She is the latest newbuilding of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the Seven Seas Splendor. With this ship, RSSC has – as far as the onboard ambience is concerned – moved into a new direction. Normally vessels in the ultra-luxury market are decorated with warm but slightly darker colors which, like the materials used on board, result in a luxurious but in many cases a bit severe atmosphere. In the case of Seven Seas Splendor however, all over the ship lighter and brighter color schemes were implemented and “less heavy” materials were used. For example the buffet restaurant La Veranda where bright colours are used troughout. The same goes for the information desk and the adjacent lobby. Yet another example is the promenade between the casino and the Splendor Lounge. On sister ship Seven Seas Explorer, the stairs in its center were made of marble and this has changed to wood with glass sides and brass handrails, giving it a less heavy, less formal look.
Many changes and improvements on Seven Seas Splendor are subtle, almost invisible, but there are plenty of them. For example in the aforementioned buffet La Veranda, waiters are present at every food-station to fill plates as guests wish. This not only means providing better service and hygiene, but it also keeps food waste to a minimum. Guests can dine dine outside at La Veranda, as there are cabanas available which give shelter from the elements (wind…) while at sea, giving guests the opportunity to have their meal out on deck. In Compass Rose, the ships main restaurant, the menu has been improved overall and when the ship is at sea on Sunday’s, a spectacular buffet is created here, with fine patties, caviar,etc. the finest food one can think of, worthy of a 6-star vessel. Here also, the color scheme has become somewhat lighter, and, and the formal Murano-glass chandelier on sister Seven Seas Explorer has been replaced with a less present one made of stainless steel which has 870 lit handblown glass panels. It took three craftsmen ten days to install this 2800 kg heavy fixture.
Of course guests can choose to dine in of the ships’ specialty restaurants, like the Pacific Rim whre Asian dishes are served and which has an magnificent bronze dragon (cost: $250,000) at its entrance, which guests have to pass when entering. Or the French cuisine restaurant Chartreuse reminiscent of a fine-dining restaurant in the backstreets of Paris. Finally Prime 7 which serves classic American fare and where the menu has also been improved.
It goes without saying that in all restaurants, crystal glassware and only the finest crockery designed by Versace and Bernerdaud is used. There are eight top-chefs onboard Seven Seas Splendor, all with impressive careers resulting in awards or publications of their gourmet recipes. They accompany guests on culinary excursions to star restaurants, local markets or even bio-farms and guests have the opportunity to follow cooking-classes in the ships Culinary Arts Kitchen, and under the direction of one of the chefs try different recipes hands-on.
Eye-catcher on board Seven Seas Splendor is the Regent Suite of course, the finest and largest suite at sea, measuring an incredible 412 sq m (130 sq m balcony). It has a private spa and an outdoor jacuzzi. The sitting room, or better “salon”, in this case, overflows with luxury and part of it has the atmosphere of a winter-garden with it’s wicker furniture. Piece de resistance is the $200,000 bed, or is it the Picasso hanging next to it? It is said that this suite is larger than the average American home….
As usual, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers guests the all-inclusive package which is very comprehensive, as almost all excursions are included, and also drinks: 30 brands of wines and champagne and most cocktails. Spa treatments are not complimentary, but all specialty restaurants are.
Seven Seas Splendor has an impressive $5 million artwork collection on board, more than 300 works of art by over 200 artists like Picasso, Miro etc.
She was christened on February 21, 2020 in Miami by super-model and actress Christine Brinkley. She pushed the famous button and a 15 litre bottle of Veuve Cliqouot smashed into the ships hull. She told the audience that her parents loved to sail with RSSC, and if they could have been present, they would surely have been very proud of their daughter being the ship’s godmother. Next Grammy award winner Seal performed and NCL CEO Frank del Rio stated in his speech that Seven Seas Splendor’s trademarks would be luxury, excellence and friendship.
Five new shows had been announced earlier by RSSC to debut on Seven Seas Splendor like for example Divo’s and Diva’s, celebrating the best male and female vocalists of the last seven decades and Crossroads, halfway between Nashville and Los Angeles lies the “Crossroads Warehouse,” which is the site of a decades-long battle between country and rock fans. Two groups battle through the best rock and country hits.
A well established and highly appreciated tradition on Regent Seven Seas ships is the so called Block Party where passengers can get acquainted and during which the captain and cruise director circle to meet all their guests on the forthcoming cruise. The captain of Seven Seas Splendor, Serena Melani is the first female captain of a newbuilt cruise ship. During the christening ceremony she mentioned in her speech that every woman can achieve what she sets out to by working hard and persevere.
This $ 536 million cruise ship, said to be the most luxurious cruise ship in the world at this time is outstanding in many aspects, as apart from the earlier mentioned Regent suite and her art collection, there are a stunning 500 chandeliers on board , some of them in the 375 suites, and specialists Preciosa Lighting worked with interior design firms Tillberg Design of Sweden, YSA Design and Studio DADO as well as lighting consultants We are Light on more than 100 light pieces throughout the ship’s public spaces as well as the Regent suite. 46,000 sq ft of Italian marble has been installed, over an acre! With 750 passengers being looked after by 542 crew she has an impressive passsnger to crew ratio. No crowds on this 224 m 55,00GRT vessel which offers guests the experience of sailing on board a classy mega-yacht, at a fee starting around $400 per person per day.
And so guests will not find a zip-line, skating-rink of pounding disco on this ship, as guests are here for visiting off-the-beaten-track destinations, cultural enrichment and high-class meals. There are four lounges on Seven Seas Splendor, the Splendor Lounge for drinks and cocktails with a contemporary duo performing until late, the Meridian Lounge, conveniently situated near the Constellation Theatre, where often residential musicians perform while in port, the Observation Lounge offering magnificent views from atop the vessel on Deck 11 and finally the Casino, which is reminiscent of famous gambling spots in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is on its way to expand, a sistership to Seven Seas Splendor has been ordered from the Italian Fincantieri yard for delivery in 2022 and there even is an option for yet another newbuilding in this class for 2024.
