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Fincantieri hands over a 'jewel,' Seabourn Encore

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Seabourn Encore - expands on Seabourn's Odyssey-class trio
Fincantieri delivered its first Seabourn ship at a ceremony in Marghera. Fincantieri ceo Giuseppe Bono called Seabourn Encore a 'jewel.'

On hand were Carnival Corp. & plc chairman Micky Arison, ceo Arnold Donald and Seabourn president Rick Meadows, while Fincantieri was represented by Bono and chairman Giampiero Massolo.

In an Instagram, Arison congratulated Meadows and his team and said designer Adam Tihany has created a 'masterpiece' that will 'take luxury cruising to a whole new level.'

The 40,350gt ship carries up to 600 passengers in all veranda suites and expands on the Odyssey-class trio built at T. Mariotti.

'We have been looking forward to this day for over two years. Seabourn Encore has become a stunning ship that will set a new standard in ultra-luxury cruising,' Meadows said. 'I am very proud of our partnership with Fincantieri, and it has been a great pleasure to work together to transform raw materials into this incredible vessel that will make a great addition to the Seabourn fleet.'

Seabourn Encore has one more deck than the Odyssey-class ships and expanded public areas. The interiors were designed by hospitality icon Tihany in his first solo cruise ship effort.

Among the new features is The Retreat, a sanctuary with private cabanas including a spa treatment cabana. The Grill by Thomas Keller is here, too. This new signature restaurant by the three-star Michelin chef was introduced on Seabourn Quest earlier this year and will be expanded fleetwide.

A new restaurant, Sushi, makes its debut, with high-quality dishes served throughout the day.

And a new production show, 'An Evening with Tim Rice,' created exclusively for Seabourn in association with Belinda King Creative Productions, will premiere in January for the ship's maiden voyage from Singapore. The Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil mindful living program also goes live then. Both Tim Rice and Weil will sail on the inaugural voyage.

Seabourn Encore is scheduled to be christened at a Jan. 7 ceremony in Singapore. International recording artist and best-selling soprano Sarah Brightman will be the godmother.

Bono said work on a sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will start in two days at the Sestri Ponente yard.

Fincantieri has built 75 cruise vessels since 1990, 62 for Carnival brands. Another 26 are currently being designed or built in the group’s yards and nine of those are for the Carnival group.