LLOYD'S CRUISE INTERNATIONAL|December 1999/January 2000
Seabourn showcases revamped 'Sun'
After a £10m
(£17m) refit at Lloyd
Werft, Royal Viking Sun is no longer part of the Cunard brand but has joined the Seabourn Cruise Line as the renamed
Seabourn Sun.
While passenger capacity remains the same, there have been some extensive changes to a
number of areas, including the spa area which has been increased in size, as has the Garden
Cafe and Midnight Sun Lounge.
Seabourn Sun was 'showcased' in
Southamton prior sailing on her inaugural transatlantic Caribbean cruise on November 27.
Larry Pimentel, president and chief executive Cunard, commented: "We are showcasing her here
in Southampton because we believe one of the largest growth markets is here in the UK. We
expect 14% of the business to come from here".
In the meantime Vistafjord (to be renamed Caronia in Liverpool) and
Queen Elizabeth 2 are
undergoing refurbishment, also at Lloyd Werft, and are due to leave the yard in early
December. The design of all three ships has been overseen by Tillberg Design of Sweden,
together with its London office.
Discussing costs, Mr Pimentel told LCI: "All three will come within 2-3% of
budget, which I think is very good."
Carnival Corp now owns Cunard Line 100% (see LCI November 1999) with the company
operating two brands - Cunard Line (QE2 and Caronia) and Seabourn Cruise
Line (Seabourn Sun, Sebourn Sun, Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit and
Seabourn Goddess I and II).