Seven Seas Explorer

The 2016-built Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship is one of the newest RSSC-Regent vessels, with sister ships Seven Seas Splendor (2021) and Seven Seas Grandeur (2023). The vessel's building cost (USD 450 million) ranks her among the most expensive luxury cruise ships ever built.

The vessel (IMO number 9703150) is currently France-flagged (MMSI 538006712) and registered in Majuro/Marshall Islands.

History - construction and ownership

Regent Cruises (officially Regent Seven Seas Cruises / RSSC) is an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise brand formerly known as "Radisson Seven Seas". Until 2014, the company (as part of Prestige Cruise Holdings) was owned by Apollo Management LP, one of the world's largest private equity investment funds. Since September 2014, RSSC and its sister company Oceania Cruises have been owned by NCL Norwegian (shipowner), acquired for a total cost of USD 3 billion. RSSC ships are medium-sized vessels with capacity for up to 800 passengers. The fleet consists of 6-star-rated all-suite, all-balcony ships with a space-to-guest ratio of around 70 and a staff-to-guest ratio of 1-to-1.6 (among the best in the industry). In terms of building cost per berth, RSSC liners are among the world's most expensive ships.

The 750-passenger ship Seven Seas Explorer debuted in the summer of 2016. The vessel was launched on October 30, 2015, at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard (Trieste Italy). The launching ceremony was attended by Robin Lindsay (RSSC's Executive Vice President) and Raffaele Davassi (the shipyard's Director). The launch godmother was Antonia Ronchi (a Fincantieri employee).

Seven Seas Explorer was delivered on June 30 by Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard. It was the first newbuild for RSSC-Regent in 14 years and was promoted by the company as the most luxurious vessel ever built. Seven Seas Explorer's features include the opulent 3,875-sq-ft Regent Suite, several gourmet restaurants, and extravagant lounges.

Decks and Cabins

Like all Regent cruise ships, Seven Seas Explorer staterooms are all suites. The number of suite categories is 16. Seven Seas Explorer has a total of 375 suites, all featuring private balconies. The largest accommodations are the Regent Suites (2915 ft2 / 270 m2 plus a 960 ft2 / 89 m2 terrace).

The cost of the Regent Suite on Explorer represents the ultimate Regent luxury cruise experience. In this 3875 ft2 suite (1181 m2 including the balcony), guests enjoy a highly personalized luxury vacation experience for which Regent Cruises is globally known. This accommodation is not only among the largest but also among the most expensive at sea, priced at approximately GBP 4800 per person per day.

The vessel has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 7 contain cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Seven Seas Explorer offers cooking classes in a specially dedicated teaching kitchen. The dishes are crafted using locally sourced ingredients. Food-focused shore excursions are also available through the line's Gourmet Explorer Tours, offering opportunities to enjoy meals prepared by renowned local chefs, taste wines at premium estates, and visit local markets.

The following is the complete list of Seven Seas Explorer restaurants and food venues.

• Compass Rose (main dining room restaurant with open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner; features European Continental dishes and alternative options including vegetarian choices, specialties from the Spa menu, and select dishes from Regent's Chartreuse menu with gourmet French cuisine)
• Chartreuse (Regent’s specialty restaurant with French cuisine, also serving signature cocktails with Chartreuse liqueur; offers one of the most refined dining experiences at sea)
• Prime 7 (reservations-only dinner restaurant featuring an American steakhouse menu)
• La Veranda / Sette Mari (casual dining venue operating as the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant; in the evenings, the buffet transforms into the complimentary "Sette Mari" Italian dinner restaurant)
• Culinary Arts Kitchen (cooking school with 18 cooking stations arranged in three rows; each equipped with a quartz countertop and stainless steel sink; the kitchen features floor-to-ceiling windows and offers 12 themed classes such as fish and shellfish, food and wine, mini-desserts, and healthy cooking; the program also includes "Gourmet Explorer Tours" ashore)
• Pacific Rim (Pan-Asian restaurant, dinner-only)
• Pool Grill (casual fast-food venue)

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

While the design of Seven Seas Explorer is more contemporary and luxurious than that of her fleetmates, the cruise line maintains a balance between traditional features and a more modern ambiance.

