The ceremony took place on June 28, 2018 at the Fincantieri shipyards in Ancona, Italy, where two full-size models of the cabins that guests of this luxury cruise ship will be able to enjoy from 2020 onwards were also on display.
“The Seven Seas Explorer has earned a stellar reputation since its debut in 2016 as the most luxurious ship ever built. Now, its sister ship, the Seven Seas Splendor, builds on this success to bring luxury to the seas,” said Jason Montague, president and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Keel-laying ceremony
Montague and the shipyard director, Giovanni Stecconi, commemorated the occasion by placing three coins in the ship's keel. According to tradition, the coins will remain inside the structure for the life of the ship, bringing good luck. The three coins chosen were:
- A coin from the Roman Empire, featuring Neptune, god of the seas. The coin was minted during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 BC).
- A Spanish “shield” from 1700, commemorating the inaugural voyage of the Seven Seas Splendor, which will take place on February 7, 2020, and will be a transatlantic route from Barcelona to Miami.
- A commemorative coin marked with the date of the ceremony, illustrating the alliance between Regent Seven Seas and Fincantieri
During the ceremony, the first two blocks that will form the approximately 55,000 gross registered tonnage ship were moved to the dry dock, marking the start of assembly at the shipyard.
The inaugural routes in Europe for 2020 will be announced on July 12, 2018
Following impressive demand for the first 10 trips, Regent Seven Seas will launch its European itineraries for summer 2020 on July 12.
