Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has started construction work on a super-luxury cruise ship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, at Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard, Italy.
The new vessel, Seven Seas Explorer, is being built as part of a $450m contract that the company secured in July 2013.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises president Kunal Kamlani said: “We’re one step closer to fulfilling our dream of building the most luxurious ship in the world and giving our guests another exciting option to explore inspired global destinations with our special brand of all-inclusive luxury.
“Seven Seas Explorer will surpass the current standard in luxury cruising, offering a new level of grandeur throughout the ship from its lavish suites to its elegant public spaces and gourmet restaurants.”
The 54,000t, 223m-long vessel will have a beam of 31m, draft of 7m and will be capable of accommodating 750 passengers in 369 all-balcony suites. It is powered by diesel-electric engines with a service speed of 20k.
The new cruise ship will feature six open-seating restaurants, a nine-deck atrium, a two-storey Explorer Theatre, three boutiques and a large Canyon Ranch spa.
The vessel’s interior design work is being performed by Tillberg Design, RTKL Associates and I-Crave. Funding for the project is being provided by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank with support from SACE, Italy’s export credit facility.
Seven Seas Explorer is claimed to become the largest vessel in the Regent Seven Seas fleet and will be built using advanced environmental protection technologies, according to Fincantieri.
The ship will conduct its maiden voyage in early 2015 and is scheduled to be delivered in summer 2016.
Image: Officials during cutting of the ceremonial first piece of steel for the new ship. Photo: courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
