Seven Seas Explorer

Seven Seas Explorer in Cadiz, 2017
History
NameSeven Seas Explorer
OwnerNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings
OperatorRegent Seven Seas Cruises
Port of registryMajuro,  Marshall Islands
Ordered10 July 2013[1]
BuilderFincantieri, Sestri Ponente, Genova
Yard number6250[2]
Laid down21 January 2015[3]
Launched30 October 2015[4]
Sponsored byCharlene, Princess of Monaco
Christened13 July 2016[5]
Completed30 June 2016[6]
In serviceJuly 2016—present
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeExplorer-class cruise ship[7]
Tonnage55,254 GT[2]
Length223.6 m (734 ft)[2]
Beam31 m (102 ft)[2]
Draught7.02 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]
Propulsion2 × 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]
Capacity750 passengers
Crew552 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.[1]

History

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Planning

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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

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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

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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

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Design and specifications

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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

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Deployments

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Seven Seas Explorer in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2023

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 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  13. ^ a b Shillinglaw, James (13 January 2015). "Regent Debuts Details of 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built'". TravelPulse. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. ^ Pickford, Mary Ann (14 July 2016). "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. ^ a b "Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces 2020-2021 Itineraries". Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Voyage Suspension FAQ" (PDF). Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 28 April 2021.
  19. ^ "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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