Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer celebrates inaugural cruise with ‘block party’

BARCELONA — Regent Seven Seas Cruises began its first passenger
cruise on its new Seven Seas Explorer with a “block party” in which passengers
were invited to emerge from their cabins and greet their neighbors prior to
departing the port.

Servers poured wine or champagne and circulated hors d’oeuvres
during the event, which took place after passengers returned from the mandatory
muster drill.

Seven Seas Explorer captain Stanislas “Stan” De Lacombe and
cruise director Ray Solaire rushed through the ship, greeting every passenger
personally during the festivities.

Attendance was hit-and-miss, with some passengers participating
enthusiastically and others staying in their cabins.

The $450 million Seven Seas Explorer departs Barcelona for a
six-day preview cruise on July 7 before being christened in Monaco on July 14.
The 750-passenger ship is the first new vessel for Regent in over a dozen
years.