Luxury operator Seabourn Cruise Line has announced it is to build two new ships.
The vessels will be delivered in 2009 and 2010 and have 225 luxury suites, 99% of which will have priovate verandas.
The $500 million deal between Italian shipbuilder T Mariotti and the Carnival-owned cruiseline will double Seabourn’s current fleet capacity of 624 berths.
Chairman and chief executive of Carnival Corporation Micky Arsion said: “This order represents our confidence in the luxury segment of the cruising market, which has shown significant and consistent revenue growth in recent years, with robust future potential.
“Through our own and independent research, we know that the luxury consumer views the Seabourn brand as the absolute ultimate in leisure travel. This new generation of yacht-like ships will secure its position at the top of the cruise industry pyramid for many years to come.”
The announcement comes as other cruiselines look to increase capacity in the luxury sector. Silversea Cruises has already announced its intention to build a fifth ship and SeaDream Yacht Club has also indicated it could build a new ship.