Seattle, June 9, 2016 – Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, has named Mark Dexter as captain of its newest vessel, Seabourn Encore. Captain Dexter will oversee all operations of the line’s newest vessel, which is scheduled to launch in December 2016.
“We are thrilled to have Captain Dexter at the helm of our newest vessel, Seabourn Encore,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “We are confident his vast experience, along with his engaging service style that our guests have enjoyed so much, will steer Seabourn Encore and her guests through an exceptional maiden season.”
“It is a great honor to be named master of Seabourn Encore,” said Dexter. “She is going to be the most beautiful ship at sea, epitomizing ultra-luxury cruising, and I look forward to welcoming her to the Seabourn family this year.”
Captain Dexter most recently served as fleet captain, overseeing the implementation of Bridge Resource Management for Seabourn. He joined Seabourn in 2007 and had the pleasure of taking Seabourn Odyssey into his hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand, during its maiden World Cruise in 2010.
Captain Dexter’s career at sea spans more than 35 years, starting as a Deck cadet with the Cunard Steamship Company. His vessels have included tankers, container ships, passenger vessels and refrigerated cargo ships before a move to ferries brought his first command. After a period ashore in ship management, the call of the sea was too strong and Captain Dexter returned as Master with Hebridean Island cruises and Swan Hellenic before joining Seabourn.
He currently resides in Christchurch with his wife and two sons. When he is not piloting ships around the world’s oceans, he indulges in his other passions of flying light aircraft and gliders, riding his Harley Davidson motorbike, beekeeping, and flyfishing for the wily brown trout of New Zealand. He is a New Zealand Cricket Umpire and member of the Lord’s Taverners charity.
Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. Seabourn Encore will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service. A sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will join the fleet in 2018.
Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, Seabourn Encore will feature modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line’s reputation for understated elegance. The 40,350-GRT ship will be configured with one additional deck and new expanded public areas, and is expected to carry just 600 guests, based on double occupancy. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda.
Seabourn will continue to reveal renderings and updates about Seabourn Encore via the dedicated microsite: http://encore.seabourn.com. Filled with imagery, details and news of the ship’s continuing progress, including “sunsets until launch,” the microsite offers an inside look at the most exciting Seabourn launch in years.
For more details about the award-winning Seabourn fleet, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
