Ship review: Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

The newest ship in the fleet is a dazzler with its multimillion-dollar art collection, palatial £8,650-a-night Regent Suite, and fine dining restaurants. If you’ve got the cash to splash and are after an opulent experience, this is the ship for you.

STYLE AND CHARACTER  4.5/5
Everything about Seven Seas Grandeur conjures a bygone age of cruise ship glamour combined with every ultra-luxe modern touch the well-travelled have come to expect.

There’s an art deco-themed black and cream lobby featuring a statement chandelier; light and bright suites with deep balconies; indulgent menus; decadent, low-lit cocktail bars; a 1600-piece art collection featuring three original Picassos, a sublime sculptures, and Journey in Jewels – the first Fabergé egg to permanently reside at sea – that commands attention; and a nothing-is-too-much approach from friendly, upbeat staff.

CABINS 4.5/5
Billed as among the largest at sea, Seven Seas Grandeur's 372 suites span 10 categories: Veranda suite, Deluxe veranda suite, Superior suite, Concierge suite, Penthouse suite, Seven Seas suite, Explorer suite, Grand suite, Master suite, and Regent suite. World of Cruising stayed in a veranda suite but even this entry-level option proved incredibly spacious – and well-appointed.

Decorated in calming beiges, blues, and browns, the suite came replete with a seating area, walk-in dressing room, ample drawers, and plenty of power sockets for charging phones and laptops simultaneously. Meanwhile marble bathrooms are generously stocked with refillable L’Occitane toiletries.

Feeling flush? The 3,151 square feet Regent Suite on deck 14 has a £157,000 Hastens Vividus bed, private spa, and mini pool but will set you back £8,650-a-night.

FOOD AND DRINK 4.5/5
Chartreuse specialises in fine French cuisine with dishes such as an Artichoke and black-truffle tart laced with edible gold flakes served against a backdrop of walls in glittering gold leafs, while steakhouse Prime 7 presents prime cuts just as you like them and Sette Mari is a more casual, Italian restaurant.

Compass Rose is Regent’s signature dining room, where guests can create their own meal by pairing meat, fish or plant-based dishes with a selection of sides, sauces or pastas. Elsewhere, for authentic Asian cuisine, look to Pacific Rim whose menu brings together dishes from Thailand, Korea, Japan, and China – the flavoursome veggie-friendly Red curry had this writer purring with pleasure. Don’t miss the delicate bronze and hand-cast glass Bonsai Cherry Tree sculpture​​ by Savoy Studios which sits at the entrance to the restaurant. Reservations are required for all five specialty restaurants.

Other options include La Veranda (an elegant buffet), the alfresco Pool Grill, and Coffee Connection – where baristas remembered my daily order for a Flat White despite the ship being at almost full capacity (744 passengers). Meals can also be enjoyed in your suite for no extra cost.

For a pre or post dinner drink, head to the Meridian Lounge, lively Grandeur Lounge, or the Observation Lounge – the place to enjoy a tipple while a pianist plays your requests.

SERVICE AND FACILITIES 4/5
Facilities, as you would expect from a line that promises guests an ‘Unrivalled Experience’, are first-class. Standouts include the black, white and gold marble Serene Spa whose sauna, cold room, ‘experience shower’, and three alfresco hot tubs can be enjoyed even without a spa appointment.

Art lovers can download a digital tour of the 1,600-piece collection of originals or wander around and peruse it at their leisure. World of Cruising tip: the three Picassos can be found in Prime 7 while Walter Goldfarb’s 12m-tall hand woven tapestry Enchanted Tree hangs in the atrium.

Active types will appreciate deck 12 – home to an outdoor walking/jogging, mini golf, and a net-enclosed pickleball court. While Grandeur isn’t the most obvious choice for families due to its luxe, adult vibe, kids aged 5-17 are also catered for on select voyages courtesy of the line’s Club Mariner Youth Program.

Service throughout is exemplary: Nothing much escapes the staff who do all they can to ease guests into the relaxed vibe of the ship: you’ll instantly feel your shoulders drop as you settle on a sun lounger by the turquoise pool and are served a complimentary glass of fizz.

ENTERTAINMENT AND EXCURSIONS 4/5
Catch everything from comedy (although disappointingly the performance on our sailing felt very ‘end of pier’) to decent if not spectacular Broadway-style musical shows in Grandeur’s two-tier Constellation Theatre.

Alternatively try your luck in the tasteful casino, make for the Meridian Lounge for live music and an expertly-mixed martini, or the Observation Deck for fun trivia games – where prizes or Regent points (which can be redeemed onboard) are up for grabs.

When it’s time to head ashore, an excursion is included in the fare at every port – in Montenegro, World of Cruising enjoyed a complimentary catamaran cruise on Boka Bay, passing landmarks such as Our Lady of the Rocks Church. ‘Regent Choice’ aka premium excursions that offer a more intimate experience are also available for an extra charge.

VALUE FOR MONEY 4/5
See how high that ceiling is? Chances are that a cruise onboard Regent Seven Seas Grandeur (whose itineraries include the Mediterranean in summer and Canada, New England, and the Caribbean in autumn/winter) has a price tag to match.

That being said, absolutely everything – flights, wi-fi, fine dining, premium spirits, unlimited shore excursions in more than 500 ports – is included in the price so, unless you indulge in a spa treatment or hit the casino, you’ll never have to put your hands in your pockets once onboard. If you can afford the fare.