As The Yachts of Seabourn expands its fleet of intimate, all-suite vessels, the company adds to its roster of on board senior officers. The ultra-luxury line continues to attract the cruise industry’s most respected and popular captains and with its new recruits has built a seafaring ‘dream team’ to oversee its award-winning fleet.
The latest staff to join Seabourn is Captain Dag Dvergastein, a well-known Norwegian seaman, most recently with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. His appointment follows that of Englishman and Captain Ian McNaught, a longtime favourite of guests aboard the Cunard liners.
Also joining the roster in 2010 is Scotsman Captain David Bathgate and Captain Sean Whalley an Englishman whose 25-year career includes commands in the Falkland Islands Fisheries Patrol.
“With the addition of Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest, we have created new opportunities for the right sort of senior officers,” notes Pamela Conover, Seabourn’s president and CEO. “With a complement of just 200 to 450 guests, our six intimate yachts offer an unusual degree of accessibility that really appeals to captains who like to socialise with guests and share their adventures, “she adds.
Captain Mark Dexter, an Englishman who now lives in New Zealand, joined in 2007 and sailed Seabourn Odyssey into his hometown of Christchurch during the yacht’s maiden World Cruise in 2009. Captain Hamish Elliott, who also joined in 2007, lives in County Durham and has worked on an array of passenger vessels from the smallest (Sea Goddess), to what was at the time the world’s largest (Queen Mary 2), before taking command of Seabourn Pride.
The Yachts of Seabourn’s fleet consists of Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, each offering 104 ocean-view suites and Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn, with 225 ocean-view suites. A third 225-suite vessel, Seabourn Quest, will debut in June 2011. Seabourn’s captains command award-winning crews, passionate for delivering outstanding service.