Christening of Seven Seas Grandeur™ Features Unveiling of the First Fabergé Egg to Reside Permanently at Sea
Sarah Fabergé, Founding Member of the Fabergé Heritage Council Performs Godmother Duties at Lavish Christening Ceremony
Bespoke Fabergé Jewelry worn by Sarah Fabergé to be Auctioned for the Gemfields Foundation
MIAMI, December 11, 2023 – Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading luxury ocean cruise line, hosted a glistening gala celebration in Miami, Florida on December 10, 2023, to welcome its newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur™, A Heritage of Perfection. VIP guests, including travel partners, local community leaders, media and loyal past guests, were invited to the exclusive black-tie evening ceremony on board the highly anticipated new vessel. The celebratory event marked a major milestone of Regent’s three decades of expertise in luxury cruising as the cruise line officially welcomed the sixth ship of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™.
Kristin Chenoweth wows the audience
at Seven Seas Grandeur Christening
As part of the celebrations, Regent unveiled Journey in Jewels, the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside at sea. The Pièce de Résistance of a 1,600-piece art collection, the custom-designed masterpiece will now be on display in Seven Seas Grandeur’s stunning atrium, for all future luxury travelers to enjoy. The event also featured incredible entertainment from Emmy and Tony Award-Winning actress and singer and New Times best-selling author Kristin Chenoweth.
Sarah Fabergé, Founding Member of the Fabergé Heritage Council and great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé, performed her godmother duties at the elegant and exclusive gala event while wearing bespoke Fabergé jewelry, which will be auctioned for the Gemfields Foundation.
“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,” said Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Each feature of this ship is more jaw-dropping than the last, from the world-class collection of art and tantalizing epicurean experiences, to the lavishly designed suites, restaurants, bars and lounges. Seven Seas Grandeur sets a new standard for service and comfort in the travel industry, and we are delighted to present this incredible new ship to discerning travelers as they explore the world with Regent.”
Inspired by the past and stunningly reimagined for the future, Seven Seas Grandeur exemplifies Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Heritage of Perfection with unrivaled space, unparalleled service, Epicurean Perfection, fascinating art and transformative experiences for guests as soon as they step on board. With a gross tonnage of 55,500, a crew of 548 staff and only 746 guests, the new ship will provide among the highest space- and staff-to-guest ratios in the industry.
Bonsai Cherry Tree sculpture
part of 1,600-piece art collection
Designed by the award-winning Studio DADO, Seven Seas Grandeur’s refined style, matchless elegance, and captivating beauty will exceed the expectations of luxury travelers. On board, guests will find captivatingly reimagined designs for signature restaurants such as Compass Rose, Chartreuse and Prime 7 among the exquisite dining choices. Seven Seas Grandeur features 15 stunning accommodation categories including the palatial, $11,000-a-night Regent Suite, contemporary yet timeless Distinctive Suites, and the beautifully appointed Spacious Suites.
“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. Our success over the last 30 years has only been possible because of the tireless work and unwavering commitment to delivering unrivaled experiences by our crew and team members in our global offices each and every day.”
The reimagined Compass Rose restaurant
Following the gala event, guests on board Seven Seas Grandeur embarked on a three-night Caribbean sailing with everything the ship that embodies 30 years of unrivaled experiences has to offer, from unrivaled space in luxuriously appointed suites, to impeccable service in lavish bars and lounges, to epicurean perfection in five exquisite gourmet restaurants, and not forgetting free unlimited and immersive shore excursions.
Journey in Jewels – Inspired by the Seven Seas
During the ceremony, guests were also treated to a world first reveal of the exclusive objet d'art, known as the Fabergé x Regent ‘Journey in Jewels’ Egg Objet, which is the first Fabergé egg to permanently reside at sea.
“Fabergé's storied legacy of unwavering perfection, unparalleled craftsmanship, and relentless pursuit of excellence aligns harmoniously with the core values of our own distinguished luxury brand,” added DeMarco.
Crafted in England from 18k white gold, the outer ‘shell’ of the egg has been enameled in an ombre of blues, representative of the colors of the sea. This ‘shell’ consists of seven intricate blades, a number carefully chosen to celebrate the seven seas that Regent’s ships traverse. Just like a wave, each blade breaks into a ‘sea foam’ of pearls and white diamonds at the tips in a truly extraordinary aesthetic feat.
The majestic egg sits upon a plinth adorned with emeralds, tsavorites, blue sapphires and white diamonds, set in Fabergé’s ‘Emotion style’, with colorful gems specially chosen to evoke the colors of the ocean. This gem-set plinth is anchored to a stand which reflects layers of waves accented with pearls and diamonds at the edges; more geometric and symmetrical in a nod to the helm of Seven Seas Grandeur.
