Regent Seven Seas Cruises has welcomed more than 100 UK agents on board its latest ship as the line resumed operations after an 18-month break.
Seven Seas Splendor was delivered to the luxury line by Italian shipyard Fincantieri early last year before sailings were scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, the 750-passenger vessel began a four-day relaunch itinerary out of Southampton’s £55 million Horizon Cruise Terminal, which was built in partnership by Regent’s parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises.
Horizon Cruise Terminal in Southampton
A mix of agents, media and executives are on board the reduced-capacity sailing.
The ship will call at Falmouth, Cornwall, and Portland, Dorset, during the round-trip test cruise.
Beth Hulett, global supply manager at cruise agency Iglu, said: “Since the start of 2019, I’ve not been on a cruise ship let alone one sailing anywhere.
“It’s so heart-warming to see people on board a ship again, especially as it is sailing to British ports. Long may it continue.”
Passengers will sail on the ship’s first revenue cruise departing this Saturday, visiting Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Later this month, during a 14-day sailing Splendor will head to the Mediterranean.
This winter, the ship will sail a series of round-trip Caribbean voyages out of Miami once it repositions to the US in November.
More: Regent Seven Seas Cruises previews new ship Seven Seas Splendor
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will return to operations with UK sailing