Seven Seas Explorer
| File:Seven Seas Explorer Cadiz.jpg Seven Seas Explorer in Cadiz, 2017 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Seven Seas Explorer |
| Owner | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings |
| Operator | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
| Port of registry | Majuro, File:Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg 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 & 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 |
|
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 2 × 9,000 kW (12,000 hp) Wärtsilä[2] |
| Speed | |
| Capacity | 750 passengers |
| Crew | 552 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 fourth largest ship to ever operate for Regent.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Planning
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Design and specifications
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]Deployments
[edit | edit source]
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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External links
[edit | edit source]
- 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
