Seven Seas Grandeur

The 2023-built Seven Seas Grandeur cruise ship is the last vessel in RSSC-Regent's EXPLORER-class series, with sister ships Seven Seas Explorer (2016) and Seven Seas Splendor (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9877444) is currently France-flagged (MMSI 538010706) and registered in Majuro/Marshall Islands. During construction, Seven Seas Grandeur was temporarily Italy-flagged (MMSI 247475800).

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. Regent cruise ships are medium-sized, with a maximum passenger capacity of around 800 guests. The fleet consists of 6-star-rated all-suite, all-balcony vessels with a space-to-guest ratio of approximately 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 most expensive ships in the world.

For the vessel's interior design, RSSC contracted the Florida-based firm "Studio DADO". DADO-designed venues include the Observation Lounge, Constellation Theater, Card Room, Connoisseur Club, Pacific Rim Restaurant, the ship's Spa, as well as 55 suites (categories Penthouse, Grand, Superior).

Decks and Cabins

Like all RSSC-Regent ships, Seven Seas Grandeur staterooms (total 375) are all suites grouped in 15 categories. All cabins feature private step-out balconies. The cabin designer was Tillberg Design of Sweden.

The cost of the Regent Suite on the Grandeur ship represents the ultimate RSSC luxury vacation experience. This unique accommodation measures 4445 ft2 (413 m2), including the outdoor wraparound terrace (1230 ft2 / 114 m2). Grandeur's Regent Suite is not only the largest suite at sea but also among the most expensive, priced at USD 11000 (~EUR 9340 / GBP 8050) per night. However, the price includes unlimited services (provided by dedicated staff) and premium amenities such as a private Spa Room (with unlimited massages and treatments), sauna, steam room, two bedrooms, two full bathrooms (with jetted tubs), a living room (with a garden, grand piano, and half bathroom), dining room, dressing room, and a bow-facing balcony (with a Tresse Minipool and a glass-enclosed parlor).

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

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

On Regent's Grandeur ship, cooking classes are offered in the fleet's first dedicated Culinary Arts Kitchen. The teaching kitchen prepares dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients.

Food-themed shore excursions are available for booking via RSSC's Gourmet Explorer Tours. On these tours, passengers can enjoy gourmet meals prepared by renowned local chefs, wine tastings at premium estates, and visits to local food markets.

On Regent's Grandeur ship, the culinary experience has been enhanced with upgraded menus, redesigned specialty restaurants, and more than 130 new dishes. These include Compass Rose (dinner-only restaurant with 13 new dishes), Prime 7 (steakhouse with a new lunch menu), Pacific Rim (pan-Asian restaurant with two new entrees and four new desserts), and Sette Mari at La Veranda (Italian restaurant with eight new appetizers).

Along with the new menus, Regent has also introduced numerous plant-based dishes on Grandeur.

The following is the complete list of Seven Seas Grandeur 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, selections from the Spa menu, and select dishes from Regent's Chartreuse menu with gourmet French cuisine)
• Chartreuse (Regent's French specialty restaurant serving premium cocktails based on Green Chartreuse liqueur and offering refined gourmet cuisine)
• Prime 7 (reservations-only dinner restaurant featuring an American steakhouse menu)
• Sette Mari at La Veranda (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; the Destination Corner serves local dishes from the itinerary's destinations)
• Culinary Arts Kitchen (cooking school with 18 cooking stations arranged in three rows; each station is 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, featuring an art installation of a large dragon)
• Coffee Connection (alfresco seating area)

The Compass Rose restaurant on Seven Seas Grandeur was redesigned by Studio DADO (2016-founded interior design firm). Among the restaurant's highlights are cascading waterfall sculptures made of laser-cut metal and hand-blown glass, illuminated arching trees made of interwoven crystal with wood edges, and dramatic floor-to-ceiling lighting effects at night created by hundreds of lights surrounding the windows. The restaurant is also illuminated by thousands of crystal-faceted leaves set on pillars and branches throughout the venue. Another highlight is a custom-designed mural created by Confluent Studios Inc (Burnaby BC Canada), crafted with gold leaf and mirror-finished using the Verre Églomisé gilding technique applied to the rear surface of glass.

