Tried & Tested: Regent Seven Seas Grandeur
Last year I was naturally disappointed when – two days before departure – my planned shakedown cruise was canceled. Fair enough though since the focus was on getting everything ready for the first, sizable group of paying guests. But all's well that ends well – making a longer trip in the summertime and with the full range of offers takes the sting out of the initial pang. Find out here whether the new showpiece of the fleet can meet the demands of the bespoke clientele.
As experienced by LuxuryWise's Director of Business Development, Melanie Haass
The Ship
As many of you may know Greece is in my heart, so of course I am jumping for joy as I board this beautiful ship in the port of Piraeus! Let's cast off for my five-night mini-cruise on what is actually a twelve-day route via Mykonos, Peloponnese, and Corfu to Dubrovnik. Spoiler alert: I would have liked to stowaway in the spa to stay longer.
After two years of construction the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur has been in the water since November 2023 and is the newest ship in the fleet. Together with her sister ships Explorer and Splendor, she belongs to Regent Seven Seas' newest class: the Explorer Class. I really like the style of the Splendor as well – not overdone, stylish, bright colors. But the Grandeur has a permanent installation of a whopping six million USD worth of art comprising 1,600 different pieces – including three genuine Picasso paintings in the Prime 7 restaurant. The two eye-catchers par excellence can be found front and center in the atrium: the first seaworthy Fabergé egg and the huge, modern chandelier – wow!!
For anyone new to cruises or if you just need a quick refresh, in a nutshell the characteristic ultra-luxury all-inclusive concept on all six Regent ships is that everything is included except four things: the casino, spa treatments, cooking classes, and the boutique. Now, onward to...
The Suites
With a length of 224 meters (735ft.) and over ten guest decks, the Grandeur offers an unbeatable amount of space for 746 guests and 548 crew members. All accommodations are suites divided into ten different categories. The smallest bookable category is the Veranda Suite with 28 square meters (301sq. ft.) and a rate that starts around six hundred USD per person per night, depending on the itinerary.
My suite is "only" two levels higher, but you can feel the difference in space. The Superior category (pictured) was introduced with the Explorer class in order to offer a suite at a lower rate: more space, but no extra services. The latter kicks in at the Concierge Suite level and upwards. The additional ten square meters (108sq. ft.) come from the walk-in closet and the larger bathroom, which becomes clear to me when I see the smaller Veranda Suite during the tour of the ship.
The aforementioned service upgrade with a Concierge Suite includes a pre-night package, priority reservations for excursions and restaurants, and an Illy coffee machine in the suite. To be honest, I missed the latter in my Superior Suite, as I consider this to be standard for a luxury accommodation. But alas, I can order everything 24/7 from room service, including my morning coffee.
It's great for the cruise company that the ship is fully booked, but that means that the only other category I can look at is the penthouse suite (pictured). It's the most popular type of suite and the first to get booked out. No wonder though – guests could could do a round-trip through its 52-60 square meters (560-646sq. ft.) because of the unique layout, and they wouldn't even need the walking path on the upper deck.
Let's take a quick tour, shall we? From the entrance (pictured), you walk past a small kitchenette and a dining table. Next comes the living room, which can be completely separated from the bedroom by sliding doors and is the crux of this circuitous suite. Take a left to start looping around: first through the bedroom, then the shower room and the adjacent guest bathroom, and then through the dressing room until you end up back in the entrance/living area. From the Penthouse Suite upwards, a personal butler is included in the rate.
I've already seen all the suite types on the Splendor, and I can unequivocally tell you that my favorite of all the accommodations is the Seven Seas Suite, which has a fantastic bathtub and large round windows with views of the shimmering sea. It's the location of the four suites in this category that makes them appealing: on both sides of the bow with panoramic views and cozy, sloping ceilings. The 76 square meters (818sq. ft.) are divided into a bedroom, a separate living room, and a marble bathroom as well as a 22 square meter (237sq. ft.) balcony.
The highest class is the Regent Suite, and we are definitely talking about superlatives here. With 299 square meters indoors (3,281sq. ft.) plus 114 square meters (1,227sq. ft.) of terrace, the suite is the largest cruise accommodation in the world. One night clocks in at a cool 11,000 USD entry rate. For a good reason: the Hästens bed in the master bedroom alone costs 200,000 USD.
