Fincantieri has completed the first steel cutting of cruise line Seabourn’s new vessel Seabourn Encore at its shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
Designed by Adam D Tihany, the 40,350gt ship will be able to accommodate 600 guests, based on double occupancy.
The luxury vessel is designed to maintain a high ratio of space per guest, and each suite will have a private veranda and one staff member per guest service.
Seabourn president Richard Meadows said: "The cutting of steel for Seabourn Encore is an important milestone in the evolution of both our beautiful fleet and the ultra-luxury cruise segment overall.
"We’re looking forward to seeing the ship come together and are excited to continue to add to our fleet."
Seabourn Encore will build on the Odyssey-class ships design, which revolutionised ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities, the company stated.

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By GlobalDataThe vessel is expected to start operation in 2016, while its sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will join the fleet in 2018.
The new vessels will join Seabourn’s fleet, which currently comprises Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest.
In January 2014, Fincantieri secured a contract with Seabourn to build this all-suite cruise vessel. The contract for second vessel was awarded in December last year.
Seabourn appointed Adam D Tihany to design the indoor and outdoor guest areas of its new vessel in Mach 2014.
Image: Officials of Fincantieri and Seabourn during the steel cutting ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Seabourn.