Compass Rose's expanded menu includes dishes such as Black Angus filet mignon, Maine lobster tail, king scallops, New Zealand lamb chops, several daily changing specials, and a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian items.

In June 2022, RSSC announced that Seven Seas Grandeur would introduce a new Italian menu that will later be rolled out fleetwide. The menu (developed for the Sette Mari restaurant) includes dishes such as Bruschetta al pomodoro, Cavatelli ai frutti di mare, Zucchini alla poverella, Insalata di Panzanella alla Masseria Salamina (17th-century castle in Fasano), Cozze gratinate al forno, Branzino in agrodolce, Pasticcini alle mandorle (Sicilian baked sweets), Chef Nino's Cioppino (fish stew), and focaccia con pomodorini.

Seven Seas Grandeur's "Prime 7" restaurant (redesigned by Studio DADO) is themed as a classic New York City steakhouse from the late 19th to early 20th century. The design highlights include an entry wall decorated with handmade vintage suitcases and black-and-white photographs, an interior wall with glass-enclosed vitrines separating the dining area from the service stations, and a textured wall created from gentleman's belts arranged end to end. Interior tables are positioned near decorative "windows" fitted with mirrors that reflect the ocean view from the opposite side. The furniture includes four-seat tables and handmade armchairs with nailhead-trimmed leather upholstery, Persian carpets, residential-style lighting, and various memorabilia.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

While the design of Seven Seas Grandeur is more contemporary and luxurious than that of her fleetmates, RSSC maintains a balance between traditional elements and a more modern ambiance.

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

• Constellation Theater (two-deck-high main show lounge for grand musical and theatrical productions; also hosts 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, and antique-style flooring; includes a bar serving premium cocktails)
• Coffee Bar
• Horizon Lounge (with a large dance floor; hosts daily trivia games 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)
• Fitness Center (deck 6) with floor-to-ceiling windows and modern equipment including cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights; also features a separate studio for classes such as cycling, yoga, and Pilates)

Seven Seas Grandeur's wellness complex (Serene Spa & Wellness) is managed by Canyon Ranch SpaClub (providing certified personnel) and uses luxury beauty products by Red Flower (a NYC-based wellness brand specializing in organic, biodegradable, and biocompatible skincare and cosmetics). Many of Red Flower's treatments are itinerary-inspired and incorporate locally sourced ingredients.

The wellness complex includes eight treatment rooms, saunas (including an infrared sauna), steam rooms (including an aromatic steam room), a Cold Room (temperature 54 F / 12 C), Thermal Suite, experiential shower room (with varying water pressures and therapeutic audio effects simulating waterfalls and thunderstorms), relaxation room, and an aft infinity pool (resistance swimming pool). The complex also includes a Beauty Salon, Gym, and Aerobics Studio for classes. The spa's design features a cocoon-inspired concept, a centrally located Swarovski crystal sculpture, silk-wrapped chrysalis elements, marble flooring, light-grained wood finishes, and a variety of luxury treatments.

On the Grandeur ship, Regent expanded its spa offerings with new treatments and equipment, including a Quartz Crystal Healing Bed and a Zero Gravity Massage Table (with eight positions for different muscle groups). New treatments include the 75-minute Hot Mineral Body Boost (for alleviating muscular pain) and the Poultice-Powered Muscle Release (for aching muscles). Also new is the Tahitian Hydration Ritual (75 minutes), which is exclusive to guests staying in the Regent Suite and offered in the suite's private spa.

