Seabourn Receives Approval From Greece To Relaunch Luxury Cruises From July 2021
The Brand Will Operate A Series Of 7-Day Sailings Round-Trip From Athens This Summer
SEATTLE, April 6, 2021 – Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise line, together with the Government of Greece is developing plans to restart Seabourn operations in the Mediterranean with a series of sailings operating round-trip out of Athens beginning July 3, 2021.
Seabourn Ovation will operate a series of 7-day cruises exploring beautiful and historic ports throughout the Greek Isles. The voyages are scheduled to open for booking on April 12. Guests will also be able to book longer 14-day voyages, which combine individual 7-day voyages with a variety of different ports on each. Seabourn will take guests to the ports of Agios Nikolaos, Rhodes, Mykonos and Nafplion as well as Limassol, Cyprus on one itinerary. On the other, guests will have the opportunity to experience Patmos, Rhodes, Thira and Spetsai along with a call at Paphos, Cyprus.
Each sailing also includes a sea day for time spent onboard enjoying venues like Earth & Ocean for al fresco dining, cooling off with artisanal gelato made fresh by the culinary team, or a host of activities available aboard Seabourn Ovation. Those who prefer quiet relaxation can find a comfortable chair in Seabourn Square to read or even take time to sit and watch the scenery go by from their private furnished veranda in their suite.
“The entire Seabourn family is truly excited to provide our award-winning travel experience aboard Seabourn Ovation starting again this July in the Greek Isles,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “We’re grateful to the people of Greece for welcoming Seabourn back to the Mediterranean this summer.”
“Seabourn has been visiting Greece for more than 30 years and we look forward to welcoming their ships back to our unique destinations this summer,” said Honorable Minister Harry Theoharis, Ministry of Tourism – Hellenic Republic. “Tourism is a vital part of our economy and our plans place a priority on health and safety to help restore traveler confidence to all. We are sure that once again all your guests will have the best experiences in Greece creating memories to last a lifetime.”
The cruises are open to any guests that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “Fully vaccinated” means a minimum of 14 days following the final dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required. Approved forms of documentation will be confirmed closer to time of departure and must be shown at the terminal prior to boarding.
Seabourn passengers will be required to comply with all health protocols that may be in place at the time of their departure. Travelers should check on travel requirements regularly, for both inbound travel and their return home, since policies continue to change based on the latest advice.
Additional initial preventive health measures under Seabourn’s “Travel Safe” program will also be in place including health screening questionnaires, face mask requirements,
physical distancing and capacity controls for indoor venues, as well as enhanced environmental sanitation and HVAC upgrades.
Seabourn Ovation will continue to follow stringent health and safety protocols. The brand’s protocols are subject to change as work continues in collaboration with medical experts and government bodies to ensure the practices evolve in line with the latest advice. Seabourn’s priority is to protect the health and safety of our guests, team members, and the people in the communities the brand visits. More details on the protocols are available on the Seabourn website.
Seabourn is finalizing additional details for these voyages, including more information on the shoreside experiences, and will share them in the coming weeks. They will also be posted on the Seabourn website. Guests are encouraged to book early for best suite selection and the brand will offer flexible cancellation terms as well. Guests with existing 2021 Greek Isles bookings will be notified with specific details for their updated itinerary under the same booking number. Airfare is available for purchase at competitive rates using Seabourn’s FlightEase program, which includes complimentary transfers from the airport to the ship. Travelers can also book a private charter flight through Seabourn Private Air, which provides the ultimate in privacy and convenience.
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel. Our all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships coming in 2021 and 2022. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe with more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. The line is also the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage.
Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers.
For reservations or more details, please contact a professional travel advisor; call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com. A dedicated shore excursion call center is available for guests at 1-800-984-3225.
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Notes to Editors: Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world’s top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:
- Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
- Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
- Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
- All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
- Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
- Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
- Tipping is neither required, nor expected
- Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed
- World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
- All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
- Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
- Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations*^
- Select purposeful and sustainable travel experiences as the Official Cruise Partner of UNESCO*
- Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, featuring an exclusive mindful living program*
- An evening entertainment experience in collaboration with Sir Tim Rice†
- Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability
*Optional programs, for additional charge ^Available on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation †Not available on board Seabourn Venture
Seabourn Reinforces Commitment To Professional Travel Advisors With New Special Bonus Commission On New Bookings
SEATTLE, June 1, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, is launching a new special bonus commission offer, reaffirming and strengthening its commitment and dedication to travel advisors worldwide. The brand is extending a special four percent bonus commission on new bookings made on 2021 sailings to Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England.
“Travel advisors have been working tremendously hard around the clock to keep their clients happy over the past few months and have shown time and time again to be incredibly valuable and important to our business,” said Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of Global Marketing & Sales. “We can’t thank them enough for their ongoing support, and this new bonus commission is another way to express our appreciation to the travel advisors for their partnership.”
