FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairwoman and
chief executive officer of Carlson Cos., christened the $200
million Seven Seas Navigator of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises at Port
Everglades here amid plans for a major expansion of the line.
The 490-passenger, 30,000-ton vessel is the fifth cruise ship to be
marketed by Radisson, bringing the line's total lower berths to
1,528.
The vessel will be the only cruise ship to be launched in the
luxury market this year, according to Mark Conroy, Radisson Seven
Seas president. Current plans call for adding three more luxury
ships for another 2,160 lower berths, although only one of the
vessels has been ordered thus far.
Conroy said the company's "next generation of luxury ships" will
continue to "mirror the high space-to-guest ratios, top-quality
amenities, exceptional values and impeccable customer service our
guests have come to expect of the brand."
The Radisson cruise line, which is owned by Carlson Hospitality
Worldwide, an operating group of Carlson Cos., has grown rapidly
since it made its debut with the 350-passenger Radisson Diamond in
1992.
The twin-hulled Diamond was touted as ushering in a new class of
vessels designed as seagoing convention hotels, but that design has
not had a successor.
Instead, Radisson acquired the 180-passenger Song of Flower in
1995 when it merged with Seven Seas Cruise Line.
That small conventional ship, designed by the architects of the
Sea Goddess ships, received critical acclaim for its service and
cuisine, solidifying Radisson's position in the luxury market.
Radisson also operates the 188-passenger Hanseatic and the
320-passenger Paul Gauguin.
The Navigator is the product of a joint venture with V. Ships
Leisure of Monaco, which is owned by the company that founded
Sitmar Line, to build new ships for the Radisson fleet. The
Navigator represents the first of four ships to be built by the two
companies.
The ship, 90% of whose 245 oceanview suites have private
balconies, was built at the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa, Italy,
and flies the Italian flag. The suites range in size from 301 to
1,173 square feet, including the balcony.
The vessel made its debut Aug. 16 with a series of European
cruises, and its inaugural season includes a 50-night South America
cruise which started Oct. 28. From May through August 2000, the
vessel will sail in Alaska.
The company's next spurt of growth is slated to begin with the
720-passenger Seven Seas Mariner. The vessel is being built by
Radisson and V. Ships at France's Chantiers de l'Atlantique
shipyard and is due to be delivered in February 2001.
Conroy said the vessel represents a "major step toward our goal
of launching a new generation of luxury vessels." The vessel,
designed by Norwegian architects Peter Yran and Bjorn Storbraten,
will feature balconies on all of its 360 suites, beginning at 301
square feet, according to Radisson.
Although Radisson has not announced dates for the subsequent two
Mariner-class vessels, they are expected to be ordered for delivery
in 2002 and 2003.
In christening the Navigator, Nelson said Radisson Seven Seas
was on track with a previously announced plan to build five vessels
over a five-year period.