On the Sun Deck are located the Power Walking/Jogging Track, Sports Court, Paddle Tennis Court, Bocce Court, mini-golf putting green, golf nets, and shuffleboard. The Lido Deck pool area features a large swimming pool, two Jacuzzis (spa pools/whirlpool hot tubs), a sunbathing area with loungers, table tennis, and a seating area with tables and deckchairs. The sundeck is served by the Pool Bar.

Regent's Grandeur is the world's third cruise ship (after Explorer and Splendor) 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. These facilities 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.

Shipboard art collection

In October 2022, RSSC contracted Faberge Ltd (founded in 2007) to design the "Faberge Egg Objet" for the Grandeur ship's art collection. The unique art piece (designed by Liisa Tallgren and inspired by Faberge's Winter Egg from 1913) remains permanently onboard and is not for sale.

The ship's art collection includes approximately 1600 pieces from popular artists and renowned galleries worldwide. Highlights include three Pablo Picasso paintings ("Toros y Toreros" 1961, "Antes de Picar al Toro" 1963, "Picador Picando al Toro, Con Matador al Quite" 1961), Faberge's custom-made egg "Journey in Jewels", and Zheng Lu's stainless steel sculpture "Water in Dripping - Waterfall" (2021).

Another unique artwork is the custom-made "Bonsai Cherry Tree" sculpture (bronze and hand-cast glass) by Savoy Studios (Portland OR USA-based art glass studio), located at the entrance of the Pacific Rim restaurant.

Upon entering the Compass Rose restaurant, diners are seated beneath a canopy made of thousands of interwoven crystal-faceted leaves arranged on wood-edged trees, creating the atmosphere of an enchanted forest.

Regent Grandeur features a wide array of artworks including sculptures, original paintings, and photographs. Below are some of the most notable pieces and their locations.

Pablo Picasso's lithographs and linocuts "Toros y Toreros", "Antes de picar al toro", and "Picador picando al toro, con matador al quite" are displayed in Prime 7 (steakhouse on Deck 10).

Faberge's "Journey in Jewels" is displayed in the Atrium on Deck 5.

Savoy Studios' "Bonsai Cherry Tree" (Pacific Rim) is located on Deck 5.

Walter Goldfarb's "The Enchanted Tree" (40-ft / 12-m-tall tapestry) hangs beside the elevator wall in the Atrium on Deck 6.

Zheng Lu's "Water in Dripping - Waterfall" is displayed at the Serene Spa & Wellness (Deck 5).

Itineraries

Seven Seas Grandeur's itinerary program (homeports and destinations/regions) and the ship's inaugural cruise date were announced on September 22, 2021, when the voyages were also opened for booking.

The vessel's inaugural season started on November 25, 2023, and included a total of 17 voyages (ranging from 7 to 16 nights) visiting ports in the Caribbean and Europe/Mediterranean, as well as two Transatlantic crossings and two Panama Canal transits. Early booking prices (per person with double occupancy) ranged from USD 4000 to 88000 (EUR 3390-74500 / GBP 2900-63600).

Schedule 2023-2024

The Maiden Voyage (NOV 25, 2023) is a 14-night Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA (Barcelona to Miami) themed "A MAGNIFICENT CROSSING" and initially priced from EUR 5960.

The following is the ship's remaining schedule currently planned for the inaugural season.

