Regent Seven Seas Cruises Officially Welcomes Seven Seas Explorer to Fleet: Glitz, Glamour, Royalty and Music Highlight Christening Ceremony in Monte Carlo

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Jul 13, 2016, 08:36 ET

MONTE CARLO, Monaco, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Godmother of Seven Seas Explorer, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, cut a red velvet ribbon which sent a Primat bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne smashing against the ship's hull to officially christen the newest member of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, unquestionably the most luxurious cruise ship ever built. The gala christening ceremony took place in Monte Carlo, one of the world's most glamorous cities, and included a special private concert by world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises President and COO Jason Montague, H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco, Captain Stanislas Gerard Jean Mercier De Lacombe and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and CEO Frank Del Rio celebrate the christening of the fleet's newest ship, Seven Seas Explorer in Monte Carlo. Photo credit: Mark Ashman.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces Seven Seas Explorer to its fleet with this bottle-breaking christening moment. Photo credit: Preston Mack.

Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco delivered the traditional maritime blessing before the bottle of champagne broke against the ship's hull, officially christening the vessel. The jubilation of the bottle breaking moment was followed by a spectacular 40-minute private performance from musical maestro Andrea Bocelli, capping an incredible evening for a ship that sets new benchmarks for luxury.

"This is truly a special moment, not only for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, but for the entire Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings family," shared Frank Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and chief executive officer. "Tonight we celebrate the realization of our vision. Seven Seas Explorer is not only the world's most luxurious ship - she sets a new benchmark for luxury vacations and lays the foundation from which Regent Seven Seas Cruises will continue to build. We have already begun a massive $125 million refurbishment effort to ensure every ship in our fleet matches the luxury standard found on Explorer, and will introduce a sister-ship in 2020."

During his christening remarks, Del Rio reflected upon the humanitarian efforts undertaken by Her Serene Highness as part of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to save lives by teaching children and adults basic water safety techniques.

"It is an honor to be the Godmother of this magnificent ship, Seven Seas Explorer. I am also thrilled by the discussions taking place between my Foundation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to implement my Water Safety program on all their ships. Developing awareness of the risks attached to aquatic environments is, for me, a cause of most importance," stated Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene.

Seven Seas Explorer delivers an unrivaled luxury cruise experience. The ship features extravagantly designed theaters and lounges, an unparalleled collection of opulent and spacious suites, five lavish gourmet restaurants and an unprecedented level of personalized service. At 55,254 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750 guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship boasts one of the highest space ratios and lowest crew to guest ratios in the cruise industry, not to mention the largest private verandas in the cruise industry and a new category of luxury suite, the nearly 4,500-square foot Regent Suite. The luxury liner's maiden voyage will take place July 20, 2016, and will spend its inaugural season in Europe before heading to Miami for a series of Caribbean voyages.

Seven Seas Explorer Christening Continued. . .

"Seven Seas Explorer is the most luxurious ship ever built, and we are truly grateful and privileged to have Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco serve as the ship's godmother," added Jason Montague, president and COO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "Our guests have waited patiently for over a decade for a new Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship, and once they sail Seven Seas Explorer I'm confident they will agree it was well worth the wait."

For more specific details about Seven Seas Explorer or for general information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests can visit www.RSSC.com, call 1.844.4REGENT (1.844.473.4368) or contact a professional travel agent.

H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco

Born in Zimbabwe, H.S.H Princess Charlene grew up in South Africa. She married Albert II, the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, in July 2011. They are the parents of twins born in 2014, Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

A competitive swimmer, H.S.H. Princess Charlene represented South Africa in the 2000 Olympic Games and spent years teaching underprivileged children the basic water safety techniques in aquatic environments.

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation (www.fondationprincessecharlene.mc,) was launched in 2012 with the primary objective to save lives by putting an end to drowning. Its missions are to raise awareness about the dangers of water, teach children preventive measures and to swim, through the implementation of various programs such as "Learn to Swim" and "Water Safety".

H.S.H. Princess Charlene recently inaugurated the first U.S. chapter of the Foundation in Los Angeles on May 10, 2016. The Foundation sponsors a number of "Learn to Swim" and "Water Safety" programs in 27 countries throughout the world, including in the United States.

The Principality of Monaco

The independent and sovereign Principality of Monaco has played a unique and colorful role throughout the history of the Mediterranean and Europe. Today, its undiminished reputation as a glamorous, first‑class, luxury vacation destination and business and financial center is complemented by its enduring commitment to the arts, the preservation of its own cultural traditions and the protection of the global environment. Monte-Carlo is its most famous district.

Among the myriad exceptional experiences to be found in Monaco, dining is just one of the Principality's many pleasures. From Michelin-starred restaurants to quaint sidewalk cafés, there is no other location in the world where so much epicurean distinction can be found within one square mile.

For additional information on the Principality and a full calendar of events, please visit: http://www.visitmonaco.com/us/.

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world's most inclusive luxury cruise line with a fleet that visits more than 375 destinations around the globe. The line's fares include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, unlimited internet access, sightseeing excursions in every port, all gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel package for those guests staying in concierge and higher suites. Beginning in summer 2017, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also include Business Class air for all intercontinental flights. Three award-winning, all-suite vessels, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Voyager, are among the most spacious at sea, with the newest ship, the 750-guest Seven Seas Explorer, debuting on July 20, 2016. Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently announced a massive $125 million fleet-wide investment to further increase the level of luxury found onboard its vessels, and will add a fifth ship to its fleet in 2020.