Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has confirmed it will charter Seven Seas Navigator for nine years to a new luxury residential cruise venture, in a deal that will ultimately see the 490-guest ship leave the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet.
The agreement includes a nominal purchase option for Avora Residences, a new brand owned by Residential Cruise Holdings, which also created Villa Vie Residences and operates Villa Vie Odyssey.
Under the arrangement, Seven Seas Navigator will continue sailing for Regent Seven Seas until January 2028, after which the vessel will transfer to Avora and be renamed Avora Lumina.
The 1999-built ship will remain part of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet for the next two years, operating itineraries across Europe, the South Pacific and East Asia before undergoing a substantial refurbishment ahead of its debut in the residential cruise market.
A New Chapter As Avora Lumina
Once it joins Avora in 2028, the vessel will be comprehensively renovated to support long-term residential living. Planned enhancements include redesigned public areas tailored to full-time residents and the addition of a dedicated business centre, reflecting the needs of those living and working at sea.
“Avora Lumina represents the next evolution – purpose-built for long-duration global living, expedition capability, and a more refined residential experience,”
Mikael Petterson, founder of Avora Residences.
Currently configured with 244 all-suite cabins, around 90 per cent of which feature private balconies, the ship will be reimagined with 242 residential units. Avora has emphasised that the concept will prioritise personalisation, allowing owners to customise their homes onboard.
“These are not cruise cabins. They are designed as floating homes – primary residences that travel with their owners for years at a time,” Petterson explained.
Residences will range in size from approximately 300 square feet to nearly 1,200 square feet, with high-end finishes and expansive ocean views forming part of the core design approach.
Continuous Three-Year World Voyages Planned
Avora Lumina is expected to follow a similar operating model to sister brand Villa Vie Residences, which launched its residential ship in 2024. The plan is for Lumina to undertake continuous three-year world voyages, visiting around 140 countries and calling at more than 400 ports.
The ship will offer extended port stays of up to five days, enabling residents to spend more time exploring destinations in depth. Thanks to its polar certification, the vessel will also be capable of expedition sailings to remote regions, including Antarctica.
Culinary programming is set to be another central feature, with regionally inspired menus, locally sourced ingredients and curated food and wine experiences designed to reflect each destination visited.
Buyers will have two purchasing options. A Life-of-Ship Ownership will be priced between 545,000 US dollars and 4.2 million US dollars. Alternatively, a five-year ownership plan will be available, with prices starting from 219,600 US dollars. Avora has said the pricing structure was designed to be competitive with traditional residential property in major global cities.
Fleet Renewal Underway At Regent
The departure of Seven Seas Navigator will mark the exit of the oldest ship in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, as the luxury line prepares to introduce its new Prestige-class vessels.
Regent currently operates six ships, with Seven Seas Prestige under construction and scheduled to enter service in December 2026. A further three Prestige-class ships are planned for delivery in 2030, 2033 and 2036.
In February 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced an additional newbuild for each of its three brands, with all vessels to be constructed at Fincantieri in Italy, underscoring a significant period of fleet expansion and renewal for the group.
The charter agreement comes amid changes at the top of the parent company. On 12th February 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings appointed board trustee John W. Chidsey as chief executive officer, replacing Harry Sommer. The leadership change followed criticism from the company’s largest shareholder, Elliott Investment Management, which had raised concerns about strategy and leadership.
While the executive reshuffle has drawn attention, the agreement with Avora Residences is understood to have been progressing well before Sommer’s departure, forming part of longer-term fleet planning within the group.
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