Genoa, Italy (15 Juli 2014) – Construction began this morning on Seven Seas Explorer at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. Das Knallen des Korkens einer Magnumflasche Krug Grande Cuvée startete einen Laser, der das zeremonielle erste Stahlteil für das neue Schiff schnitt. Incorporating a bottle of the world's finest champagne to start the building process is symbolic of the high level of sophistication and design being developed for Seven Seas Explorer, which is scheduled to debut in summer 2016.
The ceremonial first piece of steel cut this morning will serve as the foundation for an opulent, one-of-a-kind owner's suite unlike any other at sea. The suite, resplendent with exquisite stonework and luscious fabrics, will serve as a hallmark for the superior level of elegance found throughout the ship. When it debuts, Seven Seas Explorer will establish a new benchmark for style and service and perfectly complement the all-inclusive luxury experience currently enjoyed by guests sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
During the ceremony, Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Gabriele Cocco, senior executive vice president of merchant ships for Fincantieri, began a countdown that culminated with Maison Krug Italy's master sommelier, Michela Cimatoribus, releasing the cork from a magnum of Krug Grande Cuvée. As the cork soared and the champagne flowed, confetti cascaded down and the laser cut the first piece of steel for the 750-passenger ship.
"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," noted Kamlani. "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."
"We are extremely excited to welcome a new partner in Regent Seven Seas Cruises and to start construction of this brilliant new ship," commented Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. "As a global leader in cruise ship construction, we've built some of the finest ships at sea. Building the most luxurious ship ever built is quite a challenge, but with our craftsmanship and experience building luxury ships we feel that Seven Seas Explorer will become the definition of excellence."
At 54.000 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750 guests, Seven Seas Explorer will boast the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry and further strengthen Regent Seven Seas Cruises' widely recognized position as the most inclusive luxury cruise line. Seven Seas Explorer will join the rest of the award-winning Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet in the summer of 2016.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will begin taking reservations for the maiden voyage and inaugural season for Seven Seas Explorer in early 2015. For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises or to receive a brochure, guests can order a brochure here or contact a professional travel agent.
Über Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises ist die Luxus-Kreuzfahrtgesellschaft, bei der es weltweit die meisten Inklusivangebote gibt. The line's fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, sightseeing excursions in every port, gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel package and complimentary WiFi for those guests staying in concierge-level and higher suites. Three award-winning, all-suite vessels, Seven Seas Navigator®, Seven Seas Mariner®, and Seven Seas Voyager®, are among the most spacious at sea and visit more than 250 destinations around the globe. The line is currently building the 738-guest Seven Seas Explorer, which will be delivered in summer of 2016.
Über Prestige Cruise Holdings
Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) ist die Muttergesellschaft von Oceania Cruises und Regent Seven Seas Cruises. PCH manages select assets in Apollo Management's cruise investment portfolio and is led by Chairman and CEO Frank J. Del Rio and President & COO Kunal S. Kamlani. PCH ist Marktführer im oberen Premium- und Luxus-Segment der Kreuzfahrtbranche mit insgesamt über 6.400 Ankerplätzen für die Marken Oceania Cruises und Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
About Fincantieri
Fincantieri is one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups, as well as the first producer by diversification and presence in all high value-added sectors, which in over 200 years of maritime history has built more than 7,000 vessels. It is world leader in cruise ship construction and a reference player in other sectors, from naval vessels to cruise ferries, from mega-yachts to special high value-added vessels, ship repairs and conversions and offshore vessels. Headquartered in Trieste, the Group has more than 20.000 employees, of whom 7,700 in Italy, and 21 shipyards in 4 continents.
About Krug
Krug is a synonym for absolute excellence in the world of Champagne, a legend beyond time. Founded by Johann-Joseph Krug in 1843, a man with a keen sense of intuition and inborn flair who devoted his life to the quest for excellence, taking advantage of the individual qualities of the land he owned to create absolutely unique, new and unforgettable champagne. The fundamentals that define the Krug style: meticulous grape selection, the introduction of an initial fermentation stage in small oak barrels, a recognition of the value of the art of assemblage and a longer period of bottle-aging. Six generations later, Krug continues to be the name of a family which has set its sights on excellence and sublime Champagne as is expressed to perfection in each of the six Cuvée de Prestige in the range: Krug Grande Cuvée, Krug Rosé, Krug Vintage, Krug Collection, Krug Clos du Mesnil and Krug Clos d'Ambonnay. Maison Krug is owned by LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton). Moët Hennessy is a member of The European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD), the association of Europe's top producers of alcoholic beverages which supports initiatives to promote responsible alcohol consumption.
