Seven Seas Explorer documentary “Building the world’s most luxurious cruise ship” on Channel 5

An exciting and revealing two-part documentary following engineers and designers in the monumental task of constructing Seven Seas Explorer, is to be aired on Channel 5 in the UK.

The all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise line – Regent Seven Seas Cruises – allowed cameras from production company Windfall Films to follow Seven Seas Explorer’s construction story over an 18-month period. With incredible access to the company’s executives and Italian ship yard team at Fincantieri, the programme provides a fascinating and compelling insight into the process.

The first episode, airing 9pm, Friday 2 December 2016, begins with CEO Frank Del Rio outlining his vision for the ship and joins him in a personal quest to acquire £5 million worth of art fit to adorn the prospective floating palace of luxury.

The episode goes on to illustrate the meticulous planning taken by the ship’s interior designers, as they try to balance unparalleled opulence with the engineering practicalities of a 6-star floating hotel.

With the steel structure assembled, the second episode – airing 9pm Friday 9 December – picks up the story eight months before the ship’s maiden voyage.

To minimise vibrations on board, specially designed propellers are delicately installed and then it’s a race against time for the 1500 workers to ensure that all the luxury fixtures and fittings are up to standard, ready to welcome the first guests on board – a challenge that could cost the company an estimated $25 million in lost reputation if not met.

The second episode also charts Seven Seas Explorer’s essential seafaring milestones and requirements such as its first nail-biting manoeuvre afloat, and the ship’s sea trials which, among other rigorous assessments, include the testing of the anchor and launching of life boats.

“This fascinating documentary illustrates the level of detail that went into constructing Seven Seas Explorer and shows why it has been described as the most luxurious ship ever built,” said Graham Sadler, managing director, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “The programmes are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to a huge audience our interpretation of true luxury and the real meaning of all-inclusive as delivered with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.”

Sadler continued, “I hope that those who watch it from the travel trade are able to use the information to inform their valued customers, as I am sure many more people will want to cruise on not only the most luxurious ship, but on the most luxurious fleet in the world.”

Seven Seas Explorer was christened by Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco in July 2016 and delivers an unrivalled luxury cruise experience. The ship features extravagantly designed theatres and lounges, an unparalleled collection of opulent and spacious suites, five lavish gourmet restaurants and an unprecedented level of personalised service. At 55,254 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750 guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship boasts one of the highest space ratios and highest crew to guest ratios in the cruise industry, not to mention the largest private verandas in the cruise industry and a new category of luxury suite – the nearly 4,500-square foot Regent Suite which comes with a grand Steinway piano, a personal butler and its own in-suite spa.

The luxury liner’s maiden season was in the Mediterranean and now sails a series of Caribbean voyages from Miami over the winter. She will return to Europe in spring 2017 to sail a variety of Mediterranean and northern European itineraries, many of which sail to and from Southampton.