Seven Seas Voyager Pre-Inaugural Cruise

Christenings of any type are special occasions, and cruise ships are no different. So, when I got an invitation to attend the christening of the new Radisson (now Regent) Seven Seas Voyager, I was thrilled. When I found out it was going to be in Monte Carlo, one of the most exciting ports on the Mediterranean Sea, I was ecstatic!

My friend Julie and I left Atlanta for the flight to Nice and the Seven Seas Voyager pre-inaugural "shakedown" cruise.

We got our first glimpse of the new Seven Seas Voyager late the next afternoon. Julie and I settled into our suite and enjoyed some champagne and snacks while we unwound from the long trip. The Seven Seas Voyager embarked from Nice about sunset, and we had our first dinner at sea.

Our first day on the new ship was at sea. The sea day on the Seven Seas Voyager gave us plenty of time to explore the new ship and to visit the spa for some rejuvenation. I sailed on the Seven Seas Mariner in December 2001 and was interested to see the differences between the two sister ships. Radisson (now Regent Seven Seas) seems to have taken the best features of its other ships and incorporated them into the Seven Seas Voyager. Future passengers are in for a real treat! The full day at sea gave everyone a chance to recover from their jet lag, and the crew further opportunities to hone their service skills as a team. We arrived in Mallorca early the next morning.

Mallorca, Barcelona, and Cannes - Seven Seas Voyager Pre-Inaugural Ports of Call

Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the island of Mallorca. Julie and I went into the capital city and did some exploring of the old city on foot. Many Mediterranean cruises stopover at this Balearic Island, and it is fun to just walk around the capital or to take a shore excursion outside of the city. I love the interesting Moorish touches in Palma, and the architecture and history is fascinating.
Our second port was Barcelona.

Julie had never been to Barcelona, so we spent the day exploring. Like Palma, Barcelona has interesting architecture, but it is a large modern city with many things to see and do. The works of Gaudi and the Modernista buildings are wonderful to look at! The morning was rainy, but the afternoon cleared off. We used the Tourist Bus to travel between sites. This hop-on and hop-off bus is a great way to explore the city.

After leaving Barcelona late on Friday afternoon, we sailed back to France, arriving in Cannes. I'd never been to Cannes, but I always think about two things when Cannes is mentioned -- the Cannes Film Festival and the Cary Grant and Grace Kelly movie, "To Catch a Thief". This movie was filmed in and around Cannes and at the famous Carlton Hotel. Like much of the French Riviera, Cannes is full of the rich and the royals. Grace Kelly met her own Prince--Prince Ranier of Monaco--while filming the movie. Since our time in Cannes was relatively short, we spent our time walking around the city, finishing up on the Croisette, one of the most internationally known shoreline promenades in the world.

We also found time to have a glass of wine in the sidewalk cafe in front of the Carlton Hotel.

Monte Carlo, Monaco on the Seven Seas Voyager - Day Before the Naming Ceremony

Our final port was Monte Carlo. We arrived in Monte Carlo early in the morning. Julie and I toured the Grand Casino, watched the changing of the guard at the palace, saw Princess Grace's crypt in the Cathedral, had lunch at the Monte Carlo Yacht Club, toured the spa, and finished the afternoon with a drink in the famous American Cafe in the Grand Paris Hotel next to the casino. The christening was scheduled for the next day, and you could feel the excitement on the ship as both passengers and crew eagerly anticipated the big day.

The day dawned bright and sunny in Monte Carlo for the christening of the new luxury cruise ship the Seven Seas Voyager. Since Crown Prince Albert was participating in the ceremony, security was extra tight. Although the christening was not until noon, no one was allowed on or off the pier where the ceremony was to be held from early in the day until after the christening lunch. Throughout the morning, we watched the preparations on the pier below the balcony of our luxury suite. (All of the cabins on the Seven Seas Voyager have balconies.) The pier and new Monaco cruise ship terminal were not yet complete, but portable screens and large plants hid the portion of the pier still under construction. The key ingredient for a ship christening - the champagne bottle - dangled precariously near the bow of the ship.

The chairs and red carpet were in place early in the day, awaiting the guests and dignitaries. Photographers, members of the press, travel professionals from Europe and North America, and frequent Seven Seas cruisers all began gathering on the pier in mid-morning, vying for a good seat.

The crew, many with camera in hand, lined the decks above the stage eagerly waiting the naming ceremony.

The anticipation had been building towards the christening since we embarked from Nice the week before. Several of the top executives of Radisson (now Regent) Seven Seas Cruises and her parent, Carlson Companies, were on the ship. They were often seen working late at night in one corner of the computer center, drafting speeches and revising the christening day agenda. Expectations were high, and His Serene Highness Prince Albert was to speak at the ceremony and attend the christening lunch.

The cruise director gave all of the passengers on the ship protocol instructions such as when to stand or sit at the ceremony and lunch, and he asked us not to interrupt the royal tour of the ship.
The magnificent Monte Carlo harbor, the shining new ship, and the glorious weather all contributed to the spectacular setting for the christening ceremony. Everyone was in place about 11:50 am, and the Crown Prince arrived promptly at noon. The tension mounted as we all eagerly awaited the start of the ceremony.

Curtis Nelson, President and COO, Carlson Companies, and Mark Conroy, President and CEO, Radisson (now Regent) Seven Seas Cruises, escorted the Crown Prince to the stage. The national anthems of the United States and Monaco were played by the ship's orchestra, followed by welcoming remarks and speeches. The actual christening ceremony started with the traditional blessing of the ship by Père Jean Susini of the Archevêché de Monaco, who spoke in French.

Suddenly the big moment arrived. Barbara Carlson Gage, Co-Owner and Director of Carlson Companies, and the daughter of the founders of the company, rose to name the ship. I had spoken with Barbara earlier in the week on the ship, and she had indicated that she was very nervous about the entire ceremony. However, her nervousness was not evident earlier in the program when she had spoken, and it did not show at the key moment. She raised her "magic wand", named the ship the Seven Seas Voyager, and cut the cord holding the champagne bottle. The bottle swung towards the ship, and miraculously broke on cue. Everyone on the stage and in the audience cheered with joy for the owners, the cruise line, and the lucky passengers who would sail on the ship in the years to come.

After the naming ceremony, we all boarded the ship for the christening lunch. What a feast it was! Many of the journalists and dignitaries toured the ship after lunch, and the day concluded with dinner, followed by a fireworks display over the harbor honoring the ship.

May every day on the Seven Seas Voyager be as magical as her christening day!