Sarah Bretz, ContributorRegent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated a major construction milestone today as the keel was laid for Seven Seas Prestige at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
The ceremony was attended by President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Harry Sommer, Chief Luxury Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises Jason Montague, Executive VP, Chief Vessel Operations and Newbuild Officer of NCLH Patrik Dahlgren, Fincantieri Senior VP New Building and After Sales Daniele Fanara, Senior VP of Marghera shipyard Marco Lunardi, and VP, Project Manager, Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division Giuseppe Cusenza.
During the event, three specially-chosen coins were welded onto the bottom of the ship as part of a longstanding maritime tradition and a symbol of good luck and blessing for the vessel.
The first coin is a Seven Seas Prestige coin designed and minted to commemorate the build of Regent’s first new ship in ten years. With antique gold finishes, the coin is etched with the exterior design of the ship and the keel laying date. The second is a Venetian coin honoring the location of the ship’s build and rich heritage of ship building in Venice. The historic coin, struck in 1866, also symbolizes the ongoing partnership between Regent and Fincantieri. The last coin is a Christopher Columbus U.S. silver dollar issued in 1992 — Regent Seven Seas’ founding year.
“Seven Seas Prestige represents our continued legacy of elevating the standard of ultra-luxury travel and we are proud to cement our place as leaders in the industry with this exciting milestone,” said Jason Montague. “Expertise, passion, and dedication to perfection are shared values between Regent and Fincantieri, and there is no one better placed to bring Seven Seas Prestige to life as we usher in a new age of excellence for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.”
Seven Seas Prestige will come in at around 77,000 gross tons and be about 843 feet long. It will accommodate approximately 850 guests in 434 suites, offering one of the highest guest-to-space ratios in the cruise industry.
Seven Seas Prestige will be the first vessel in Regent Seven Seas’ new Prestige class, a generation of ships following the Explorer series that was also built by Fincantieri. Ships in that class include Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, and Seven Seas Grandeur.
Scheduled for a 2026 delivery, Seven Seas Prestige will feature the fleet’s first dedicated Culinary Arts Kitchen, where guests can learn to create dishes using locally-sourced ingredients. The vessel will also offer an expanded menu in the Compass Rose main dining room, as well as Regent’s new French restaurant Chartreuse.
Included on a Regent Seven Seas cruise are, among other things, specialty dining, fine wines and spirits, Starlink wifi, valet laundry service, pre-paid gratuities, and a one-night pre-cruise hotel package for those staying in Concierge-level suites and higher.
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