Seven Seas Mariner plans four local stops in June, July

[Jason]

Cruise ship visit details uncovered

Seven Seas Mariner plans four local stops in June, July

By Dan MacLennan, The Canada Courier-Islander

Seas Cruises' 700-passenger, 50,000-ton, 216 metre Seven Seas Mariner is slated to visit the new Campbell River cruise ship terminal June 5 and June 19 and July 3 and July 17, a company spokesperson has confirmed.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) outlined the itinerary Friday. The medium-sized cruise ship will visit Campbell River:

- Tuesday June 5 from 4 to 11 p.m.

- Tuesday June 19 from 4 to 11 p.m.

- Tuesday July 3 from 3 to 11 p.m.

- Tuesday July 17 from 3 to 11 p.m..

The Seven Seas Mariner will make 16 one-way, seven-night trips between Vancouver and Seward (Anchorage) Alaska from May 23 to September 5. All four Campbell River visits will come as the ship heads south to Vancouver.

Launched in March 2001, the cruise ship is by no means the largest vessel on the Alaska cruise run, but RSSC says she makes up for it with style.

"Our luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the hundreds rather than the thousands," the cruise line's website states.

"The ambiance on board is personal, individual, accommodating - 'upscale but not uptight.'

"Seven Seas Mariner is the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship, as well as the first to offer dining by the famed Le Cordon Bleu of Paris in Signatures, one of four single, open-seating restaurants on board.

"Catering to only 700 guests, she is one of the most spacious cruise ships afloat, and her staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 provides the highest level of personal service in the six-star tradition of Regent Seven Seas Cruises."

RSSC said the ship is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment and upgrading this winter. Oceanview suites range from 301 to 2,002 square feet with private balconies. Per person prices for Alaskan sailings start from $3,697, based on double occupancy. She features a crew of 445.

The website said RSSC, formerly Radisson Seven Seas, is part of Carlson Companies Inc., a global leader in the hotel, restaurant, business and leisure travel, and marketing industries. The Regent brand includes luxury hotels, resorts, residences and cruises throughout the world. The fleet of medium-sized luxury cruise ships visit over 300 ports on all seven continents, including Antarctica.

The Campbell River Indian Band announced last Wednesday that a cruise ship would be making four visits to their new cruise ship terminal in June and July, but they did not identify the cruise line, dates or times. Band economic development officer Jodee Dick has yet to return calls from the Courier-Islander.

SEVEN SEAS MARINER STATISTICS:

Overall length: 216 m (709 ft)

Beam (width): 28. 3 m (93 ft)

Draft: 6.4 m (21 ft)

Passengers: 700

Officers: French /European

Crew: 445, European /International

Guest Decks: 8

Shipyard: Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France

Gross Tonnage: 50,000

Cruising Speed: 20 knots

Ship's Registry: Bahamas