Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of a handful of true luxury lines and since the launch of Seven Seas Explorer, it is taking its fleet to spectacular new levels.
Ship profile: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Explorer
True luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ beautiful new explorer-class ship, Seven Seas Explorer, is taking its fleet to new heights
Words: Sally Macmillan
Seven Seas Explorer has been billed as the ‘most luxurious cruise ship ever built’. Regent Seven Seas Cruises spent US$450 million building the 750-guest ship and from the moment you step aboard – greeted by immaculate crew bearing chilled Champagne – it makes a grand impression. Spacious and elegant; everywhere you look there are original artworks, handmade crystal chandeliers and vast swathes of marble floors and detailing.
Occupying prime position at the bow on Deck 14 is the Regent Suite, a palatial, two-bedroom suite that boasts 270-degree views from its wraparound balcony and includes a full-service spa, a Steinway grand piano and a $US150,000 bed. All the suites have balconies – the biggest at sea – and of 15 categories of suites, nine of them have butler service.
A favourite spot on Seven Seas Explorer for sunset sailaways is Sette Mari, the al fresco Italian dining venue, which by day is the super-stylish La Veranda buffet restaurant. There’s also Prime 7, a contemporary American steakhouse that also serves standout seafood dishes, and Compass Rose — the sumptuous main restaurant — and the more informal pool grill.
The sublime French restaurant, La Chartreuse, and fabulous Asian-fusion, Pacific Rim, have also been introduced on Explorer. Dining in all restaurants is included, as are all soft and alcoholic drinks across the ships, unlimited WiFi and staff gratuities. RSSC offers the most inclusive fares of all the ultra-luxury cruise lines — depending on the itinerary, you can opt for free two- or three-night land programs before or after your cruise and a free night’s accommodation in a luxury hotel, pre-cruise in your embarkation city.
Find out more about Seven Seas Explorer here:
Cruiseline spotlight: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ (RSSC) US$125 million upgrade sees it offer palatial suites with the biggest balconies at sea, super-stylish restaurants and the most inclusive fares of all the ultra-luxury cruise lines
Words: Sally Macmillan
Regent Seven Seas offer luxurious all-inclusive cruises to a variety of destinations on board its 5 upscale ships: Explorer, Navigator, Mariner, Voyager and Splendor.
RSSC spent US$450 million building the 750-guest Explorer and she is spacious and elegant; featuring original artworks, handmade crystal chandeliers and beautiful marble floors and detailing.
The Explorer’s palatial, two-bedroom Regent Suite has become famous in its own right. Occupying prime position at the bow on Deck 14, it has much to admire, including 270-degree views from its wraparound balcony, a full-service spa, a Steinway grand piano and a $US150,000 bed. All of Explorer’s suites have balconies – the biggest at sea – and of 15 categories of suites, nine of them have butler service.
Aboard Regent Seven Seas ships excellent dining and a relaxed atmosphere come as standard. The excellent service and the fact Regent prides itself on being all-inclusive – with flights, shore excursions, luxury wine and spirits all included in the price – could be credited with helping guests leave their cares at home.
At all ports of call, RSSC offers free shore excursions, along with paid and private tours and evening departures from most European ports on RSSC’s cruises, allowing for more time to explore ashore.
Four of RSSC’s five ships will sail the Mediterranean and around Northern Europe in the 2020-21 season. As well as visiting classic, culture-packed cities such as Venice, Seville, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Copenhagen and Stockholm, the ships will also call in at enticing smaller ports that are inaccessible to megaships. From France’s pretty Port Vendres, for example, you can wander the winding streets of Collioure, where Henri Matisse often went to stay and paint. In Italy’s Ravenna, Byzantine basilicas and ancient mosaics make this atmospheric town a history-lover’s dream.
RSSC recently returned to Istanbul, where overnight stays add to the allure and give you time to experience Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife, along with its multitude of historic and cultural attractions. New destinations for 2020-21 include La Rochelle in France, Stornoway in the Scottish Hebrides, Aalborg in Denmark, and Porto Torres in Sardinia.
RSSC offers the most inclusive fares of all the ultra-luxury cruise lines – depending on the itinerary, you can opt for free two- or three-night land programs before or after your cruise and a free night’s accommodation in a luxury hotel, pre-cruise in your embarkation city.
Next February, Seven Seas Splendor will make her maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami. Splendor is the fifth ship in the fleet and will be nearly identical to Explorer, although the design has been tweaked in a few areas. The colour palette is lighter, the Grand Staircase in the atrium will face the entrance to Compass Rose, there will be more outdoor space, Coffee Connection will offer outdoor seating and the Regent Suite will be even bigger.
Itinerary insight: RSSC luxury cruising
As well as visiting classic, culture-packed cities Regent Seven Seas Cruises call in at enticing smaller ports that are inaccessible to megaships. From France’s pretty Port Vendres, Italy’s Ravenna and Sardinia’s Porto Torres
Words: Sally Macmillan
Seven Seas Explorer is right at home in the dazzling harbour of Monte Carlo, docked among some of the world’s most glamorous superyachts. And so she should be – Explorer, billed as the ‘most luxurious cruise ship ever built’, was christened in the picturesque city of billionaires, by Charlene, Princess of Monaco.
RSSC spent US$450 million building the 750-guest ship and from the moment you step aboard – greeted by immaculate crew bearing chilled Champagne – the ship makes a grand impression.
We stop at Monte Carlo on our way from Rome to Barcelona, on a cruise shortly after the star-studded christening. At all ports of call, RSSC offers free shore excursions, along with paid and private tours. Explorer stays in port until just after midnight (when the city’s Casino closes) and evening departures from most European ports on RSSC’s cruises allows more time to explore ashore.
Four of RSSC’s five ships will sail the Mediterranean and around Northern Europe in the 2020-21 season. As well as visiting classic, culture-packed cities such as Venice, Seville, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Copenhagen and Stockholm, the ships will also call in at enticing smaller ports that are inaccessible to megaships. From France’s pretty Port Vendres, for example, you can wander the winding streets of Collioure, where Henri Matisse often went to stay and paint. In Italy’s Ravenna, Byzantine basilicas and ancient mosaics make this atmospheric town a history-lover’s dream.
RSSC recently returned to Istanbul, where overnight stays add to the allure and give you time to experience Istanbul’s vibrant nightlife, along with its multitude of historic and cultural attractions. New destinations for 2020-21 include La Rochelle in France, Stornoway in the Scottish Hebrides, Aalborg in Denmark, and Porto Torres in Sardinia.
RSSC offers the most inclusive fares of all the ultra-luxury cruise lines – depending on the itinerary, you can opt for free two- or three-night land programs before or after your cruise and a free night’s accommodation in a luxury hotel, pre-cruise in your embarkation city.
Next February, Explorer’s sister ship Seven Seas Splendor will make her maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami. Splendor is the fifth ship in the fleet and is described as ‘luxury perfected’ — how will the third Explorer-class ship, due in 2023, top that?