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‘Most Luxurious Ship Ever’ To Cruise Rarely Traveled Africa Route

‘Most Luxurious Ship Ever’ To Cruise Rarely Traveled Africa Route

What’s been billed as the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer, in 2018 will operate a voyage down the west coast of Africa — a rarity in the cruise world.

The six-month-old Regent vessel will visit Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo as it works it way south on a 24-night journey from Lisbon, Portugal to Cape Town, South Africa, the luxury line announced Wednesday.

From USA Today. Story by Gene Sloan.

Kicking off Nov. 28, 2018, the Africa sailing also will include stops in Sao Tome and Principe as well as Namibia. The Cape Verde Islands off the African coast also are on the itinerary as is Madeira Island and two stops in the Canary Islands.

The voyage will bring one of the priciest cruise ships in the world to one of the globe’s poorest regions. The per capita income of many of the countries on the itinerary is less than $2,000 per year.

Fares for the voyage start at $15,399 per person with top suites costing in excess of $25,000 per person.

After reaching Cape Town, Explorer will operate a second, 15-night Africa sailing that features stops in South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Fares for the voyage start at $16,199 per person. The vessel then will sail a 14-night trip from Cape Town to South America.

Very few cruise ships sail along the west coast of Africa. One of the only vessels from a major line making such a voyage this year is Silversea Cruises’ 132-passenger Silver Explorer. An MSC Cruises ship also is sailing along the west coast of Africa in 2017 but making few stops.

Christened in July in Monaco, Explorer is the most expensive luxury ship ever built and boasts one of the highest ratios of space to passengers in the history of cruising. The vessel features some of the largest, most elaborate accommodations at sea, including a single suite measuring 4,443-square-foot — nearly 50 percent larger than the average home in the USA.

Explorer also has a wide range of upscale eateries including contemporary French and Asian restaurants, and a newly designed version of the line’s signature steakhouse, Prime 7. A spa operated by Canyon Ranch; a two-tiered, 694-seat theater; and an opulent observation lounge that evokes the 1920s are other notable features.

Read more at USA Today.