The special bonus commission can be earned when booking any of Seabourn’s current promotions, including the line’s Sensational Suite Savings valid through July 2020, which offers 50% reduced deposits and savings on a selection of suite accommodations and exceptional amenities, including veranda suite upgrades, shipboard credits up to $2,000 per suite, air credits, Internet packages and more.
Furthermore, travel advisors can receive commission sooner by taking advantage of booking their clients on Seabourn’s new 10% Early Bonus Savings promotion, providing an additional 10 percent in savings off the base cruise fare for select voyages when guests pay in full by July 31, 2020.
The four percent bonus commission applies only to new bookings for select 2021 sailings and is not valid on voyages on Seabourn Venture. For more information and terms and conditions, please visit www.GoSeabourn.com.
“We are delighted to extend this new promotion, which will put commission in the hands of our valued travel advisors following the booking being paid in full,” added Austin.
In addition, travel advisors can share with their clients Seabourn’s enhanced “Book with Confidence” policy, providing travelers with even more flexibility, assurance and options to cancel their booking up to 30 days prior to departure on any new bookings and receive a future cruise credit. The updated policy also includes a new “Best Fare Guarantee” benefit, which will provide guests who booked a Seabourn voyage by July 31, 2020, with the opportunity to request an adjustment in the event fares are lowered for their specific voyage and suite category.
In further support of its travel advisor partners, earlier this season Seabourn also announced that it will honor travel agency current commission levels in 2021, regardless of performance in 2020, and has extended commission protection on paid in full bookings and on Future Cruise Credits for voyages impacted by Seabourn’s pause in global operations, regardless if the guest selects an FCC or a refund
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all oceanfront; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways. The line is also the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage.
Regular guests of Seabourn will continue to find a number of innovative offerings and programs, including partnerships with a select group of companies and individuals whose dedication to superior quality, exceptional service and consistent customer satisfaction matches Seabourn.
Such programs include ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, the new evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; ‘Seabourn Conversations’ with special guest speaker including knowledgeable historians, naturalists, marine biologists, destination experts and more; Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being; and The Grill by Thomas Keller, reminiscent of the classic American restaurant from the 50’s and 60’s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes, as well as a range of other favorites like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, and Lobster Thermidor, presented à la carte.
For reservations or more details, please contact Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com. A dedicated shore excursion call center is available for guests at 1-800-984-3225.
Seabourn Introduces New “Early Bonus Savings” Promotion Now Available Through July 2020
SEATTLE, May 28, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, is inviting guests to rediscover “Extraordinary Worlds” and take advantage of additional savings with its new “Early Bonus Savings” promotion. Guests who pay their booking in full by July 31, 2020, will receive an additional 10 percent savings off the base cruise fare. The promotion applies to select voyages through 2021 on the line’s award-winning fleet of ultra-luxury ships.
In addition, the Early Bonus Savings can be combined with other promotions, including the line’s Sensational Suite Savings also available through July 2020, adding even more reasons to consider a new booking. Seabourn’s Sensational Suite Savings offers added value on a selection of suite accommodations and amenities, including veranda suite upgrades, shipboard credits up to $2,000 per suite, air credits, Internet packages and more.
“Travelers have been dreaming of their next great adventure for a while now, and many are now eager to plan their next vacation while considering the best value,” said Chris Austin, senior vice president of Global Marketing & Sales for Seabourn. “We are pleased to offer them tremendous value with our new Early Bonus Savings, and we look forward to welcoming them on board to show them that a Seabourn experience remains a wonderful option for a memorable holiday.”
The line has also updated its “Book with Confidence” policy, providing travelers with even more flexibility, assurance and options to cancel their booking up to 30 days prior to departure on any new bookings and receive a future cruise credit. The updated policy also includes a new “Best Fare Guarantee” benefit, ensuring guests can have peace of mind that they can always request the lowest publicly available fare offered for their voyage in the event fares are lowered following booking.
The Early Bonus Savings promotion is available for select voyages and is not valid on World Cruises or segments and voyages on Seabourn Venture. A complete listing of the applicable sailings, including terms and conditions, for the Early Bonus Savings promotion can be viewed on Seabourn’s website.
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all oceanfront; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways. The line is also the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage.
Regular guests of Seabourn will continue to find a number of innovative offerings and programs, including partnerships with a select group of companies and individuals whose dedication to superior quality, exceptional service and consistent customer satisfaction matches Seabourn.
Such programs include ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, the new evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; ‘Seabourn Conversations’ with special guest speaker including knowledgeable historians, naturalists, marine biologists, destination experts and more; Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being; and The Grill by Thomas Keller, reminiscent of the classic American restaurant from the 50’s and 60’s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes, as well as a range of other favorites like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, and Lobster Thermidor, presented à la carte.