By rotating the pearl ‘helm’ anti-clockwise, the seven blades delicately open in unison, to reveal a surprise hidden within – another hand painted egg, which is cradled by a ‘wave’ and delicately rotates, revealing the changing gradient of colors of the sunrises and sunsets at sea, and seasonal elements you can witness aboard Seven Seas Grandeur. This egg has also been decorated with an abundance of sparkling gemstones, including a stunning diamond-set frost pattern which wraps around the egg surprise, inspired by the Fabergé Winter Egg of 1913. Hand-carved mother-of-pearl clouds, alongside white opals set in 18k yellow gold, are also featured – the warmth of the yellow gold evokes the sunshine, and the opals represent the rainbows which emerge through the clash of weather.
In two groundbreaking firsts, Fabergé has applied the complex technique of ombre lacquering to Journey in Jewels and has developed a bespoke mechanism which powers the rotation of the egg surprise. The intricate development of this mechanism by Fabergé’s Workmaster Paul Jones, who has over 40 years of experience, has taken many months to perfect.
“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,” said Sarah Fabergé, founding member of the Fabergé Heritage Council and great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé. “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.”
As Godmother, Sarah Fabergé will host a Fabergé Spotlight Voyage on board Seven Seas Grandeur, sailing July 1, 2024, enveloping luxury travelers into the world of Fabergé with small group master-class programs, exclusive access to unique and intimate shore-side tours, jeweled egg demonstrations and fascinating lectures and screenings.
Bespoke Fabergé Jewelry Auctioned for Charity
As part of Regent's partnership with Fabergé, the jewellery maison has created a set of bespoke, one-of-a-kind earrings and matching ring, worn by Sarah Fabergé during the christening ceremony.
These exquisite pieces, crafted from 18k white gold, hand painted with blue guilloché enamel and set with white diamonds and pearls, will be on display on Seven Seas Grandeur’s Christening voyage and were opened for auction during the Christening event.
Earrings and matching ring, worn by Sarah Fabergé
The auction will be live on RSSC.com/ships/seven_seas_grandeur/faberge-charity-auction from December 11, 2023, until December 22, 2023, and the money raised will go to the Gemfields Foundation, the charitable arm of Gemfields, which is the parent company of Fabergé. The Foundation’s purpose is to further the prevention or relief of poverty and advance wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, the UK-registered charity has funded the construction of several primary schools and a solar-powered computer laboratory. Notably, the charity's impactful projects span countries which Regent visits, such as Madagascar and Mozambique.
For more information about Seven Seas Grandeur, please visit RSSC.com/ships/Seven_Seas_Grandeur, call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-873-2381) or contact a professional travel advisor.
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About Seven Seas Grandeur
Designed by the multi-award-winning Studio DADO and built by premier ship builder Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy in just over two years, Seven Seas Grandeur is the sister ship to Seven Seas Splendor® and Seven Seas Explorer®, providing her 746 guests with all-suite, all-balcony accommodation and design marvels at every turn.
With 20 years-experience on the ocean, Captain Luciano Montesanto and his exceptional senior leadership team, will command Seven Seas Grandeur’s maiden season. Guests can then enjoy discovering the Caribbean, two transits of the Panama Canal as well as an itinerary sailing the U.S. Eastern Seaboard in a close-to-sold-out inaugural season before sailing back across the Atlantic from New York to Barcelona in March to explore the Mediterranean for summer 2024. Seven Seas Grandeur witnesses the colors of Fall in Canada & New England in September and October, then finally culminates a luxurious year of travel by exploring more of the Caribbean to close out 2024.
Seven Seas Grandeur will be home to a 1,600-piece art collection, the Pièce de Résistance of which is a custom designed masterpiece - Journey in Jewels - the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside at sea. In addition, the ship has debuted Regent’s very first digital art tour - Art Experience - which is available through the new Regent Mobile App. Other highlights in the ship’s art offering include multiple works by Picasso; a custom-made bronze and hand-cast glass Bonsai Cherry Tree sculpture which will welcome guests into the Asian-fusion restaurant Pacific Rim; and “The Enchanted Tree”, a 40-foot-tall, hand-woven tapestry by world-renowned Brazilian artist Walter Goldfarb.
Seven Seas Grandeur features 15 stunning accommodation categories, ranging between 307 square feet, to over 4,443 square feet. From the palatial, $11,000-a-night Regent Suite, to the contemporary, yet timeless, Distinctive Suites, to the beautifully appointed Spacious Suites, the accommodation designs evoke an elevated, residential feel, harnessing the qualities of natural light, meticulously thought-through layouts, art and materials.
Epicurean Perfection has been enhanced across the ship’s 8 exquisite and complimentary dining experiences, including in its 5 specialty restaurants, with 130 new dishes created exclusively for Seven Seas Grandeur. The unrivaled dining experience on board will be delivered by a dedicated crew including the very best chefs, sommeliers and serving professionals in the industry. In addition, the culinary experience will be enhanced with captivatingly reimagined designs for signature restaurants Compass Rose, Prime 7, Chartreuse and La Veranda.
For guests looking to broaden their culinary skills, the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen offers hands-on classes, special demonstrations and more, in a professional-grade culinary teaching facility led by highly experienced chefs. A wide curriculum of classes are inspired by the global destinations explored by the entire Regent fleet and include lessons in French food and wine, the meat and seafood of New Zealand and tastes of the Pacific Northwest.
