Seabourn Creates 'Personal Shopper' Services

MIAMI, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultra luxury cruise pioneer Seabourn Cruise Line has introduced an innovative new series of Seabourn's Personal Shopper(SM) shoreside services in prime shopping cities around the globe. The optional program will provide expert local guidance to sources of the finest quality merchandise for travelers when they visit appealing ports of call aboard the intimate, all-suite Yachts of Seabourn. Personal Shopper services can be booked in advance and are commissionable to travel agents.

Combining dedicated transportation with invaluable local shopping savvy, Seabourn's Personal Shopper takes the worry and hassle out of indulging in one of the favorite activities of many of the company's well-traveled clientele. It is not designed for garden-variety souvenir shopping, but rather for those seeking the shops, boutiques and ateliers of the finest local designers, craftsmen and artists.

"Shopping is an important part of a vacation to many of Seabourn's guests," noted Deborah L. Natansohn, Seabourn's president. "Whether for personal items or for gifts for loved ones at home, many travelers have a wish-list of things they'd like to pick up while they are in Florence or Copenhagen or Bangkok," she continued. "A taxi is fine if you know exactly what you want and where to get it, but we thought it would be nice to introduce our guests to a local shopping maven who can help them make the most of their time and direct them to the best things the place has to offer."

In Florence, for example, a shopper could probably locate the flagship stores of Ferragamo or Gucci, but with Seabourn's Personal Shopper, selections in their sizes can be ready and waiting when the shoppers arrive at top-line stores, for their consideration. Also, individuals on their own might well miss the nearby frescoed chapel that houses a chemist's founded by monks in the 16th century, which offers exquisite perfumes and essences created for Caterina de' Medici and lotions and soaps in elegant packaging. In Istanbul, there's no shortage of advice on shopping from strangers in the street, but will they really direct you to the finest antique shops in the Cukurcuma or Horhor areas?

Seabourn's Personal Shopper tours provide transportation by luxury private car and the services of a knowledgeable, English-speaking shopping specialist. They can be arranged as half-day or full-day events, and tailored to the interests and wishes of the shoppers. Full days include reservations for luncheon in a favorite local restaurant.

Seabourn's Personal Shopper programs are currently offered in Florence, Rome, in several ports on the Cote D'Azur including Cannes, Nice and Monte Carlo, in Athens, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Bangkok, Hong Kong and St. Petersburg, Russia. Others are planned. Prices range from $295 to $895, depending on the location and duration.

Seabourn's Personal Shopper is another in a continuing series of thoughtful enhancements to shipboard and shoreside services called Signature Delights that add luxury and value for guests aboard the three 208-guest Yachts of Seabourn: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. Signature Delights already include complimentary service of spirits and wines including French champagne throughout every cruise, gourmet cuisine created by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, indulgent Pure Pampering therapeutic bathing selections from Molton Brown and an Exclusively Seabourn complimentary shoreside experience on every cruise.

Seabourn has been consistently honored on Conde Nast Traveler magazine's Gold List and placed at the top of the luxury cruise category by readers of such prestigious magazines as Departures, published exclusively for American Express Platinum and Centurion Card members; the United Kingdom newspaper The Telegraph and the annual Travel Star survey of Swiss travel agencies.

The Yachts of Seabourn sail cruises of seven to 21 days or longer on award-winning itineraries worldwide. With Early Booking Savings of up to 50 percent, fares start from $2,498 per person, based on double occupancy. For information, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit http://www.seabourn.com/ .

The Yachts of Seabourn is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. The Yachts of Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc , and supports the Ocean Conservation & Tourism Alliance, dedicated to education and promotion of best practices for protecting the marine environment.