Seabourn’s much awaited luxury cruise ship Seabourn Encore, floated out from dry dock at Fincantieri’s Marghera Shipyard in Italy with a traditional ceremony to mark the significant occasion of the ship touching water for the first time on March 4, 2016.

The newly constructed Seabourn Encore moved to an outfitting dock in the shipyard to undergo final construction, ahead of its grand launch in January 2017 at Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The float out ceremony was attended by Seabourn officials and hospitality design icon Adam D Tihany, who has designed Encore’s interiors, along with wife Marnie Tihany, director of business development for Tihany Design.

“Seeing Seabourn Encore in the water is a very special moment and represents another important step toward the completion of our highly-anticipated ship,” Seabourn President Richard Meadows said.

“We continue to hear from our guests and travel industry partners about their excitement for this incredible ship, and they are just as eager as we are to welcome her to the Seabourn family later this year.”

With just 600 guests, Seabourn Encore will maintain the cruise brand’s high standard of personalised service with one staff member for each guest onboard. The amenities, modern design elements and fashionable interiors are said to be in line with the reputation of its elegant Odyssey class ships. There have been regular updates about the new Encore ship, like the private veranda with every suite, and the Grand Wintergarden Suites which are like upscale apartments.

Seabourn Encore will sail in Australia and New Zealand in January 2017. Australia is giving tough competition to the UK to become Seabourn’s second source market after North America

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