New ships are named

[Emperor Norton]

Just a SWAG:

 

If a bunch of new employees (or returning employees or a combination) joined at the same time they would all leave at the same time as their contract lengths are all the same. Usually though changeover is minimized and the number of truly new staff should be kept to a bare minimum.

 

So far no deck plans nor much of an external view of the ship.

[lincslady]

Yes, I appreciate that staff have the same contract lengths, just surprised that Seabourn would let so many change over at the same time; would have hoped that they were better organised. It would be interesting to hear from someone on board if there are a lot of brand new staff, with training staff on board, which we have encountered on previous trips, though never very many at a time, which could noticeably spoil service standards.

[LonCan]

Here is a link to Encore's draft deck plans:

 

http://www.seabourn.com/assets/newship/SBN_EN_Deckplans_8.5x11_012715.pdf?WT.ac=ENSUITPenthouseBody_DeckPlanPDF

[Emperor Norton]

Interesting. A lot of unassigned space. Also no mention of R2 but two specialty dining areas.

[Mr Luxury]

I noticed that there are only sixteen penthouse category suites as opposed to the vast amount of V6 suites which are traditionally the slowest sellers and the most often used for upgrades.

[SKP946]

Here is a link to Encore's draft deck plans:

 

http://www.seabourn.com/assets/newship/SBN_EN_Deckplans_8.5x11_012715.pdf?WT.ac=ENSUITPenthouseBody_DeckPlanPDF

 

Thank you for the link to the deck plan LonCan, it appears that the new ships are more of the same, but with less "space" (66 v 71)).

A quick look shows approx 10 extra suites per deck plus 5 instead of 4 Spa Suites.

I wonder why they didn't leave the most expensive suites, The Wintergarden suites on Deck 7, instead of moving them up to Deck 8 under the pool deck?

The forward elevators are now on the portside, same as the "little ships"

 

Personally I would prefer to sail on a 300 pax ship with the same configuration as the Odyssey Class ships, not a 600 pax !

[Captainlyle]

This initial look at the new ship is disappointing,the design and layout of the ship seems to be of little improvement fo me.My wife and I prefer the larger suites,there are very few added from Odyssey class design.More people less room and the horrible pillars in the showroom are still there according to Seabourn Seatlle.The position of some of the most expensive suites forward is very dumb?

[lincslady]

Loncan - thanks for the link: I tend to agree with what everyone else says. Thank goodness we have got 3 pretty new ships to choose from at present, with about 1350 passenger spaces available. I suspect Mr. L is right, in that SB will try sell a lot of 'guarantees' and will think people will be delighted to be put in a V6.

[photosg]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm still quite new to CC and this is my very first posting to the Seabourn forum.

 

I hope you don't mind if I address several postings from the thread all in this one reply.

 

Firstly, I have to agree that I do not find the new names consistent with Seabourn's current brand identity. Isn't a performance/musical theme more MSC? All the same, going along the lines of Odyssey, Quest and Sojourn doesn't get you very far: Mariner, Explorer, Adventure, Journey, Voyage, Wander (with an "a") are pretty much taken already. And Pursuit, Trek and Enterprise don't really work either. So I would have to agree with Jim Avery and suggest the reuse Spirit and Pride, with an option to tag on a 2 or II if they want to avoid confusion. (Mind you, at 604 pax maybe they should just jump to 3? :p) And, yes I agree with Spree75 that an Encore should come AFTER an Ov(ul)ation.

 

I would also agree that more passengers is not the way to go. 604 is more than the capacity of Silver Spirit and is pushing into Regent territory. Once again the branding says "yachts" of Seabourn. Have the dimensions of the new ships been posted anywhere? What about the number of crew?

 

Thank you for the deck plans LonCan!

 

Having counted up all the different classes of suites on the various decks and compared them with the Odyssey* I can say that the only classes of suite that have not increased in number are PH and V4 (and that is because of the reclassification of the suites that connect to the largest suites to V1.)

 

The biggest increase in terms of numbers and percentage are in fact the V5s (94 from 40 for a 134% increase.) While Odyssey has more V6s (53) than V5s, Encore has more V5s than V6s (84). In terms of percentage the next largest increase belongs to SS! (2 to 4 = 100% increase, ;)) Down on deck 4 the oceanviews have all gone. Encore will be an all balcony ship! A first for Seabourn.

 

In terms of public areas most seem to have been upsized somewhat with the exception of the Restaurant, which appears to be smaller. Looks like Restaurant 2 will be replaced by two new (and larger) dining venues. I'm guessing at least one will be Asian. Will they go for Steaks, French or Italian for the other?

 

I think it is easier to see the changes if you renumber the decks by subtracting 1. So the topmost deck is 11 (as it is on Odyssey), the Observation lounge and PS on 10, Bridge on 9, main pool and Colonnade on 8, WG on 7, forward whirlpool on 6, Medical Centre on 3 and Marina on 2. (note that all I have mentioned are where they are on the Odyssey)

 

If you keep that numbering you will see that the accommodation decks are more or less the same, just stretched by about 5 veranda suite widths (i.e. 10 more per deck). With the important distinction that deck 4 is now equipped with verandas too.

 

To answer SKP946: The Wintergarden suites have not really been "moved" under the pool deck. They are under the pool on the Odyssey too. The depth of the pool above eats into the space on the deck below necessitating "sideways on" (and larger) suites. This happens on Silversea and the new Regent Explorer too.