• 2023 (DEC 14) 7-night Caribbean roundtrip from Miami / themed "MEXICAN MARVELS IN THE CARIBBEAN"
• (DEC 21) 16-night Panama Canal from Miami to Los Angeles / themed "COMFORT ACROSS THE CANAL"
• 2024 (JAN 8) 16-night Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Miami / themed "A GRANDIOSE TRANSIT"
• 10-night Caribbean roundtrips from Miami / themes "WONDERS IN THE CARIBBEAN" (JAN 26), "ISLAND JOY & CRUISE COMFORTS" (FEB 17), "MAGIC IN THE CARIBBEAN" (MAR 5), "STRAITS TO PARADISE" (MAR 15)
• (FEB 5) 12-night Caribbean roundtrip from Miami / themed "POMP & ROMANCE IN PARADISE"
• (FEB 27) 7-night Caribbean roundtrip from Miami / themed "A PRIVATE ESCAPE"
• (MAR 25) 16-night relocation from Miami to NYC New York / themed "ISLAND SPRING & SOUTHERN CHARM"
• (APR 10) 14-night Transatlantic from NYC to Barcelona, via Bermuda and Azores / themed "OCEAN AIR & SPANISH FLARE"
• 2024 (Mediterranean-Adriatic-Aegean/Greek Islands)
• (APR 24) 7-night from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome / themed "GLORY OF THE RIVIERA"
• (APR 24) 14-night roundtrip from Barcelona / themed "ROMANCE IN ITALY, LOVE IN SPAIN"
• (MAY 1) 7-night from Civitavecchia-Rome to Barcelona / themed "ICONIC ITALY & A TASTE OF SPAIN"
• (MAY 8) 12-night from Barcelona to Venice / themed "MAJESTY ALONG THE AMALFI COAST"
• (MAY 20) 10-night from Venice to Piraeus-Athens / themed "CROSSROADS & IONIAN GRANDEUR"
• (MAY 30) 12-night from Piraeus-Athens to Istanbul / themed "ANCIENT LANDS & HOLY SITES"
• (JUN 11) 10-night from Istanbul to Piraeus-Athens / themed "GRANDEUR IN THE GREEK ISLES"
• (JUN 21) 10-night from Piraeus-Athens to Civitavecchia-Rome / themed "THE DELIGHTS OF TURKEY"

In Europe-Mediterranean, the cruise ship visits ports in Turkey (Izmir, Ephesus-Kusadasi, Bodrum, Alanya, Antalya, Istanbul/overnight, Bozcaada Island), Greece (Kavala, Igoumenitsa), Greek islands (Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Lesbos, Patmos, Rhodes, Cyprus/Limassol, Crete/Heraklion), Italy (Amalfi, Ancona, Livorno, Sorrento, Naples), Sicily Island (Catania, Palermo, Taormina), France (Marseille, Sete, Sanary-sur-Mer, Saint-Tropez), Spain (Valencia, Palma de Mallorca), Monaco (Monte Carlo), Malta (Valletta), Israel (Ashdod, Haifa), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split), and Montenegro (Kotor).

In the Caribbean, the itinerary includes the islands Aruba (Oranjestad), Bonaire (Kralendijk), Grenada (St George's), St Lucia (Castries), Antigua (St John's), Saint Barthelemy (Gustavia), Puerto Rico (San Juan), Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya), Belize (Harvest Caye), Guatemala (Santo Tomas de Castilla), Honduras (Isla Roatan), as well as the USA (Charleston SC, Key West FL).

The shipowner NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd) placed the order with the shipbuilder Fincantieri SpA on January 15, 2019. The shipbuilding contract was signed by Frank Del Rio (NCLH's President and CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

For the newbuild project, NCLH obtained export credit financing covering 80% of the unit's contract price of EUR 475 million (USD 532 million). With the order for Seven Seas Grandeur in 2019, NCLH had 11 vessels (on order or under construction) scheduled for delivery through 2027. Of these, 7 were for NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line, 2 for Oceania, and 2 for RSSC-Regent.

Regent announced the name of its newest ship (Seven Seas Grandeur) on June 22, 2021. The name was revealed by Jason Montague (RSSC's President and CEO) in a video.

The registered shipowner is EXPLORER III NEW BUILD LLC, while the ship management company is REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES INC.

The vessel's construction (Fincantieri Ancona yard number/hull 6282) officially began with the steel-cutting ceremony on November 2, 2021, held at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard. The event was attended by Jason Montague (RSSC's President and CEO) and Giovanni Stecconi (the shipyard's Director). The vessel's physical construction continued with the keel-laying ceremony held on July 12, 2022. During the event, three custom-minted coins were placed on the keel (first hull block), each representing one of the sister ships – Grandeur (2023), Splendor (2021), and Explorer (2016). The coins for Explorer and Splendor were delivered to Fincantieri's yards in Sestri Ponente Genova (2016) and Ancona (2020), while Grandeur's coin is new and features RSSC's 30th-anniversary logo.

