Top Headlines

Regent Seven Seas reveals the Explorer in New York

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 13 January 2015 13 January 2015

With a one-of-a-kind, opulent 3,875-square-foot suite, extravagantly designed lounges and showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is setting a new standard for luxury vacations with the launch of Seven Seas Explorer.  

At 56,000 gross-registered tons and carrying just 750-guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship will boast the highest space ratio in the cruise industry, and is designed to be the most luxurious ship ever built, with every inch of the vessel evoking elegance and grace.   With its debut in summer of 2016, Seven Seas Explorer will offer guests another exciting option to explore the world with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ signature brand of all-inclusive luxury.

“We set a high benchmark for Seven Seas Explorer, not only to build a ship that far surpasses the current standard in luxury cruising, but to design a ship that will be recognized industry-wide as the most luxurious ship ever,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.  “This ship will offer our guests a new level of grandeur throughout, from its lavish suites to its elegant public spaces and gourmet restaurants.  We cannot wait to share this ship with the world when she joins our fleet in the summer of 2016.”   

The meticulous level of craftsmanship and lavish detail is what guests will first notice upon boarding the ship through the main atrium lobby.  A beautiful, circular inlaid marble floor marks the heart of the ship.  Steps away and anchoring the lobby are twin, elegantly etched glass staircases that draw the eye upward towards a magnificent cascading crystal chandelier.  After walking through the lobby, it will be evident to guests that Seven Seas Explorer is truly in a category of its own, and that promise of a high luxury standard continues throughout the vessel.  

Suites

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will introduce a new category of luxury suite exclusively for Seven Seas Explorer that sets the tone for the well-appointed and spacious all-suite accommodations found throughout the ship.  Named the Regent Suite, the plush two-bedroom, 3,875-square foot suite comes complete with an in-room spa retreat, a first at sea, with personal sauna, steam room and treatment area.  The suite also features an outdoor, glass-enclosed sitting area aptly named

the Vista Garden, where guests can enjoy magnificent, unobstructed 270-degree views over the ship’s bow and toward the horizon. The astounding design and artistry found in the Regent Suite is evident in every suite throughout the ship.  Each suite category features its own unique layout and design elements, ranging from

the warm and welcoming island manor appeal of the Deluxe Suite to the sumptuous and alluring sapphire jewel inspired Penthouse Suite. The spacious interiors are complemented by the largest verandas in the cruise industry, providing guests ample space to enjoy fresh ocean breezes without leaving their suites.

Dining

Seven Seas Explorer will feature an unrivaled collection of specialty, casual and main dining options for guests to enjoy aboard the ship.  Each restaurant exhibits its own intricate and elegant design, providing a dining atmosphere that deftly complements the high service level and diverse menu offerings.   

Catering to guests’ culinary desires, the ship will offer three distinct specialty restaurants, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ fleet-wide signature steakhouse, Prime 7.   Aboard Seven Seas Explorer, Prime 7 will feature a new décor highlighted by dark purple hues, silver accents and plush leather seating, reminiscent of a London private member club.  Intimate seating alcoves specifically for couples looking to enjoy a secluded, romantic meal are sure to be a highlight with guests.  The restaurant’s luscious ambiance will only be matched by the gourmet offerings on its menu.   

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ hallmark main dining room, Compass Rose, will receive a new, contemporary look with the debut of Seven Seas Explorer.  The restaurant’s look features a sophisticated and airy design motif with a beautiful, cascading aqua-blue chandelier that conveys a whimsical grotto feel throughout the restaurant.   Guests can enjoy casual indoor and al fresco dining in the effortlessly chic Italian Riviera-inspired La Veranda on deck 11.   With incredible 270-degree ocean views, La Veranda offers a delectable buffet for breakfast and lunch, and transforms into an elegant fine dining restaurant, Sette Mari at La Veranda, each evening for dinner.

Lounges

Within the luxuriously appointed lounges aboard Seven Seas Explorer, guests can enjoy a wide variety of complimentary libations while being entertained by live musical performances or breathtaking production shows.  

The ship’s primary showplace, the two-tiered Constellation Theater, pays homage to the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age.  The ornate 694-seat theater beckons guests with posh cabaret-style seating intermixed with cocktail tables that feature hand-blown Murano glass lamps.  Subtly woven into the theater’s design is the motif of a swan.  Guests with a keen eye will find abstract and not-so-abstract aspects of this elegant creature in theater’s seating banquettes, ceiling architecture and entry-way mosaic.

The Observation Lounge brings to life the opulence and indulgences of the Roaring Twenties.  A folded metal canopy surrounds the lounge’s signature bar and a delicate crystal chandelier hovers over the dance floor.  As if ripped from the pages of The Great Gatsby, the lounge’s design features a color palate of rich silver, gold, black and white hues.  Floor to ceiling windows surround the room, providing guests with incredible ocean vistas.  Just off the ship’s atrium lobby, the Explorer Lounge provides more of a country club vibe with rich mahogany wood columns, comfortable leather chairs, deep blue fabrics and sumptuous flooring.  On one side of the lounge, a golden proscenium outlines a small stage where live musical performances will take place, and anchoring the opposite end, a polished black marble bar ringed by plush, deep opal blue bar stools stands ready to serve guests their favorite beverages.