 

It appears to me that the number of "expensive suites" positioned forward is exactly the same as on the Odyssey. There is an additional Owner's Suite midships on the deck below the WG suites, though it replaces an accessible PH. Yes, you might argue that OW 1012 is also positioned forward but I would say it straddles the line between forward and midships (see classification on suites on the decks below,) and it is not right at the front of the ship the way the '00s and '01s are, (it is behind the bridge.) Whether it is a good idea or not, apart from the Odyssey, there are equivalent suites at the fore (and aft) of many ships on other lines.

 

Regarding the accessible suites, there is in total only one more accessible suite. What has happened is that the number of accessible V6s has been reduced to 1 while OW and PS now get one accessible suite each (formerly none) and PH gets one more too.

 

At the back of the ship things are a little bit more complicated, with the insertion of a deck of speciality restaurants between the Colonnade and Seabourn Square. (If you stay with the new numbering you will have the Colonnade and the Spa move up one deck. Or if you subtract one you would say Seabourn Square, the Grand Salon, the Club and Aft Pool, and the Restaurant all move down one deck.)

 

Although of course it might not make sense financially I would have thought an "Encore" for the Odyssey class would be an all balcony ship of roughly the same tonnage. If they want more dining options I would make space by replacing the non-balcony suites on deck 4. Some of these suites might be able to be relocated to deck 5 if spaces like the casino move down to deck 4.

 

*everywhere I say Odyssey I think you can safely add Quest and Sojourn as well? I am assuming their deck plans are identical.

[Unitedflyier]

604 passengers. Not a yacht anymore but a cruise ship. Will they be able to get into all the exclusive small ports. Shame.

 

 

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[Emperor Norton]

Ill just add that on the Prides final cruises the first items they were trying to get rid of were those that had any mention to the 'Yachts of Seabourn'.

[Captainlyle]

I can't see myself wanting to sail on the Encore with 600 quests,and really less space per quest then the present design.Perhaps they feel it is time for switch in demographics to a younger customer.The telling thing will be if they start offering shorter cruises designed to attract the still working cruiser.I understand it is after all a business and they need to attrack people with may I say longer shelf life.I do not qualify for that group so I will watch with great interest.I have seen thiis move with Regent Cruise Line several years ago and is what prompted me to try Seabourn.I have over 300 nights with Seabourn and had twice that with Regent,so loyalty programs are more hype than substance.I am hoping that Seabourn will not forget the folks that brought them to the dance.

[wripro]

They dropped the "Yachts of Seabourn" several years ago. It has been Seabourn Cruise Line ever since.

[dalliowner]

Looking at the deck plans it is unclear if the main dinning room has been extended to accommodate the additional 150 passengers. the same applies to the club and lounge.

 

Has anybody seen any more detailed news about the above and also crew numbers and deck space.

:)

[Seacap]

Captainlyle I have to say your view of what may be coming from Seabourn,is disturbing.I have heard similar views of what Regent Cruise did with their target marketing scheme.They have definitely changed the age group that now sails with them.The ships I hear are sailing full and the new ship being built suggests they are sucessful with the change in demographics.I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with our Seabourn line.

[Emperor Norton]

Captainlyle I have to say your view of what may be coming from Seabourn,is disturbing.I have heard similar views of what Regent Cruise did with their target marketing scheme.They have definitely changed the age group that now sails with them.The ships I hear are sailing full and the new ship being built suggests they are sucessful with the change in demographics.I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with our Seabourn line.

 

I think it was during the 2007 or so world cruise when a Regent bigwig came on the ship and essentially told the passengers that they were too old and no longer the demographic Regent wanted.

[Ravenscroft]

I think it was during the 2007 or so world cruise when a Regent bigwig came on the ship and essentially told the passengers that they were too old and no longer the demographic Regent wanted.

 

:eek:

 

I'm so shocked by this, but strangely unsurprised, if that makes sense.

Is said bigwig still with Regent?

[Emperor Norton]

If I'm remembering correctly he was ejected a few years ago.

[wripro]

Probably the same genius who came up with included shore excursions!

[Emperor Norton]

Probably the same genius who came up with included shore excursions!

 

I do believe they were part of that change.

[Mr Luxury]

Captainlyle I have to say your view of what may be coming from Seabourn,is disturbing.I have heard similar views of what Regent Cruise did with their target marketing scheme.They have definitely changed the age group that now sails with them.The ships I hear are sailing full and the new ship being built suggests they are sucessful with the change in demographics.I guess we will have to wait and see what happens with our Seabourn line.

 

 

Do we know if captainlyle has sailed with Seabourn and if so how many times?

 

Always useful to see if comments are backed up from experience or not.

[Chairsin]

If you will look at previous post of his he states he has 300 days on Seabourn.

 

 

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[Alipius]

No-one seems to like the new proposed names and it does indeed look as if Seabourn has dumbed-down a bit on this one: which is not its usual style.

 

A year or so ago, at second Martini time, we decided to have a go at names and came up with about five, I think. And we wrote them down too…. somewhere.

 

The only two I can now remember are Seabourn Syzygy (a conjunction of the Sun and the Moon, and a second meaning of a pair of connected things[!], and although not relevant here is meant to be the longest English word composed of consonants) which to my ears sounds good-oh and Seabourn Zephyr, ditto.

 

I am now told that Seabourn Epic sounds good too! We didn't think of that at the time.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Alipius
spelling

[Emperor Norton]

I think NCL would want to talk to them about using the name 'Epic'.

[wripro]

then Seabourn should talk to Silversea for using Spirit and Azamara should talk to Sebaourn about using Quest yada, yada, yada.