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!

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!

On May 2, Seabourn and Holland America held a celebration to welcome new Seabourn staff to the Seattle office and recognize employees who are supporting the transition efforts. Employees who relocated to Seattle from Miami were greeted with welcome baskets full of Northwest-themed gifts including local travel books, chocolates and coffee. Here are some photos from the special celebration!

John Delaney, senior vice president, Seabourn Marketing & Sales, presents Karen Sinclair, director, Seabourn Marketing Communications, with a welcome basket.

Members of the executive team spent time chatting with employees during the celebration. From left: John Delaney, senior vice president, Seabourn Marketing & Sales; Stein Kruse, chairman, Seabourn and, president & chief executive officer, Holland America Line; Richard D. Meadows, president, Seabourn, and executive vice president, Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs, Holland America Line.

Some of the Seabourn employees who moved from Miami and were able to attend the event gather for a photo. Front row: Karen Sinclair, director, Marketing Communications; Olav Torvund, director, Technical Systems; Ove Olsen, technical superintendent; Rick Meadows, president. Second row: Tim Littley, director, Itinerary Development; Chris Prelog, director, Hotel Operations; John Cook, product manager; Bruce Good, director, Public Relations; John Delaney, senior vice president, Seabourn Marketing & Sales.

John Delaney and team serve up some delicious cake for attendees. In photo from left: John Delaney; Trina Holm, administrative assistant, Seabourn Marketing; Patty Desharnais, administrative assistant, Seabourn Marketing & Sales; Peggy McNeil, sales specialist, Seabourn.

Photos are courtesy of Steve Schimmelman.

As promised, here are some more pictures of Seabourn Quest from the shipyard.  Take a look at two of our most popular spots, The Colonnade and Seabourn Square.  They may be empty now but before you know it, both of these rooms will be filled with guests and brimming with enthusiasm and activity!

Up Close with Seabourn Quest

Seabourn Quest

The Colonnade

Seabourn Square

When Seabourn Quest debuts in the summer of 2011, the ship will feature Seabourn Square, an innovative concierge lounge with a “club room” ambiance, offering a variety of attractions and amenities making guests feel at home during their cruises.

It is one of the most distinctive features of the ship and considered to be “hub” of the ship.  Need a café latte? Check.  Want to check your email from loved ones?  Check. Have a question about a shore excursion or a charge on your shipboard account? Check.  Want to read a book or the latest headlines?  Check. Or how about just sitting back and taking in some fresh air overlooking the wake of the ship? Check, check.

The Coffee Bar in Seabourn Square aboard Seabourn Quest

Open from 6:15 a.m. until 6 p.m., the lounge is furnished with comfortable sofas, easy chairs and cocktail tables, and the walls are lined with fiction, nonfiction and reference books.  Eight computer workstations are available for guests to check their emails or surf the Internet during their cruise.  One of the most popular spots in Seabourn Square is the European konditorei-style coffee bar, with a tall, gleaming espresso machine serving specialty coffees, drinks, sandwiches, pastries and gelati.

The Seabourn Square aboard Seabourn Quest

In the center of the room is an enclave housing a team of Guest Services Specialists.  They sit discreetly at individual desks, ready to assist guests 24 hours a day with any inquiries they may have, from onboard account questions and money exchange to reserving shore excursions and giving advice about ports of call.  The Destination Services staff is also present in Seabourn Square, and there is a separate desk where the onboard Cruise Sales Specialist can discuss guests’ future bookings in privacy.

Guests who are planning to sail on Seabourn Quest will no doubt enjoy Seabourn Square’ relaxed atmosphere. It was designed to encourage sociability and we’ve heard much positive feedback about the Square from guests who sailed on Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn.  We want to hear from you: what do you like most about Seabourn Square?

One of the top tasks on hand for Richard Meadows, Seabourn’s new president, is to meet and get to know our senior officers throughout the fleet.  During the annual senior officers meeting in Genoa, Italy, he met with captains and hotel managers and other staff members, and shared his vision and goals for the line.  It was also the perfect opportunity for him to take a hard hat tour of Seabourn Quest and see how construction was progressing. With the ship scheduled to be delivered in just three months, there was no denying the great sense of excitement and anticipation in the air!

Here is a photo of Richard (sixth from left) with the entire group in Genoa.

In a little less than four months, we will be taking delivery of our newest ship, Seabourn Quest, in May.  She represents the completion of Seabourn’s three-year fleet expansion, and we are counting down the days until she joins the fleet!

We’re not the only ones who are highly anticipating her arrival!  Seabourn Quest’s pre-inaugural cruises and Maiden voyage are already sold out, with many guests eager to be among the first to sail on her.  There is still space available during her maiden season, which includes seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises, operating alternately between Athens and Istanbul, and Venice and Athens, as well as a seven-day Black Sea voyage.  On January 5, 2012, Seabourn Quest begins a 109-day World Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice on a unique eastbound course via South America, South Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

As you can see from the recent photos below, construction is progressing quite well at the Mariotti shipyard in Genoa.  We’ll continue to post more updates and pictures on Seabourn Quest, so stay tuned!