Regent Seven Seas Cruises doesn't do small print, and Seven Seas Splendor is the clearest example. Launched in 2020 at a cost of around USD 480 million, this 55,000-tonne Explorer-class ship carries just 750 guests, looked after by 542 crew — a staff-to-guest ratio most big-ship lines can only dream about. Every one of the 375 accommodations is a suite with a private balcony, starting at 28 square metres and climbing all the way to the enormous 473-square-metre Regent Suite at the top of the ship.
The headline for many travellers will be the fare structure. Regent's all-inclusive pricing covers unlimited shore excursions in every port, every restaurant on board with no cover charges, all beverages from fine wines to cocktails, pre-paid gratuities, unlimited WiFi, valet laundry, 24-hour in-suite dining, and even a one-night pre-cruise hotel package. What's extra: casino play, spa treatments, and a handful of ultra-premium wines and spirits.
Dining is a genuine highlight. Compass Rose, the largest specialty venue, lets you build your own entrée under a crystal chandelier. Prime 7 does aged American steaks, Pacific Rim serves Pan-Asian dishes like Korean barbecue lamb chops in a dim, Zen-inspired room, and Chartreuse plates modern French with ocean views. By day, La Veranda handles breakfast and lunch, then becomes Sette Mari at night for Italian classics in over-water alcoves. There's a pool grill for pizzas, a café called Coffee Connection, and round-the-clock room service.
Evenings skew refined rather than rowdy. The two-deck Constellation Theater stages Broadway-choreographed production shows nightly, the casino channels Monte Carlo, and quieter lounges host resident musicians. The Serene Spa and a well-equipped fitness centre with an ocean-view jogging track cover the wellness side. Families are catered for on select sailings via the Club Mariner youth program (ages 5 to 17), including cooking classes for teens — though under-18s must share a suite with an adult.
Suites range up through Penthouse, Seven Seas, Splendor, Grand and Signature categories, with butler service, daily canapés and in-suite caviar kicking in at the Splendor Suite level. The Regent Suite goes further with an in-suite spa, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and a heated minipool on one of its two balconies.
Two practical notes worth knowing before you book. First, dress code: from 6pm it's elegant casual — no shorts, caps or flip-flops in social spaces — with the final night relaxed. Second, solo travellers are genuinely welcome: Regent regularly cuts the single supplement on select sailings, sometimes by up to 35%.
For Australians, the big news is that Splendor heads down under for her first local season in early 2027, sailing from Sydney to Asia and the South Pacific — a rare chance to sample this level of all-inclusive luxury without flying to Europe or North America first.
If your idea of a holiday involves unpacking once, eating very well and never reaching for your wallet on board, this ship deserves a spot on your shortlist. It's less a cruise, more a floating boutique hotel that happens to change the view daily.
