Seabourn Sojourn – Two Subtle Changes from Seabourn Odyssey

Up until now I have not been able to tell anyone of any changes being made the Seabourn Sojourn from the Seabourn Odyssey.  Now, as it has been reported by Seatrade, I can let you in on two of the subtle changes:

The ship will have two new features: a Kneipp Pool (in place of the spa’s thalassotherapy pool) and a Spa Cabana (replacing one of the two Spa Villas).

The Kneipp Pool is a shallow treading basin with warm and cold water channels that are said to improve circulation.  I do not know what the design of the Kneipp Pool on the Sojourn will look like, as there are many designs for same, but this photo gives you an idea of one:

The new Spa Cabana will provide a shaded outdoor area of lounge chairs and sofas for spa clients to relax before or after their treatments. My impression is that feedback from guests and the amount of use (or less intensive use) has caused the change.  The area is really a nice place to relax and my guess is that rarely were two of the villas booked at the same time, so why leave one vacant when it could be put to good (if not modified) use. 

As for the Seabourn Sojourn’s construction schedule, it is far ahead of where the Seabourn Odyssey was at the same point, only three months prior to delivery.  This was the result of the shipyard doing many things better and, it seems, learning from its mistakes.  (Though I do not personally know this, I have a strong feeling that Carnival Corp. applied a bit of pressure and insisted on certain changes.)

More specifically, the most significant change was that the engines were ready and installed much earlier, while the hull was still being constructed off-site. I am not sure how much of this was related to engine manufacturers having a bit more free time on their hands in this economy, or better cash flow within T. Mariotti or just better planning. 

You may also recall that the Seabourn Odyssey class ships are built in blocks elsewhere, joined together to a point and then towed to T. Mariotti in Genoa, Italy.  The Seabourn Sojourn’s blocks joined off-site continued up to the superstructure on Deck 9 instead of merely to Deck 5 on the Seabourn Odyssey…with the additional work completed at T. Mariotti.

Now, however, is when the real push comes.  Over the next weeks it will be nothing short of organized chaos with all the various parts coming together.

Obviously I will keep you posted.