Five Things to Know About Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Explorer Cruise Ship

Spacious, elegant, and well laid-out, the cabins, which all have balconies, are billed as suites, and range in size from a 307-square-foot Veranda Suite to the 4,443 square-foot two-bedroom Regent Suite. Some of our favorite touches: leather-paneled headboards, which add warmth to the room; bedside reading lights; marble bathrooms with in-laid stone; and drawers, drawers, drawers. Clearly, the designers had couples in mind, as there’s space enough for two people to unpack and store everything from evening bags to bathing suits.

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Three firms—Tillberg, CallisonRTKL, and Icrave—were tasked with bringing the Seven Seas Explorer to life. In many ways, the ship echoes the grand ocean liners of the 20’s and 30’s, with its impressive chandeliers (473, to be exact) and Art Nouveau-inspired restaurant, Chartreuse, which has gold-leaf wallpaper studded with crystal beads. But the Seven Seas Explorer, at its core, feels very modern and fresh. For example, on the pool deck, you’ll find a patterned, metal-cut out ceiling, and voile curtains for privacy. At the entrance to Pacific Rim restaurant sits a massive bronze sculpture that is modeled after a Tibetan prayer wheel. And in the Compass Rose dining room, some columns are covered beautifully in mother of pearl—a nod to the sea.

Foodies will not be disappointed on this ship. The restaurants are sophisticated; the food is excellent; and what’s more, you are not charged extra to dine in any location. In fact, you’re guaranteed to dine at each restaurant one time during a sailing, so you don’t have to stress about missing out. Prime 7, designed by Icrave, is more polished take on your traditional steakhouse. You can order massive cuts of rib eye, prime rib, or a whole Maine lobster—with truffle fries on the side—and sit in a velvet banquette surrounded by beautiful art. Compass Rose, the main dining room on deck four, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One of the most decadent experiences during a Mediterranean cruise: a champagne lunch highlighting Spanish specialties, including endless slices of Jamón ibérico and hunks of manchego.

If you are someone who likes to do shore excursions, then Regent will be a great choice in terms of value since most excursions are included within the price of your cruise fare. In Sardinia, for example, passengers will have the option of doing a wine tasting, a bus tour to the famed Costa Smeralda, or a bus tour and ferry ride to Maddalena Island, at no additional cost. What promises to be a very special experience, however, are the Gourmet Explorer Tours—exclusive excursions that show off a destination’s culinary side. For $299 per person in Barcelona, you’ll wander the famous Boqueria and Santa Caterina markets; sample olive oil during a tasting; and then enjoy lunch at the two-Michelin star restaurant ABaC and go behind-the-scenes of chef Jordi Cruz’s kitchen on a tour.

You don’t want to miss a cooking class and demo at the Culinary Arts Kitchen, which is run by Chef Kathryn Kelly. Regent’s sister brand, Oceania, is famous for its culinary centers, but this is the first one on a Regent ship, and it is a stunning space, with floor-to-ceiling windows backing each of the cooking stations. During an hour-long course, you will make practical, delicious dishes such as a drunken limoncello cake, Asian Rumaki, and French mustard vinaigrette with greens—all recipes you could easily do at home.