Thursday, December 14, 2023
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the renowned luxury ocean cruise line, held an elegant gala celebration in Miami, Florida on December 10, 2023, to inaugurate its latest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur™, A Heritage of Perfection. The black-tie event, attended by VIP guests, travel partners, community leaders, media, and loyal past guests, took place onboard the highly awaited new vessel. This celebration marked a significant achievement for Regent, showcasing three decades of expertise in luxury cruising, as the cruise line officially introduced the sixth ship of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™.
As part of the festivities, Regent introduced Journey in Jewels, the first-ever Fabergé Egg permanently stationed at sea. A highlight of a 1,600-piece art collection, this custom-designed masterpiece is showcased in Seven Seas Grandeur’s atrium for all future luxury travelers. The event featured entertainment by Kristin Chenoweth, and Sarah Fabergé, great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé, performed her godmother duties. Fabergé jewelry worn by Sarah during the event will be auctioned for the Gemfields Foundation.
Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said, “Seven Seas Grandeur is the most anticipated new luxury ship to set sail this year, an achievement made possible through the combined craftmanship and exquisite eye for design excellence by Studio DADO and Fincantieri, who together with our team at Regent, have delivered a truly remarkable work of art,”
Seven Seas Grandeur, a testament to Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Heritage of Perfection, combines timeless elegance, unrivaled space, and top-tier service. With a gross tonnage of 55,500, 746 guests, and 548 staff, the ship offers industry-leading space- and staff-to-guest ratios. Designed by Studio DADO, it boasts refined style, captivating beauty, and reimagined designs for signature restaurants like Compass Rose. Featuring 15 accommodation categories, including the luxurious Regent Suite and contemporary Distinctive Suites, Seven Seas Grandeur promises an unparalleled luxury experience.
“In a word, Seven Seas Grandeur is breathtaking, and we have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to christen our magnificent new ship,” said Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Regent is the pinnacle of luxury experiences, but not simply because we have the world’s most luxurious fleet with unrivaled space at sea. It’s the people who bring the Regent vision to life, delivering unforgettable moments to our guests that last a lifetime.”
After the gala event, Seven Seas Grandeur set sail on a three-night Caribbean voyage, showcasing the epitome of 30 years of unmatched experiences. Guests enjoyed luxurious suites, impeccable service in lavish bars and lounges, exquisite dining in five gourmet restaurants, and complimentary unlimited shore excursions, embodying the ship’s commitment to unrivaled excellence.
Journey in Jewels – Inspired by the Seven Seas
At the ceremony, guests witnessed the unveiling of the Fabergé x Regent ‘Journey in Jewels’ Egg Objet, the first Fabergé egg permanently housed at sea. Crafted from 18k white gold, the egg features an ombre of blues representing the sea. Its intricate ‘shell’ comprises seven blades, symbolizing the seven seas navigated by Regent’s ships. Each blade transforms into ‘sea foam’ with pearls and diamonds, creating an extraordinary aesthetic. The egg rests on a plinth adorned with emeralds, tsavorites, blue sapphires, and white diamonds, reflecting the ocean’s colors. The gem-set plinth is supported by a stand resembling waves, emphasizing the helm of Seven Seas Grandeur.
By turning the pearl ‘helm,’ the Fabergé x Regent ‘Journey in Jewels’ Egg Objet unveils a hidden surprise – another hand-painted egg cradled by a ‘wave.’ This second egg rotates, displaying the changing colors of sunrises, sunsets, and seasonal elements aboard Seven Seas Grandeur. Adorned with sparkling gemstones, including a diamond-set frost pattern inspired by the Fabergé Winter Egg of 1913, the surprise egg features hand-carved mother-of-pearl clouds and white opals set in 18k yellow gold, symbolizing sunshine and rainbows amid weather clashes.
In a groundbreaking first, Fabergé employs ombre lacquering and develops a bespoke mechanism for the Fabergé x Regent ‘Journey in Jewels’ Egg Objet. Crafted by Workmaster Paul Jones, the intricate mechanism powers the rotation of the surprise egg. Godmother Sarah Fabergé will host a Fabergé Spotlight Voyage on Seven Seas Grandeur, starting July 1, 2024, offering luxury travelers exclusive Fabergé experiences, master-class programs, shore-side tours, jeweled egg demonstrations, lectures, and screenings.
Sarah Fabergé said, “I am honored to have been chosen as Godmother to this exceptional new ship which, like Fabergé, has been inspired by the past and reimagined for the future. The Fabergé x Regent ‘Journey in Jewels’ Egg Objet is inspired by the colors of the sea; the blues and the greens of the water that reflect and sparkle in sunlight.”
Auctioning Bespoke Fabergé Jewelry for Charity
As part of the partnership with Fabergé, Regent and Sarah Fabergé showcased bespoke, one-of-a-kind earrings and a matching ring during the christening ceremony. Crafted from 18k white gold, hand-painted with blue guilloché enamel, and adorned with white diamonds and pearls, these pieces were auctioned on ships/seven_seas_grandeur/faberge-charity-auction from December 11 to December 22, 2023. The proceeds will support the Gemfields Foundation, advancing poverty relief and wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa, including regions visited by Regent, such as Madagascar and Mozambique.
Monday, January 1, 2024
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
