Cruise makeover: A much-beloved luxury ship is transformed

The Compass Rose restaurant on Regent's Seven Seas Navigator was completely revamped in a recent makeover.

VENICE, Italy -- Is it really 17 years old or is it brand new?

That's the question Seven Seas Navigator passengers will be asking this year when they step on board the vessel, which was built in 1999.

Luxury line Regent Seven Seas' oldest ship just emerged from a major makeover that included the demolition and rebuilding of large swaths of its public spaces, including the elegant Compass Rose dining room.
"We took everything out, back to the steel," says Tillberg Design CEO and senior project director Michal Jackiewicz, during a walk through the 328-seat restaurant. "All finishes, all details. Everything is new."

Jackiewicz points out new onyx floors and hand-made crystal chandeliers that were specially designed to fit Compass Rose's low ceilings. The layout also has been changed, with dining tables broken up into sub-divided spaces. Now, "you can really feel unique in this grand room," he says.

Just outside the restaurant, the casino also shows off a new look as do the shops down the hall, which also were completely gutted.
 
"The only thing we kept was the safe," says Regent senior director of hotel operations Steph Armengol.

Among the public spaces that are completely new on Seven Seas Navigator is the Library.

Armengol and Jackiewicz joined top Regent executive Jason Montague earlier this week on a tour of the revamped Navigator for media. The ship emerged from a dry dock in Marseille, France on April 13.

The overhaul comes as Regent prepares to welcome its first new vessel in years, the Seven Seas Explorer. Costing $450 million, the 750-passenger, all-suite ship is being billed as the most luxurious ever from any line.

"The key when you're bringing out the most luxurious ship ever built (is that) you need to be sure that your other ships are not that far apart," said Montague, who is president and COO of Regent's parent company, Prestige Cruise Holdings. "A lot of this (makeover) was making sure that Navigator was elevated" to the same level as Explorer.

Every one of the all-suite Navigator's 245 rooms received a wall-to-wall overhaul during the recent makeover or one that took place last year. During a walk through a concierge suite, Armengol points out new furniture, built-in desk area and headboards as well as all new soft goods including bedding and curtains.

"We have a done of bit of demolition," he quips, noting a spot where vitrines used to be built in along the wall.

Other areas of Navigator that have an all-new look include its buffet eatery, La Veranda, and the Galileo Lounge. The reception area and library also are transformed.

In addition to Navigator, Regent's two other existing ships, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, also will be getting a major makeover over the coming year. In all, Regent is spending $125 million renovating the vessels to give them a look and feel that is consistent with Explorer, which debuts in July.

Montague says such investment is critical to maintaining Regent's position as a leader in luxury cruising. Navigator, he notes, is much-beloved by Regent regulars and has a loyal following of customers who will sail on no other ship.

"As long as (we) maintain the ships and have that great service and great cuisine, they can have a really long life," he says.

USA TODAY Cruise recently received exclusive access to Regent's Seven Seas Mariner. For our deck-by-deck photo tour of the vessel as well as a video series on the ship, scroll through the carousels below.