Inside the six star luxury cruise ship offering an overnight stop in every European port

As cruise ships go, Seven Seas Splendor’s is a sight to behold, an imposing steel and metal confection with a sleek bow that glints in the  morning sun as we board in Salerno, southern Italy. Part of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, billed as the “world’s most luxurious fleet”, Splendor launched in 2020 and has 373 suites over 15 categories, all with a private balcony — a rarity in the cruise industry.

They range from the 307sq foot veranda suite to the opulent 4,500 sq foot suite on the 14th deck, which comes with its own sauna and jacuzzi, butler, artwork by Picasso, a Steinway grand piano and wrap-around deck. My concierge suite manages to be cosy and luxurious at the same time – a small living area gives way to a separate bedroom with a king-sized elite slumber bed, cashmere blankets, walk-in closet and a stone and marble bathroom.  

There are more Picassos adorning the walls elsewhere in the ship, as well as blown-glass sculptures by Duncan McClellan and lithographs by Joan Miro, part of a $5m art collection, while more than 500 crystal chandeliers and an acre of Italian marble floors give the overall impression that you are indeed on floating palace. With near enough 1.5 crew members to each guest, there is always someone on hand to cater to your every whim, whether that’s bringing a seafood risotto and New York style cheesecake to your suite at three in the morning, expertly washing and ironing your clothes (and returning them smelling like heaven and feeling like silk) as part of the inclusive laundry service or replenishing your in-suite mini bar with premium liquors.  I’m here on Regent’s immersive overnight’s programme, said to be the only one in the cruise industry to offer an overnight stay in each destination, allowing guests to take part in evening shoreside excursions (most of them complimentary) or go exploring under their own steam. This sailing is one of seven in the collection, a 10-day  sojourn around the Mediterranean that started in Monte Carlo and ends in Athens, via Salerno and Kusadasi on Turkey’s turquoise coast. We see the world heritage site of Ephesus, the grandest and best preserved of the  country’s ancient cities and classical ruins. Other excursions on the sailing include a guided nighttime drive through Naples and a trip to Corinth and the Corinth Canal in Greece.

The company has recently added to the immersive collection with a sunset over Tuscany sailing as well as a further 24 shore excursions such as Rome by night, a romantic dinner in Barcelona and sunset wine tasting in Cassis in the South of France. 

It’s hard to get bored, even during a day and a half at sea, thanks to a bewildering array of amenities on board: a bocce court, card room, golf net, paddle tennis court, swimming pool and jacuzzi, sports deck, library, observation lounge, luxury spa, well-stocked library and designer boutiques. If none of them appeal, a daily newsletter delivered to your suite announces the day’s activities, from Mensa and trivia quizzes to jackpot bingo, solo travellers’ get togethers, and free massage tasters in the spa.  Still not convinced? Then simply hang around by the pool bar on the top deck, where an obliging waiter will make you any one (or two, or six) of 19 signature cocktails, all made from premium spirits and mixers, and included in the price of the cruise. My personal favourite is the Mexican Butterfly, a heady mix of premium Tequila, elderflower cordial, agave nectar and mint leaves.

Even at full passenger capacity, the ship feels remarkably relaxed and uncrowded, especially during the day, when many passengers are taking part in various guided excursions. In fact, it’s possible to walk the full length of the vessel without coming across more than a handful of well-heeled guests sipping a daytime cappuccino in the  Meridian Lounge or enjoying a fine cigar and cognac in the Connoisseur Lounge. As a virgin cruiser, my fears of being herded around with hundreds of other passengers have been put to rest.  

When it comes to eating, five of the nine speciality fine dining restaurants are included in the price of the cruise and the only difficulty is choosing which one of them to dress up for each evening or lunchtime if you prefer. One of my favourites is the Pacific Rim, a moodily lit affair specialising in pan Asian cuisine (the miso black cod is to die for) with a huge bronze dragon sculpture guarding the  entrance. Other restaurants include Chartreuse, serving French cuisine, Italian at Sette Marie at La Veranda, where alcove seating juts out over the ocean and the risotto ai frutti di mare is out of this world, and Prime 7, an intimate steak house for New York strip and perfectly aged fillet mignon. Wash it down with a choice of 53 white wine labels, 140 red and 20 sparkling and Champagnes. Michelin-starred British chef Alain Roux and Los Angeles-based Tomasso Barletta are just some of the big culinary names you might find whipping up a storm in the ship’s kitchens. If you want to try your hand at recreating some of the dishes yourself, the state-of-the-art culinary arts kitchen runs regular cookery classes and has 18 work  stations, floor to ceiling windows and the last word in cooking utensils and gadgets.

The entertainment carries on late into the evening (although the guests we encountered were far too refined to engage in any raucous behaviour) in the casino and Constellation Theater, where lavishly staged, high-energy song and dance shows produced by Regent’s own team of Broadway choreographers and directors wow passengers night after night. No cheesey crooners here.  

Set to launch in 2026, Regent’s Seven Seas Prestige, the first of two Prestige class ships and the company’s first new ship class in 10 years, will have one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the industry, an even plusher Regent Suite and new accommodation categories.  

Images: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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