``The bigger, the better!'' Aye or nay?

This was the overriding question posed by many of the 417 cruise passengers as we boarded the new Seabourn Odyssey in Istanbul for a voyage calling at six historic Black Sea ports in the Crimea, Russia, Bulgaria and Turkey in August.

Their reaction really mattered, especially the repeat-guest faithful who represented a combined total of 63 years of Seabourn pampering when they stepped aboard Odyssey.

Odyssey is the cruise industry's first luxury build in more than six years. A stately 11 decks tall, and weighing in at 32,000 tons, Odyssey is the latest addition to Seabourn's fleet of ultra-luxury vessels. With a capacity of 450 guests, it has more than twice the capacity of Seabourn's other ships. The fleet's original trio, Pride, Spirit and Legend, debuted in 1988 at 10,000 tons and 208-guest capacity.

Even though she's larger, the Odyssey is still the smallest new ship planned by any major line. Seabourn will add two more Odyssey-identical vessels: the Sojourn in 2010, and another, yet unnamed, in 2011.

The Odyssey arrives in Fort Lauderdale in November and will do 12- and 14-day Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades before embarking on a 108-day world cruise Jan. 5.

Once on board, guests' reaction to the new Odyssey was an almost unanimous: ``Voila! This is my yacht, indeed!''

Here's why:

• Design: The Odyssey has familiar Seabourn design and ambience, but with added space and features.

The Norwegian architect and designer, Bjorn Storbraaten has used the largest space-per-guest ratio at sea to provide more suites, more verandas, more public rooms, more open deck and more dining venues. The décor has a distinctly chic, modern feel, with honey-colored wood paneling set against understated tones of grey, taupe, pale blue and beige.

One innovation is Seabourn Square, the nerve center for any guest service need. Instead of the traditional reception counter, guests settle into a comfy chair at one of four concierge desks, available 24-7. The square also incorporates a coffee, pastry and gelato counter with an Internet café and library -- all in a homey living room setting.

• Home-Suite-Home comfort: Odyssey's all-suite accommodations provide plenty of personal space. Of the 225 staterooms, 199 feature private balconies. Sizes range from the 26 Seabourn suites at 295 square feet to suites that top out at 1,189 square feet. Veranda Suites -- which account for most of the cabins -- measure 300 square feet and balconies another 65, with lounger, table and chairs. By comparison, a standard outside stateroom on a Royal Caribbean ship is about 180 square feet.

The Veranda living and sleeping areas can be separated by heavy silk curtains. The living area features a fully-stocked bar and refrigerator, sofa and writing desk, flat-screen TV, iPod dock, Wi-Fi and a large walk-in closet.

Polished panels of gray and chocolate granite line bathrooms featuring twin sinks, full-size tub and a separate shower with glass door. I found the avant- garde hot and cold water fixtures a challenge, but finally mastered the joy-stick technique before I scalded myself. But here I came to enjoy a daily indulgence as my personal suite stewardess Rochelle arrived like clockwork to draw a pampering aromatherapy bath before dinner.

• Dining: Odyssey has four dining venues, none with an extra charge. The elegant main dining room, The Restaurant, is airy and light, with soaring white alabaster walls, sheer voile drapes and crystal chandeliers in the two-deck central section.

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