The Quest of the Seabourn Sojourn – The Inaugural & Maiden Voyage Travelogue

Last year I was fortunate enough to be honored by The Yachts of Seabourn with a trip to Venice for the Inauguration of the Seabourn Odyssey.  I was further honored by dining with Captain Buer on the first formal night ever on the ship…and by dining with Carnival Corp.’s Chief Financial Officer the other night.

This year I have been invited not only the Seabourn Sojourn’s Inaugural, but the black tie charity event for Breast Cancer Haven (a very worthwhile British charity) and, last but most certainly not least, to sail on the Maiden Voyage.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to sail for the entire Maiden Voyage, as I must get back to work, but on the upside, I will be spending three days in Iceland (a definite “A” on my Life List) and have integrated the visit with the Seabourn Sojourn’s itinerary.

My wife and I will be arriving in London on June 4, 2010 for the Inaugural Celebration.  I understand that only five travel agents from the United States will be in attendance, so while both an earned honor, it is also going to be interesting to see how the British travel agents react to the Seabourn Sojourn.

The next day will be spent with some very dear friends wreaking havoc in London and, quite possibly, inspecting a superyacht which is scheduled to be berthed close by, before attending the evening’s charity event.

After another fun day in London, the afternoon of June 6th will begin the Maiden Voyage events.  I am sworn to secrecy, but I understand they will be quite spectacular…and a fitting send-off for Seabourn’s newest ship.

After a day at sea, June 8th will have the Seabourn Sojourn visiting my wife’s homeland, Scotland, where I have every intension of doing most things Scottish; though donning a kilt is probably not going to happen this time.  Some nice whisky and possibly some haggis in a good pub sounds about right.

The next day is a brief stop in the Faroe Islands on June 9th, which has me a bit fascinated and wondering if seeing means doing something or just being there.  I am still working on that.

After a second day at sea (what a great way to truly enjoy the Seabourn Sojourn), June 11th
bring the ship to Reykjavik, Iceland where I have scheduled a half day of riding the famous Icelandic horses and a countryside lunch to start things off.

The ship will then make the short sailing to Heimay Island which I understand is an Icelandic treasure.  Small fishing villages coupled with a very nice boat tour of the cliffs filled with puffins and other birds, and visits into its caves, followed by a traditional lunch at whatever place just looks good. 

I will then say goodbye to the Seabourn Sojourn and fly back to Reykjavik where we will spend our final night.  I have dinner reservations at a very unique restaurant called Sjávarkjallarinn (The Seafood Cellar) which is supposed to a truly creative place where fish is elevated to a new level.

As those who know me know I do plan, but I leave lots of free time to “wing it” and see what moves me at the moment, what the locals do, and take it from there.

If you have questions, or want to comment on my writings, I will be starting a thread on The Gold Standard Luxury Travel Forum.  Feel free to stop by and ask or comment.

In the meantime, there is much to do before I depart…like attend the American Superyacht Forum in Newport, Rhode Island which starts on Sunday!