Why build one when you can more than double the cost for 2?

[Emperor Norton]

I've read something that seems to indicate that Seabourn will be building a second 640 passenger ship to be delivered in 2018.

[Capri73]

Not for me.The Little Sisters are what we like,the next are not to our licking but will do.We will never do anything larger.

[secoma4]

Based on current demand and pricing that makes commercial sense. With the one new ship Seabourn has only matched its previous capacity.

[markham]

The official Seabourn announcement of some months ago specifies a 604 passenger ship. When did it become 640?

 

Also, do you recall where Seabourn says it is building yet another ship? That would be helpful. Otherwise I don't believe it.

 

Happy sailing!

[jimmyw9]

I've read something that seems to indicate that Seabourn will be building a second 640 passenger ship to be delivered in 2018.

 

Yes I have read this too. And the 2016 New Build is delayed until November 2016.

[CraftyEC]

Yes I have read this too. And the 2016 New Build is delayed until November 2016.

 

I gather that they will be 'in production' together and the original shipyard is not large enough to manage that, so the shipbuilders will use one of their other yards.

 

I've only been on a 'Big Sister' and love the size and feel of this. The 600+ size is, I feel, getting towards the size of a mainstream cruise ship, which sort of misses the point.

[Nigella]

I suppose we'll try the new ship once, but I know ahead of time that it will be too big for my tastes. Largest I've sailed on is Silver Spirit, 540 guests. Wouldn't wish to go bigger/more capacity.

I haven't been on any of the triplets, and I happen to think that the 450 on the big sisters is just about the right number of guests.

[Roxburgh]

I suppose we'll try the new ship once, but I know ahead of time that it will be too big for my tastes. Largest I've sailed on is Silver Spirit, 540 guests. Wouldn't wish to go bigger/more capacity.

I haven't been on any of the triplets, and I happen to think that the 450 on the big sisters is just about the right number of guests.

 

We sailed on Regent Voyager once which is 700 passengers. It wasn't horrible. Suites were as good as Seabourn and the extra size afforded a larger theatre, larger casino, a smoking lounge and an extra restaurant. Any issues we had with Regent were not down to the size or the design of the ship. So my question for Seabourn is what extra 'public space' and extra facilities will we get for the extra capacity.

[jenidallas]

Why have one thread complaining about Seabourn's decision to go from 210 passenger ships to 460 passenger ships to 604 passenger ships when we can have several?

 

I get it - some of you will never sail Seabourn again when the Little Sisters go. Some of you will never sail the larger ships when they come on line. Some of you hate the smoking policy (as it was or as it is now) and won't sail until they change it. Some if you hate the dress code (as it was or as it is now or in some cases as you imagine it will be interpreted in the future).

 

But surely (SURELY!) Seabourn's management has considered that and decided to move forward with changes anyway.

 

Like dress code and smoking, maybe we can have one consolidated "changes in size of ships" thread where all sorts of hand-wringing can take place from all those who are distressed.

[Roxburgh]

Why have one thread complaining about Seabourn's decision to go from 210 passenger ships to 460 passenger ships to 604 passenger ships when we can have several?

 

I get it - some of you will never sail Seabourn again when the Little Sisters go. Some of you will never sail the larger ships when they come on line. Some of you hate the smoking policy (as it was or as it is now) and won't sail until they change it. Some if you hate the dress code (as it was or as it is now or in some cases as you imagine it will be interpreted in the future).

 

But surely (SURELY!) Seabourn's management has considered that and decided to move forward with changes anyway.

 

Like dress code and smoking, maybe we can have one consolidated "changes in size of ships" thread where all sorts of hand-wringing can take place from all those who are distressed.

 

What an excellent post! Well done!!

[Emperor Norton]

Why have one thread complaining about Seabourn's decision to go from 210 passenger ships to 460 passenger ships to 604 passenger ships when we can have several?

 

I get it - some of you will never sail Seabourn again when the Little Sisters go. Some of you will never sail the larger ships when they come on line. Some of you hate the smoking policy (as it was or as it is now) and won't sail until they change it. Some if you hate the dress code (as it was or as it is now or in some cases as you imagine it will be interpreted in the future).

 

But surely (SURELY!) Seabourn's management has considered that and decided to move forward with changes anyway.

 

Like dress code and smoking, maybe we can have one consolidated "changes in size of ships" thread where all sorts of hand-wringing can take place from all those who are distressed.

 

As you're probably very well aware, threads on discussion boards tend to take on a life of their own. You could start a fluffy kitten thread and twenty minutes later its all about widgets.

 

My original post here was part snark (the cost more than doubling) and part information (the building a second large ship along with the first).

