Seven Seas Explorer

All 373 on the Explorer boast spacious closets, high-end finishes, plush furnishings, wildly comfortable bedding, and those aforementioned balconies. Even those in the ships smallest offering, the 307 ft. Veranda suite receive cushy digs, with marble details, plenty of counter space, and tiny but memorable touches like leather headboards, dramatic drapery to separate quarters, and sturdy (but still elegant!) patio furniture. Highlights include Regent’s very posh version of turn-down service (no detail is spared) and complimentary laundry service.

You’ll be greeted with a full-size welcome bottle of champagne and fruit, plus free access to Wi-Fi, L’Occitane minis, and a daily mini-bar reset (those beverages are included in your all-inclusive drink package!).

Overall, accessibility within suites gets an A. No features within the room felt overwhelming or required a user manual to understand, balcony doors have a built-in safety mechanism (to avoid getting locked out), and rooms are sleek and navigable. However, those with mobility issues and/or wheelchair users might find the smallest Explorer suite offering, the Veranda suite, a bit too small or cramped. Our advice? Go with the Deluxe Veranda or bigger.

Dining options on the Explorer hit that elusive sweet spot of having enough exciting, fresh, and high-end dining experiences, while still having your basic crowd-pleasing fare for nibbling by the pool.

With three main luxury dining experiences for dinner—the transportive Prime 7, an old-school steakhouse worthy of the Rat Pack, the elegant Pacific Rim, a Pan-Asian inspired eatery, and stylish (down to the Versace flatware) Chartreuse, a French-fusion brasserie–there’s a bit of something for everyone.

In total, there are 11 options on board for dining, with all options included in the all-inclusive experience.

One of the best is Coffee Connection, which not only included a modest but tasty continental-style breakfast spread daily, but made the necessary daily coffee run a fabulous errand—like visiting a warm and cozy Roman coffee bar every day.

Sample menus for all restaurants can be found online, but that won’t make it easy to decide where to have dinner. Reservations do have to be made in advance for Prime 7, Pacific Rim, and Chartreuse.

Daily, you’ll be impressed by the stately spin on “boring” cruise fare like pizza and burgers. But ironically, there’s room for improvement on Regent’s seafood dishes, particularly at Pan-Asian eatery Pacific Rim. A seemingly exciting tempura lobster dish was rubbery and overly oily, and a crudo dish tasted bland and not as fresh as expected. Where the Explorer really shines is the classics, all things meat and potatoes—gourmet style.

Bars on-board are expectedly refined and sleek with three main options for imbibing. Seek out the the most elegant and formal option, the Observation Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows make for incredible seascape views, and a piano player tickles the ivories with themed evenings (Billy Joel Standards and Classics is especially memorable) throughout the sailing. Consider yourself the karaoke king (or queen?) Duck into the more casual and intimate Explorer Lounge for sing-alongs and a jovial atmosphere. It’s also conveniently located directly across from the ship’s casino. Fancy a rousing round of Balderdash? The Meridian Lounge hosts fun and games and is a perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink. All bars offer their own unique menus and stock a variety of mid to top shelf spirits which are all included in your ticket price. If you’re a fan of ultra premium or rare whiskeys and cognacs you’ll likely find them on-board, but for an extra cost.

If that aforementioned rousing game of Balderdash is your idea of a fun night out then this is the ship for you. Expect the kind of entertainment to be of a certain age.

Now, that doesn’t mean it’s boring. Take the standing ovation a 25+ Regent cruiser recieved after performing the Piano Man classic, “Always a Woman.” We wholeheartedly recommend the Explorer Lounge on board for karaoke and conversation, but if that isn’t your cup of tea, the casino on board will do the trick.

The Today Show-like daily segment the Cruise Director staff put on every day made it easy (and fun!) to know the daily ongoings on board, plus a handy newsletter left in your room every evening set you up for success with a list of options with descriptions. The stately Constellation Theater featured daily talks and History Channel-like deep dives on archeology and antiques. By night there’s a rotating round of recent popular film screenings, lectures, and surprisingly delightful magic shows.

The Observation Lounge became an elegant piano bar by sundown, with couples swaying to oldies and standards by moonlight.

Regent definitely knows its audience, and while none of the entertainment could be classified as high octane, it’s all a fun, old-school bonus.

Regent Seven Seas partners with Serene Spa and Wellness for its boutique spa services on board with the Explorer placing an emphasis on hydrothermal experiences. Free daily use of the spa is included, but services like massages and facials are an out-of-pocket expense.

Even if you only spent your time on board enjoying those complimentary services, it would still be an incredibly relaxing, unique, and yes, serene experience.

The hydrothermal suites are single sex and divided into two main areas—one for services, and one for spa use. Included are a steam room, dry sauna room, and an “experience shower”, which despite the confusing name was an experience. Toggle through varying temperatures, timed up to lighting cues and water pressure intensity and emerge feeling relaxed and refreshed. The spa offers dozens of luxe services with the standard Swedish massage being an absolute highlight. But it doesn’t stop there. Manicures, pedicures, waxing, and cuts and blowouts can be arranged as well.

Retire after your services to the deck (the spa is thoughtfully anchored at the rear of the ship) where you can watch the sunset from the spa’s private plunge pool, catching dolphins in the distance.