Regent Seven Seas Explorer

Kate Matthews on 19 June 2018
I was lucky enough recently to visit one of the most luxurious cruise ships ever built. The Regent Seven Seas Explorer! The newest all-suite, all-balcony ship that boasts the largest private balconies at sea has one of the highest space to guest ratio and is the only ship to feature an in-suite spa! There are 377 balcony suites that hold 750 guests and a crew of 542!

The Seven Seas Explorer is one of four ships in the fleet, others include Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and the smallest of the fleet, The Seven Seas Navigator with just 450 guests!

The Seven Seas Explorer was moored in Southampton and ready to set sail to Copenhagen on a 12-night voyage. Before she left we spent the morning exploring this beautiful ship. As we stepped onboard friendly faces welcomed us with a refreshing glass of champagne and, first impressions - what a beautiful ship. Welcoming and classy, without feeling stuffy for a 6* ship plus fantastic modern artwork including works of Picasso! It had the feel of a modern boutique hotel. This intimate ship is just the right size, small enough that you never experience a queue and large enough that you can get lost in a best seller without interruption or distraction.

The personal service you receive onboard is second to none. The crew anticipate and fulfil your every need and get to know you on a personal level. From a suite steward who will refill your mini bar with your favourite beverages to the maître d who knows that you prefer to sit by the window, the level of service sets a new standard of luxury.

The cabins were gorgeous, very luxurious and have everything you need! The beds are so comfortable that guests are able to purchase them! We looked around the all-suite cabin, the concierge suite and the master 2-bedroom suite.

All suite accommodation includes twin or double beds, expansive private balconies, separate sitting area, marble appointed bathrooms, spacious walk in closet, 24-hour room service with dinner served course by course, mini bar replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and water (all complimentary), L'Occtaine Mer and Mistral toiletries, interactive flat screen TV with extensive media library and complimentary movies on demand.

Concierge suites and higher also include free 1-night pre-cruise hotel package, 15 minutes of free ship-to-shore phone time, priority online shore excursion reservations, priority online Prime 7, Signatures, Chartreuse and Pacific Rim dining reservations, discount on premium wines and liquor purchases as well as Regent choice shore excursions and hotel and land programmes, In-suite use of binoculars, Illy espresso maker and cashmere pashminas plus all Deluxe suite amenities and much more.

In Penthouse suites and higher you can also enjoy return business class flights to Europe, personal butler committed to fulfilling your wishes, iPhone docking station to accommodate all iPhone models, complimentary use of iPad and iPod, Guerlain toiletries aboard all ships plus all concierge suite amenities and much more.

The dining areas were filled with delicious looking lunch menus and the pool grill looked great with a huge choice of beautifully prepared food including fresh fish burgers, fruit platters, salads, miniature ice creams. You can enjoy up to five restaurants and they all offer complimentary wine and impeccable service, even the speciality restaurants are complimentary. We ate at The Compass Rose, which is one of the speciality restaurants. The menus change daily, and you can even design your own course. The food was out of this world! I loved the way the tables were laid with Versace plates!

There are so many onboard indulgences! There is the Canyon Ranch Spa Club that offers rejuvenating massages, facials and therapeutic body treatments, a beauty salon, fitness centre and a gym. They also offer enrichment programmes with lectures by renowned experts, historians and leading authors to enhance your understanding of the destination you are going to visit, a cookery school in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Broadway productions. There is also a library available for you to sit back and relax in, so no need to take a book, there's hundreds there!

Itinerary Examples: Venice - Barcelona 12 nights, Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro 14 nights, Round trip Miami 7 nights New York to Miami 15 nights Singapore to Sydney 18 nights Barcelona to Rome 7 nights Barcelona to Southampton 12 nights Venice to Monte Carlo 10 night

What did I love about the ship?

Apart from the modern boutique hotel style it portrays, the beautiful art work displayed throughout the trip and the impeccable personal service, the fact that everything is included is fantastic. You can leave your wallet at home as everything is included in the cost!

FREE Return flights and transfers FREE Unlimited shore excursions FREE Unlimited drinks including fine wines and premium spirits FREE Speciality restaurants FREE WIF onboard FREE prepaid gratuities FREE 1-night hotel package from concierge suites and higher FREE 3-night land programme on select voyages

To summarise, if you're looking for gourmet dining, quality spacious accommodation, suites with a balcony, an impeccable personalised service or perhaps you would like to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary with a once in a life time holiday then this ship is the perfect choice for you. Once you've experienced it for the first time I can promise you will be back again!

If you would like any further information then please do get in contact so we can discuss your requirements, I'd love to help.