[Nigella]

As you're probably very well aware, threads on discussion boards tend to take on a life of their own. You could start a fluffy kitten thread and twenty minutes later its all about widgets.

 

 

Exactly!

 

Whether some posters like it or not, threads evolve like a conversation in real life. Someone posts about the costs of a new ship, happens to mention its size. It's a natural flow to the conversation that some will also mention the size and their opinions about it. Others will go off on yet another angle.

 

Never do understand this "we have to be absolutely on-topic in every single post" hand-wringing that I see here.

Discussion ebbs and flows.

[Nigella]

Oh and I'm certainly not "distressed" by SB's decision to build larger ships. Or to change the dress code. Or not be strict enough in its smoking policy.

 

It's a discussion board. My participating in the chat here is in no way to be interpreted as "distress", for goodness sake. It's a bloody internet forum, not some serious debate on the meaning of life.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Nigella

[doncarlos]

 

Also, do you recall where Seabourn says it is building yet another ship? That would be helpful. Otherwise I don't believe it.

 

Happy sailing!

 

Stein Kruse is qouted in an interview in Sea Trade [ I think it was ] that the deadline to exersise the option was fast approaching and it would be a good chance [ or some such language ] that it would be taken .

[rl787]

This may be where the post came from, I would imaging it will be an identical 604 pax ship, not 640.

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/from-newbuilds-to-new-leaders-kruse-lays-out-the-vision-for-his-holland-america-group.html

 

It is self explanatory.

[markham]

Doncarlos and rl787,

 

Thank you for that reference!

 

I am now on Odyssey and so far this new new build seems to be news to everyone. Personally, I like the plan- more choice for us with ships of 2 sizes and the ports they will sail to in inimitable Seabourn style!

 

Happy sailing!

[secoma4]

I don't see anything that cites either 604 or 640 in the article. The suggestion of a late 2016 launch will prove interesting for those who have pre-registered (as we have) but would find that timing not as attractive as the anticipated mid 2016 launch. It would also cause location issues with the ship coming out of Italy in winter and having to reposition to a region with a suitable climate for cruising for the inaugural voyage.

[Emperor Norton]

I don't see anything that cites either 604 or 640 in the article. The suggestion of a late 2016 launch will prove interesting for those who have pre-registered (as we have) but would find that timing not as attractive as the anticipated mid 2016 launch. It would also cause location issues with the ship coming out of Italy in winter and having to reposition to a region with a suitable climate for cruising for the inaugural voyage.

 

The 640 number came from the site I first saw the information on. Due to CC rules I can't however name the site.

[jenidallas]

Doncarlos and rl787,

 

I am now on Odyssey and so far this new new build seems to be news to everyone.

 

OT... are you staying on for Singapore-Bali?

 

Is John Howell still the CD? And if so, any idea if he's staying on?

[markham]

Jenidallas,

I wish I were staying past Singapore but sadly that's not the case. And yes, John is CD and he is excellent. We will be out most of the day touring and shopping in Yangon and so when we get back I will check with him about next segments.

Happy 9 days and counting!

[jenidallas]

I will check with him about next segments.

Happy 9 days and counting!

 

Thank you! I'm giddy. (And resisting the urge to ask about an entire list of other favorite staff - I was just on Odyssey five months ago so I am hoping that there is a tiny bit of overlap in terms of favorite servers, bartenders, etc.)

[secoma4]

The 640 number came from the site I first saw the information on. Due to CC rules I can't however name the site.

 

 

The last number I heard was 604. I think the 640 was approx 212x 3 which is what was needed to cover the loss of the smaller ships.

[JHSkier]

EN: you originally wrote, before this thread was hijacked: "Why build one when you can more than double the cost for 2?". While I think anyone who understands business expected this was not going to be a one-off build, and if memory serves I think Mr. L. somewhere stated as much, (although we could argue if other CCL lines could also take advantage of the design) I am interested to know what makes you write that the cost is going to be more than double? The article referred to by another poster (rl787) did not give any indication of cost overrun or substantial price increase for a second (or more) build.

[markham]

Jenidallas,

 

Sorry to be so long in responding. With 3 days in Yangon and everyone coming and going and then retiring early it's taken a while to ask a perpetually busy John Howell what is what.

 

For you, the good news is that he is here on Odyssey until Jan. Also running this smooth operation are Daniel, Hotel Manager, Mihaela, Maitre d'Hotel MDR, and F&B Manager Kevin.

 

Happy sailing!

[jenidallas]

 

For you, the good news is that he is here on Odyssey until Jan. Also running this smooth operation are Daniel, Hotel Manager, Mihaela, Maitre d'Hotel MDR, and F&B Manager Kevin.

 

Happy sailing!

 

Thank you! I am quite happy with that grouping... It should be delightful. :D