Today, we are very excited to announce the next chapter in Regent Seven Seas Cruises’® history. We have entered into a definitive contract with Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard to build the most luxurious cruise ship in the era of modern cruising. The new all-suite, all-balcony ship will be named Seven Seas Explorer with delivery scheduled for Summer 2016.

At 54,000 gross-registered tons and accommodating just 738 guests, Seven Seas Explorer will be the largest vessel in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises® fleet. The ship will boast one of the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios ever seen in modern cruise ship design enabling us to deliver the highly personalized service and extraordinary experience that your clients have come to expect from Regent.

This new ship order is part of our disciplined growth strategy to expand our footprint in the luxury market. Since we purchased the Regent Seven Seas Cruises® brand in 2008, our ships have sailed full with industry-leading yields. We believe that now is the right time to expand our fleet as many of you and our loyal guests have asked us for a greater array of itineraries. Additionally, you have proven that there is pent-up demand for a new Regent ship. With the Seven Seas Explorer, our overall fleet capacity will grow nearly 40 percent, making Regent Seven Seas Cruises® the world’s largest luxury cruise line.

Seven Seas Explorer will feature spacious and sophisticated designer suites, ultra-elegant public areas, a wide-range of dining options with six gourmet restaurants, an expansive Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, Regent’s signature nine-deck atrium, the two-story Explorer Theater and many other amenities all created with the personality, warmth and soul of classic and timeless design.

The moment our guests step onboard Seven Seas Explorer, they’ll know they have arrived somewhere special. The use of exotic stones and polished woods, designer furniture, rich fabrics and sophisticated lighting combined with what promises to be a museum-quality eclectic art collection will clearly position Seven Seas Explorer as the new standard in luxury cruising.

Further details about Seven Seas Explorer will be announced in the coming months.