By
Cherie Rowlands |
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has contracted Fincantieri, Italy, to build the fleet’s largest and ‘most luxurious cruise ship to date’ in time for a summer 2016 delivery, the company said.
The 54,000 gt, 738-passenger Seven Seas Explorer will be the brand’s third all-suite, all-balcony vessel. It is being built by the Italian shipyard at a contract price of US$450 million, making it the most expensive luxury liner to be constructed, said Frank De Rio, chairman and CEO of RSSC parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings.
“This new ship order represents an exciting time of growth for our company as we build the next generation of cruise ships for the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line,” he said. “Seven Seas Explorer will be the most luxurious cruise ship ever built, boasting one of the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios ever seen in the modern era of cruising enabling us to deliver the highly personalised service and extraordinary experience that is the hallmark of the Regent brand.”
International interior architect and design firms Tillberg Design AB, RTKL Associates and ICrave, will be designing the newbuild’s 369 suites – ranging from 300 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft – along with six open-seating gourmet restaurants, Regent’s signature nine-deck atrium, the two-story Explorer Theater, three boutiques and an expansive Canyon Ranch Spa Club.
Features of the vessel are to include spacious and sophisticated designer suites, elegant public areas, wide-ranging gourmet dining options, a world-class spa and many other amenities all created with the personality, warmth and soul of classic and timeless design, according to Del Rio.
“At Regent, we believe more is best,” he said. “The moment you step aboard, you’ll know you’ve arrived somewhere special. The ship’s upscale yet timeless design, extreme use of exotic stones and polished woods, designer furniture, rich fabrics and sophisticated lighting combined with what promises to be a museum-quality, eclectic art collection will clearly position Seven Seas Explorer as the new standard in luxury cruising.”
Seven Seas Explorer will expand the overall capacity of RSSC’s fleet three ships – Navigator, Mariner and Voyager – by 40 per cent, as part of the brand’s ongoing growth strategy.
“This new ship order is part of our disciplined growth strategy to expand our footprint in the luxury market,” said RSSC president Kunal Kamlani. “Since we purchased the RSSC brand in 2008, the ships have sailed full with industry-leading yields. We strongly believe that now is the right time to expand our fleet as our loyal guests have asked for a greater array of itineraries and our travel partners have proven that there is pent-up demand for a new Regent ship.”
The vessel’s specifications call for a hull of 732-ft long, a beam of 102 ft and draft of 23 ft. Diesel-electric engines with a service speed of 20 knots, are to power the vessel, while advanced environmental systems and state-of-the-art technology, means Seven Seas Explorer is to be a ‘green ship’.
Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono said: “I am extremely pleased with this new order, which is all the more important because it establishes our global leadership in this sector and strengthens our presence in the luxury segment with the addition of another prestigious brand to our client list, also thanks to the fundamental synergy created by the country through agencies designated to promote Fincantieri exports.”
Financing for the project is being arranged by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank with support from SACE, Italy’s export credit facility.