T+L's Review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Here's our review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest luxury ship, Seven Seas Grandeur.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, voted one of Travel + Leisure readers' favorite midsize-ship ocean cruise lines in our 2023 World's Best Awards, is well-known for incredible service and an all-inclusive rate that includes everything from business-class flights to unlimited shore excursions. The luxury cruise line's sixth ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur, set sail for its inaugural season at the end of 2024. The ship was named one of T+L's best places to travel in 2024, and I was on board the ship’s three-night christening sailing for a first look inside the stunning new vessel.

It was clear from the moment my mom and I stepped on board that one of the ship’s greatest luxuries — beyond fine dining, a multimillion-dollar art collection, and gorgeous common areas — is space. With a maximum of 746 guests per sailing, Grandeur is a far cry from mega-ships where pool crowds and buffet lines are the norm. With spacious all-suite, all-balcony accommodations and intimate specialty restaurants, the ship felt lively but never crowded. Designed by Studio DADO, the ship's dazzling common areas are decorated with a 1,600-piece art collection including multiple Picassos and the first-ever Fabergé Egg to be permanently installed at sea. (Sarah Fabergé, founding member of The Fabergé Heritage Council and great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Fabergé, is the ship’s godmother.)

• All-suite, all-balcony accommodations provide thoughtful touches and ample space to spread out.

• Seven dining venues — including signature restaurant Compass Rose, Asian-inspired Pacific Rim, and more — offer 130 new dishes, including many plant-based options.

• A 1,600-piece art collection includes “Journey in Jewels,” the first Fabergé Egg to permanently reside on a cruise ship.

• Regent is an all-inclusive cruise line, so everything from flights and unlimited shore excursions to alcoholic beverages, valet laundry service, and dining at specialty restaurants are included in the rate.

While cruises are often about the ports of call, the Seven Seas Grandeur — sibling ship to RSSC's Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, is a destination in itself. In fact, although my mom and I were tempted by the unlimited included shore excursions at our port in the Bahamas, we opted to stay on board to experience every amenity the ship had to offer.

Here, my review of the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur.

Related: The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

Staterooms

On Grandeur, 373 guest accommodations range from the entry-level Veranda Suites to the one-of-a-kind, 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite. Deluxe Veranda and Veranda Suites offer up to 361 square feet of space, outfitted with upscale finishes and, of course, their own balconies. I stayed in a Concierge Suite, of which there are 140 on board. With a super-comfortable Elite Slumber bed facing the balcony, a very spacious walk-in closet, and a bathroom with two sinks, a shower, and a separate tub, this suite offered plenty of storage and lots of room to spread out.

Besides the bright and open design in ocean-inspired hues of blue and cream, I loved the attention to detail in my suite, down to the field glasses sitting in the cabinet, ready to help you spot wildlife or faraway islands. The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath Regent Suite, priced at $11,000 per night, offers spectacular amenities including its own hot tub, unlimited spa services offered in-suite, and private dining in a room hidden between two of the ship’s specialty restaurants.

Bars and Restaurants

There are seven unique dining venues and several bars located throughout the ship, and specialty restaurants are included in the rate. Over 130 new dishes were added to the menus on Grandeur, and there are more than 200 plant-based options served across the ship for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Compass Rose, Regent’s signature restaurant, received a gorgeous transformation by Studio DADO for Grandeur; behind a metal waterfall-like sculpture, guests will find an illuminated dining room that resembles a magical forest.

Prime 7 is the ship’s steakhouse, redesigned with influences from New York City’s classic 20th-century steakhouses. Chartreuse celebrates classic French cooking and glamour with a dining room inspired by the Parisian metro’s art nouveau stations and Coco Chanel’s designs. The entrance to Pacific Rim, a pan-Asian specialty restaurant serving sushi, dim sum, and more, is marked by an impressive bonsai cherry tree sculpture by Savoy Studios.

