In a ceremony steeped in age-old tradition, principles from The Yachts of Seabourn and T. Mariotti S.p.A, celebrated a keel-laying on July 11 for the line’s 32,000-ton Seabourn Odyssey, scheduled to enter service in June 2009.
Seabourn’s president and CEO, Pamela C. Conover, placed an un-circulated 2007 U.S. Silver Eagle dollar coin in the keel as the first section of the hull was joined to it. Marco Bisagno, president of T. Mariotti S.p.A., contributed a newly minted Italian one-Euro coin to complete the ceremony, which traditionally solicits good fortune for the vessel during its construction and throughout its seagoing life.

The U.S. coin is decorated with an allegorical image called “Walking Liberty,” depicted as a female form striding across the earth in flowing raiment. The Italian Euro coin depicts Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Vitruvian Man,” symbolically fitting an ideal human form into a well-ordered and geometric universe.
Conover noted that Seabourn’s Odyssey Class vessels are being born of a time-honored Italian legacy, whereby innovative designers and skilled craftsmen team to create objects of beauty that inspire and bring delight to people over many years.”
According to Bisagno, “Mariotti is honored to build the first of two ultra-luxury yachts for Seabourn, which will no doubt set a new international standard for world-class cruise vessels.”
The sleek hull of Seabourn Odyssey is being constructed at CI.MAR, which is a new alliance between Mariotti and Cimolai Group, a premier firm specializing in sophisticated steel fabrication. Once completed, it will be transferred to Mariotti’s shipyard at Genoa where they will fabricate the ship’s graceful superstructure. Mariotti is a leader in the construction of intimate cruising vessels and ultra-luxury mega yachts.
About Seabourn
The Yachts of Seabourn provides the ultimate in ultra luxury cruise vacations to the most desirable destinations on earth and is a proud member of the World’s Leading Cruise Lines. About CI.MAR
CI.MAR Costruzioni Navali is a new company formed by T. Mariotti S.p.A. , a renowned builder of intimate cruise ships and ultra luxury yachts, with Cimolai Group, a firm that specializes in sophisticated steel fabrication. Cimolai’s past projects have included elegant bridge structures such as the dramatic Reggio Emilia Bridge in Italy, and architectural projects including the soaring superstructure for the Olympic Stadium in Athens, both of which were designed by Santiago Calatrava.