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Regent orders world’s ‘most luxurious’ cruise ship
Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas has ordered a new 738-guest, $450 million vessel, which it claims will be the most luxurious cruise ship ever built.
Named Seven Seas Explorer, the ship will be the line’s third all-suite, all balcony vessel and the largest in its fleet.
"This new ship order represents an exciting time of growth for our company as we build the next generation of cruise ships for the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line," said Frank J. Del Rio, Prestige Cruise Holdings chairman and CEO.
"Seven Seas Explorer will be the most luxurious cruise ship ever built, boasting one of the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios ever seen in the modern era of cruising enabling us to deliver the highly personalized service and extraordinary experience that is the hallmark of the Regent brand."
Financing for the project is being arranged by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank with support from SACE, Italy’s export credit facility.
World-renowned architectural and interior design firms Tillberg Design AB, RTKL Associates and ICrave are designing the vessel, which will incorporate 369 suites ranging from 300 square feet to 1,500 square feet, six open-seating gourmet restaurants, Regent’s signature nine-deck atrium, the two-story Explorer Theater, three boutiques and an expansive Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.
With the Seven Seas Explorer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ overall fleet capacity will grow nearly 40 percent, making the brand the world’s largest luxury cruise line.
"This new ship order is part of our disciplined growth strategy to expand our footprint in the luxury market," said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "Since we purchased the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand in 2008, the ships have sailed full with industry-leading yields. We strongly believe that now is the right time to expand our fleet as our loyal guests have asked for a greater array of itineraries and our travel partners have proven that there is pent-up demand for a new Regent ship."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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