When the supposed costliest luxurious cruise ship ever constructed sails into Los Angeles Harbor early subsequent 12 months, she may have onboard a prized artwork assortment with the primary Fabergé egg completely on show at sea together with one thing else that California in all probability hasn’t seen — or sniffed — within the 31-year historical past of Regent Seven Seas: a vessel barely out of the shipyard.
That uncommon new-ship odor awaits cruisers boarding the Seven Seas Grandeur on Jan. 8 from San Pedro’s World Cruise Heart. When the longer term fleet flagship welcomes her first embarking passengers out of L.A., the $545-million vessel may have solely accomplished 4 itineraries. For the fifth, this one beginning within the shadow of a just-turned 60-year-old Vincent Thomas Bridge, Grandeur will return to Miami the identical means she got here: a 16-night sail via the Panama Canal.
The Italian-built, 746-passenger ship is a sister to Seven Seas Splendor, which debuted in 2020, and the 2016-christened Seven Seas Explorer. And what a beautiful lineage it's. Each of Grandeur’s older siblings are beauties as Alaska-bound passengers will attest on Explorer this summer season whereas Splendor, present flagship of the ultra-luxury fleet (www.rssc.com), spends the following two seasons within the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Earlier than crossing the Atlantic a couple of days in the past, Splendor’s seven-night “Heritage of the Maya” roundtrip crusing out of Miami served as a sneak peek for friends who're booked on Regent Seven Seas’ subsequent massive factor sight unseen. Truly, the practically accomplished Grandeur is the fleet’s subsequent mid-sized factor. Like most luxury-category vessels, the Explorer-class triplets — every measuring 55,000 gross tons — aren’t that giant. By comparability, Norwegian Prima, the flagship of Norwegian Cruise Line, a sister subsidiary to Regent Seven Seas, has a gross tonnage of over 143,000. However whereas their inner quantity is modest contrasted with these floating cities known as megaships, Splendor, Explorer and Grandeur are massive when it comes to area ratio, a measure of how a lot actual property there may be per passenger, and small in regard to staff-to-guest ratio, an excellent indicator of personalised service.
Splendor’s 1:1.5 ratio on the current near-capacity cruise out of Miami was evident from bow to stern. Close to-impeccable consideration was prevalent from the ship’s six eating places and well-serviced bars, lounges and fundamental theater to the surprisingly spacious spa, on line casino and boutiques. Even the leisure staff, often a cliquey bunch of professional singers and dancers, genuinely cared that friends had a grand time whereas internet hosting myriad shipboard actions, many value factors redeemable for candy swag.
Hospitality at a loftier degree is offered to the extra privileged Regent Seven Seas friends. Whereas butler service is an automated amenity on Silversea, a direct competitor, solely these in premium suites include a genie in tails who can ebook your spa appointments, make dinner reservations and principally deal with all your wants throughout your voyage. Having encountered plenty of logistical and communications-related complications over the seven days on Splendor, this coddling-allergic cruiser gained a greater appreciation of his earlier sail on Silversea.
It’s not that one ultra-luxury cruise line is healthier than the opposite; it’s only a matter of style, as California-based journey planner Kelly Baker agrees.
“You possibly can evaluate Silversea and Regent Seven Seas as apples to apples, nevertheless it’s extra like Fuji to Granny Smith,” stated Baker of Ships and Journeys Journey. “They're each comparable ultra-luxury cruise strains that may fulfill your cravings. Nonetheless, all of it will depend on your tastebuds with regard to finery.”
Silversea will get the nod over Regent Seven Seas in a number of key classes — sheer magnificence and meals high quality, particularly — however with regards to leisure and onboard actions typically, Regent will get a standing ovation. The exhibits offered within the two-deck Constellation Theater will not be solely among the most elaborate within the luxurious cruising class, however they rival these staged on megaships. The eclectic, up to date and, sure, even sensual “Bohemian Soul” is the standout among the many 5 — 5! — full productions satisfying showgoers on seven-night sails.