The maiden voyage for Seven Seas Explorer will be a 14-night sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice on July 20, 2016.  The ship will remain in Europe for its inaugural season, sailing 11 voyages that crisscross the Mediterranean and visit sought-after destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Venice, Istanbul, Alexandria (Egypt) and Jerusalem.

Micky Arison takes helm of FCCA Executive Committee

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) proudly announces the appointment of its new Executive Committee Chairman-Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman. He takes the reins from Kevin Sheehan, past president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd., who served as FCCA Chairman for the last five years and proved crucial to growing the FCCA Platinum Membership program and further developing relationships with destinations through his hands-on dealings and unwavering dedication.

"I am honored and excited to again serve as the FCCA Executive Committee Chairman," said Arison. "My past tenure showed the significance of the Committee uniting Member Line presidents, CEOs and/or chairmen to discuss operations within the Caribbean and Latin America, and I look forward to continuing this role, which has become even more crucial as cruise lines continue to expand their capacities and markets."

"Micky's appointment further paves the path for the Executive Committee's future," said Michele Paige, FCCA President. "He served as chairman for 10 years and knows the importance of keeping a constant dialogue between the cruise lines and destinations to achieve mutually beneficial arrangements. His wealth of knowledge about the industry and destinations will lead the way to successful operations for both."

Besides his functions during Executive Committee meetings, Arison will interact with the FCCA's members and destination partners during FCCA events. In all, his efforts will further advance the Committee's and FCCA's purposes: discussing cruise industry issues; building bilateral relationships with FCCA's partner destinations' private and public sectors; maximizing cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending; and enhancing the destination experience and amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.

Arison grew up in the cruise business and spent the better part of two decades learning it from the ground up. He followed his education with a two-year stint in Carnival Cruise Lines' sales department; became reservations manager in 1974; and assumed the post of vice president of passenger traffic in 1976. After his appointment as president of Carnival in 1979 and more than a decade of successful operations, the Carnival Corporation & plc board of directors named him chairman and CEO in 1990. Last year, that role split, with Arison continuing as chairman and Arnold Donald, longtime board member, named CEO.

A wide range of international organizations has recognized Arison's contributions to the cruise industry. He was named an "Officer of the French Legion of Honor," by French President Jacques Chirac and awarded the Decoration of Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland by the President of the Republic of Finland, as well as the insignia of "Onorificenza al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" by the president of Italy. He also received an honorary doctorate in naval architecture from the University of Genoa. In 2010, he was inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association's Hall of Fame.

American Cruise Lines announces plans for new fleet of modern riverboats

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015

American Cruise Lines announced today its plans for the construction of a new fleet of modern riverboats, which will add a new dimension to river cruising in the United States, and a wide selection of new river itineraries throughout the country. The concept for the new riverboats will differ from that of the line’s existing paddlewheelers and coastal ships by offering a more contemporary approach to their design.

Modern exteriors and spacious, elegant interiors are planned. The new riverboats will feature open deck plans to allow for maximum exposure of natural light and unobstructed viewing for guests. Glass-enclosed lounges with panoramic views, spacious, well-appointed staterooms with large, furnished balconies, and a variety of outdoor public spaces are planned.

Additional details on the line’s future expansion, including new designs and artists’ renderings of the new riverboats, and newly-introduced itineraries in additional regions of the U.S., will be announced in the coming months.

The new-design riverboats are in addition to the Victorian-style riverboats American Cruise Lines is currently building, which include the American Eagle, a new paddlewheeler for the Mississippi River nearing completion at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings names Del Rio as CEO, Sheehan to leave the company

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 09 January 2015 09 January 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., announced that its Board of Directors has named Frank Del Rio as President and Chief Executive Officer. Del Rio succeeds Kevin Sheehan, who has decided to leave the company.

Del Rio is the Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Cruises International, Inc., which was acquired by Norwegian in November 2014. Del Rio, a co-founder of Oceania Cruises, Inc., a subsidiary of Prestige, has more than 20 years of experience in the cruise industry.

"Frank Del Rio has established himself as a leader and innovator in our industry," said Steve Martinez, member of Norwegian's Board of Directors. "Norwegian is poised for continued growth and we are delighted to have Frank lead our team during the next phase of the company's evolution. We also thank Kevin Sheehan for his service to the company. Kevin has built Norwegian into the highly successful company it is today - a company that has reported 25 consecutive quarters of growth in trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA coupled with consistent margin improvement. Most recently, Kevin was integral to the Prestige acquisition, assembling a diversified portfolio of brands that spans all market segments in the cruise industry, which we believe puts the company in a strong position for the future."

"It has been a privilege to lead Norwegian over the last seven years. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and take comfort in the knowledge that I am leaving the company much healthier and stronger than when I joined. With the company set for success, I hand the baton off to Frank, a proven leader in the cruise industry," said Sheehan.

"I am excited to begin this new chapter in my long career in the cruise industry," said Del Rio. "I am blessed with a great team at Norwegian, and I am confident that together we can help our company continue to realize great things."

Frank Del Rio has served as Chief Executive Officer of Prestige or its predecessor since April 2007. Prestige, a subsidiary of Norwegian, is a global cruise line operator in the upscale cruise segment. Prestige operates two upscale cruise brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which operate in over 300 ports around the globe. Del Rio holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive license).