Luxurious Seven Seas Grandeur Delivered by Fincantieri
Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated a successful completion as Fincantieri handed over their majestic cruise ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, on November 13th. Known for its specialization in constructing smaller, high-end cruise ships, Fincantieri has utilized its Ancona yard on Italy’s central Adriatic coast for this project since January 2019.
Seven Seas Grandeur, worth an estimated $515 million, is the grand finale of the Explorer Class trilogy. At an enormous 55,500 gross tons and 735 feet long, these sister ships each provides accommodation for a cosy number of 746 passengers and 548 crew members, claiming one of the highest staff-to-guest and space ratios in the industry. The intricate interiors were meticulously designed by Miami’s Studio Dado and it boasts a 1,600-piece art collection. Housing 15 categories of suites, each with its own balcony, its Regent Suite prices at an impressive $11,000 per night.
From the first steel cut in November 2021 to adding the first blocks to the dry dock in July 2022, the anticipated Seven Seas Grandeur will soon traverse Caribbean waters before returning to the Mediterranean in spring 2024.
The Esteemed Ancona Shipyard Legacy
The proven operations of the Ancona shipyard extends beyond just the Regent Seven Seas Cruise line. It has a history of crafting luxury cruise ships of smaller sizes for reputable lines including Silversea Cruises, Viking, and its prior masterpiece, the Seven Seas Splendor, delivered in January 2020.
Supporting the Expansion of Ancona
With the outstanding delivery of Seven Seas Grandeur, Fincantieri simultaneously shared its ambitious plans for expanding the Ancona shipyard. A squaring away of paperwork in 2018 paved the way for a strategic agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the port authority, further unfolding the future of shipbuilding in Ancona harbor.
A grand investment of approximately $87 million, with 50% being publicly funded and Fincantieri taking charge of the remainder, prompts an optimistic outlook for the industry. Supported by a 40-year concession from the Italian government, the renovated facility is set to undertake the construction of not only larger cruise ships but also other kinds of commercial vessels.
A Stepping Stone Towards Greater Heights
Transcending beyond Italy’s central Adriatic coast, Fincantieri’s influence is global. Operating across four continents through a tight-knit network of 18 shipyards and employing nearly 21,000 people, large-scale cruise ships are being constructed at various yards including Sestri Ponte, Marghera, and Monfalcone.
Fincantieri’s relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings extends its various brands, including Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises. As we speak, a new marvel for Oceania is taking shape at Sestri Ponti alongside four large vessels for the Norwegian Cruise Line in Marghera.
Significantly, while whispers of additional luxury vessels for Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises circulate, Fincantieri’s order book continues to burgeon with high-profile clients such as Princess Cruises, TUI’s Mein Schiff, MSC’s Explora Journeys, Viking, and Four Seasons. The delivery of Seven Seas Grandeur is just the tip of the iceberg for Fincantieri’s evolving narrative in shipbuilding excellence.