The following is the complete list of Seven Seas Explorer lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Constellation Theater (two-deck-high main show lounge for grand music and theatrical productions; also features the "Cirque Rock 'n Roll" aerial acrobatics spectacle)
• Atrium (two-deck-high open-floor area)
• Club.com (Internet computer room) and Library
• Connoisseur Club (smoking lounge with comfortable leather armchairs offering hand-rolled Cuban cigars)
• Card Rooms (host bridge tournaments and lectures)
• Explorer Lounge and Bar (disco nightclub; operates as a piano bar during the day with resident pianist performances)
• Meridian Lounge (entertainment lounge with leather furniture, blue carpeting, dark-wood paneling, antique-style flooring; includes its own bar serving specialty cocktails)
• Coffee Connection (patisserie and specialty coffee bar)
• Horizon Lounge (with a large dance floor; hosts daily trivia shows and offers Afternoon Tea)
• Observation Lounge (grand piano bar with live music performances in the evenings)
• The Boutique (duty-free shopping arcade offering luxury jewelry, precious stones, brand perfumes, watches, designer clothing, accessories, gifts, souvenirs, and Regent-branded merchandise)
• Casino (two sections: slot machines and gaming tables)
• Lido Pool area (large swimming pool, two whirlpools, sunbathing area with loungers, table tennis, seating area; served by the Pool Bar)
• Canyon Ranch SpaClub and Wellness Center consisting of eight treatment rooms, saunas (including an infrared sauna), steam rooms (including an aromatic steam room), Cold Room (54 F / 12 C), Thermal Suite, experiential shower room (with varying water pressure and therapeutic audio effects simulating waterfalls and thunderstorms), relaxation room, and an aft infinity resistance pool; also includes a Beauty Salon, Gym, and Aerobics Studio; spa design features include a cocoon-inspired concept, a centrally located Swarovski crystal sculpture, silk-wrapped chrysalis elements, marble flooring, light-grained wood, and luxury treatments)
• Fitness Center (deck 6) with floor-to-ceiling windows and modern equipment including cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, and a separate studio for classes such as cycling, yoga, and Pilates)
• The Top Deck (Power Walking/Jogging Track; sports court with mini-golf putting green, golf net, shuffleboard, and paddle tennis court)

Regent's Seven Seas Explorer was the world's first cruise ship equipped with a pickleball court. The installation was completed by Adventure Golf Services (a company specializing in custom-designed mini-golf courses).

• This is a combination court serving two sports – pickleball and paddle tennis.
• Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, court tennis, and table tennis. The game is played by two, three, or four players using solid paddles (made of wood or composite materials) to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net.
• The company also installed additional equipment including a paddle tennis court, shuffleboard, an 18-hole putting green course, a GolfCourt Hitting Bay (golf driving range), and a bocce court. All these products use patented interlocking panels manufactured in Traverse City (Michigan USA).
• Adventure Golf Services is a leading manufacturer and installer for the cruise ship industry, producing signature products such as miniature golf courses, putting greens, shuffleboard courts, bocce courts, croquet courts, and golf driving cages.

Itineraries

Seven Seas Explorer's itinerary program includes Mediterranean cruises around Italy (Adriatic Sea), voyages to the French Riviera, and Holy Land cruises (visiting Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt). The itineraries are primarily one-way voyages departing from ports in Italy, Spain, Monaco, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey.

In 2019 (January through March), the ship had her maiden season in South America. Following two years of service in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Africa, and Northern Europe, the vessel visited 10 South American cruise ports during five voyages with the following departures.

