Princess Charlene of Monaco christened "the most luxurious ship ever built," the Seven Seas Explorer, in a magical twilight ceremony at in Monte Carlo that featured a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
The two-hour ceremony on Wednesday also featured traditional blessings and speeches by Jason Montague, COO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Regent's parent company. The master of ceremonies was Kevin Frazier, co-host of the TV show "Entertainment Tonight."
Princess Charlene entered the dockside ceremony looking regal and elegant in a silver gown, accompanied by her husband, Prince Albert II. She cut the ribbon holding a bottle of Champagne aloft and it crashed satisfyingly into the hull.
The 750-guest, 55,254-ton ship then departed on another cruise with many top-producing travel agents from the U.S. The official maiden voyage will depart July 20.
One top agent, Eric Maryanov of All-Travel in Los Angeles, pronounced the ship "magnificent."
"Frank Del Rio delivered on his promise to build the most luxurious ship ever built," Maryanov said. "The diversity of dining is quite spectacular. The staterooms are magnificent, and the spa delivers a true Canyon Ranch experience."
Del Rio took the stage accompanied by the theme from the James Bond movies. "Is this what wearing a white jacket gets you?" he asked jokingly.
He told how he hired three top architecture and design firms. "We gave them carte blanche to push the boundaries of classic luxury," he said. "They did not disappoint."
Montague noted Regent's three pillars: "fantastic travel partners," past guests and the company's employees.
The Seven Seas Explorer will operate in the Mediterranean before repositioning to Miami for a series of Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises. In 2017, Seven Seas Explorer will spend spring in the Mediterranean before heading north to the Baltic.
Regent Seven Seas fares include round-trip air, 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 will also include business-class air for all intercontinental flights.
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