The suite comprises a huge living room with a lounge, two large bedrooms with their own bathrooms (the master bath is more like its own spa though), and a terrace with a minipool. If I were the queen of this "house" I could have a massage in my own spa (pictured) all day long, enjoy unlimited treatments, and stroll from the sauna and steam bath into the jacuzzi. The wrap-around balcony and the skylight in the salon make the 360-degree view even better than the captain's, as the suite is located above the ship's bridge.
Allow me to list just a few of the additional benefits of this suite: exclusive access to the private dining room The Study for up to 12 guests, private car and guide for shore excursions and included flights (First Class domestically and Business Class for international connections), personalized stationery, free delivery of up to three daily newspapers, and much more.
This small palace has been the residence of a (super nice!) billionaire couple since March, and has already been the subject of various news clips and videos online.
The Culinary
The core element of a Regent luxury cruise is food and drink. After just five days, my outfits unfortunately are telling me the same thing. It's my own damn fault though, since I diligently eat my way through almost every culinary option over four days on board the Grandeur.
The Pool Grill, La Veranda (which becomes Sette Mari in the evening), and Compass Rose are available without reservations. Reserving a table is required for the three high-end restaurants Chartreuse, Pacific Rim, and Prime 7, which are of course included in the rate. Guests can easily make a reservation in advance in their online account. They simply choose a time, and whether they would prefer to have the table to themselves, or if they're up for meeting someone new. If guests change their minds about their courses, they can easily make the adjustments any time. Or they can even ask spontaneously at the restaurant if they suddenly fancy the delicious Canadian lobster tempura, for example.
The main restaurant is the fine-dining gem Compass Rose (pictured), and the interior design makes my jaw drop as I walk in. If you turn over one of the plates, you'll find a Versace logo. It's a sizable space, and most guests can be seated here for dinner. Interestingly enough, while the finest cuisine is served, guests can mix and match from the menu according to their own tastes: from side dishes, sauces, pasta, meat, poultry, fish, and dessert. Or they can simply leave the perfect composition to the specialists and choose the Executive Chef's tasting menu. Fancy, but light – that's an elegant balance to strike.
I love eating outside when the weather is nice, probably because I cannot do this very often at home in Hamburg. That's why I prefer to have breakfast and lunch at the Grandeur's few outdoor seating areas. It makes for good people watching, and it quickly becomes apparent that the main clientele comes from the U.S. My favorite places are the Pool Grill and the La Veranda terrace towards the bow. Pool Grill sounds a bit terse at first, but there's a separate menu from which I can order from the buffet of salads or various other dishes freshly cooked here at the station. Like I said, staying luxury-wise can sometimes be tough. So I relent, testing all the outstanding restaurants, if only by necessity for you, dear readers. That of course includes Chartreuse, which serves French cuisine. Even now, writing this a couple weeks later, I can't get the delicious steak tartare et caviar out of my head!! And such perfect service with white gloves, whew – yes please!
Design-wise, the Asian restaurant Pacific Rim (pictured) is right up there. The entrance to the sister restaurant on the Splendor is an impressive dragon, while this same spot on the Grandeur is home to a beautiful cherry tree, its blossoms made of hand-blown glass that "bloom" all year round.
Last but not least, my culinary favorite is the New York steakhouse Prime 7. Prime 7 and Chartreuse each have their own small bar (pictured) where you can relax and have a drink before dinner. The only reservation I was able to get was the last one at 9pm. In hindsight this was ideal, perhaps because I got what I thought was the best table in the restaurant: right by the floor-to-ceiling window, with a view of the ship's wake and a glowing evening sky. What a dream! And so was my filet. I'm sorry – I just couldn't order the "Gigantic Steak," otherwise I'd have to say goodbye to all my nice dresses. If a guest orders this enormous slab of meat, the chef at Prime 7 always comes by the table first to check (and approve) whether they can handle it.
A few more fun culinary facts: over the course of a ten-day cruise, the ship serves on average 550kg (1,212lbs.) of lobster, 450kg (992lbs.) of filet mignon, 225kg (496lbs.) of salmon, and ten kilos (22lbs.) of caviar. Plus 1,500 bottles of champagne and 5,000 bottles of wine from a selection of 65 white, 130 red, five rosé, and six dessert wines. The most expensive bottle on the special menu costs 2,500 USD and comes from Napa Valley.
