Godmother of Seven Seas Explorer, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, christened the newest member of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet yesterday.

The gala christening ceremony took place in Monte Carlo and included a private concert by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

“This is truly a special moment, not only for the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, but for the entire Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings family,” shared Frank Del Rio, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and chief executive officer. “Tonight we celebrate the realisation of our vision. Seven Seas Explorer is not only the world’s most luxurious ship – she sets a new benchmark for luxury vacations and lays the foundation from which Regent Seven Seas Cruises will continue to build. We have already begun a massive $125 million refurbishment effort to ensure every ship in our fleet matches the luxury standard found on Explorer, and will introduce a sister-ship in 2020.”

Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene, said: “It is an honour to be the Godmother of this magnificent ship, Seven Seas Explorer. I am also thrilled by the discussions taking place between my Foundation and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to implement my Water Safety programme on all their ships. Developing awareness of the risks attached to aquatic environments is, for me, a cause of most importance,”

The luxury liner’s maiden voyage will take place on July 20 2016, and will spend its inaugural season in Europe before heading to Miami for a series of Caribbean voyages.

“Seven Seas Explorer is the most luxurious ship ever built, and we are truly grateful and privileged to have Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco serve as the ship’s godmother,” added Jason Montague, president and COO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Our guests have waited patiently for over a decade for a new Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship, and once they sail Seven Seas Explorer I’m confident they will agree it was well worth the wait,”

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