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
Marshall Islands
Name: Seven Seas Explorer
Owner: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Operator: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Port of registry: Majuro,  Marshall Islands
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:
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:
  • 13 total decks
  • 10 passenger decks
Installed power:
  • 4 × MaK 8M43C Diesel generators producing 8,000 kW (11,000 hp) each[2]
  • Total Installed Power: 32,000 kW (43,000 hp)[2]
Propulsion: 2 × 9,000 kW (12,000 hp) Wärtsilä[2]
Speed:
  • Service speed: 19.4 knots (35.9 km/h; 22.3 mph)[2]
  • Maximum: 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph)[2]
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]

In media

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.[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

Deployments

Seven Seas Explorer set sail on her 14-night maiden voyage on 20 July 2016 from Monte Carlo to Venice.[13][5] 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 is sailing Caribbean voyages and Panama Canal transits, and will re-position to Europe in April, sailing Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries.[16][17] In the latter half of 2020, she will debut in Asia, before sailing her maiden Alaska season in the summer of 2021.[17] She returns to Asia the following fall before debuting in Oceania in the winter of 2021.[18]

References
  1. Sloan, Gene (10 July 2013). "Luxury line Regent Seven Seas orders new ship". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. "Seven Seas Explorer" (PDF). Fincantieri. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  3. "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.
  4. Sloan, Gene (30 October 2015). "It floats! 'World's most luxurious' cruise ship takes to the water". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  5. "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.
  6. "Fincantieri delivers Regent Seven Seas Explorer". Cruise Industry News. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  7. "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names New Ship to Launch in 2020". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  8. Stieghorst, Tom (31 August 2015). "Regent sees strong demand for its Seven Seas Explorer". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  9. Bleiberg, Larry (15 July 2014). "Regent Seven Seas cuts steel on new luxury ship". USA Today. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  10. Stieghorst, Tom (13 July 2016). "Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monaco". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  11. "The World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship". Channel 5. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  12. Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  13. Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. Pickford, Mary Ann. "Seven Seas Explorer christened in Monte Carlo". Cruise International. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  15. "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.
  16. "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces New 2019-2020 Deployment". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  17. "Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Announces 2020-2021 Itineraries". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  18. "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.
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