One of the first things I am told soon after I board the Regent Seven Seas Explorer is to “get lost” — absolutely tongue-in-cheek, of course.
It is a quip from John Stephano, chef instructor of the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen, reminding me to take time to enjoy all the little nooks and crannies.
“That is exactly what I intend to do,” I reply with a laugh. After all, it has been five years since I first sailed on this luxury liner for a too-brief two-night trip to review what was at the time luxury cruise company Regent’s newest liner.
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Widely regarded as one of the world’s top cruise lines, it has since launched the Seven Seas Splendor and recently started construction on the Seven Seas Grandeur, which is slated to begin her inaugural season next November.
The indulgent suites, delicious food, and convivial company of my first cruise left a lasting impression on me. So, when the opportunity came to relive that luxury cruise experience ahead of the Seven Seas Explorer’s long overdue maiden voyage to Singapore and the Asia-Pacific this December, delayed due to the pandemic, I jumped at it.
In August, I boarded the ship at Istanbul’s futuristic underground port Galataport for a 12-night voyage that crisscrossed the Mediterranean with stops along the Turkish Riviera and Greek Isles.
Thanks to a 2019 refurbishment, the ship doesn’t appear to have aged a day. Featuring a 4-m tall crystal chandelier flanked by sweeping wooden staircases, the main atrium exudes old- world grandeur. My spacious Superior Suite (400 sq m) comes with an ultra-comfortable king-sized bed, a marble bathtub and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a private balcony ideal for gazing into the unfathomable depths of the ocean on lazy afternoons.
In a nod to these post-pandemic times, hand sanitiser dispensers are installed throughout the ship and some common bathrooms have contactless automatic doors germaphobes are sure to appreciate.
Apart from that, everything else runs like a well-oiled machine, with nary a hint that the global cruise industry had taken a beating over the past two years. Some 500 staff serve up to 732 guests at full capacity, including individual stewards for the suites and personal butlers for higher categories. Needless to say, all of one’s whims and fancies — like my daily freshly brewed coffee in bed — are taken care of with ease.
However, these glitzy material comforts barely scratch the surface of what makes the Seven Seas Explorer “the most luxurious ship ever built”, according to cruise director Dru Pavlov. It is said that the devil is in the details, and those who take the time will likely discover more of the ship’s understated pleasures.
One intangible that quickly becomes apparent is the welcoming, intimate members’ club atmosphere fostered on board. It may be the alchemy of having a group of adventurous globetrotters bound by common experiences or the masterful manoeuvrings of social hostess Rachell Boxall, who is a whizz at introducing like-minded individuals to each other, but I haven’t found it quite as effortless to strike up conversations with strangers-turned-friends in a long time.
During my explorations of the liner, I discover a “secret” heated infinity pool that you can access via the spa, which has excellent therapists, for me-time or a cosy tête-à-tête with fellow passengers. By evening, the Coffee Connection cafe, which serves as the ship’s de facto work space by day, transforms into an Italian cocktail bar, perfect for an elegant pre-dinner tipple.
The real value of travel lies in the experiences we have, the friendships we make, and, no secret here, the food we get to taste.
Indulgence also comes in the form of effortless access to life’s little pleasures, including a breakfast smoothie and juice bar at the pool grill, freshly sliced mangoes at tea time, and a free laundry valet service that is one of the most popular perks among the ship’s well-heeled travellers. Having dirty clothes in your suitcase is never a good thing.
Since much of the socialising happens during mealtimes, food is a big thing. All the dining venues, including the buffet restaurant, are excellent but don’t miss the three speciality restaurants — Chartreuse for modern French, Prime 7 steakhouse, and Pacific Rim for Asian-inspired cuisine — whose food and service are world-class, making them the places to see and be seen at.
A word to the wise: expect to see power couples kitted out in elegant cocktail wear, subtle fine jewellery and expensive watches as they hobnob, so dress similarly to impress.
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Another aspect I find most appealing is that the Regent cruises stand out from other cruises in this luxury category because of its all-inclusive voyage fares, which includes meals, alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and pre-paid gratuities, eliminating the hassle of counting dollars and cents when sailing.
A comprehensive list of shore excursions at the various ports of call is another favourite feature. Each stop seems more fascinating than the last, from the sun-kissed Greek isle of Santorini to the beguiling Turkish Riviera town of Alanya, and the intriguing country of Cyprus. Additionally, the Regent offers an enticing line-up of curated excursions that include destination must-sees, off- road adventures and culinary explorer tours led by chefs.
As experienced cruise passengers will tell you, pacing yourself is essential to minimise sightseeing fatigue, although it can be hard to leave the cocoon of the ship. Nevertheless, I manage to carve out a few “ship days” for some proper R&R.
Time flies, to my surprise. From enjoying the views while jogging on the sports deck to getting into a good travel tome in the handsome library or playing board games in the games room, the ship actively inspires leisurely pursuits of all sorts. There are also gourmet cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen as well as expert lectures on excursion stops to keep everyone engaged. The one thing I barely had time to do was to lounge by the poolside — something to schedule into my next cruise, I guess.
Ultimately, my Seven Seas Explorer cruise has been made exceptional by serendipitous encounters. Whether it’s trekking to ancient wonders like the Acropolis in Greece or Ephesus in Turkey or bonding over heart-to-hearts back on the ship, slow travel is something that just cannot be replicated anywhere else.
Perhaps this is the wonder of travel that many of us have missed over the past few years or never had a chance to experience. As the ship’s guest performer, concert pianist Panos Karan says, “There are so many ways to measure our travels — how many countries we visit or how many miles we cover. But the real value of travel, the real magic, happens somewhere in between these numbers. It lies in the experiences we have, the friendships we make, and, no secret here, the food we get to taste.”
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