Cruising on the Regent Seven Seas Splendor
Cruising on the Splendor is a real pleasure and one that most guests will remember long after they are back home. This 750 passenger all suite all veranda ship just might be the most luxurious cruise ship afloat today, depending upon your individual taste. I personally felt she is one the best new ships afloat today in the rarified 5 Star Luxury field.
With a crew of 548 it takes very little to get used to your suite which ranges in size from an outrageous 4,443 sq. ft. to a more normal 307 sq. ft. As one would expect today of a 5 star ship, bedding is fantastic and you want to take one home with you. The more normal suite I had was just fine with walk in closet built for longer cruise, bath tub and separate shower with multiple heads, a very large veranda with a real table and chairs perfect for room service and a full sized lounge chair. The mandatory welcome bottle of champagne, stocked mini bar, fresh fruit, safe, robe, slippers and smart TV. You can personalize your mini bar selection to your own tastes.
Regent is well known for being an all-inclusive cruise line so let me out line what is included in their rates;
Gratuities, all dining options (no up charges), open bar, fine wines with meals, Wi-Fi, laundry service, mini bar, room service, shore excursions with a very good selection of included tours and a list of optional charged tours, flowers in your suite, a very good selection of recent movies and fresh fruit.
There is very little you need to pay additional for once you are on the ship. The service is refined and friendly and rarely do you have to ask for a drink or a plate to be removed staff is well trained and take you of extremely well.
The dining options are tremendous. They include the Compass Rose which is the main dining room for breakfast and dinner daily, a fixed menu of favorites and a wide selection of daily specialties. Chartreuse has dinner and occasional lunch as they describe it a modern twist to Classic French fare. Prime 7 dinner and occasional lunch is your steak houses serving only Prime Beef. Sette at Veranda is dinner only and you’re Italian dining option. La Veranda is breakfast and lunch Buffets, Pool Grill very casual lunch and dinner with an extensive menu and salad.
I had the opportunity to eat at most of the venues and can say the food is excellent and the service was great. Of special note is the extensive Pool Grill menu plus the attached ice cream stand with a selection of goodies like an ice cream store. Another great idea is having a specialty open occasionally for lunch which offers a different lunch menu. Food and service is certainly in the 5 star arena.
Other Public Areas:
- The Coffee Connection is the mandatory Coffee Shop for a 5 Star ship serving food that goes with the time of day
- Pool Bar and bar and food service around the pool.
- A nice size full service casino
- A very generously sized spa and gym
- Shops, library and card room
Entertainment and Lounges
I was especially impressed about the entertainment on the Splendor. The two level Constellation Theater offer both Production Shows and individual acts that are better than many ships of different levels.
The Observation Lounge has a very good piano bar atmosphere and is open before and after dinner plus great views.
The Splendor Lounge located across from the Casino and at the entrance to Compass Rose is a very lively lounge before and after dinner with great live music playing late nightly
The Meridan Lounge had live music before dinner and a 5 piece band playing great music after dinner. This and all of the music were great acts and I thought above many cruise lines including the contemporary brands.
Overall I was very impressed with this ship and Regent and she rates right up there with any 5 star ship and I dare say the entertainment surpasses larger ships. The smaller alternative dining rooms are designed to handle numerous size groups and large groups can be handled in the main theater and Compass Rose. Needless to say a great ship to charter!
Written by Steve Bloss 2023