The Spa
My overall favorite place on board is the spa. One secret the spa manager clues me in on is that many guests usually only discover this wellness temple towards the end of a trip. Until then it's wonderfully empty on the small terrace at the stern. There's no fuss, great lounge furniture, a fridge, and a self-service water, juice, and tea bar. But! Dear Grandeur Team, let's talk about the temperature of the three jacuzzis: the largest of the three is fine; but the two smaller ones on the side with a 180-degree view...whew! It'll take only a few minutes before male guests can't father children!
Unfortunately the extensive spa treatments are beyond the scope of my salary, but I treat myself to a few of the numerous free offers. During a ten-minute deep tissue and head massage trial session, the massage menu is explained to me with joy and in detail. For private reasons, I prefer not to mention the results of the high-tech skin analysis, which is also free of charge. Unfortunately I miss the Ladies Pamper Day, which takes place after I disembark, but I think this offer is a cool idea. If your clients go to a fitness class before 10am, they'll get a 30% discount on massages. Why not? Oh, because I forgot to pack sportswear, and there's none included.
The modern treatments include a zero gravity wellness massage with a weightlessness effect. Eight different positions on the table and a choreographed massage will surely deliver your clients to relaxation paradise.
The Experiences
The Regent Seven Seas all-inclusive concept also includes unlimited shore excursions in every port, which can be (ideally) chosen and reserved in advance in the guests' online account. Everything works like clockwork. Guests arrive on board and already have their tickets in the suite – all they have to do is show up at the theater at the specified time and put themselves in the hands of the perfectly organized team. I think I just have bad luck, since my first pick excursion to Corfu with selfie tips is canceled due to a lack of interest. That evening I check the time of my "Olympia in 3D" excursion – stupidly without glasses – so I end up missing it because 8pm and 9pm look pretty similar to these "seasoned" eyes.
On top of the numerous included tours, Regent Choice also offers specially-arranged excursions in smaller groups for an additional charge. From "Go Local Tours" and "Wellness Tours" to the new concepts "Eco-Connect Tours" and "Behind the Design." Here, your clients will experience firsthand how local communities care for their environment and discover exciting stories behind some of the world's greatest architectural designs. The heart rates of foodie fiends will beat faster at the Culinary Kitchen, the ship's own cooking school with highly professional chefs. Pro Tip: it can be perfectly paired with a "Gourmet Explorer Tour" where guests can expand their culinary knowledge under the guidance of a master chef, at cooking classes on private estates, or while strolling through markets together.
Of course, private chauffeurs and tours are also available.
Ich habe mit meiner Presse-Gruppe neben der klassischen Schiffs- und Suiten-Besichtigung noch ein paar special experiences. Mein persönliches Highlight ist die Brücke mit unserem charismatischen und passend zur Destination griechischen Captain Aris, der durchweg ein schelmisches Grinsen im Gesicht hat. Es ist bereits sein zweiter Vertrag auf der Grandeur, aber er fühlt sich noch immer, als würde er die Enterprise und nicht ein Kreuzfahrtschiff navigieren, wenn er die Brücke betritt. Die er, abergläubisch wie er ist, übrigens immer zur gleichen der zwei Türen verlässt, über die er sie betreten hat. Als Kind noch seekrank geworden, ist der nach seiner Ausbildung bei der griechischen Marine direkt in die Kreuzfahrt gegangen. Mit Engelsgeduld und viel Spaß bei der Sache erklärt er uns die raumschiffsartige Technik und hat lustige Insider und Geschichten parat.
