Seabourn’s newest luxury ship Seabourn Ovation successful completed its final round of sea trials in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy. The ship departed the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa on March 14 for four days at sea, where a team of officers and engineers tested the ship’s technical and mechanical systems. Seabourn Ovation returned to the shipyard on March 18, and staff and workers are putting the final touches on the vessel The delivery ceremony of the ship is still on schedule to take place on April 27, 2018.

“We’re now weeks away from delivery, and I’m very pleased with the progress and preparedness of the ship now that sea trials are complete,” said Seabourn President Rick Meadows. “Our first revenue guests will board on May 5, and I know they will be excited to see this newest addition to the Seabourn fleet.”

Seabourn Ovation will begin her maiden season with an 11-day inaugural voyage departing May 5, 2018, from Venice to Barcelona. The ship’s naming ceremony will take place on Friday, May 11, in Valletta, Malta. One of the world’s highly-acclaimed actresses and singers, Elaine Paige, will serve as godmother and will name the ship during a ceremony that will light up the UNESCO World Heritage site and the 2018 European Capital of Culture.

The ship will spend most of its maiden season cruising the waters of Northern Europe, offering a series of seven-day Baltic and Scandinavian sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm, which will include a three-day stay in St. Petersburg, Russia. Seabourn Ovation also will sail on longer 14-day voyages, visiting the = Norwegian fjords and British Isles.

Seabourn Ovation is the fifth ship in the Seabourn fleet. With contemporary interiors by designer Adam D. Tihany, culinary expertise by Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, specially commissioned entertainment by Sir Tim Rice and a program of top onboard speakers, Ovation will sail on a variety of voyages in and around Europe between May and November 2018, stopping at ports in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Seabourn Ovation will expand and build on the line’s popular Odyssey-class ships, which featured enhanced accommodations and new amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. A sister ship to Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation will have 300 suites and maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service.

For additional updates on the new ship, click on Seabourn Ovation.