Unfortunately I was only invited to go on-board for any inspection whilst she was in Southampton. I would have tried to stowaway but security was very tight, so I knew there was no chance of not being evicted. Shame though as once on-board & saw what I would be missing, I was loathed to get off. I will in the future have a proper cruise on the Explorer (note my positive attitude here using the word “will”).
As the newest member of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, Seven Seas Explorer has been hailed as “the most luxurious ship ever built” & I can totally see why. They even made the documentary about it. At 56,000 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750 guests, she boasts one of the highest space ratios in the cruise industry. She could easily have taken double the number of passengers, but space was vitally important. She is elegantly designed & features spacious suites (all with balconies), including the out of this world, 3,875-square foot Regent Suite, extravagantly designed lounges and showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants – including two new specialty restaurants, the Parisian Chartreuse and Pan-Asian Pacific Rim.
In stark contrast to the embarkation process for most cruise ships, which can see you hanging around, killing time in less than salubrious portside terminals while the ship is made ready, Regent Seven Seas guests are able to board their floating home as soon as they arrive and make use of the communal areas even before their suite is ready; sun decks, pools and restaurants are open to all. This made me even more envious of the arriving guests, watching them arrive, enjoying the ship & being allowed to stay on, whilst I knew I would have to get off. Life is not always fair!
Designed to exceed even the loftiest expectations for luxury, no expense has been spared with the ship’s interiors, with fixtures and fittings that exude quality at every turn. Exquisite chandeliers twinkle from the ceilings and every furnishing, from the plush bedding to the thick carpets underfoot, has been chosen for its high quality. The artwork aboard includes several Picassos & as an example a vase outside the restaurant I had lunch in, that was worth £20k – just for a vase! It is the one in the last photo above. Plus the Regent Suite has a Faberge Egg on display.
I started my inspection by visiting the Regent Suite & OMG it blew me away, it deserves its own photo gallery on my blog!! This is just part of the regent suite I have the photos of – it is massive with 2 bedrooms, its own bar, spa, dinning table etc. It is on the top deck, at the whole front of the ship so had incredible panoramic views, massive balconies, & I could go on forever.
To be honest I would not have sniffed at any of the suites- they were all impressive & you do get what you pay for. With Regent Seven Seas cruises they are truly all inclusive, with excursions also included. I found a cabin with similar taste in beverages to mine – they had pre-ordered a bottle of whisky & a bottle of Bombay Sapphire. A photo was taken..
PRICES & OFFERS
It may sound very expensive but it compares very well price wise with the non-ultra-luxury ships, once you add in the bar bill, flights, tips, wifi & excursions – this is of course is not including the Regent Suite, which would be equal to the deposit on a small house.
For example how about these ideas, that we have on special offer at the moment (July 2017)
- A 7 night Mediterranean Cruise starting on the 8th May 2018 from Monte Carlo finishing in Barcelona. Free flights, transfers, unlimited shore excursions, free unlimited drinks including fine wines & premium spirits, free in-suite minibar, includes tips, free speciality restaurants & unlimited free wifi. All from £3849 per person in a H grade suite.
- Or for this year the same cruise departing on the 28th October prices start from £3134 per person but with a Superior F grade cabin- Lower grades are already full.
- This is an interesting option.. Los Angeles via the Panama Canal (with a day time transit) to Miami, making stops in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia & the Cayman Islands. It is a 16 night cruise & in a G grade suite the prices start from £7,129 per person- with all the same inclusions.
In conclusion the Seven Seas Explorer was All-inclusive, all-suite, all balcony and all totally wonderful.
