One of the world’s newest and most luxurious vessels, Seabourn Sojourn, has made a special maiden call to Geelong today bringing some ultra-luxury romance to the city on Valentine’s Day.
Anchoring in Corio Bay about 8am, Seabourn Sojourn is the second Seabourn visitor to Geelong this summer with Seabourn Odyssey turning heads during its visit in January. Seabourn Odyssey will return on February 25.
The ultra-luxury ship’s 450 guests are expected to spend the day exploring the city’s bayside attractions, local wineries and historic and cultural sights injecting an estimated figure of around $100,000 into the local economy during the inaugural visit.
To mark the romantic visit, each female guest will receive a rose at dinner while heart-shaped individual Valentine’s desserts will feature on the menu.
The 32,000-tonne vessel’s call to the Victorian port comes during its 116-day world cruise, which includes 19 days cruising Australian waters from Sydney to Exmouth before heading north to Bali on February 27.
Seabourn Sojourn will visit a total of 11 Australian ports during its second trip down under including maiden calls to Eden, Burnie, Kangaroo Island, Bunbury, Geraldton and Exmouth, overnight visits to Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle and a call to Melbourne. Seabourn Sojourn will sail for Kangaroo Island at 5pm.
Seabourn Director of Sales Australia Tony Archbold said Geelong was typical of the boutique destinations the cruise line carried its guests to all around the world.
“Each year Seabourn seeks out new and interesting ports to provide guests with a unique insight into a country and the beauty of a small ship like Sojourn is that it can visit small ports where large ships can’t sail,” Mr Archbold said.
“Cities like Geelong, which aren’t necessarily on the traditional cruise map, show a different side to regional Australia and open up a stunning part of Victoria’s coast. Our guests really appreciate these types of ports.”
Seabourn Sojourn passengers were offered a range of Geelong excursions including:
- An Aboriginal cultural experience at Narana Creations where guests will learn how to play the didgeridoo and throw a boomerang before taking a guided tour through the bush garden and sampling some indigenous food.
- An historical tour of Geelong including visits to the National Wool Museum and the Old Geelong Gaol.
- A coastal drive along the Bellarine Peninsula including a visit to Queenscliff and wine tasting in the area’s vineyards.
- A scenic harbour cruise on a 50-ft catamaran taking in the sights of the port and Corio Bay.
Launched in 2010, the US$300 million Seabourn Sojourn features the most exclusive all-suite accommodation available at sea and the largest spa on any luxury vessel. Famous for its highly personalised service, Seabourn is known as the “caviar of cruising” and has the highest space-per-guest ratio in the cruise industry with nearly one crew member for every guest.
For more information see a licensed travel agent, call 13 24 02 or visit www.seabourn.com
Images available on the Seabourn website here
Follow