Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that it will invest approximately $40 million dollars to implement an extensive refurbishment and enhancement of the line’s all-suite vessels: Seven Seas Voyager®, Seven Seas Mariner®, and Seven Seas Navigator®. This investment is in addition to the $20 million that was spent on the fleet over the past two years as the line re-branded under the Regent moniker.
“I am delighted to make this announcement as we are not only refurbishing the ships, we are adding many new luxury features that will enhance the guest experience,” said Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “This comprehensive enhancement program will see each of the ships emerge essentially brand new and positions our fleet as the standard-bearer in the luxury cruise category,” he added.
The refurbishments will commence in December 2008 with the dry-dock of Seven Seas Voyager, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in January 2009, and Seven Seas Navigator in the first half of 2010, and result in a new look that is fresh, elegant and luxurious yet retains the familial warmth and charm for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises is lauded.
In addition to the scheduled technical work, almost every area of the ships will be refurbished, with public rooms being substantially re-designed with new furniture, using sumptuous materials like imported leathers, suede, and mahogany, along with warm color schemes and rich fabrics offset by lustrous marble and granite accents. The renowned marine architectural firm of Yran and Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway, is overseeing the design work along with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Vessel Operations team. Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will be refurbished at the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. Final details and the location of Seven Seas Navigator’s 2010 dry dock will be announced at a later date.
Highlights of the refurbishment program for Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner include:
* The creation of a new alternative dining concept and venue – a steakhouse named Prime Seven –that will replace the current Indochine-menu Latitudes restaurants
* The re-design of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation
* The creation of elegant new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill
* New carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes in most public areas and guest suite accommodations
* More casual dining options with the addition of pizza ovens and ice-cream bars
* The creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the very popular Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner
“This significant investment not only demonstrates our commitment to our guests and the bright future of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, it elevates the experience to new heights and provides a glimpse of what the future holds,” stated Frank Del Rio, Chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings, RSSC’s parent company.
The refurbishment and product enhancements are the result of extensive feedback from RSSC’s loyal guest base – through comment cards, personal interaction between the line’s management and the guests in regular “town hall” meetings or through the online community.
“Mark and I spent a good deal of time on the ships this past spring speaking with our guests and travel agent partners and I trust they will be as elated with the fruits of this labor as we are,” added Del Rio.
