Is this, the SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER, really the most luxurious cruise ship in the world?
by Earl of Cruise
Billed as the
most luxurious cruise ship ever built, the Seven Seas Explorer will be
christened by Princess Charlene of Monaco
On board
there is a teak decked pool deck lined with comfortable lounge chairs around the
swimming pool and two heated whirlpools
The nine-deck
high atrium with elegant twin staircases spanning the fourth and fifth deck
The ship's
main restaurant, Compass Rose, which offers European inspired Continental
dishes in a sea-themed room seating 386 people
The focal
point of the restaurant is the impressive hand-blown Murano glass ceiling
fixture
Pacific Rim
restaurant serves Pan Asian food
The "all-suite"
SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER features a collection of luxury rooms and suites across 10
different category levels
Each
spacious, "suite" features an oversized bathroom accented by rich
marble and decorative tile
SEVEN SEAS
EXPLORER
by Earl of Cruise
Inside the US $450,000,000.00 vessel - Versace crockery, Murano glass fittings and an
18-hole putting green ... oh and it is All-Inclusive. And it is the first new ship for the cruise
line in over a decade.
It
does look luxurious, yes, somehow.
Italy’s Fincantieri Sestri Ponente yard has officially handed over
the vessel June 30th. Today July 13th was the christening which was done by
SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER godmother Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene de Monaco.
US $ 450mio, 750pax, 650 crew, ~55,000 GT, 223
m length, 32 m beam, 48 m air draft, 7 m draught, 23,5 kts,
750 guests, 650 crew (pax crew ratio 0,86) ... and some of them do the
technical and nautical stuff ... so we may end at 550 ...
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Following her
maiden voyage on July 20, SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER will spend its inaugural season in Europe, before heading to Miami for the winter
season in the Caribbean.
REGENT
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES is calling the new vessel the most luxurious cruise ship ever built. They claimed,
when ordering, this ship as the ultimate of luxury ... 750 pax spread on a
similar length as EUROPA 2, which is no real luxury in my opinion, can´t be
luxury at sea, even with added decks. But not even 0,9 cew member per passenger
as EUROPA 2 ...
I would call
it "Greek High Density".
Since the
announcement in 2013 of the then CEO, I did follow and looked into any
information I could get.
"And with its unprecedented collection of lavish suites, a state of
the art spa, and a theatre on board which cost a staggering $450million to
build - they might just be right."
"... the all-suite, all-balcony ship boasts one of the highest space
ratios and lowest guest to crew ratios in the cruise industry."
" It's the first new ship for Regent
in over a decade and took a whopping $450million to build, making it cost
more per berth than any other cruise ship currently at sea."
Harriet
Mallinson, Mailonline
Okay, Ms
Mallinson should have done a better research ... than copy paste ...
EUROPA
2 did cost US $ 380mio and has 525 passengers, makes US $ 723,809 per berth.
The SEVEN SEA EXPLORER did cost US $ 600,000 per berth.
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But
$450mio (in US billion) ... did they use plastic besides Murano and Versace?
In
my opinion this is another fake luxury offer. It is oriented, to the top end of
mass market.
And
luxury and price bargains ... is a nonsense in itself.
And
who the hell, of those who are the High Affluent, or High Net Worth
Individuals, or UNHNI´s will be crowded with a potential max of 748 ...
Looking
on the REGENT web site I discover - Bargains. When you "sale out", as
the product is old, out of fashion, etc. to get the store free, then you sell
at bargains. Bargains on regular base? Okay for consumers! Yes! But it negates
the worth of the product.
Bargains
on a permanent base make the product worthless, or to high priced for the
market, or not fitting to the target market!
REGENT
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES is owned by PRESTIGE CRUISE
HOLDINGS (which also owning OCEANIA CRUISES), is a cruise offer that balances
traditional onboard ambience with contemporary features and amenities. One of
the most value-oriented cruise lines in the business, REGENT
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES is uniquely inclusive:
fares cover cruise prices, pre- and post-cruise tours and hotel stays,
gratuities, shore excursions and beverages, from liquor to sodas.
About REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES |
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REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES, which is based
in Miami, was formed in 1992 through the merger of two one-ship lines -- RADISSON
CRUISES and SEVEN SEAS CRUISES.
The former contributed the RADISSON DIAMOND, the industry's only twin-hulled
ship, and the latter operated SONG OF FLOWER. Both have been retired from the
fleet.
Since the late 1990s, the line has grown
steadily, adding SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR (build
from an unfinished Russian research vessel hull)* in 1999
and SEVEN SEAS MARINER, the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship, in
2001. SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER, the line's second all-suite, all-balcony ship,
entered service in April 2003. In 2006, Radisson SEVEN SEAS Cruises underwent
another name change to become REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES.
