Iuliia Tore 
Carnival Corporation on May 11 officially launched Seabourn Ovation, the second of four new ships that will enter service in 2018 across four of the company’s nine global cruise brands. The launch of Seabourn Ovation follows the delivery of the corporation’s first ship of 2018, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon, which has earned rave reviews since its April 2 inaugural cruise.
Also, in late 2018, two more Carnival Corporation brands will launch new ships:
AIDAnova from AIDA Cruises, the leading cruise line in Germany, marks a new generation of the brand’s ships that combine innovative design with state-of-the-art technology to provide even greater onboard comfort and further enhance the guest experience.
Holland America Line, a leader in premium cruising, will launch ms Nieuw Statendam, the line’s second Pinnacle Class ship following ms Koningsdam in 2016.
The four new ships are part of Carnival Corporation’s ongoing fleet enhancement strategy, which will build on the delivery of Carnival Horizon and Seabourn Ovation with 18 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2023. The new ships continue the corporation’s focus on providing experiences that consistently exceed guest expectations while also creating excitement and accelerating demand for cruising, the fastest growing segment in the vacation industry.
Introducing Seabourn Ovation – The Latest Ultra-Luxury Ship from Seabourn
Seabourn Ovation was officially launched on May 11 at a naming ceremony in Valletta, Malta, to commemorate its entry into service for the Seabourn fleet. One of the world’s most highly-acclaimed actresses and singers, Elaine Paige, served as godmother and named the ship during a ceremony that lit up the UNESCO World Heritage site and the 2018 European Capital of Culture.
Seabourn Ovation was delivered on April 27 during an official handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. Following the delivery ceremony, Seabourn Ovation began her maiden season with an 11-day inaugural voyage departing May 5 from Venice, Italy, and culminating with its arrival in Barcelona, Spain.
Seabourn Ovation will expand and build on the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. A sister ship to Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation features 300 all-oceanfront suites and maintains the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service.
Seabourn Ovation was fashioned by notable hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany with contemporary interiors, modern design elements and innovations consistent with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance. Tihany’s vision has delivered the world’s finest ultra-luxury resort that happens to traverse the oceans of the world. The new ship will round out the current planned expansion of the line’s award-winning, newest and most consistent fleet in the ultra-luxury segment.
The fifth all-suite ship in the Seabourn fleet, Seabourn Ovation offers a number of in-suite amenities to provide guests with a “home away from home” onboard experience, including a private veranda in every luxurious suite. Featuring striking design and sophisticated décor, each suite will include a comfortable living area, elegant bedding, a walk-in closet, in-suite entertainment options and a marble bathroom with separate bath and shower, and luxury bath products, including the exclusive Seabourn Signature Scents by Molton Brown.
Guests who sail on Seabourn Ovation will also 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.
These programs include “An Evening with Tim Rice,” the evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; 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 1950s and 1960s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes.
Seabourn Ovation will spend the majority of its maiden season cruising the waters of Northern Europe, offering a series of seven-day Baltic and Scandinavian sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm.
Seabourn Ovation will also sail on longer 14-day voyages, visiting the majestic Norwegian fjords and British Isles. Select sailings will also include the Ventures by Seabourn program, which are optional for-charge expedition-style excursions featuring a team of experts, Zodiacs and kayaks with a focus on allowing guests to experience nature up close.
