Avora Residences has acquired the vessel Seven Seas Navigator from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, signalling an expansion of the residential cruise sector into a new premium segment. The ship is scheduled to re-enter service in January 2028 under the name Avora Lumina, forming the flagship of Avora’s platform for long-term habitation at sea.
Mikael Petterson, Founder of Avora Residences, indicated that the residential cruise concept has already demonstrated commercial viability and that Avora Lumina is intended to represent its next stage of development, configured for extended global living with expedition capability and an upgraded residential standard. The transaction positions Avora within a market space between the contemporary residential offering developed by Villa Vie Residences and the ultra-luxury maritime estates operated by The World. Petterson, who previously established Villa Vie Residences, is regarded as the first operator to execute a modern residential cruise programme at scale.
The agreement is structured as a nine-year charter with a nominal purchase option, establishing a continuing operational relationship with NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line. Under this arrangement, Avora intends to retain, where feasible, the vessel’s established operational systems, supplier networks and service standards that have characterised her performance over decades of service. Company leadership has indicated that the approach will prioritise continuity while adapting the ship for permanent residency, describing the strategy as one of measured evolution rather than wholesale alteration.
Prior to relaunch, the vessel will undergo comprehensive conversion works to align her configuration with long-duration living. Plans include reconfigured public areas suited to residential routines, expanded personalisation options within private residences and the installation of a dedicated business and connectivity centre to support remote work during extended voyages. Accommodation will range from approximately 300 to 1,173 square feet, with finishes and layouts intended to function as primary homes rather than short-term cruise cabins.
In fleet terms, Avora Lumina occupies a distinct position. Her moderate size allows access to smaller ports and restricted waterways, while retaining the amenities expected of a full-scale passenger vessel. The ship is also ice-classed for polar navigation, enabling itineraries that may include Antarctic waters and high-latitude passages such as the Northeast Passage.
The inaugural programme is scheduled to commence from Lisbon in 2028 with a continuous three-year global circumnavigation. The projected route encompasses more than 140 countries and upwards of 400 destinations across seven continents. Port stays are planned for up to five days, favouring extended shore engagement over rapid turnaround schedules. Following completion of the first circumnavigation, residents are expected to participate in determining subsequent routing, reflecting a governance model that incorporates owner input into itinerary planning.
Avora will offer two forms of tenure across 242 private residences. A life-of-ship ownership model is priced from approximately US$545,000 to US$4.2 million, while a 5-year ownership structure begins at approximately US$219,600, providing extended access with a lower capital commitment. The pricing framework is positioned in relation to residential property markets in major global cities, with the added element of sustained maritime mobility.
Culinary operations are to form a central component of the onboard programme. Avora has indicated that dining concepts will draw upon the regions visited, supported by rotating seasonal menus, enhanced wine selections and chef-led tastings. Extended port stays are intended to facilitate the sourcing of regional produce, integrating destination-specific ingredients into the ship’s provisioning cycle as she proceeds on her global circuit.