Seven Seas Explorer, billed as the “most luxurious cruise ship in the world”, has made her inaugural trip to Bermuda.

The overnight visit on Monday was part of a positioning cruise, with the ship arriving from Madeira and heading to Miami, from where it will begin a schedule of Caribbean cruises. Tourism officials led a welcome delegation for a plaque presentation aboard the ship and according to Senator Michael Fahy, the Minister of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities, Seven Seas Explorer will return for three visits next year in March and October.

Owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines, the high-end vessel is the new flagship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and has accommodation for just 750 passengers.

Fares for a 14-night Caribbean cruise from Miami to Miami stopping at places such as Bridgetown in Barbados, Fort-de-France in Martinique, and Basseterre in St Kitts start at $7,599. The following reasons are why the Seven Seas Explorer exudes luxury, according to www.rsscblog.com:

• 520 crew members cater to 750 guests, with the low guest-to-crew ratio ensuring guests “will receive an exceptionally high level of personalised service”.

• 158 large, exquisitely designed crystal chandeliers adorn the various restaurants, lounges and other public spaces. Another 97 crystal chandeliers can be found in larger suites, along with 218 in corridors.

• 45,876 square feet of marble has been used throughout the ship, including marble and stone detailed bathrooms in each of the 375 guest suites. More than half is Carrera marble from Italy.

• 51,909 square feet of balcony space equates to an average of 138 square feet per suite — “the largest in the cruise industry”.

• $150,000 was spent to set up the luxurious Savoir No 1 bed found in the master bedroom of the Regent Suite.

• 4,443 square feet is the size of the ship’s largest and most opulent accommodation, the Regent Suite. Unlimited spa treatments await those who book the Regent Suite in their own personal in-suite spa retreat.

• 400 specially designed Versace plate settings can be found at the Compass Rose restaurant.

• 2,148 bottles of champagne were ordered for the ship’s maiden voyage, along with 5,712 bottles of red and white wine.

• 2,000lbs of lobster are enjoyed by guests at the gourmet restaurants on the ship during a typical 14-night cruise.