Seabourn Odyssey Races to "Show Time"!

Updated June 23 at 8:16 am EST: Pamela Conover, president of Yachts of Seabourn, tweeted this morning to say Odyssey has set sail! Congratulations, Seabourn!


By now you've read the news reports detailing all the work that remains to be completed prior to Seabourn Odyssey's maiden voyage out of Venice, Italy tomorrow.

Several anxious cruisers have e-mailed me asking my opinion on the fact that the pre-inaugural media/travel agent shakedown cruise did not leave port. To that I have a question: Have you ever been part of the behind-the-scenes action that leads up to opening night of a play, musical, or concert? Preparing a luxury cruise ship for her maiden voyage is a lot like getting ready for opening night. There are costumes and props to complete, paint that needs to dry, and lines that need to be memorized.

Most of the work being completed on Seabourn Odyssey right now are finishing details. According to Sue Bryant of CruiseCritic.com, Gene Sloan of USA Today, and Anita Dunham-Potter of ExpertCruiser.com—three journalists aboard the ship right now—tasks being completed include the programming of elevators, touch-up painting of the exterior of the ship, getting Internet access up and running, and unpacking supplies for the dining room.

The one area of the ship that seems to be running most behind schedule is the spa, with the 807-square-foot spa villas being quite unfinished at this point.

What does this mean for maiden voyage cruisers? I think it's a bit too early to tell. Honestly, a lot can happen in a mere 24 hours and the Yachts of Seabourn has pulled out all the stops and has all hands on deck to get Odyssey ready for its christening.

We'll keep you posted throughout the day as new details become available.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Visit and bookmark Luxury Cruise Bible's
complete Seabourn Odyssey press coverage index.

Photo of Venice, Italy courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

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