Luxury cruise operator Seabourn has signed a deal for the construction of a new ship.

The agreement, penned with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, will see the development of a new luxury liner based on the company’s three newest vessels, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest. Delivery is planned for the second half of 2016.

The vessel will help Seabourn fill the capacity gap left by the sale of the Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend vessels. These ships will leave the Seabourn fleet in April 2014, April 2015 and May 2015 respectively.

“We are pleased to be moving forward with the plans we announced earlier this year to build a fourth ship similar to the highly regarded new design we introduced with Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, and Seabourn Quest,” said Seabourn’s president, Richard Meadows. “The experience and the amenities offered by these award-winning ships have raised the bar in ultra-luxury cruising.”

Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest were delivered to the company between 2009 and 2011, each carrying a maximum of 450 passengers. Facilities aboard the 198-metre-long, 11-deck luxury vessels include large spas, outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzis, restaurants, bars, casinos and fold-out watersports marinas.

The Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend vessels, each of which carries 208 passengers, have been bought by Windstar Cruises.