The Regent ship's namesake is the RCI liner Grandeur of the Seas (1996).

The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on January 26, 2023. The ceremony was led by Orsinja Myshku (Senior Controller of the Ancona yard's Economic Administration and Control Office), who served as the madrina (godmother). The event was attended by Andrea DeMarco (Regent's President), Gabriella Fonzo (Regent's Senior Director of Sales CEMEA), and Giovanni Ciriaco Stecconi (Ancona shipyard's Director).

Fincantieri officially delivered Seven Seas Grandeur to RSSC on November 13, 2023.

Christening ceremony (2023)

On July 17, 2023, RSSC announced that Grandeur's godmother would be Sarah Josephine Faberge (born 1958).

She is the only daughter of Theo Faberge (1922-2007), who was a grandson of Peter Carl Faberge (Karl Gustavovich Faberge, 1846-1920). He was one of the sons of Gustav Faberge (1814-1894), founder of the House of Faberge (established in 1842), and the creator of the first Easter-themed jeweled Faberge eggs in Sankt Petersburg (Russia).

Sarah Faberge is a founding member of the Faberge Heritage Council and Director of Special Projects for Faberge. Since 2007, all trademarks, licenses, and associated rights relating to the Faberge brand have been owned by Pallinghurst Resources Ltd (now Gemfields Group Ltd, a colored gemstones supplier founded in 2007).

The ship's christening ceremony was held on December 10, 2023, in Miami (Florida USA). The naming event featured entertainment by Kristin Dawn Chenoweth (born 1968, American actress and singer) and was attended by Harry Sommer (NCLH's President and CEO) and Andrea DeMarco (RSSC's President).

As part of the Regent–Faberge partnership, during the ship's naming festivities Sarah Faberge wore unique earrings and a ring designed specifically for the event. These jewelry pieces (made of 18-karat white gold, white diamonds, and pearls) were auctioned in 2024, with the proceeds donated to charity (Gemfields Foundation).

After the ceremony, Seven Seas Grandeur began the exclusive "Caribbean Christening Cruise" (3-day roundtrip itinerary) before her official Caribbean deployment.

On July 1, 2024, Seven Seas Grandeur's "Faberge Spotlight Voyage" was scheduled to begin, featuring small-group workshops and masterclass programs, exclusive shore tours, Faberge egg demonstrations, lectures, and screenings. The "Faberge Cruise" is a 10-day Mediterranean itinerary (from Civitavecchia-Rome to Monte Carlo Monaco) visiting Salerno, Taormina (Sicily), Valletta (Malta), Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Spain), Barcelona, Marseille, and Antibes.

In September 2023, Regent announced Grandeur ship's Senior Officers – Luciano Montesanto (Master/Captain), Antonio Lagana (Chief Engineer), Giuseppe Gargiulo (Staff Captain), Franck Galzy (General Manager), and David Nevin (Cruise Director).

Inaugural cruise itineraries (2023-2024)

The following tables show the ship's inaugural voyages by destination, with prices in USD per person (lowest cabin category with double occupancy).

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023) 7-day from Trieste to Barcelona ($18000 pp)

(Inaugural Transatlantic crossing) 14-day from Barcelona to Miami ($8500 pp)

(inaugural Caribbean cruise 2023) 7-day "Mexican Marvels In The Caribbean" itinerary ($4000 pp)

(inaugural Panama Canal cruise 2023) 16-day from Miami to Los Angeles ($9000 pp)

(inaugural Mediterranean cruise 2024) 14-day "Romance In Italy, Love In Spain" itinerary ($14000 pp)

Godspeed!