Seven Seas Explorer
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.[1]
![]() Seven Seas Explorer in Cadiz, 2017 | |
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[1] |
Builder: | Fincantieri, Sestri Ponente, Genova |
Yard number: | 6250[2] |
Laid down: | 21 January 2015[3] |
Launched: | 30 October 2015[4] |
Sponsored by: | Charlene, Princess of Monaco |
Christened: | 13 July 2016[5] |
Completed: | 30 June 2016[6] |
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[2] |
Length: | 223.6 m (734 ft)[2] |
Beam: | 31 m (102 ft)[2] |
Draught: | 7.02 m (23.0 ft)[2] |
Decks: |
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Installed power: | |
Propulsion: | 2 × 9,000 kW (12,000 hp) Wärtsilä[2] |
Speed: | |
Capacity: | 750 passengers |
Crew: | 552 crewmembers |
History
Planning
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.[1] 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.[1] As on Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, Regent intended to make Seven Seas Explorer an all-suite ship.[1] 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.[1] The debut of Seven Seas Explorer would reportedly mark an increase in Regent's capacity by up to 40%.[1]
Construction
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.[3] Three different coins were welded into the keel: a 1921 Peace dollar, a 1959 Italian lira, and a commemorative coin minted for the ceremony.[3]
On 30 October 2015, Seven Seas Explorer floated out from the dry dock at the shipyard following completion of her exterior outfitting.[4] The remainder of the construction was completed with the ship in wet dock.[4]
Delivery and christening
Seven Seas Explorer was delivered to Regent on 30 June 2016.[6] She was christened in Monte Carlo by Charlene, Princess of Monaco on 13 July 2016.[5][10]
Design and specifications
Seven Seas Explorer currently features a total of 377 passenger cabins, all of which are suite accommodations.[2] There are also a total of 325 crew cabins, making for a total capacity of 1,360 passengers and crew.[2] 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).[2] She is powered by a diesel-electric genset system, with four total MaK engines, producing a total output of 32 megawatts (43,000 hp).[2] Main propulsion is via two Wärtsilä propellers, each driven by a 9 megawatts (12,000 hp) electric motor.[2] 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).[2]
The ship features all-inclusive dining establishments, including a steakhouse, a main dining room, and a convertible buffet-restaurant.[11] There is also a two-level theater and different lounges, including an observation lounge and a music lounge.[11] 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.[11]
Service history
Deployments
Seven Seas Explorer set sail on her 14-night maiden voyage on 20 July 2016 from Monte Carlo to Venice.[12][5] The ship spent her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean, before re-positioning to Miami for cruises in the Caribbean.[12][13] Since then, Seven Seas Explorer has also visited ports in Northern Europe, Africa, and South America.[14]
As of February 2020, Seven Seas Explorer is sailing Caribbean voyages and Panama Canal transits, and will re-position to Europe in April, sailing Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries.[15][16] In the latter half of 2020, she will debut in Asia, before sailing her maiden Alaska season in the summer of 2021.[16] She returns to Asia the following fall before debuting in Oceania in the winter of 2021.[17]
References
- Sloan, Gene (10 July 2013). "Luxury line Regent Seven Seas orders new ship". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- "Seven Seas Explorer" (PDF). Fincantieri. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- "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.
- Sloan, Gene (30 October 2015). "It floats! 'World's most luxurious' cruise ship takes to the water". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- "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.
- "Fincantieri delivers Regent Seven Seas Explorer". Cruise Industry News. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- "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.
- Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- Pickford, Mary Ann. "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.
- "Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Announces 2020-2021 Itineraries". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- "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
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to IMO 9703150. |
- 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