One other tip of the hat in Regent Seven Seas’ path is the vacation-y vibe. No offense to cruisers preferring tuxedos over Tommy Bahama or formal robes over nation membership stylish, however in 2023, many seafaring holidaymakers don’t actually wish to costume to the nines. “Elegant informal” is as strict as Regent Seven Seas will get, and Seabourn, additionally responding to a development, matched this extra versatile nightly costume normal initially of the 12 months. Silversea appears to be holding agency, although a ballot of Silver Moon passengers sporting tuxes on a current formal night time indicated an amazing need to jettison the penguin swimsuit.
Curbing the stereotypical snootiness of luxurious cruising does make Regent Seven Seas appear to be a premium-class line at occasions, if not even mainstream. Aside from the caviar station and lowered visitors, the indoor and poolside breakfast buffets on Splendor are not any higher or worse than what’s discovered on Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships. L’Occitane toiletries and a curtain separating the dwelling and sleeping areas are good touches for a primary suite, however the variations between these staterooms and people of an analogous class on less-expensive Oceania, Holland America and Windstar are minuscule.
Little popping out of the galleys oozed wow issue, however lips have been smacked over the filet mignon and lamb chops at Prime 7 steakhouse and the Compass Rose fundamental eating room, cioppino at Sette Mari at La Veranda, popcorn lobster at Asian-influenced Pacific Rim and the Dover sole at French-accented Chartreuse.
A few of the greatest cooking on Splendor that week was completed by passengers on the Culinary Arts Kitchen. The loosely themed “New World Mediterranean” cooking class had 18 beginner cooks getting ready roasted ratatouille, zucchini fritters and chocolate lava muffins. Provided on Splendor, Explorer and, quickly, Grandeur, these courses are expertly designed to broaden friends’ culinary expertise via extremely individualized, hands-on instruction. Every weeklong cruise tends to supply three completely different courses and prices $89 per particular person. Beneficiant pours of well-paired wines and cocktails add to the enjoyable of tasting the fruits (and different substances) of 1’s labor.
The totally outfitted classroom seems to be prefer it belongs on the Culinary Institute of America. It’s beautiful and purposeful. Then once more, so is all the ship. Greater than 46,000 sq. ft of polished Italian marble, dramatic crystal chandeliers, wealthy upholstery and among the most interesting items of the cruise line’s multi-million-dollar, museum-quality artwork assortment make Splendor one ritzy, but unpretentious resort at sea.
With regards to artwork, it appears that evidently Regent Seven Seas is placing all its Fabergé eggs in a single floating basket. Enjoying favorites amongst its kids, the cruise line is giving the gathering’s pièce de resistance to the youngest triplet. The handcrafted objet d’artwork, named “Journey in Jewels,” will likely be on everlasting show in Grandeur’s atrium, which we predict will likely be renamed because the “Egg-trium.”
Limitless viewing of this first-of-its-kind piece from the swanky jewellery home will likely be included within the fare, as is just about every thing else on a Regent Seven Seas cruise. A single worth covers airfare, transfers, shore excursions, eating, bottomless wines and spirits, valet laundry service, limitless Wi-Fi and gratuities.
West Coasters who wish to expertise Regent Seven Seas earlier than January should enterprise elsewhere. These set on crusing on Grandeur sooner than her California debut can hitch a trip on the inaugural cruise that embarks on Nov. 18 from Trieste, Italy — a mere 121 nautical miles from her birthplace throughout the Adriatic Sea. This seven-night sail disembarks in Barcelona. After paying a go to to the land of tapas, cava and Gaudi, Grandeur will make that voyage to Miami with sights set on Southern California.
Upon Grandeur’s Jan. 6 arrival, she is going to develop into the youngest in Regent Seven Seas’ fleet to dock on the West Coast. Grandeur’s native go to could also be fleeting with only a single itinerary out of California, however right here’s some excellent news when you miss the boat: Grandeur returns to San Pedro the next winter for 2 thrilling voyages. The primary, leaving Dec. 29, 2024, is a 10-night Mexican Riviera cruise that makes calls in hardly ever visited Manzanillo and La Paz. That’s adopted by a 16-night voyage to Miami via the Panama Canal, and it simply so occurs to start on the one-year anniversary of Grandeur’s first cruise from the Pacific. Discuss grandeur.