THENEW ship Radisson Seven Seas Cruises has scheduled for delivery in 2002 is to be named Seven Seas Voyager.
The company originally intended to use this name for Seven Seas Navigator, the ship it launched on September 7.
However, it wanted to avoid customers confusing it with Royal Caribbean International’s forthcoming vessel Voyager of the Seas.
Seven Seas Voyager will have a capacity of 720 passengers, making it the largest ship in Radisson’s fleet to date.
Seven Seas Navigator has a capacity of 490, while the new build scheduled for 2001, Seven Seas Mariner, will have a capacity of 708.
“I don’t think we will make ships much bigger than a 700 capacity,” said president and chief executive officer Mark Conroy. “With that size, we can achieve economies of scale and give customers more entertainment and facilities than on our smaller ships.”
Meanwhile, the cruiseline plans to spend $4m on refurbishing Radisson Diamond when it goes into dry dock this December.
All cabins will get new soft goods and furnishings, and granite floors will be put down in the bathrooms. The Windows Lounge will be upgraded and new carpets laid in public spaces.
A $1.5m refurbishment and maintenance project for Song of Flower is also in the pipeline.
When the current building programme is completed with the introduction of Seven Seas Voyager in 2002, the cruiseline will have a seven-strong fleet.