Review: Regent Seven Seas Splendor

What is the line? Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Name of ship? Seven Seas Splendor

Passenger occupancy? 746

Itinerary? Southampton, England to Stockholm, Sweden

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Regent Seven Seas excels at delivering an elevated, all-inclusive travel experience on the high seas. Known for its impressive art collections, high culture, and extravagant suites, Regent is nothing if not luxurious. All of its fleet’s six ships share the same high standards of excellence—including its culinary offerings, unparalleled service, and one-in-a-lifetime shore excursions. Regent’s all-inclusive travel experience includes roundtrip air, a pre-cruise hotel stay, free airport transfers, unlimited shore excursions, speciality restaurants, open bars and lounges, Wi-Fi, and valet laundry service—yes, you heard that right. This ensures that every step of the way—from takeoff to your return home—is taken care of, all you need to do is sit back and relax.

Tell us about the ship in general

Splendor debuted in 2021 as the largest ship in its fleet. With 746 passengers on board, the ship is spacious without feeling crowded at all—you’ll quickly recognize familiar faces and there’s always an open cabana or chair by the pool. What impressed me most about this ship is its $5 million art collection including 300 pieces of museum-quality works. I spotted rare pieces by Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso at Prime 7, the ship’s specialty steakhouse (make sure you come hungry and end your meal with the 14-layer chocolate cake.)

Who is onboard?

Most passengers on board appeared to be well-off couples and groups over 60. There were quite a few families taking a multi-generational trip, so while it wasn’t out of the ordinary to see some kids on board, you can expect a mostly quiet, splash-free afternoon by the pool. While I was admittedly one of the youngest passengers on board, I made many friends right away. Regent guests are friendly, well-traveled, and all have one thing in common—they love Regent.

Describe the cabins.

There’s no such thing as a bad cabin onboard. You’ll find modern design choices and elegant decor throughout your room—and a surplus of natural light coming in from the private balconies.

I stayed in the Veranda Suite—at just over 300 square feet, it’s the smallest room on the ship—and let me say there was nothing small about it. This suite features dual sinks, a lavish bathtub, a private balcony, queen-size bed, a sitting area with a flat-screen TV, and a spacious walk-in closet. It was by far the nicest (and largest) cabin I’ve ever stayed in on a cruise, and the suites just gets better from there. Guests have their choice of 10 different suite styles, with upgraded cabins featuring larger rooms, king-size beds, cashmere blankets, separate living areas, additional bathrooms, wrap-around balconies, and more.

And of course—one lucky guest can book the Regent Suite, the most elite suite at sea. This 4,000 square-foot room includes two bedrooms with Hästens mattresses costing no less than $200,000, three walk-in closets, and a personal butler. Plus, guests staying in the Regent Suite can admire Picasso’s Notre Dame de Vie print and a private in-suite spa retreat complete with a sauna, steamroom, and jetted tubs.

Tell us about the crew.

Every last detail is met with care and attention by Splendor’s crew. A huge part of what makes your time onboard feel so magical is the exceptional white-glove service that makes you feel like you truly don’t have to lift a finger. The crew is kind and welcoming, and they take the time to get to know you—offering personalized recommendations at specialty restaurants, advice on the best shore excursions and sites to see, and guarantee dresses and formalwear are dry cleaned and pressed to perfection (for free of course).

What food and drink options are available on board?

In addition to its top-notch service and impressive art collection, Splendor also offers a decadent culinary experience (I didn’t have one bad meal during my 10-day residency aboard.) Compass Rose, the ship’s main specialty restaurant, is the go-to spot for fine dining. Design your very own entree and indulge in hazelnut soufflé cooked to perfection on the restaurant’s striking gold Versace plates (don’t forget to order the beef carpaccio). When you’re ready to switch things up for dinner, choose from three additional speciality restaurants: Chartreuse, a chic French restaurant with some of the ship’s best ocean views; Pacific Rim, a moody Pan-Asian dinner spot offering delicious Korean barbecue lamb chops, gigantic pink tiger prawns, and tuna tartare; or head to Prime 7, a sophisticated steakhouse with premium filet mignon and aged New York strip.

During daytime hours, La Veranda offers breakfast options and a lunch buffet with hot carving stations and ice cream flavors of the day. In the evening, La Veranda transforms into Sette Mari, an Italian restaurant serving a mix of classic dishes and modern offerings. And if you’re enjoying your day in your own private cabana, you can grab a quick burger and fries at the pool grill. Guests looking to end their nights with an after-dinner cocktail have their choice of three unique cocktail lounges, the casino, or the Connoisseur Club—an elegant spot to indulge in a cigar.