During this time, Minneapolis-based CARLSON
HOSPITALITY WORLDWIDE owned the cruise line. But in late fall 2007, New
York-based APOLLO MANAGEMENT, L.P. (APOLLO
is partly owned by GENTING HOLDINGS which is 100% owning CRYSTAL CRUISES)*, signed
an agreement to acquire REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES. The deal closed in winter
2008. At the time, PRESTIGE CRUISES HOLDINGS
was created to manage the cruise portion of APOLLO MANAGEMENT's portfolio. In
November 2014, NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE acquired PRESTIGE, which now falls under
the broader NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS parent brand.
Great effort has gone into providing
consistency across the fleet. The ships have received upgrades that included
the addition of wireless capabilities (and improved computer connections
though it's still slower than it should be). Cabins have flat-screen TVs with
on-demand movies available for free, and higher-end suites have iPod music
systems (with Bose speakers) and free-to-borrow iPads. Cell phone access is
available, even at sea.
Source: cruisecritic.com
* authors
addition
A Suite (fr. suite
= „sequel, sequence“) or „suite of rooms“ is a row/line of rooms of similar
function and higher standard of outfitting and functions, these are
interconnected by doors, which are a completed
utilization unit.
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The ship’s main
suite is the acclaimed Regent Suite of 4,443 square-foot (412,7682m²). The
lavishly outfitted two-bedroom suite features an in-room spa retreat, that includes
unlimited complimentary spa treatments from Canyon Ranch.
An outdoor,
glass-enclosed sitting area off the dining room provides 270-degree views over
the ship’s bow. The living room features a black marble bar with chic black
lacquered stools and a custom Steinway Maroque piano by famed designer Dakota
Jackson.
The other
"suite" or staterooms start at 300 sqf (27,8709m² - which in the
5star segment are under the standard). But those who have booked the standard
rooms will still have plenty of opulent features and accommodation options to
enjoy which REGENT is really offering.
On the top
deck a Pool Bar and Grill - seating for up to 158 passengers, a large teak pool
deck lined with comfortable, white lounge chairs aside a rectangular swimming
pool, two heated whirlpools. Above the main pool an airy open deck can be found
with lounge chairs for two with retractable covers.
The Meridian
Lounge for pre-dinner drinks (all of which are included in the fare, both
alcoholic and non-alcoholic) boasts a dance floor and a stage for live musical
performances.
A second area
is the Explorer Lounge which will be perfect for a nightcap and is to offer
live music every night.
The
Observation Lounge which provides stunning views of the ship and the sea.
A nine-deck
high atrium, seems to be a must on every nowadays cruise vessel, with elegant
twin staircases spanning to the next deck.
A
marble-lined hallway leads passengers from the staircase to the ship's main
restaurant, Compass Rose which offers European -inspired Continental dishes in
a sea-themed room seating 386 people, complete with a blue, gold, silver and
white colour scheme. Chargers and bread plates are by Versace. But the
focal point of the restaurant is the impressive hand-blown Murano glass ceiling
fixture. Similar sun-burst shaped chandeliers also adorn the restaurant's
ceiling.
Another
restaurant on board is the Chartreuse, a chic Parisian-style dining venue, which
serves classic French menues with a modern.
Prime 7 an
updated version of REGENT´s signature steakhouse, on reservation only.
The Pacific
Rim, a further restaurant, serves Pan Asian.
A sports deck,
with a jogging track, featuring a netted area for driving golf balls. Also
featured is an 18 hole putting green that wraps around a paddle tennis court -
which also double up as a pickleball court (a mix between badminton, tennis,
and ping-pong).
Alternative
entertainment is a small casino, which boasts a dozen slot machines and six
table games, a well-stocked library provides a calm nook for guests
looking to escape into a good book. Other amenities include a smoking lounge, today
a rare feature on board of modern cruise vessels, as smoking is declared a
lower class "problem", a soothing, lavishly appointed,
state-of-the-art spa, plus salon and gym and a boutique area.
European or Asian themed or inspired food, and the
Burger offer on the pool deck is to me a sign for the main targeted passenger
group - US Americans. With which I am okay.
The design of the restaurants is okay, but a bit too
mixed and does not show a "clear line" of decor. Less can be be more!
And then the height of the cielings ... viewing the pictures I try hold my head
between my shoulders ... I don´t want to hammer my head there ...
Same with the outfitting of the cabins, staterooms or
"suites" as they call it. They remind me of an `Intercontinental
Hotel´ design and can be found everywhere else. And will the beds with that
hight get rails when the sea is going to be rough ...
The
most cabins, sold as suites, which are only staterooms, are tiny claustrophobia
causing rooms ... and only the better service does not make a stateroom into a
suite!
And
the 18 hole putting green is nothing more than a Minigolf range.
But the most intriguing feature is this staircase. It
is reaching only from deck four to five ... why, in a nine deck atrium? And
then of which epoque? Renaissance-Baroquesque-Mafia design, I-have-money-but-no-taste?
I
am strict in my opinion as luxury at sea on a cruise vessel ends with a max of
400 passengers ... and min 1 crew member per passenger, better 2 for each
passenger, and then space, space, space ... vast spacious rooms
...
On
the deck plans there is no room to be seen, except the theatre for all ...
US $ 450,000,000.00 wasted ...
So
in my opinion no luxury, only an attempt to, and for want-to-be´s.
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