Dubbing a ship “The World’s Most Luxurious” seems like a hard title to live up to. But when the mattress alone in Regent Seven Seas Explorer’s Regent Suite master bedroom costs $90,000, the word luxurious doesn’t even do this floating beauty justice.
Voyager was the last ship Regent Seven Seas debuted and that was over a decade ago, so for the new $450 million, 750-passenger Explorer the company “set the bar at a level never attempted or achieved and gave designers carte blanche to produce what timeless luxury means,” explained Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ president and CEO Frank Del Rio during the ship’s christening in Monte Carlo on July 13.
Recommend hopped on board for the black tie gala dinner to taste a bit of this luxury first-hand, which was served in the form of an oyster, caviar and foie gras-fueled five-course meal in the Pan Asian Pacific Rim, one of two new specialty restaurants on board the ship. Don’t think we’re the only ones getting spoiled with Champagne treatment, though. The ship brought on over 2,000 bottles of Champagne for its 14-night maiden voyage from Monte Carlo to Venice, and on a typical 2-week cruise, over 2,000 pounds of lobster is served in all three of Explorer’s signature eateries, as well as the more casual dining venues. As Del Rio says, if these restaurants were on shore instead of at sea, the level of luxury, quality and service would garner the eateries Michelin star-style awards.
The careful attention to detail prevails throughout the entire ship, which is slathered in nearly an acre of Italian Carrera marble; outfitted with over 200 custom-crafted crystal chandeliers; and decorated with over 25 original pieces of museum-quality artwork from masters like Matisse and Picasso. “We are clearly building a ship for the ages,” Del Rio said at the christening. “From bow to stern, every inch exudes elegance.”
The 375-suite ship also boasts the largest balconies in the cruise industry, with over 90 percent spanning more than 83 sq. ft., as well as the highest space ratios and lowest crew-to-guest ratios, meaning more personalized service from the suites to the spa, which is designed and operated by luxe wellness brand Canyon Ranch.
Your clients can pick from 10 styles of suite categories, but for those who want to sleep like royalty at sea, the 4,443-sq.-ft., 2-bedroom Regent Suite seems more luxurious than most Manhattan penthouse apartments—and costs a cool $10,000 per night. The glass-encased sitting area shows off 270-degree shots over the bow, while the living room is outfitted with a black marble bar and a Dakota Jackson custom-designed Steinway Baroque piano. Canyon Ranch also makes the rounds here with the first in-room spa retreat at sea (which includes unlimited complimentary treatments), in addition to an on-call personal butler, plus a private driver and guide awaiting at each port of call. Rates for the 14-night, all-inclusive cruise from Monte Carlo to Venice start at $14,300 pp. For more information, visit rssc.com.
