Fincantieri to Build Ultra-Luxury Ship for Seabourn

Fincantieri, a world leader in cruise ship construction, and Seabourn, the ultra-luxury brand of Carnival Corporation, the world’s leading cruise operator, have announced the signing of a contract for the construction of an ultra-luxury ship. The order follows last October's letter of intent between the two companies.

The ship, due to join the Seabourn fleet in the second half of 2016, will be built according to the standards and technical solutions that make Seabourn one of the most prestigious brands in the ultra-luxury segment and will continue the fleet modernization that began in 2009.

The all-suite ship will be approximately 40,350 gross tons,  210 meters long and 28 meters wide and will be able to reach a cruising speed of 18.6 knots. It will carry up to 604 guests, accommodated in 302 spacious suites, all with a private balcony.

Safety will be one of this ship's major strong points. It will be built using the very latest technologies, whose standards will exceed the requirements of the relevant legislation. Fuel consumption will be significantly reduced by optimizing the ship's hydrodynamics.

Richard D. Meadows, Seabourn’s President, said: “The new ship will continue the evolution that began with Seabourn’s fleet expansion, adding modern design elements and innovations consistent with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance. With its delivery, the most highly rated cruise line in the world will also offer travelers the newest fleet of ships in the luxury segment”.

Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri's Chief executive officer, said: "An order from a new brand is always a source of great satisfaction. Today we can also add a note of pride, because the addition to our customer base of Seabourn, the Carnival Group's top-end cruise line, means that we are now building ships for all the operators in the ultra-luxury segment, a niche market that has seen strong investments in the past year". Bono continued: "This gratifying result, which gives us cause to be optimistic about the future, is the product of the cultural renewal being pursued with determination at every level of our business activity".