Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reveals Plans for a New Luxury Ship

(2 p.m. EST) -- Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises will build a third Explorer Class ship: a 750-passenger liner that will be a sister ship to Seven Seas Explorer and soon-to-launch Seven Seas Splendor. The new, yet-to-be-named ship, which will be built by Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, will debut in 2023 as part of an approximately $540.8 million contract.

"Since debuting in 2016, Seven Seas Explorer has solidified her reputation as the most luxurious ship ever built based on the continuous awards and guest accolades she earns," said Jason Montague, president and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. "When Seven Seas Splendor's inaugural season went on sale in April 2018, we set a new single-day booking record for our 26-year-old company, demonstrating the anticipation of her 2020 arrival. Each new ship is progressively more successful."

While the new ship will share many similarities with its sisters, including the line's inclusive fare structure, it also will introduce some of its own unique features. Dining, suite and entertainment details, as well as information on where the ship will sail, will be revealed leading up to its launch. (Regent Seven Seas Cruises includes standard shore excursions in its fares -- along with other extras such as airfare, alcoholic beverages and gratuities -- but passengers have the option to pay up for premium tours.)

The ship's inaugural season will go on sale in 2021. Seven Seas Splendor is slated to launch in early 2020.

In other news, Regent Seven Seas cruises also recently revealed plans to offer new small-group shore excursions geared toward providing passengers with more intimate experiences in the destinations it visits. Additionally, the line opened up early access to onboard credit, allowing booked cruisers to use new or existing onboard credit to pay for certain premium activities.