A 15-Year Career Ends as Carnival-Owned Cruise Ship Sets Sail for its Farewell Voyage

Seabourn Odyssey’s 22-night Farewell Voyage to Alaska and Japan is set to feature special guests, including eminent entertainers. This event will also present several commemorative activities.

Saying goodbye to Seabourn Odyssey after a 15-year career at sea is a significant event. The cruise line is putting together an impressive farewell to honor the final journey of the 450-passenger vessel. This journey is set to begin in the initial days of September 2024.

Seabourn Odyssey first started its service back in June of 2009. The introduction of the relatively small ship marked a significant shift in the ultra-luxury cruise segment. The cruise ship stood out with its offer of only suites, precisely 229 suites, and high-end amenities and dining experiences aboard.

Now, 15 years later, the Seabourn Cruise Line is redirecting its focus more towards expedition cruises. This focus shift requires newly built ships specifically for this expedition purpose. As of now, the cruise line has launched two purpose-built expedition ships: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit.

But in order to make way for new pursuits, the cruise line had to make some sacrifices, including saying goodbye to Seabourn Odyssey. The ship was sold to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., a Tokyo-based transport and shipping company in early 2023. 

As part of the deal, the Seattle-based cruise line was permitted to operate its previously announced voyages as part of a charter agreement and will turn the cruise ship over to the Japanese firm when the charter agreement ends in September of 2024, after the final sailing concludes. 

Speaking of which, the luxury ship’s Farewell Voyage will embark from Seattle, Washington, on September 2, 2024, and will last for 22 nights before concluding in Yokohama, Japan, on September 25, 2024.

Throughout the sailing, guests will have the opportunity to visit Ketchikan, Alaska; Wrangell, Alaska; Sitka, Alaska; Hubbard Glacier, Alaska; Homer, Alaska; Kodiak, Alaska; Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Kushiro, Japan; Hakodate, Japan; Miyako, Japan; and Hitachinaka, Japan. 

Reservations for the final journey of Seabourn Odyssey are now open on the Seabourn website. Until April 30, 2024, as part of their “Sale Beyond Event,” the cruise line is offering a veranda suite upgrade in two categories and a $2,000 (USD) on-board credit for every suite.

The Seabourn Odyssey has had a remarkable career, having sailed 859,554 nautical miles to 426 diverse ports and hosted over 180,400 guests. This is definitely a noteworthy achievement that deserves to be celebrated.

For this historic journey, some of the original 335-person crew is returning. Notably, John Barron and Handré Potgieter, who were part of the inaugural team when the ship was launched in 2009, are returning as co-cruise directors. Barron was the ship’s first cruise director and Potgieter was a member of the entertainment crew.

“I’m incredibly happy to co-host this journey with my good friend Handré. We will commemorate 15 years of unforgettable experiences, friendships, and the legacy that Seabourn Odyssey leaves behind. This last trip promises to be an exceptionally emotional ‘full circle’ experience, filled with poignant moments and special surprises, as we say our goodbyes to our cherished ship,” said Barron.

Barron and Potgieter will be guiding guests through 22-days of special activities and entertainment. This will include meetings and presentations with special guests, including Natalya Leahy, the President of Seabourn Cruise Line.

Related Article: Seabourn Unveils Segments for 2026 World Cruise

Farewell Voyage will also feature appearances from Belinda King from Belinda King Creative Productions, NASA Astronaut Heidemarie Piper, renowned photographer Michael Yamashita, author and chef Maria Finn, marine scientist Dr. Dave Plourd, maritime historian Dr. Tim Runyan, artist Donna Lewis, piano entertainer Roy Tan, vocalist Corlea Botha, magician Mark Haslam, cellist Andre Cavassi, pianist Aisa Ijiri, and violinist Irina Guskova.

The event could not be considered proper send or off without enough caviar, a symbol of luxury the ship is famous for. The Seabourn Odyssey has served approximately 4 tons of caviar, 13 million gourmet breadsticks, and 300,000 bottles of champagne throughout her career.

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