~ New vessel Encore to call in March 2017 ~
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Seabourn pioneered small-ship, ultra-luxury cruising, and continues to represent the pinnacle of that unique style of travel. Seabourn is one of the cruise partners who played a role in the design and layout of the new Homeporting Terminal which will also be catering to Seabourn.
Seabourn has a homeporting history with Port St. Maarten over a three-year period. Based on various homeporting case studies, Port St. Maarten ranked as one of the top cruise port destinations in the Caribbean where quality of facilities are concerned.
The destination also came in top ranking for shopping experience, and port/destination services that are offered to the cruise industry. With the new Homeport Terminal, Port St. Maarten is looking forward to developing a long-term working relationship with Seabourn and at the same time becoming the North eastern Caribbean homeport of choice.
Homeporting generates more airlifts in and out of the destination; brings additional business for local service providers; and creates the potential for pre- and post- cruise extension visits.
On December 18 the first 250 homeporting cruise passengers will be arriving on the island with XL Airways to take a cruise with homeport cruise line Pullmantur Cruises. XL Airways will be arriving on a weekly basis. Pullmantur will be using the Zenith which will take passengers on a weekly Caribbean cruise.
One of Seabourn’s newest vessels is the Seabourn Encore which will be calling at Port St. Maarten in March 2017. The ship will be named at the port of Singapore on January 7, 2017.
Seabourn Encore departed the Fincantieri shipyard on November 4 for sea trials where the ship’s technical and mechanical systems were tested. The vessel was delivered on November 30.
The Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which have revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising and enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities. A sister ship, Seabourn Ovation will join the fleet in 2018.
In 1986, a small cadre of luxury hospitality and cruising executives including Norwegian industrialist Atle Brynstad and veteran cruise line executive Warren S. Titus re-invented luxury cruising.
Their model was the casual, relaxed elegance previously available only to owners of the world’s most fabulous private yachts. They commissioned the 10,000 GRT Seabourn Pride, an intimate ship nimble enough to visit both great cities and the picturesque harbors preferred by international yachtsmen.
When Seabourn Pride was launched in 1988, the ship’s 208 guests enjoyed: Spacious all-suite accommodations with expansive views of the sea; A variety of public spaces scaled intimately to encourage relaxed socializing; and a novel fold-out platform at the stern became a watersports Marina, turning the ship into a private beach resort.
Its fleet of three Odyssey-class intimate, all-suite ships (Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest), carrying between carrying between 450 and 600 guests each, sail to the world’s most desirable destinations at their peak seasons. On board, guests are served by an award-wining crew numbering nearly as many as the guests, hand-picked and extensively trained to deliver Seabourn’s signature style of thoughtful, personalized and heartfelt hospitality.
Seabourn’s ships attract accomplished people who enjoy traveling well, and sharing fun and adventures with other interesting people. A great many of them have found the Seabourn cruise experience to be their preferred method of travel, and return regularly to sail with the cruise line again and again.
Seabourn’s guest-oriented philosophy is based on a belief that choice is fundamental to the experience of luxury. Everything Seabourn does, from the design of its ships to its itineraries, shipboard activities, dining options and even the entertainment on board, is crafted to offer a variety of appealing choices wherever and whenever possible.
The new Homeport Terminal building currently under construction that is located near the cargo container storage area, will be air-conditioned and state of the art within a 1500 square meter structure; 12-check in desks and a luggage screening machine; bar and restaurant serving drinks and snacks on sale for passengers; VIP section with seating for 50-80 passengers; Wi-Fi; facilities for the disabled; and storage for more than 1200 pieces of luggage.
The new facility is a temporary multi-functional structure, which is storm proof and demountable prior to a hurricane threat. Other events can also be held at the terminal due to its multi-functional design and layout.
There will be parking for 60 vehicles and three touring car options; line up zone for taxis, with direct access to the main entrance from Homeporting Terminal; Royal landscaping and paving to provide “square” experience in front of the Homeport Terminal; lobby of 550m2 with 200 seats for passengers, and two information screens; ceiling fans; high-end transport trolley/train; and toilet facilities.
The investment in homeporting facilities is a strategic one taken by the board of Supervisory Directors and Management in order to ensure that the destination remains one of the leading ports of call to visit and experience.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Seabourn Encore, the latest vessel that has been added to the Seabourn fleet and scheduled to visit the destination in March 2017.
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