Building the Billion Dollar Cruise Ship: Inside the penthouse suite
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Cruise holidays have seen a boom in recent years and were seeing increasing popularity year-on-year pre-Covid, raking in around £31 billion as an industry. As a result, cruise firms have been working to develop bigger and better cruise lines than any seen before.
One cruise line which has done just this is Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
As part of new Channel 5 documentary Building the Billion Dollar Cruise Ship, viewers were given the opportunity to take a look behind the curtain at how the £360 million Seven Seas Explorer was created and exactly what “luxurious” features holidaymakers can expect.
While the superliner itself is home to 374 suites, the most opulent of these is situated at the very top of the ship.
Though the average cost of a regular suite onboard the ship would cost around £10,000 for a two-week stay, the penthouse is “reserved for the super-rich”.
The documentary explained: “Guests will be housed in 374 suites and at the top will be a 400 square metre penthouse that will cost up to £8000 a night.
“It will aim to offer the ultimate in cruise ship accommodation.”
Those lucky enough to afford a stay in the suite will benefit from a bed worth £120,000, as well as a vast living room area and separate seating area just off the bedroom.
The suite also features its own “indoor winter garden area” which extends all the way to the huge wrap-around balcony offering “beautiful views”.
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However, the perks of this high-end suite don’t stop there.
The bathroom and closet space take up a decent portion of the floor plan, offering plenty of storage for garments and suitcases.
What’s more, the bathroom itself houses far more than the standard shower and toilet.
One of the developers explained: “It will have its own sauna, wet room and jacuzzi.”
Though the high cost of a stay on this “one-of-a-kind” liner does not come cheap, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Frank Del Rio believes the price is well worth it.
The ship will be an exclusive experience, carrying just 750 passengers compared to a typical ocean cruise liner which carries an average of 3,000 guests.
Mr Del Rio said: “My vision is very simple. To make this the most luxurious cruise ship ever.”
Though the cost is high, Mr Del Rio added the ship aimed to offer “the ultimate in cruise ship accommodation.”
Though Regent Seven Seas is currently not sailing due to ongoing travel restrictions, the cruise line has set out plans to return to the ocean.
In September 2021, the Seven Seas Splendor will begin cruises from Southampton, marking the line’s official post-Covid return to sailing.
“Come September we will have the double celebration of our return to the seas as we also recommence the inaugural season of the ship that perfects luxury, Seven Seas Splendor,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“With immaculate design, luxurious suites, exquisite cuisine, dynamic entertainment and outstanding personalised service, Seven Seas Splendor was one of the most highly-anticipated ships to launch in the history of cruising, and my promise to our loyal and eager guests is that without a doubt she will be worth the wait.”
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