By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A NEW ultra-luxury small cruise ship has included Geelong on its maiden Australian voyage.
The Seabourn Encore will dock in the city in March 2017 following the visit of its sister ship, Seabourn Odyssey, last month.
The ship will visit nine Australian ports after a gala naming ceremony in Singapore, then head to Europe for its inaugural northern summer season.
Seabourn president Richard Meadows said the Encore would set a new standard of ultra-luxury cruising.
“We’re excited to offer a diverse range of itineraries for the maiden season of Seabourn Encore and visit some of the most charming and sought-after destinations in Australia.
“Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionised ultra-luxury cruising.
“Seabourn Encore will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalised service by close to one staff member for each guest on board.”
The ship will carry 604 passengers.