For reservations or more details, please contact a professional travel advisor; call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
About Seabourn:
Seabourn currently operates a fleet of five modern ultra-luxury ships and is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage under a multi-year agreement to help promote sustainable tourism at World Heritage sites around the world.
Seabourn Enhances ‘Book With Confidence’ Cancellation Policy For Sailings Through 2021, Includes New Best Fare Guarantee
SEATTLE, May 26, 2020 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, has enhanced its “Book with Confidence” policy, which provides travelers with even more flexibility, assurance and options to cancel their booking up to 30 days prior to departure on any new bookings and receive a future cruise credit. The enhanced policy, which now applies to 2021 departures, also includes a new “Best Fare Guarantee” benefit, ensuring guests can have peace of mind that they can always request the lowest publicly available fare offered for their voyage in the event fares are lowered following booking. .
For existing and new bookings made by July 31, 2020 on sailings departing by December 31, 2021, guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure and receive a 100% future cruise credit of any payment already made to Seabourn and currently within cancellation fees. The Future Cruise Credit granted using Book With Confidence will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may then be used to book sailings departing through December 31, 2022.
For additional information, terms and conditions on the enhanced Book with Confidence policy, please visit Seabourn’s website.
“We understand many travelers are ready to start planning their next adventure and rediscover extraordinary worlds but may still have some hesitation to book,” said Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of Global Marketing & Sales. “We’ve enhanced our ‘Book with Confidence’ policy to give travelers assurance for a longer period of time that they can cancel closer to departure and have the opportunity of receiving the best pricing available. These updates should give them the confidence they need to finalize their travel plans now but know they have the flexibility to change if necessary.”
In addition, the new Best Fare Guarantee benefit will provide guests who booked a Seabourn voyage by July 31, 2020, with the opportunity to request an adjustment in the event fares are lowered for their specific voyage and suite category. Guests and travel advisors should contact Seabourn directly if they see a better rate listed on Seabourn’s website, but they must do so at least 30 days prior to departure.
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all oceanfront; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways.
For reservations or more information about Seabourn and these promotions, please contact Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
About Seabourn:
Seabourn currently operates a fleet of five modern ultra-luxury ships and is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage under a multi-year agreement to help promote sustainable tourism at World Heritage sites around the world.
SEATTLE, May 12, 2020 – Today the cruise line announced that after 35 dedicated years with Carnival Corporation, Richard Meadows will be retiring from Seabourn at the end of May. Seabourn, the ultra-luxury brand in the Carnival Corporation family of brands, recently announced it was extending its pause in global cruise operations until mid-October through late November, depending on the ship.
Meadows is currently president of Seabourn and in this role has overall executive responsibility, leading all business and global operations for the award-winning luxury cruise line. He has held this position since 2011, when the company moved its headquarters to Seattle from Miami.
“I’ve had so many amazing opportunities throughout my career, passionately leading a number of global cruise brands as well as working with so many talented team members, travel advisors and other stakeholders around the world,” said Meadows. “It has been a true honor to help craft those lifetime memories and special moments for our guests, through the profound power of travel, which brings people and cultures together. I look forward to the day when we can once again welcome our guests back on board.”
Stein Kruse, Group CEO of the Holland America Group and Carnival UK into which Meadows reports added, “Rick’s contributions to the cruise industry and his leadership in elevating Seabourn to the ultimate ultra-luxury cruise experience, bar none — are legendary. He will forever be part of our Carnival Corporation story and he has made us all better through his professionalism, authenticity and leadership.”
Between 2014 and 2016, Meadows also served in an additional leadership role as president of Cunard – North America, and assumed operating responsibility for the iconic Cunard brand throughout the North American continent.
Prior to his appointment at Cunard, Meadows was in a dual-capacity role, serving as both president of Seabourn and executive vice president of Marketing, Sales and Guest Programs for Holland America Line, where he had global revenue responsibility.
Among his previous roles, he was senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Seabourn; vice president of Corporate Marketing at Carnival Corporation; and vice president of Sales and Marketing with Windstar Cruises, a former subsidiary of Holland America Line. He also served as director of sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, beginning his career with Carnival Corporation in 1985.
An active advocate for the cruise and travel industries, Meadows is a member of the board of directors for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in North America, and is a frequent speaker at industry forums and events. In 2007, Meadows was appointed by former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire to the Washington State Tourism Commission and served until 2010, and in 2017 he was named a Fellow by the Culinary Institute of America. He also currently serves on the board of directors for Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre.
About Seabourn:
Seabourn currently operates a fleet of five modern ultra-luxury ships and is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage under a multi-year agreement to help promote sustainable tourism at World Heritage sites around the world.
