After building the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, Regent Seven Seas has made headlines again by placing an order for an even more luxurious vessel at a cost of approximately €475 million (nearly Dh2 billion).
The as-yet-unnamed ship will offer fine-dining and world-class entertainment on a luxury level. It's being built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, who also worked on the Norwegian-based company's sister liners, and reservations will open in 2021, with delivery expected in late 2023.
If you can’t wait until then, however, you'll be glad to know Regent’s recently refurbished Seven Seas Mariner is getting ready to embark on its four-month-long World Cruise.
It sets sail on January 5, 2021 from Miami, Florida, and passengers have been paying up to Dh600,000 for a ticket on the 117-day journey that will traverse 56 Unesco World Heritage sites.
Navigating 33,474 nautical miles, the ship will visit 30 countries across six continents, sailing over three oceans and 13 seas and docking in 61 ports.
The journey begins with the Mariner cruising into Bahamian waters before heading for the Atlantic Ocean. The ship will then navigate the Caribbean before taking in South America.
As part of the itinerary, passengers can take part in as many as 324 onshore excursions, including – fun fact – a stop in Ecuador’s Manta, known as the birthplace of the Panama hat.
Crossing the South Pacific, it will journey towards Australia and New Zealand, docking at the Bay of Islands, as named by Captain Cook. After cruising the Indian Ocean towards Indonesia, the journey will continue to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
After multiple stops in India, including a visit to Goa’s spice markets and the home of Bollywood in Mumbai, sailing will continue to the Arabian Gulf, where there will be port-calls in both Dubai and Oman, before a Red Sea crossing towards Jordan and a Wadi Rum discovery.
From here, it’s on to Egypt, where an onshore programme will take guests to explore Luxur and the ancient pyramids.
After docking in Santorini, Greece, the Mariner will navigate the Mediterranean Sea taking in Italy and stopping at Monte Carlo, the wealthiest spot in Monaco. France is the penultimate destination before the ship reaches its final port of call in Spain’s Barcelona.
Alongside deciding which of the onshore activities to take part in, guests on-board will also have to make some clear-headed decisions when it comes to accommodation.
The ship's top-tier Master Suite is equipped with two private balconies, two marble bathrooms and a huge living room. At a cost of Dh600,000 per person, the ninth-deck suite comes with a private butler, a complimentary cocktail party and daily canapes, as well as unlimited Wi-Fi across the oceans. Unfortunately, spaces for the cabin have already been snapped up.
Instead, the best remaining cabin class is the Penthouse, where suites cost around Dh320,000 per person. You’ll have to forgo the Wi-Fi and cocktails, but you will get 15 minutesof ship-to-shore phone time, Hermes bathroom products and cashmere blankets in case it gets a little chilly on deck.
If you’re willing to take the step down in luxury pads, bookings are still open for the Deluxe Veranda suites. Prices start at Dh236,000 per person, but keep in mind you’ll have to do all your own butler duties and make do with L'Occitane shampoo.