• (January 20) 12-day voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, visiting Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina; also a 28-day voyage from Rio to Santiago de Chile, visiting Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands
• (February 1) 16-day voyage from Buenos Aires to Santiago, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands
• (February 1) 36-day voyage from Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala
• (February 17) 20-day voyage from Santiago to Los Angeles, visiting Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico

The Regent Explorer ship is RSSC's fourth vessel (all-suite, all-balcony, ultra-luxury) that joined the fleet in 2016, alongside Mariner, Navigator, and Voyager, as the company's largest and most innovative ship at the time. With a building cost of USD 450 million, the vessel was the world's most expensive luxury passenger ship ever built when delivered. The ship's interior features Carrara marble, large quantities of gold used in decorative elements, Czech crystal chandeliers, and hundreds of unique and highly valuable artworks.

A notable feature is the ship's largest accommodation, the Regent Suite (designed for two guests), which is among the largest cruise ship suites at sea (3875 ft2 / 1180 m2), comparable in size to a townhouse. This suite is also among the most expensive cruise accommodations ever offered. The Regent Suite's bed alone costs around USD 90,000. Per-person prices exceed GBP 3000 per night. Among the suite's amenities are a custom-built Steinway grand piano and a private in-suite spa room with unlimited complimentary spa treatments.

On September 2, 2014, NCL-Norwegian purchased Prestige Cruise Holdings (owner of Oceania Cruises and RSSC) for USD 3.025 billion, thus becoming the official shipowner of both fleets.

In mid-April 2016, RSSC announced upgraded fares that added free international flights to all 2017-2018 cruise itineraries. These round-trip air travel deals (business class) were included in the company's signature all-inclusive package, which already covered wines, spirits, soda, water, unlimited internet, free shore excursions, prepaid gratuities, and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and transfers. The air-inclusive cruise packages involved international flights departing from 26 cities in the USA and Canada, regardless of the suite category booked.

On May 26, 2016, RSSC announced the ship's godmother – HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco. On June 30, 2016, the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was officially delivered by Fincantieri to RSSC at the Sestri Ponente Shipyard. The ship's christening ceremony was held on July 13, 2016, in Monte Carlo (Monaco). The naming event featured a 45-minute live performance by Andrea Bocelli. The royal godmother was accompanied by her husband, Monaco's reigning monarch Prince Albert II. The ceremony was attended by around 700 special guests, including the company's senior executives.

Apollo Group provides all RSSC ships with the complete onboard hotel product and services. This includes administration, food service (preparation and service), housekeeping, as well as the vessel's provisioning and crewing. Other cruise lines served by Apollo include Thomson UK (Marella) and Oceania.

Inaugural itineraries 2016

On July 20, 2016, the inaugural cruise departed on a 13-day Mediterranean itinerary from Monaco to Venice. Explorer was Regent Cruises' first new ship since 2003, when Seven Seas Voyager was launched. Explorer was followed by a fifth ship (Seven Seas Splendor) which entered service in 2020.

Seven Seas Explorer's inaugural cruise season was in Europe (Mediterranean Sea), followed by a Transatlantic crossing to PortMiami for the winter season in the Caribbean. The inaugural Caribbean cruise was a 14-night roundtrip from Miami to the Serene Islands (December 4), followed by a 10-night Caribbean cruise (December 14) roundtrip from Miami. The New Year's Eve itinerary was a 16-night Panama Canal transit from Miami to Los Angeles CA. The ship returned to Florida on February 4 (2017) and was homeported in Miami Florida for a total of five back-to-back cruises (10-night roundtrips) to Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Belize. Among the visited ports of call was the NCL private island Harvest Caye in Belize, a destination developed by the parent company NCLH.

The Mediterranean inaugural season was complemented by 22 "Gourmet Explorer Tours" (offered on all Mediterranean itineraries), designed to enhance the onboard dining experience in the ship's Culinary Arts Kitchen.