Kristin Chenoweth, Sarah Fabergé Highlight Christening of Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

In a star-studded ceremony on Sunday night aboard the ship docked in Miami, Regent Seven Seas christened Seven Seas Grandeur, the newest addition to its fleet.

The ship, a sister ship to Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, was built by Fincantieri shipbuilders in just two years and enters the Regent fleet as, perhaps, the most luxurious ship of any brand sailing at sea—Grandeur sails with 548 crew and only 746 guests, spread across 10 decks and 15 different suite categories.

Andrea DeMarco, the president of Regent Seven Seas and the first female president to christen a new ship for any Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) brand, called the christening “a momentous milestone in Regent’s history” and added that “it’s an honor to carry the torch for women leaders of tomorrow.”

DeMarco, who added that she is expected to have a positive outcome from her ongoing battle with breast cancer, also said “I could not let breast cancer from keeping me from being with all of you tonight.”

Harry Sommer, the president and CEO of NCLH, called out the travel trade during Sunday’s ceremony, saying that “we have a special relationship that continues to grow.”

“As our fleet expands, there are more opportunities for you and your clients.”

Honoring Robin Lindsay
Robin Lindsay, NCLH executive vice president of new build and refurbishment, joined an exclusive club during Sunday’s ceremony. Lindsay, who joined NCLH at Oceania, hired by Frank Del Rio in 2002, became the latest addition to NCLH’s Commodores, an exclusive club made up of just a few individuals.

“His contributions may not be known to many because his job is behind the scenes, but they are among the largest of any individual,” Sommer said. “Any ship you board across any NCLH flee has Robin Lindsay’s handprint on it.” Lindsay, who is retiring called the move “a great honor.”

A first at sea
Also honored on Sunday was Sarah Fabergé, the director of special projects for the iconic jewelry company Fabergé and godmother of Regent Seven Seas Grandeur.

“It is truly an honor to be here this evening and to be serving as godmother,” she said. “Our two share an appreciation for studying the techniques of the past in order to bring luxurious experiences to 21st-century audiences.”

Aside from christening the ship, Fabergé was on hand to unveil a one-of-a-kind Fabergé egg that will have a permanent location on Grandeur’s fifth deck, the first Fabergé egg at sea. The egg, called Journey in Jewels, is the highlight of a 1,600-piece art collection aboard Grandeur.

Wrapping up
Regent wrapped up Sunday’s ceremony with a performance by Kristin Chenoweth, a Broadway icon whose resume includes winning a Tony for her performance as Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and a Tony nomination for her performance as Glinda in Wicked, the first actress ever in that role.

Chenoweth performed several covers of songs by female artists late into the night on Sunday and shouted out another icon, Shania Twain, who was also on hand in the audience.