WHY SEABOURN CHOSE GLOUCESTER: "BECAUSE WE CAN!"

Seabourn Pride in Gloucester Harbor Click to see Photo Gallery

MIAMI October 11, 2006
Ultra luxury, small-ship specialist Seabourn Cruise Line selected the port of Gloucester, Massachusetts as the home port for its series of fall foliage cruises aboard the all-suite Seabourn Pride this year. The picturesque town has welcomed cruise ships in the past, but they were required to anchor in the harbor and ferry their passengers into the town on tenders.

The intimate, highly maneuverable Seabourn Pride, by contrast, is able to come alongside the town’s dock, delivering its 208 well-heeled guests directly into the historic waterfront community, a short stroll from the shops, restaurants and galleries of the town center.

Asked why the line chose Gloucester, Seabourn president Deborah L. Natansohn remarked, "Because we can!" In past years, she explained, the line has used New York to turn the ship. "That certainly has its own big-city appeal," she continued. "But we were looking for a place suited to the scale of our intimate ship – a place that was more exclusive, and delivered a New England character consistent with the itineraries we are sailing. Gloucester fit the bill perfectly!"

Seabourn Pride will utilize Gloucester for two "turnaround" calls this year, first on October 13, when the ship disembarks guests who have traveled 14 days from London, and embarks a new compliment of guests for a 7-day cruise to New England and Canadian ports ending at Quebec. On her return from Quebec on October 29, she will deliver guests from the return Canada/New England voyage and pick up guests sailing southward for 12 days via Bermuda to Nassau in the Bahamas. Seabourn is providing complimentary transfers between Gloucester and Boston or Logan International Airport, which most guests will use for their travels to and from Gloucester. About ten percent of the ship’s guests remain on board from one cruise to the next. So they will have a full day to enjoy Gloucester and it surroundings. The line has also scheduled two more calls next year, on September 29 and October 19, 2007.

Could this mean the beginning of a new sort of business for Gloucester harbor? "It’s quite possible," says Natansohn. "Seabourn has a history of discovering charming places that later show up on the itineraries of other ships. We’ll be back next year, at least," she promised. "Just don’t get too crowded!"