Sign of the times: Cabins go unsold for maiden cruise of Seabourn Odyssey

mercedes · February 24, 2009

You know times are tough in the cruise business when even the maiden voyage of the most-ballyhooed new luxury ship in a decade isn't selling out.

A spokeswoman for The Yachts of Seabourn tells USA TODAY there are about 20 cabins still available for the inaugural cruise of the Seabourn Odyssey taking place in just four months. That amounts to nearly 10% of the space on the 450-passenger, all-suite vessel.

Designed to usher in a new era of luxury at the line, the 32,000-ton, $250 million ship has been eagerly anticipated by upscale cruising fans, and as recently as last year there was a waiting list to get on its maiden voyage. But with the world's economies in freefall, some passengers who put down deposits last year to sail on the ship have since decided to cancel their plans.

The spokeswoman says there now is space available for the maiden trip in a wide range on suite categories including A, A1, V4, V5 and V6. There also is one Wintergarden Suite and one Owners suite available.

The inaugural voyage begins June 24 in Venice and ends two weeks later in Istanbul with stops in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro and a "greatest hits" list of Greek Islands. Passengers on board will be treated to a private naming ceremony followed by fireworks the night of June 24th, and in an unusual twist they'll collectively be named the ship's godparents.

The current prices for the cruise listed at seabourn.com start at $11,019 -- a 10% markdown from the initial brochure rates announced last year.