Behind the scenes with Regent Seven Seas Cruises; WTM London news; Chernesky leaving NCL; and more

When Seven Seas Prestige sets sail at the end of the year, the debut will mark the first new ship class in a decade for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“She’s 40% larger, but she’s only going to carry 10% more guests,” shared Wesley D’Silva, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “When you think about that, just the space ratios, the personalization that you’re going to be able to get on these ships is going to take it to an entirely new level. We really continue to raise the bar when it comes to ultra-luxury cruising. It’s something that we truly, truly believe in, and we want to be the leaders in that sector.”

Wesley D’Silva of Regent Seven Seas Cruises at NCLH Creative Studios in Tampa

This week TravelPress Today was on location in Tampa at NCLH Creative Studios, a production, rehearsal, and design hub, alongside executives from Regent Seven Seas Cruises to get a sneak peek at the new productions that are soon to hit the stage on the brand new ship.

“We are incredibly thoughtful about how we create entertainment,” shared Bryan White, vice president of entertainment production at NCLH. “The Regent traveller, they’re well travelled, they have a clear sense of style, a clear sense of taste. They know what they want. They’ve sort of seen everything, and so we infuse that into our shows. We think about shows that have global appeal… We really are thoughtful in curating a bespoke entertainment program, and I think that what we’ve created for Prestige is going to be the pinnacle of that type of thinking for this brand.”

The entertainment debuting on Prestige includes Rewind, described as a stylish spin through the soundtrack of the ’80s. The show was choreographed by Emily Evenden, who trained at the Abby Lee Dance Company and appeared on television’s Dance Moms, with costumes designed by Tony-nominated designer Ryan Park.

“It is our approach to the ’80s,” White shared. “We’re not doing your typical ’80s where it’s cheesy and you’ve seen it before, you’ve done it before. We’re saying, what is an ultra luxury approach to an authentic ’80s concert with the artist that you know and that you love, the iconography that you know and you love, but done in a way that is specifically created for Regent.”

The Creative Studios is where costumes and productions for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises come to life

Meanwhile, Riviera Luxe, is set to be “the best party that everyone wants to be invited to.”

The show was directed by Kevin Black, known for his work on Seven Seas Grandeur’s Ignite the Night and ICONS, and choreographed by Dancing with the Stars professional Britt Stewart.

“This is going to be something quite different for our Regent guests, which is we had this idea of how do we celebrate all of the great iconic Rivieras around the world — French Riviera, Mexican Riviera, and how do we not just celebrate the places, but celebrate the culture, celebrate the atmosphere, celebrate the music, celebrate the iconography of these beautiful locations that many of our guests have been to,” White said. “We’ve sort of infused all of that in one show. We’ve added this beautiful music, and we’ve done something that we’re really excited about — Regent Prestige is going to be the first of our ships to have a live DJ on board. So we said, let us take it a step further and put that live DJ in the show. So this show will actually feature the live DJ.”

Honouring the legacy of the iconic showgirl, Viva Vedette will bring a Vegas-inspired sizzling revue to the stage. Directed by two-time Tony nominee Kevin Duda, and choreography by Emmy winner Karla Puno Garcia, who choreographed the 76th Annual Tony Awards.

“Our guests love Las Vegas; they love the show girl. But we’re not going to do the cheesy showgirl. We’re going to do a long leg, and we’re going to do a big headpiece, but we’re going to do it in the Regent style. It’s going to be playfully elegant. It’s going to be sophisticated in its design. It’s going to be a little bit tongue in cheek, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be this really phenomenal spectacle of an experience that’s going to celebrate the timeless appeal of the Las Vegas showgirl.”

The fourth main production to hit the theatre is Allegro, reimagining opera and Broadway power ballads for a modern audience with choreography by Emmy nominee James Alonzo White of Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple.

“Think about the best night you’ve ever had going to an opera, to Broadway, to a symphony, to a ballet. Think about a beautiful evening at Lincoln Centre. We’re bringing that sense of opulence and that sense of elevated entertainment style to our guests through these beautiful operatic arias that maybe are going to be infused with some recognizable Broadway hits, that maybe are going to be infused with some more mainstream or maybe more contemporary pop hits,” he said. “There are some fun surprises in store. It’s going to be this really beautiful evening that is going to feel incredibly elevated and really is going to be the kind of topper on what is a very dynamic program. So Rewind, we take you to the ’80s. Riviera Luxe, we take you to the Rivieras. Viva Vedette, we’re going to Las Vegas, and Allegro is going to be the most opulent evening you could have.”

Michelle Lardizabal of Signature Travel Network and TRAVELSAVERS’ Kathryn Mazza-Burney and Nicole Mazza were on location for the entertainment preview  

Additional programming on the 822-passenger Seven Seas Prestige will include Tipples & Tales: A Zacapa Rum Voyage, which is inspired by the seafaring tradition of ending the day with a drink, a song and stories from the sea, and Golden Hour, and Golden Night, a glamorous two-part experience that kicks off in the atrium with live music where guests are encouraged to wear a touch of, or go all out in, gold. After dinner, Golden Night transforms the space into a lively dance party. There will also be an onboard DJ, jazz duo and string duo throughout sailings.

“You just got a little glimpse into the level of detail that this team goes into with our production shows and our entertainment. That attention to detail, that passion, is seen across the ship. So you’re going to see that in all the different areas,” D’Silva said.

For clients looking for something spectacular, the Skyview Regent Suite at 8,794 Square Feet across two levels, will come complete with an elevator and a personal gym and sauna, at US$25,000 per night.

“Our entry-level suite is right around 440 square feet, double vanity sinks in the bathroom, walk-in closets, and these huge verandas that are so that guests can enjoy the destinations that we’re taking them to,” he added. “So really that space is across the board in the suites, but it’s also in the public spaces.”

For more on our behind-the-scenes visit and what to expect on Seven Seas Prestige, stay tuned to Canadian Travel Press!