Seabourn Sun To Sail First World Cruise In 2001

Seabourn Cruise Line's recently refurbished Ultra-Luxury Resort Cruiser Seabourn Sun will sail its first World Cruise under its new name and insignia in the winter of 2001. Seabourn Sun will place the world at the fingertips of travelers as it circumnavigates the globe in 99 days. A wide selection of segment voyages offer shorter holidays of 10 to 80 days, or guests can pick the number of days they like - an ideal opportunity to experience a favorite slice of the world. "We have made a substantial investment to assure that Seabourn Sun will represent a new standard of elegance for mid-size cruising vessels,'' said Larry Pimentel, CEO and President of Seabourn Cruise Line and Cunard Line. "It is time for this ship to reclaim her rightful place as the vessel of choice among ultra-luxury world cruise enthusiasts.'' The 2001 World Cruise of Seabourn Sun will set sail on a 99-day journey, departing San Francisco on January 9, 2001, and ending in Fort Lauderdale on April 19, 2001. The cruise will incorporate 31 ports in 21 countries across five continents. Highlights include South Pacific islands in the Marquesas, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and Tonga on the way to Sydney, Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. The cruise will also survey tropical Asia, including Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. After calling in India, the cruise continues to explore the Arabian Gulf, visiting Dubai and Muscat and Salalah in Oman. In late March, guests will experience the wonders of the Red Sea such as Petra, from Aqaba, Jordan; Luxor from Safaga, Egypt and St. Catherine's Monastery at Mt. Sinai from Sharm El Sheik. Transiting the Suez Canal, the Sun will follow the spring across the Mediterranean from Rome to Barcelona and Cadiz before tracing a line of Atlantic islands back to Fort Lauderdale. Twenty-one different pre-designated segments can also be purchased, including 80 days from San Francisco to Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy; 42 days from San Francisco to Hong Kong; 22 days from San Francisco to Sydney; 10 days from San Francisco to Papeete, French Polynesia; 21 days from Hong Kong to Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 29 days from Singapore to Civitavecchia; 24 days from Mumbai (Bombay), India to Barcelona; and 19 days from Civitavecchia to Ft. Lauderdale. Or, if guests prefer, they can simply embark at the city and date of their choice and disembark wherever they please, subject to legal restrictions and availability. "This unique 'Slice of the World' concept is new to the cruise industry,'' said Pimentel. "It offers guests of Seabourn Sun unprecedented flexibility and choice. After all, that's what luxury is all about.'' Signature Series excursions, tours offered exclusively to Seabourn guests, and overland journeys, ranging from one to four nights, are also being planned, allowing guests to further explore the depths of the destinations visited. In addition to exciting adventures on land, a variety of onboard amenities are available as well, including Broadway-style revues, a state-of- the-art golf simulator; gymnasium and spa; and fine dining. Guests making reservations for the 99-day World Cruise will be placed on a wait list until February 2000; after this time reservations will be confirmed. For more information, consult a travel professional or call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391. Seabourn Cruise Line, an ultra-luxury cruise line with contemporary Scandinavian-style vessels, is operated by Miami-based Cunard Line Limited, which also operates Cunard Line. The Seabourn fleet includes Seabourn Sun and Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. The Cunard fleet includes famed Queen Elizabeth 2, Caronia and Sea Goddess I & II. Beginning in 2000, Sea Goddess I & II will move to the Seabourn fleet as Seabourn Goddess I & II. Seabourn Cruise Line and Cunard Line are members of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Together these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to the widest range of lifestyles and budgets and sail to some of the world's most exciting destinations. Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line represent nearly 50 percent of the world's luxury cruise market.