Starting in 2014, Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will be transferred from Seabourn Cruise Line to Windstar Cruises. In an announcement made today by both cruise lines, it is reported that Seabourn’s original three luxury yachts will be sold to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the owner of Windstar Cruises. No currently scheduled Seabourn sailings will be affected as the change in ownership will occur after all booked itineraries have been completed.
“Windstar Cruises has experienced four straight years of revenue growth. This expansion is the perfect way to build on the momentum following our recent fleet-wide renovation, providing us with the much needed capacity to match the accelerating demand for our intimate style of yacht cruising,” said Andy Todd, chief executive officer of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, owner of Windstar Cruises. “Global Windstar [the project name assigned to Windstar’s fleet expansion] enables us to extend our unique small-ship experience throughout the world.”
The logistics of the transfer are described by Windstar Cruises as follows:
The delivery of the three 104 all-suite ships, which hold 208 passengers each, will take place over the next two years in the Mediterranean. The Seabourn Pride will be the first ship to enter into Windstar’s luxury fleet in April of 2014. Following a Windstar branded renovation, which will give the ship a new name and casually elegant look, the Pride with set sail a month later in May 2014; voyages are expected to go on sale in May of this year. Windstar Cruises will take possession of Seabourn Legend in April 2015 and Seabourn Spirit in May 2015. These two yachts are scheduled to start sailing in May of 2015 following their dry-dock period.
Seabourn president Richard Meadows had this to add: “Seabourn remains dedicated to our mission of creating the world’s finest travel experiences through our small-ship cruising product. Our three newest vessels, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest have raised the bar for ultra-luxury cruising and we intend to add a fourth ship of similar design. Seabourn is already in discussion with shipbuilders and an order is likely to be announced within the current fiscal year. The new ship will allow Seabourn to maintain much of its current guest capacity.”
SOURCE: WINDSTAR CRUISES AND SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: WINDSTAR CRUISES