Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas ExplorerinCadiz,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,Marshall Islands |
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 | |
Status | In service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Explorer-classcruise ship[7] |
Tonnage | 55,254GT[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 Exploreris anExplorer-classcruise shipcurrently operated byRegent Seven Seas Cruises,a subsidiary ofNorwegian 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 namedSeven 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 54,000GT,providing more space per passenger.[4]As onSeven Seas VoyagerandSeven Seas Mariner,Regent intended to makeSeven Seas Exploreran 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 ofSeven Seas Explorerwould 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 inSestri Ponente,nearGenoa.[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 1921Peace dollar,a 1959Italian lira,and a commemorative coin minted for the ceremony.[5]
On 30 October 2015,Seven Seas Explorerfloated out from thedry dockat 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 Explorerwas delivered to Regent on 30 June 2016.[1]She was christened inMonte CarlobyCharlene, Princess of Monacoon 13 July 2016.[6][10]
In media
[edit]Design and specifications
[edit]Seven Seas Explorercurrently 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-electricgensetsystem, with four totalMaKengines, producing a total output of 32 megawatts (43,000 hp).[3]Main propulsion is via twoWärtsiläpropellers, 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]Seven Seas Explorerset sail on her 14-night maiden voyage on 20 July 2016 fromMonte CarlotoVenice.[13][6]The ship spent her inaugural season sailing in theMediterranean,before re-positioning toMiamifor cruises in theCaribbean.[13][14]Since then,Seven Seas Explorerhas also visited ports inNorthern Europe,Africa,andSouth America.[15]
As of February 2020,Seven Seas Explorerwas sailing Caribbean voyages andPanama Canaltransits, 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 inAsia,and sail her maidenAlaskaseason in the summer of 2021,[17]however, these voyages were disrupted by theCovid-19 pandemicand the subsequent suspension of cruises embarking through September 2021.[18]The ship had also been due to sail inOceaniain the winter of 2021.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Fincantieri delivers Regent Seven Seas Explorer".Cruise Industry News.1 July 2016.Retrieved1 July2016.
- ^abcSloan, Gene (30 October 2015)."It floats! 'World's most luxurious' cruise ship takes to the water".USA Today.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^abcdefghijklmnop"Seven Seas Explorer"(PDF).Fincantieri.Retrieved19 February2020.
- ^abcdefgSloan, Gene (10 July 2013)."Luxury line Regent Seven Seas orders new ship".USA Today.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^abc"Regent Seven Seas Cruises Celebrates Keel Laying Milestone For Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built, Seven Seas Explorer".Regent Seven Seas Cruises.21 January 2015.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^abc"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.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^"Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names New Ship to Launch in 2020".Regent Seven Seas Cruises.Retrieved19 February2020.
- ^Stieghorst, Tom (31 August 2015)."Regent sees strong demand for its Seven Seas Explorer".Travel Weekly.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^Bleiberg, Larry (15 July 2014)."Regent Seven Seas cuts steel on new luxury ship".USA Today.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^Stieghorst, Tom (13 July 2016)."Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monaco".Travel Weekly.Retrieved14 July2016.
- ^"The World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship".Channel 5.Retrieved22 January2021.
- ^abcShillinglaw, James (13 January 2015)."Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'".TravelPulse.Retrieved19 February2020.
- ^abShillinglaw, James (13 January 2015)."Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'".TravelPulse.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^Pickford, Mary Ann (14 July 2016)."Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monte Carlo".Cruise International.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^"Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built Sails Maiden Voyage to South America in Early 2019".Regent Seven Seas Cruises.20 November 2018.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^"Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces New 2019-2020 Deployment".Regent Seven Seas Cruises.11 August 2017.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^ab"Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces 2020-2021 Itineraries".Regent Seven Seas Cruises.13 August 2018.Retrieved18 February2020.
- ^"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.Retrieved18 February2020.
External links
[edit]- 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) onPBS