Marking the official start of construction of new Seven Seas Explorer, executives from Regent Seven Seas Cruises were on hand for the ship’s keel-laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. Befitting of what Regent Seven Seas refers to as “the world’s most luxurious ship”, 3 coins were welded into her keel: a rare 1921 U.S. silver coin known as the Peace Dollar to symbolize the safe passage of Seven Seas Explorer; a 1959 silver Italian Lire that represents the year the Fincantieri shipyard was established; and a commemorative coin specially minted for this occasion.

The keel laying ceremony – which dates back hundreds of years – signifies the official start of construction of a seagoing vessel. The ceremony is one of the four generally-celebrated events in the life of a ship; the others are launching, commissioning, and decommissioning for military ships.   Other events in the life of a cruise ship include naming the ship’s Godmother (s), the naming/christening ceremony, a first-call ceremony when visiting a port of call for the first time and more.