La Veranda is the ship’s main buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch; during our sailing, we enjoyed sushi, lobster, paella, salads, and a very delicious cronut during casual meals here. In the evening, La Veranda becomes Sette Mari at La Veranda, a table-service restaurant serving Italian food. If you want a classic cheeseburger, lobster nachos, or a Korean fried chicken sandwich — or even just a milkshake by the pool — the Pool Grill has you covered with relaxed al fresco eats. And the baristas at Coffee Connection are ready to make your espresso drinks just the way you like them. On our third day, the barista actually had my mom’s coffee ready as soon as she sat down — she didn’t even have to order, he just remembered how she liked it.

Of course, if you’d rather take your meals in your beautiful suite, you can also enjoy included room service 24 hours a day.

There are several bars and lounges on board, too: The Meridian Lounge, where you’ll find daily afternoon tea service (a personal favorite) and live entertainment in the evenings; the lively Grandeur Lounge located across from the casino; and the Observation Lounge, with incredible ocean views during the day and live piano at night.

Where Regent Seven Seas Grandeur Sails

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur will spend its nearly sold-out 2024 sailing the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and Europe; itineraries range from seven to 16 nights. This summer, a seven-night Mediterranean Sea cruise will visit ports in Italy, Malta, and Spain, for example.  Later in the season, a 10-night roundtrip cruise from Miami will include stops in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands.

Shore Excursions

Regent includes unlimited shore excursions on every sailing so guests can take full advantage of what each port has to offer. On our cruise to Freeport, Bahamas, excursions included swimming with the pigs at a local beach, relaxing at a nearby resort, snorkeling, touring Grand Bahama Island on a Jeep safari, and more. You can find a list of shore excursions on the Regent website for each port before booking, and you can book them online starting at 365 days before your cruise if you booked a suite with concierge amenities or 300 days in advance without concierge benefits. While there are typically several free options for every port, Regent Choice Shore Excursions are also available for an additional charge.

Related: 21 Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts

Amenities and Entertainment

With a turquoise pool surrounded by dozens of sun loungers, several hot tubs, outdoor sports courts, and a host of daily activities ranging from trivia to live entertainment, there’s plenty to do on board the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. Starting at the top on Deck 12, a bocce court, pickleball court, shuffleboard, a golf net, and a putting green with holes inspired by famous golf courses around the world offer fun ways to soak in the ocean views on a sea day. The Observation Lounge, Card Room, Connoisseur Club, and Library (with countless travel books stocked so you can read all about your next destination) on Deck 11 are cozy spots to unwind.

The Culinary Arts Kitchen — Regent’s cooking school at sea — is a gorgeous space where guests can learn how to make dishes inspired by the places they’re sailing to — without having to do any of the prep work or clean up. I took a class and learned how to make pasta al limone and crepes; I loved the hands-on instruction and picked up a few helpful tips to use when I cook at home.

The Serene Spa and Wellness section of the ship on Decks 5 and 6 includes a number of treatment rooms (including one with an amber and quartz bed), a gym with workout classes and fitness consultations, and a hydrothermal suite with a sauna, steam room, chill room, and experiential showers. There’s also an outdoor relaxation area with three whirlpools looking back over water; this was one of my favorite places to spend time admiring the ocean during our three-night cruise.

Split between Decks 4 and 5 is the Constellation Theater, the main entertainment venue where guests can watch four Broadway-style shows. I was thoroughly entertained by the "Marauder’s Ball," a pirate adventure told through pop songs and classic swashbuckling tunes. Also on Deck 4, guests can shop around the boutiques, play slots or table games at the glitzy casino, or hang out in the Grandeur Lounge.

Guests can also learn about some of the works in the ship’s 1,600-piece art collection through a digital art tour offered through the Regent app.

Family-friendly Offerings

While not strictly an adults-only cruise line, Regent cruises are best for adults traveling without small children. The Club Mariner children’s program (for ages 5-17) is available on select sailings, but with many adult-focused spaces and entertainment, this ship is better suited for travelers without little ones. Under-16s are not allowed in the spa or fitness center.

Accessibility

There are a couple of handicap-accessible suites available on Grandeur featuring roll-in showers and other accessible features. There are elevators and ramps located throughout the common areas on the ship; I saw several guests navigating the ship using various mobility devices during my voyage.

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