Fort Lauderdale - 17. Juli 2007 - Gourmands, chocoholics and aspiring photographers can explore some of the world's most thrilling destinations along with their own personal passions aboard Regent Seven Seas CruisesSM, first-ever "Discovery Collection," an extended exploration of Africa, the Middle East, India and South America debuting in 2008. Through new Circles of InterestSM and other programs, guests can learn about photography, marine life, food and wine, and the chocolates and coffees of South America through a series of special lectures, themed events and on shore activities during this 82-night, five-continent odyssey.
The Discovery Collection includes six combinable cruise segments aboard the 490-guest, all-suite (90 percent with private balconies) Seven Seas Navigator. This thrilling collection was created for seasoned travelers eager to explore new destinations as well as first-time guests with a taste for the exotic. Regent developed the unique itinerary based on feedback from Regent guests and travel agents.
Five of the six segments of the Discovery Collection will offer a special themed focus for guests, including:
- Photography - Guests will capture breathtaking destinations like Aqaba, Fujairah and Mombasa (Kenya) on film during a special Photography Circle of Interest, available on the Discovery Collection's segments from Athens to Dubai (08. Oktober - 23, 2008); Dubai to Mumbai (Bombay) (23. Oktober - 01. November); and Mumbai to Cape Town (01. November - 21). Both aspiring photographers and experienced shutterbugs will improve their skills as professional photographer Ken Haas and a team of photo coaching assistants host onboard lectures and on shore photo-exploration programs for participating guests. This program is limited to smaller groups and must be pre-purchased ($215 - $395 per person).
- Marine Life - Regent will welcome famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, founder of the esteemed Ocean Futures Society, during the 01. November - 21 segment from Mumbai to Cape Town. Guests will learn about the ecosystems of southeastern Africa and Madagascar during a complimentary lecture series.
- Food & Wine - The spotlight shifts to food and wine on the 21. November - 04. Dezember cruise from Cape Town, South Africa to Rio de Janeiro. Guest experts including South African winemaker Ken Forrester will share the exciting developments of the region's extraordinary wine country through a series of complimentary onboard tastings, cooking demonstrations and a preview of the culinary delights of Brazil.
- Chocolate - The 04. Dezember - 18 cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale will trace a route through several of the top chocolate producing countries in South America and the Caribbean, celebrating two of the region's dark delights - chocolate and coffee. Guests will enjoy complimentary tastings, cooking demonstrations and lectures about these delectable treats.
Regent also offers exciting Concierge Collection land programs, like an exclusive tour of ancient Egyptian catacombs -- three tiers of burial chambers dating back to the 2nd century that are carved into rock 100 feet below the ground. Take a driving safari through Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, where you may encounter giraffes, lions, rhinos, cheetahs and elephants. Or explore the wondrous old cities hidden among the Amazon jungles.
Several of the cruise segments will also include a complimentary on shore activity for guests, ranging from a daytrip to explore the splendors of ancient Egypt, to a VIP dinner and tour of the Bahrain Grand Prix Race Track, to a special match of polo, "the sport of kings," played exclusively for Seven Seas Navigator guests in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Per person prices start at $6.195 for the 27. September 2008 segment from Monte Carlo to Athens and the 08. Oktober segment from Athens to Dubai; from $4.595 for the 23. Oktober segment from Dubai to Mumbai; from $8.795 for the 01. November segment from Mumbai to Cape Town; from $3.995 for the 21. November segment from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro; and from $4.295 for the 04. Dezember segment from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale. Along with exciting sites and memorable experiences, guests can receive complimentary shipboard credits of up to $200 per suite, complimentary shore events on select sailings and Seven Seas Society Savings. Please visit http://www.rssc.com/specials/detail.jsp?offerId=1612963 for details.
Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; in-suite bar setup in butler suites; and refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily.
About Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Regent Seven Seas CruisesSM (RSSC) is part of Carlson Companies, a global leader in the hotel, restaurant, business and leisure travel, and marketing industries. The Regent brand encompasses luxury hotels, resorts, residences and cruises throughout the world, offering discerning travelers The Regent ExperienceSM with unique and personalized luxury. Regent Seven Seas (formerly Radisson Seven Seas) operates a fleet of medium-sized luxury cruise ships that visit over 300 ports on all seven continents, including Antarctica. RSSC is consistently rated among the world's top three cruise lines by readers of luxury travel magazines. Travel professionals worldwide voted RSSC the "World's Best Luxury Cruise Line" for the third consecutive year as part of the 2006 Travel Weekly Awards and readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted RSSC "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" in 2006.
