T Mariotti explains how Seabourn Pursuit has been built for diverse environments – and how it has been created specifically for the ultra-luxury sector
The addition of Seabourn Pursuit in Q3 this year gives Seabourn a strong footing in the ultra-luxury expedition market.
The cruise ship follows its sister vessel Seabourn Venture’s delivery last year, the first of the line’s two purpose-built, ultra-luxury expedition ships.
Announcing the sale of Seabourn Odyssey in March this year to MOL, Seabourn president Natalya Leahy said, "As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I am excited to further optimise our fleet as we grow our expedition business. With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this year, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years."
Seabourn says its fleet expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition market allows for a more diverse offering of deployment opportunities, which will lead to new itineraries across all seven continents with a higher guest capacity compared with 2019, even after Seabourn Odyssey’s departure.
Seabourn Venture – which was delivered last year – and Seabourn Pursuit have both been built by T Mariotti in Italy. Its managing director Marco Ghiglione and project manager Ruggero Rizzo explain to PST how the ships have been built to reflect the surroundings they will sail in. Explaining why T Mariotti won the contract, Mr Ghiglione says, “T Mariotti was awarded the two new Seabourn expedition projects thanks to its leadership as a shipbuilder in the industry of small- and medium-sized ultra luxury cruise ships.”
He adds, “The two sister ships are designed to meet a certain type of cruise that is paying tribute to remote destinations and fascinating places that are yet to be explored. They are created specifically for the ultra-luxury expedition traveller.”
Explaining what makes Seabourn Pursuit and its sister unique, he says, “It’s about a cluster of features that make it unique and suitable for ‘everlasting cruise emotions’”.
Explaining the main considerations behind Seabourn Pursuit’s design and construction, Mr Rizzo says, “Expedition cruises are about new routes and environments, as well as a different kind of entertainment. The vessel must withstand low temperatures, ice and being ashore for a longer time than during classical itineraries.
Furthermore, life on board is quite different since the aim of the expedition cruise is to discover new places with an active attitude, with kayaks, zodiacs and submarines. Travellers need technical clothes, accessories and rooms where they can store their equipment and rest.”
The Seabourn Venture-class ships benefit from a flexible structure that is ready to innovate and to face fast-paced scenarios. They have been designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and will include a plethora of modern hardware and technology.
Mr Rizzo highlights the technology this includes, “An advanced navigation system including specific functions such as ice radars, sonar, winterisation of external equipment, a virtual bridge to allow passengers to experience what a navigator sees on the cockpit, advanced systems for energy saving on board and minimising the environmental impact of the vessel.”
Engines were provided by Wärtsilä and podded propulsion by ABB. The ship runs on light fuel. To comply with Tier III requirements, selective catalytic reactors supplied by Wärtsilä are installed.
Explaining the challenges, Mr Rizzo says, “Redundancy requirements create the usual challenges related to the design of a modern vessel of small dimensions.”
MacGregor provided mooring platforms, side-loading platforms and the crane for launching and retrieving submarines and zodiacs.
MacGregor tells PST, “Our equipment is off the shelf, we come in at the start [of the project], and together with the shipyard and shipowner, create a product they want. The shipyard likes us to be involved from the beginning as they can form precise specifications.”
Explaining about the small crane developed by MacGregor for launching submarines and zodiacs, MacGregor’s spokesperson says, “It is a top-of-the-line product, developed by ourselves specifically for the vessel.
“It is a luxury vessel, so the operation needs to be smooth, and it needs to look good, as well as being as integrated as possible. The technology parts need to be as invisible as possible.”
While the products are custom made, MacGregor points out the company has a lot of references, with more than 100 ships in 35 years, so there is always a base ground that can be adapted to different needs.
Navim provided the davit systems to the vessel. Singling out the trend for luxury and expedition ships, Navim tells PST, “The luxury cruise market has been changing over the years, becoming younger, more active and adventurous, offering access to new exotic destinations, with luxury and expedition going hand in hand. In this trend, there comes the second Seabourn expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, being built at Mariotti in Genova combining the luxury of a Seabourn ocean cruise ship with the adventurous spirit of an expedition ship. How does Navim Group cope with this luxury trend? By designing elegant, conceptual, easy-to-operate davit systems.”
Seabourn Pursuit will provide an exceptional luxury small-ship experience with equipment that allows the line to offer its widest range of expedition activities led by an expert 26-person team of scientists, scholars, naturalists and more.
Speaking at the delivery of Seabourn Venture, the operator says, “The ship will offer complimentary Seabourn Expedition amenities such as Zodiac cruises, hikes, nature walks, scuba diving and snorkelling and curated complementary excursions. In addition, the ship will offer optional shore excursions and optional Seabourn Expeditions with kayaking and two custom-built submersibles at select destinations.”
Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit feature 132 luxurious oceanfront veranda suites. Adam Tihany designed both ship’s interiors.
Summing up, Mr Ghiglione says, “T Mariotti is a private company where the team has a daily relationship with the owner representatives. The shipyard belongs to Genova Industrie Navali Holding (GIN), one of the leading players in the shipyard industry in the Mediterranean. Drawing on the experience of its historic companies, and through continued investment in research, innovation, development and the establishment of new infrastructure, GIN offers solutions at the forefront of the global ship repair and shipbuilding market.”
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