Four new, extraordinary productions will debut on Seven Seas Grandeur. Pasión, Ignite the Night, Marauder’s Ball and ICONS all showcase the talents of world-class performers, breathtaking choreography, and provide guests with unforgettable moments. The new shows feature the genuine flair of Grammy Award winners in music and world-renowned choreographers such as Dancing with the Star’s Britt Stewart, Argentine Tango royalty Francisco Forquera and acclaimed Broadway director John MacInnis.
For those guests looking for a relaxing cruise vacation, the ship’s Serene Spa & Wellness™ experience will feature new and exclusive spa treatments with an indulgent treatment menu that integrates best-in-class techniques and luxury ingredients from around the world. New treatments include utilizing the restorative power of an amber and quartz crystal bed, and an advanced treatment table for a Zero Gravity Wellness Massage, as well as a Tahitian Hydration Ritual only for Regent Suite guests.
About Regent Seven Seas Cruises®
Regent Seven Seas Cruises® is the leading luxury cruise line, delivering An Unrivaled Experience™ for over 30 years. Carrying no more than 746 guests, the line’s spacious and stylish ships - Seven Seas Explorer®, Seven Seas Mariner®, Seven Seas Navigator®, Seven Seas Splendor®, Seven Seas Voyager® and the new Seven Seas Grandeur™ - form The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™ and explore more than 500 immersive destinations globally. Offering Unrivaled Space at Sea™, guests enjoy sumptuous all-suite accommodations, nearly all with private balconies, which are among the largest at sea, as well as highly personalized service throughout lavish public areas and expansive outdoor spaces. Unique to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, unlimited complimentary shore excursions are available in every port, making it the only truly all-inclusive cruise line. Voyage fares also include round-trip business-class air on intercontinental flights from the U.S. and Canada, gourmet cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues, fine wines and spirits, entertainment, unlimited internet access, free valet laundry, gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel packages for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher. For more information, please visit RSSC.com, call 1.844.873.2381 or contact a professional travel advisor. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
Notes to editor: Images can be found here. Please use ©RSSC or “Images were provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.”
Quinn PR Media Contact
Loren Duran
917-353-0949
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Media Contact
James Arnold
Senior Director Public Relations, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
+44 (0)7408 956315
jarnold@rssc.com
About Fabergé
Fabergé, the world’s most iconic artist jeweler, creates extraordinary jewelry, watches and objets d’art, as well as bespoke commissions for a discerning international clientele. Founded in 1842, Fabergé has been one of the most revered names in jewelry ever since Peter Carl Fabergé created the 50 ingenious Imperial Easter Eggs for the Romanov family between 1885 and 1916.
Fabergé was officially ‘re-launched’ on 9th September 2009, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gemfields Ltd, a world leading supplier of responsibly sourced colored gemstones. Today, Fabergé celebrates ‘A Life in Colour’, taking inspiration from its storied past to create original pieces which capture the Maison’s past, present and future. By painting with the world’s finest colored gemstones, Fabergé explores the art of color through creations which are designed to become future heirlooms. Celebrating the concept of the artist jeweler in today’s world of luxury, Fabergé traces its legacy of excellence in creativity, design and craftsmanship to bring about a new era of enchanting and enduring personal possessions and gifts, designed to be worn and treasured by contemporary connoisseurs. Current collections are available online at Faberge.com, in-store at Fabergé boutiques in London and Dubai, via ‘By Appointment’ services in the UK and USA, as well as over 120 points of sale globally via authorized retailers.
Fabergé Media Contacts
For press enquiries please contact:
Emily Jacobs
Marketing and Communications Manager
emily.jacobs@faberge.com
About Gemfields Foundation
Gemfields Foundation, established in 2019 as a UK registered charity, is the charitable arm of Gemfields, through which donors can contribute funding to directly support community and conservation projects in Africa, boosting the scale and scope of the work continuously carried out by Gemfields since 2009.
Gemfields Foundation works hand-in-hand with Gemfields, and consequently functions unlike most charities: 100% of donor funds are directed, in full, to the underlying projects. Wherever possible, overhead, administration, travel and management costs are borne fully by Gemfields Limited and its subsidiary companies. The result is a charitable endeavor that enjoys, at no cost to donors or the Gemfields Foundation, excellent in-country experience, personnel, infrastructure, support and community liaison teams. As such Gemfields Foundation is well-positioned to deliver impactful projects in a highly commercial and timely fashion.
Governed by an international board of trustees originating from five countries, Gemfields Foundation provides a vessel through which donors can leverage Gemfields’ proven on-the-ground project delivery capability to make a material positive impact, all within the governance and regulatory framework provided by Gemfields as a publicly listed company.
Gemfields Foundation Media Contacts
For press enquiries please contact:
Emily Dungey, Managing Director of Gemfields Foundation
emily.dungey@gemfieldsfoundation.org
Released December 11, 2023
