The Seabourn Odyssey on Wednesday embarked on its 14-day maiden cruise from Venice to Istanbul.
The 32,000-ton, 450-passenger ship will be named by the passengers of its first cruise, who will act as its godparents.
The Odyssey was delivered late by Genoa’s T. Mariotti shipyard, and workers were onboard until Tuesday putting the finishing touches on the vessel. It is the first of three new ships that will be delivered by 2011. The three new ships will increase Seabourn's fleet capacity by 216%.
"The launch of Odyssey allows us to serve more travelers but still offer the intimate and exclusive experience which has made us a leader in the luxury cruising market," Seabourn CEO Pamela Conover said in a statement.
Seabourn said that the new-build has one of the highest ratios of space per guest in the industry. The Odyssey has four restaurants, the largest spa on any luxury vessel at 11,400 square feet, two outdoor swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, water sports from the vessel’s marina and a diamond showroom.
The Odyssey will spend its maiden season in the Mediterranean before relocating to the Caribbean. Seabourn’s first world cruise, a 108-day trip, will depart Jan. 5, 2010.