A new Legacy of Entertainment
Regent Seven Seas, the world’s leading ultra-luxury all-inclusive cruise line, is launching Seven Seas Prestige in 2026, its first new ship class in a decade.
Prestige will be 40 percent larger than previous Regent ships, with room for just 10 percent more guests. At 76,550 gross tons, with 408 luxurious suites and seven dining venues, the ship will offer nearly a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry.
Behind the Scenes at Regent’s Creative Studios
Regent invited me to Tampa for a hosted press preview alongside other members of the media and travel advisors. We got an exclusive tour of Creative Studios, from the warehouse where the sets are stored to the costume department, the alterations workroom and the room dedicated to wigs and makeup.
Then came a Q&A with Regent’s team and a sneak peek at the entertainment. I’d had a chance to see some of the costumes up close during the tour. For the studio preview, the singers and dancers performed in black warm-ups, which gave me a chance to zero in on the vocals and choreography.
I was floored by how much work goes into making a number look effortless. There’s the song selection, the casting and all that rehearsal time. Then there’s the work you might only notice up close, right down to the tiny crystals fastened by hand to a performer’s costume.
Where the Shows Come Together
There are 11 rehearsal studios at the Tampa facility, each with a dedicated music room alongside it. More than 1,000 cast members rotate through Creative Studios each year across its productions.
Regent counted 781 costume and accessory pieces across five of the ship’s entertainment offerings. One of my favorite things I learned from the costume team was that the embellishments on the singers’ outfits for the Amalfi Coast section of Riviera Luxe were painted by hand, right down to the hats.
Six Original Productions:
For a ship smaller than the megaships, Seven Seas Prestige has a surprisingly full evening lineup.
Regent will have six new productions take the stage in the Constellation Theater, the centerpiece of entertainment aboard the ship. This is its most extensive live music program yet and a Broadway guest series starting in January 2027.
The creative teams include talent from Broadway, the Tony Awards and Dancing with the Stars. You can be picky about how you spend your evening. An opera aria with a pop arrangement, a Champagne gathering that turns into a dance party and a rum tasting with live music are all on the menu.
Viva Vedette for Classic Showgirl Glamour
Think Copacabana and Folies Bergère, with playful song mashups and a contemporary sense of humor. Two-time Tony nominee Kevin Duda directs, with choreography by Emmy winner Karla Puno Garcia, who choreographed the 76th Tony Awards. This is the one I’d circle for a night of full-on theatrical glamour.
Riviera Luxe for Fashion and a Little Riviera Romance
Choreographed by Dancing with the Stars pro Britt Stewart, this show mixes contemporary hits with retro classics. Its wardrobe runs to 317 pieces, including 191 accessories, and it features more hats than any previous Regent production. If you’re the person who notices the hat before the dress, you’ll have plenty to look at.
Rewind for ’80s Nostalgia With a Modern Remix
I went into the preview wondering which of the usual ’80s hits I’d hear. The song choices felt fresher than I expected, and the new arrangements kept the nostalgia while giving the music a modern edge. The choreography had runway attitude, and the whole thing felt polished and playful. Think of it as an ’80s mixtape put together by someone who knows the decade well enough to surprise you.
Tony-nominated costume designer Ryan Park’s team used 75 different fabrics and leathers and nearly 80 silver zippers. The show has 179 costume and accessory pieces; much of the wardrobe was made by hand in Tampa, and the shoulder pads have every right to be that dramatic.
Allegro for Big Voices and Unexpected Arrangements
Allegro gives operatic arias and Broadway ballads a contemporary pop sound, with choreography by Emmy nominee James Alonzo White, whose credits include Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple. The wardrobe has its own international itinerary, with fabric milled in Italy, custom beading by artisans in India and ombré fabrics dyed in New York City.
Golden Hour and Golden Night for Champagne and Dancing
This two-part experience takes place in the Starlight Atrium. Before dinner, Golden Hour pairs live music with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres. After dinner, Golden Night turns the same space into a dance party under the chandelier, with live musicians and vocalists.
Gold attire for guests is encouraged, but optional. Personally, I love a theme.
Tipples & Tales for a Smaller Room and a Good Story
In the Meridian Lounge, a Zacapa rum tasting comes with live music and seafaring stories. Director T. Scott Ross wrote the characters, dialogue and musical arrangements himself. This is the one I’d pick for an evening where you’re close enough to feel part of the show.
How I’d Plan My Evenings on Prestige
On a first Regent sailing, I’d check the daily program before settling on dinner plans. Evening entertainment is included in Regent’s all-inclusive cruise fare, and the first four productions above play in the Constellation Theater. I’d pick one main event for the evening, then see what’s happening in the atrium and lounges. The live music lineup includes a jazz duo, a string duo and a cocktail pianist.
Here’s a first for Regent regulars. Guests have been asking for a live DJ, and Regent listened. Seven Seas Prestige will be the first ship in the fleet with a DJ on board.
I’d also keep an eye on the lineup for The Broadway Experience, scheduled to begin aboard Prestige on January 20, 2027. It pairs Broadway and West End performers with a live orchestra and gives them time to share the stories behind their roles.
After seeing the cast in rehearsal, I’m so excited to see how those numbers feel with the sets, lights and costumes in place onboard. Stay tuned!!
No comments
Post a Comment