s.” (more…)

Odyssey Chief Engineer Neil Carney files another report from the “fitting out” dock at the T. Mariotti shipyards in Genoa.

“With the new year in full swing in the Mariotti shipyard, Seabourn’s on-site team now has new members. The Odyssey’s Master, Captain Karlo Buer, Staff Chief Engineer Jonny Gojostol, and Safety & Environmental Officer Kreso Volaric have recently arrived. (more…)

We’ve talked a lot about the construction process for Seabourn Odyssey. But not all the activity is about cutting and welding or engines and rudders.  Adam Snitzer, Vice President of Marketing for Yachts of Seabourn, reports from the Miami headquarters as the Seabourn Odyssey build takes on yet another form. (more…)

Seabourn Personnel and Training Manager Jo Poelmans reports from Seabourn Pride in Paracas Bay, Peru that his covey of Seabourn Academy cadets are having a splendid seminar on board.  They are training for a range of different positions, from waitstaff in the Restaurant to cooking duties in the galley to training as Seabourn suite stewardesses in the housekeeping department. Jo took them all to the forward whirlpool spa located on Deck Five for a formal portrait, and they are indeed a great-looking bunch. That’s Jo seated in front. (more…)

Awhile back, we showed you some pictures of the new wave of  Seabourn cadets serving their on-the-yacht training period aboard Seabourn Spirit in Southeast Asia.  Well, another group of cadets is currently learning “The Seabourn  Way” aboard Seabourn Legend, sailing through Panama, Belize and Costa Rica.  Captain Erik Anderssen has sent along some pictures of this group as they learn the ins and outs of the all-important “Champagne and Caviar in the Surf” beach barbecue at Hunting Caye (off the coast of Belize.) The first picture shows the sunny faces of the cadet corps on the dock at Hunting Caye with Seabourn trainer Oliver Ellinger (right,) showing them the ropes. The second picture is the group at the beach site where the actual barbecue buffet will be set up, with Oliver illustrating his point, and probably discussing the subtle art of serving food and drinks while walking in fine, white sand.