Seven Seas Explorer
![]() Seven Seas Explorer in Cadiz, 2017
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History | |
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Name | Seven Seas Explorer |
Owner | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings |
Operator | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
Port of registry | Majuro, ![]() |
Ordered | 10 July 2013[4] |
Builder | Fincantieri, Sestri Ponente, Genova |
Yard number | 6250[3] |
Laid down | 21 January 2015[5] |
Launched | 30 October 2015[2] |
Sponsored by | Charlene, Princess of Monaco |
Christened | 13 July 2016[6] |
Completed | 30 June 2016[1] |
In service | July 2016—present |
Identification |
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Status | In service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Explorer-class cruise ship[7] |
Tonnage | 55,254 GT[3] |
Length | 223.6 m (734 ft)[3] |
Beam | 31 m (102 ft)[3] |
Draught | 7.02 m (23.0 ft)[3] |
Decks |
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Installed power | |
Propulsion | 2 × 9,000 kW (12,000 hp) Wärtsilä[3] |
Speed | |
Capacity | 750 passengers |
Crew | 552 crewmembers |
Seven Seas Explorer is an Explorer-class cruise ship currently operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Debuting in 2016, she became the first new-build ship for Regent in more than a decade and the largest ship to ever operate for Regent.[4]
History
[edit]Planning
[edit]On 10 July 2013, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced it had entered into a contract with Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri, to build a new vessel named Seven Seas Explorer.[4] The ship was initially designed to house 738 passengers, a 5% increase in passenger capacity over existing Regent vessels at the time, and would also be 12% larger, at 54,000 GT, providing more space per passenger.[4] As on Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, Regent intended to make Seven Seas Explorer an all-suite ship.[4] The order for the ship reportedly cost US$450 million, with each berth costing over US$600,000,[8] and was scheduled to debut in the summer of 2016.[4] The debut of Seven Seas Explorer would reportedly mark an increase in Regent's capacity by up to 40%.[4]
Construction
[edit]On 15 July 2014, Regent celebrated the steel cutting of the new ship at Fincantieri's yard in Sestri Ponente, near Genoa.[9]
On 21 January 2015, a coin ceremony was performed for the laying of the ship's keel.[5] Three different coins were welded into the keel: a 1921 Peace dollar, a 1959 Italian lira, and a commemorative coin minted for the ceremony.[5]
On 30 October 2015, Seven Seas Explorer floated out from the dry dock at the shipyard following completion of her exterior outfitting.[2] The remainder of the construction was completed with the ship in wet dock.[2]
Delivery and christening
[edit]Seven Seas Explorer was delivered to Regent on 30 June 2016.[1] She was christened in Monte Carlo by Charlene, Princess of Monaco on 13 July 2016.[6][10]
In media
[edit]Design and specifications
[edit]Seven Seas Explorer currently features a total of 377 passenger cabins, all of which are suite accommodations.[3] There are also a total of 325 crew cabins, making for a total capacity of 1,360 passengers and crew.[3] She currently has 13 decks, a length of 223.6 metres (734 ft), a draft of 7.02 metres (23.0 ft), and a beam of 31 metres (102 ft).[3] She is powered by a diesel-electric genset system, with four total MaK engines, producing a total output of 32 megawatts (43,000 hp).[3] Main propulsion is via two Wärtsilä propellers, each driven by a 9 megawatts (12,000 hp) electric motor.[3] The system gives the vessel a service speed of 19.4 knots (35.9 km/h; 22.3 mph) and a maximum speed of 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph).[3]
The ship features all-inclusive dining establishments, including a steakhouse, a main dining room, and a convertible buffet-restaurant.[12] There is also a two-level theater and different lounges, including an observation lounge and a music lounge.[12] There are multiple suite categories among the offered accommodations, with each category of cabin showcasing different layouts and design elements, as well as including verandas with every cabin.[12]
Service history
[edit]Deployments
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Kaohsiung_Skyline_2023.jpg/220px-Kaohsiung_Skyline_2023.jpg)
Seven Seas Explorer set sail on her 14-night maiden voyage on 20 July 2016 from Monte Carlo to Venice.[13][6] The ship spent her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean, before re-positioning to Miami for cruises in the Caribbean.[13][14] Since then, Seven Seas Explorer has also visited ports in Northern Europe, Africa, and South America.[15]
As of February 2020, Seven Seas Explorer was sailing Caribbean voyages and Panama Canal transits, and re-positioned to Europe in April, sailing Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries.[16][17] In the latter half of 2020, she was to debut in Asia, and sail her maiden Alaska season in the summer of 2021,[17] however, these voyages were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent suspension of cruises embarking through September 2021.[18] The ship had also been due to sail in Oceania in the winter of 2021.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Fincantieri delivers Regent Seven Seas Explorer". Cruise Industry News. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ^ a b c Sloan, Gene (30 October 2015). "It floats! 'World's most luxurious' cruise ship takes to the water". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Seven Seas Explorer" (PDF). Fincantieri. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sloan, Gene (10 July 2013). "Luxury line Regent Seven Seas orders new ship". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Celebrates Keel Laying Milestone For Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built, Seven Seas Explorer". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Officially Welcomes Seven Seas Explorer to Fleet: Glitz, Glamour, Royalty and Music Highlight Christening Ceremony in Monte Carlo". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names New Ship to Launch in 2020". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ Stieghorst, Tom (31 August 2015). "Regent sees strong demand for its Seven Seas Explorer". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Bleiberg, Larry (15 July 2014). "Regent Seven Seas cuts steel on new luxury ship". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Stieghorst, Tom (13 July 2016). "Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monaco". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ "The World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship". Channel 5. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ a b Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Pickford, Mary Ann (14 July 2016). "Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monte Carlo". Cruise International. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built Sails Maiden Voyage to South America in Early 2019". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces New 2019-2020 Deployment". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces 2020-2021 Itineraries". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Voyage Suspension FAQ" (PDF). Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils 146 New Extraordinary Voyages for its 2021-2022 Season". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises official site page about the ship
- "Ultimate Cruise Ship," NOVA television program about the construction of the ship (aired Feb. 8, 2017) on PBS