Auf der PR-Galley-Tour treffe ich den Chef der Chefs: Senior Executive Chef Michael Meyepa kommt aus Kapstadt, ist seit 2015 bei Regent Seven Seas, hat vor der Grandeur bereits die Splendor gelauncht und ist für eine ganze Horde von 89 Köchen an Bord verantwortlich. Jedes Restaurant, also sogar der Pool Grill, hat seine eigene Küche. Nichts wird vorgekocht und ab einer Order haben die Köche sportliche fünf bis acht Minuten Zeit, ein Gericht fertig zu bekommen. Jeden frühen Abend zu 17 Uhr kommen die Chefköche der einzelnen Restaurants zum Meeting, anschließend werden alle Gerichte des Abends als Beispiel gekocht und von Michael durchprobiert. Da muss einfach jeder Griff sitzen, denn wie eingangs erwähnt ist die Kulinarik wichtiges, wenn nicht sogar wichtigstes, Element einer Luxuskreuzfahrt. Ganz nebenbei macht er aktuell die Planung für den August. Anhand der Demographie der gebuchten Kunden nimmt er die Bestellungen für die in drei Monaten startenden Reisen vor. Selbstverständlich wird dabei auch auf alle möglichen Allergien und Diäten eingegangen – und die Liste ist lang. Auch die Crew bekommt an Bord der Grandeur alles andere als die Überbleibsel der Gäste. Im Gegenteil, sie sind der Küche genauso wichtig und bekommen diverse demographisch angepasste Menüs und heimatliche Gefühle werden an Feiertagen kulinarisch unterstützt.
The Entertainment
The big question we struggle to answer every evening is: at which of the three lounges do we start bar hopping today? My companion is a smoker, so we go to the well-ventilated Connoisseur Club where a waiter from the neighboring Observation Lounge always immediately comes to take our order. With both smoke and merriment in the air, the vibe is very jovial and you always strike up a nice conversation with fellow passengers. Guests can rock the night away at The Grandeur Lounge with a live band and karaoke, but my favorite bar spot is the Meridian Lounge (pictured). There's a Master Mixologist at work here serving up a special cocktail menu, so if your clients can't find what they're looking for it's their own damn fault. All kidding aside, if they're daring enough to venture beyond the immense selection, the right drink will simply be concocted on request. I decide to give it a whirl, and for me it's a kind of perky piña colada – light but punchy. Yum! Don't worry – you'll be in good hands.
Some of the shows created especially for the Grandeur pay hommage to Broadway, with great actors, choreography, and high production value. The two-deck Constellation Theatre, for example, could celebrate the tango, or stage a VIP concert experience à-la Freddie Mercury.
The Service
There's no question that it has to be top notch at this tier, and in a nutshell, it is! There's always someone on hand to read a wish from my eyes, tidy up, or simply smile at me.
The first thing my suite attendant Moh asks me is what I want for the minibar. I'm frugal and choose a bottle of red in addition to the champagne and basic selection of soft drinks and beer. As I'd already spent a few days in my adopted country of Greece before the press trip, I make extensive use of the free laundry service. How sweet it is to have my garments fresh, clean, and delicately wrapped in tissue paper. I'm obviously far from the only one who flies home with almost completely clean clothes in my suitcase – I see several laundry bags hanging on the doors of my hallway every morning.
I only ever encounter smiling and cheerful staff, even despite the fact that tips are included in the rates. I finally dare to ask how it works and the answer surprises me. For example, if a guests treats themselves to a massage, the therapist receives a 20 percent tip from the company (!). Great arrangement!
My wow moment comes at the Meridian Lounge Bar. It's only my second time here, and the shy but always cheerful barman remembers to serve my Negroni without ice. Now that's service.
I have a few questions about the WiFi setup. It's unlimited and free of charge, but there's one problem: it's only for one device, depending on the suite category. Nobody can get by with that these days, especially since businesspeople and managers are the most likely to be traveling on board the Grandeur. I'm just on a press trip, and the issue is being sorted out for me. However, the problem seems to be known and, in my opinion, could be optimized.
In a Nutshell
Despite all the enthusiasm, we must always keep a sharp, ever-vigilant eye for clients. But let's come back to the question posed at the top: Yes, the Grandeur does justice to its demanding target group! It says something when you talk to guests and the comments are always, "We've already been on the Mariner!..." or on another ship in the Regent fleet. I mean, the billionaire couple in the best suite speaks for itself. I've personally been a Regent fan for years mainly because of the great team: they exemplify and embody the real human aspect of our beloved industry. And once again, the onboard team proves to be the crowning glory of the cruise.
Trade Contact: Gabriella Fonzo, Senior Director of Sales, CEMEA