Back on July 21, 2008 I laid out many of the details for the new Seabourn Odyssey. I thought it might just be a good time to repeat some of that content since Seabourn is providing a bit more information about the Seabourn Odyssey on its blog.
Here is what I can tell you (and, actually did, back on July 21, 2008!...again, you heard it here first!):
LOUNGES
· The Club
· The Sky Bar
· The Grand Salon
· The Patio Lounge
· Seabourn Square
· The Observation Bar
The first thing you will notice is that, independent of size and layout, there are significantly more lounges than on the Seabourn Legend, Pride and Spirit.S peaking of layout, The Club will be significantly different from those on the triplets, which basically have a bar, a glass-in seating area (a/k/a "the fishbowl") and seating around the dance/entertainment floor. On the Seabourn Odyssey The Club will be an indoor/outdoor lounge with a water feature/pool that will have a water show in the evenings. In addition, it will be utilized more than on the triplets with day and evening activities, while having the ability to seat a full one third of the ship's guests...but in a number of different seating areas.
Yes, The Club and the Observation Lounge will be larger, but their layouts are such that they are broken up into smaller spaces. Seabourn has not forgotten that it is the socialization among its guests that is one of its strongest features and these spaces are designed to enhance conversation.
Also, while the Sky Bar will be present in its familiar location and with a now fairly consistent look (thanks to the recent upgrades to the triplets!), there will be a second outdoor bar one deck down...right by the main pool.
SEABOURN SQUARE
Every hate the feeling of having a barrier between you and the purser, when you want to discuss something? Dread lining up to talk about a tour or to book your next cruise? Well Seabourn is implementing something pretty cool (actually somewhat more akin to what private banking used to be like). You will be able to sit in comfortable chairs in a lounge atmosphere and deal with your requests, inquiries and needs in a most civilized manner. And what would make your feel a bit more comfortable? A coffee bar will be located in the same area....and just down the corridor from the Card Room.
DINING:
Main Dining Room - Seabourn has done something pretty unique. It has very shrewdly designed the Restaurant to be essentially two mirror-images of the triplet's dining room (as far as layout in the dining room and galley). Even the waiter stations are in the same locations. Why you might ask? So that any staff that comes from one of the triplets knows exactly where to go, were things are, and how to serve. While the room will be beautiful, the service will be - here's that word - consistent.
Restaurant 2 - Again consistent with the Pride, Spirit and Legend, this alternative restaurant will feature innovative menus with wine parings.
The Colonnade - This is an indoor/outdoor restaurant with an open kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will feature a different theme each evening. Sound familiar? How about both indoor and outdoor seating?
Patio Grill - This is not just any poolside grill. There will be nice touches that make it a bit special at various times of the day. Wander by with a cup of coffee in the morning and you will be greeted with the aroma of warm cinnamon buns.
In Suite - Seabourn does this the best of any cruise line. Your meal will be served course by course, timed as you like it, with the Main Restaurant's menu available. If you simply want a late night pizza or an afternoon snack, there will be an extensive menu available.
SPA
Seabourn will have a unique, two story, indoor and outdoor spa with expanded services. But what is really exciting is that there will be 750 sq. ft. Spa Villas which provide you a private indoor area with seating and dining areas, a double bed lounger, two treatment beds, an oversized bathtub and shower...plus a private outdoor wraparound terrace with sun loungers. You will be able to rent these villas for your private treatment sessions for half or, demand permitting, full days.
In addition to Finnish saunas and aromatic steam rooms, there will be seven private treatment rooms with a much broader spectrum of services than is available on the triplets including a full service salon.
Seabourn will also be providing a state of the art gym for cardio, strength and weight training along with a Kinesis Wall. (For those of you that don't know what that is, don't worry about it - you will never use it!)
And for those wanting to just relax, the indoor pool will be located on Deck 8 and the Spa's own outdoor whirlpool will be located on Deck 9.
POOLS
If the triplets have glaring weakness it is the pool's location and layout. No more. On the Odyssey the outdoor pool is centrally located on Deck 8 with two whirlpools adjacent thereto. Modern, upgraded, lounges will be provided as well.
There will be a second smaller outdoor pool with two more whirlpools aft on Deck 5, as well, providing a quiet place to relax.
Wait until you see the water effects.
MARINA
Seabourn will have its very popular marina installed on the Odyssey and the offerings will be expanded to include water skiing and windsurfing in addition to snorkeling, banana rides, etc.
STAFFING
Seabourn has announced that its bar staff will include: Head Bartender, 1 Sommelier, 3 Assistant Sommeliers, 7 Bartenders, 11 Bar waiters, 3 Deck Stewards, and 2 Bar Utilities. If you think about the five lounge areas, plus dining venues, these men and women will be very busy indeed; especially if you think that some may actually take breaks during the day or evening and just once in a while might even get a day off.
I will be providing lots more info on the Seabourn Odyssey soon. It is getting close to the June 24, 2009 Maiden Voyage and the time to really introduce this ship to everyone is upon us.
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