If you're a home chef yourself, be sure to check out one of Splendor’s 16 classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen. What better way to feel connected to a region than by learning to make its local cuisine.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

Immediately book a spa appointment as soon as you step on board. The globally-inspired Serene Spa is the best way to relax on board. I booked a Swedish massage during one of our two sea days and it was the perfect way to soothe my body after a tough day of reading by the pool. Guests can also treat themselves to a hair and nail appointment or a facial with top-of-the-line Elemis products. And don’t underestimate the calming power of the steam or sauna room.

Activities and entertainment

The entertainment and overall vibe of the ship reflects its guests, meaning you’ll find evening entertainment showcasing music of the ‘60s and ‘70s and a more relaxed pace overall. Guests can truly relax on board, whether that’s in one of the many cabanas, with a facial at the Serenity Spa, or while enjoying a specialty cocktail in the Observation Lounge. There’s entertainment for every guest on board, whether you’re a sports enthusiast looking to play a round of golf or a bookworm who can’t stand to lose a game of trivia. Most guests head straight to the Constellation Theater after dinner for an evening comedy or best of Broadway show. Everyone on board particularly enjoyed actor John O'Hurley’s performance, who is a frequent entertainer for Regent. Beyond the classic cruise activities like bingo and shuffleboard, guests can hit the sports deck, cooking classes, the library, the casino, or the pool bar. I spent afternoons at the Serenity Pool—a more private and lowkey pool by the spa that was usually empty.

And if you plan to stick to your normal workout routine, head to the track or the fitness center. I was impressed by how spacious and clean the gym is—views of the ocean definitely make a run or walk on the treadmill a little more fun.

How was the experience for families?

While I admit most guests appeared to be couples, retirees, or adult-age families, there were some groups on board traveling with children and grandchildren. I shared pretzels and beers with a large family traveling together while on a brewery tour in Kiel, Germany. They were celebrating a milestone anniversary for their grandparents, and their children and siblings all came along. It was great to see several multi-generational families cruising together, but for the most part there weren’t dozens of kids running around. To no surprise given the guest’s demographic, there weren’t any formal kids clubs or daycare. For that reason, while I would recommend a Regent cruise for almost anyone looking for an ultra-luxe and relaxing travel experience, I wouldn’t say it’s the best option for young families.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

I took part in Regent’s pre-cruise land program before stepping aboard Splendor. This entailed an overnight stay at the Mayfair Hotel in London and a pre-cruise excursion to tour Westminster Abbey. The ship sailed from Southampton, England through the Baltic Sea to its final port in Stockholm, Sweden. Ports of call included Kristiansand, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; two-days in Kiel, Germany; Gothenburg, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland. Each port offered several unique excursions, from historic brewery tours in Germany to sightseeing tours of the Little Mermaid in Denmark. Nothing quite compared to the afternoon I spent at Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. One of the oldest operating amusement parks in the world, this for-all-ages park feels so nostalgic (be sure to ride The Demon).

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Each guest is given a reusable water bottle in their room that can easily be refilled at any of the many water stations throughout the ship. I also noticed little to no single-use plastic on board.

Anything we missed?

Make sure you spend an evening at Splendor’s hidden gem—the Connoisseur Club. It’s certainly not the largest or buzziest night time spot, but it was where I made most of my new friends. It’s a quiet, moody cigar lounge that encourages dialogue among guests. I also recommend checking out the library—it’s massive, well-designed, and a great place to work from (if you simply must check your email).

Perhaps the most exciting thing I learned while on board was about Regent’s partnership with legendary artist jeweller Fabergè. With this partnership comes the opportunity for guests to join Fabergè Spotlight voyages that allow travelers to meet the Fabergé team during on-board presentations of the brand’s rich history, an exclusive look into the iconic collections of fine jewelry and timepieces, and experience shore excursions that complement the special sailings.

This collaboration comes with the highly-anticipated unveiling of a Fabergè egg that will live on the line’s newest ship, the  Seven Seas Grandeur that takes its maiden voyage in November 2023. The egg’s design will be inspired by its new permanent home—the ocean.

Why is this cruise is worth booking?

Regent’s Splendor reimagined cruising for me. It offers an unrivaled luxury experience that combines all the best elements of travel—cuisine, culture, and those once-in-a-lifetime moments.