Enjoying luxury amenities and entertainment at sea before waking up in a new country is an incredible way to see the world. Some seasoned travelers have their opinions of cruises but choosing the right one can lead to an all-inclusive, grandeur experience in the middle of the ocean. Onboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises Seven Seas Splendor, guests are treated to exceptional service, entertainment, spa treatments, meals, cocktails, and more, making the journey an experience in itself.
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Stay
The bed in the Regent Suite is a hand-crafted $200,000 Vividus / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Every room on the ship has its own private balcony / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
On Regent Cruises, capsule-shaped tiny showers and minimal drawer space are a thing of the past. The 400-sq-ft Superior Suites feature huge bathrooms with double sinks, a soaking tub, and a rain shower. Every room on the ship has its own private balcony – a memorable place to have coffee while overlooking the new destination the boat has pulled into or end the evening with a glass of wine listening to the waves and staring at the stars.
The walk-in closets have plenty of drawer space, room to hang up clothes that easily wrinkle and a built-in shoe rack that helps guests feel organized and at home, instead of like they’re living out of a suitcase. Each room had a staff member on standby, ready to manage the room and our needs, so it was always clean and tidy. They’re so attentive, noticing if certain things were missing from the fridge and providing more of what guests like without having to ask. They quickly noticed that I love sparkling water, and promptly added extra the next day to our personal fridge. Those small details add up, and make the time in the room special, too.
If you’re looking for the top of the line in luxury, on the 14th deck of Seven Seas Splendor, above the bridge and overlooking the ship’s bow, is the beautiful 4,443-sq-ft Regent Suite. When guests book the Regent Suite, they enjoy access to a personal butler to manage the room and their needs. The bed is a hand-crafted $200,000 Vividus bed from Hästens brand and the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows lets natural light flood in. Within the Regent Suite, the master bath is an in-suite spa with an ocean-view shower. On the balcony, guests can enjoy their own personal hot tub and a chilled glass of Dom Pérignon while watching the sunset.
Dine
Chartreuse serves classic French fare / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Compass Rose has a large menu filled with steak and seafood options and doesn’t require reservations / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Chef Kathryn Kelly, the director of culinary enrichment at Regent, is behind the 50 unique culinary classes offered on Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor. She’s also behind the incredible Gourmet Explorer Tours that immerse guests in the culture before they return to the boat to cook with the curated ingredients. The tours are chef-led and reach nearly 40 destinations worldwide.
In addition to the classes on board, the restaurants are magnificent. There’s an entire team dedicated to picking out the best wines to pair with each dish, and a selection of cocktails at each restaurant and bar. Chartreuse serves classic French fare like soufflé aux fromages with emmenthal-blue cheese and soubise sauce, and terrine de foie gras au sauternes duck with sauternes jelly, toasted brioche and caramelized apricots, among mains like rack of lamb.
Prime 7 is the steakhouse on board with everything from perfectly cooked porterhouse steaks to Alaskan king crab with drawn butter. Pacific Rim is a Pan-Asian establishment serving dishes like the Canadian lobster tempura with orange soy, ponzu sauce and spicy mayo, or the aromatic duck with smoky hoisin sauce, Szechuan pepper salt and pickled cucumber. Compass Rose has a large menu filled with steak and seafood options and doesn’t require reservations. La Veranda and the Pool Grill are perfect with casual fast dining and buffets, and of course, there’s always room service.
Relax
The spa is just downstairs from the gym, offering incredible massages, facials, and experience rooms open to every guest / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The fitness center onboard the Regent Seven Seas Splendor is fully stocked with high-end spin bikes and top-of-the-line equipment. Classes are available on the ship, so guests can break a sweat in boot camp or practice yoga in the sun with an instructor. The spa is just downstairs from the gym, offering incredible massages, facials and experience rooms open to every guest whether they book a treatment or not.
Guests can book a traditional Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage or opt for something special like the Around The World Massage. The treatment incorporates worldly techniques like using Indian cardamom, Egyptian coriander and eucalyptus to soothe the mind while the therapist works their magic, relaxing guests with Swedish massage techniques, bamboo stalks, volcanic rocks, warmed coconut poultices and argan oil from Morocco.
The spa has a hot sauna overlooking the water, a cold room, aromatherapy steam room and a shower experience with options like tropical rainfall and cool mist with essential oils. After, head to the back of the boat where there’s access to the infinity pool and lounge chairs.
Entertain
Head to the Meridian Lounge for a martini and to listen to the amazing big band music / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Enjoy elegant, plush seating among dim lighting while taking in musical performances like dancers, singers and talented opera performers in the Constellation Theater. Guests can try their luck in the tasteful casino before walking over to the Splendor Lounge for live music and dancing. Head to the Meridian Lounge for a martini and to listen to the amazing big band music and talented piano players. The Observation Deck has music trivia and fun games where guests can win prizes or regents points to use onboard.
Explore
Excursions are another thing guests generally have to pay for on cruises that is included in a stay with Regent on board the Seven Seas Splendor / ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Excursions are another thing guests generally have to pay for on cruises that are included in a stay with Regent onboard the Seven Seas Splendor (only a select few experiences are an additional cost). When traveling to the Caribbean, look into snorkeling the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef if you are in Roatan, Honduras to see a plethora of tropical fish, squid, starfish and more.
To immerse yourself in culture, try the Ke’kchi Chocolate and Culture Tour in Belize. After about an hour boat ride from the Malacate Pier, followed by an hour bus ride through the village of Mango Creek, the group will arrive at Akte’il Ha Cacoa Farm. Here, guests will have the opportunity to see the cocoa pod trees and try fresh fruit from the pods on the farm. After assisting in the chocolate-making process from the pod to the bar in the Ke’kchi Mayan village at the Akte’il Ha Cacoa Farm, guests will learn how to grind down corn to make corn tortillas using similar techniques used to crush down the cocoa nibs.
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