The upcoming new Seven Seas Explorer from Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one step closer to pampering its first guests with the luxury cruise ship’s keel laying. The initial building ceremony took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, marking the start of principal construction on what the cruise line is calling “the most luxurious ship ever built.”
The Seven Seas Explorer Keel (Copyright © Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
Signifying the level of luxury to come, three symbolic coins, that were then welded into the keel, arrived via elegant Rolls Royce Phantom and were presented by a tuxedo-donning butler on a velvet pillow. The coins, according to the cruise line included, “a rare 1921 U.S. silver coin known as the Peace Dollar symbolizing the safe passage of Seven Seas Explorer; a 1959 silver Italian Lire representing the year the Fincantieri shipyard was established; and a commemorative coin specially minted for this occasion.”
Presentation of the Ceremonial Keel Coins (Copyright © Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
“With construction beginning in earnest today, we took a major step closer to realizing our vision, to provide our guests with a vessel that will be hailed as the most luxurious ship ever built,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Every inch of the Seven Seas Explorer will exude elegance and grandeur, and that extends to all aspects of the ship from the lavish suites to the gourmet restaurants and stylish public spaces. We even ensured that the keel coins convey a sense of luxury.”
Watch a video sample of the ceremony below:
The 56,000 gross-registered ton, 750 guest Seven Seas Explorer will sail on her maiden voyage on July 20, 2016, boasting one of the highest passenger space ratios in the industry. Reservations have already opened exclusively to Seven Seas Society members and will become available widely on February 4, 2015.
For more information on the Seven Seas Explorer, visit Regent Seven Seas Cruises‘ website here.
HEADER IMAGE SOOURCE: REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES