When I was 11 years old, I stood in line with my family at Sotheby’s New York on Manhattan’s Upper East Side; at the time, the auction house was featuring nine Imperial Faberge eggs from Czarist Russia.
The collection — which was expected to sell for about $90 million — had attracted history and art enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of the eggs, each with unique design, embellishments and details. (I’m certainly no collector, but even at 11 years old, I knew a good egg when I saw one.)
And now, 20 years later, I came face-to-face with yet another Faberge creation, this time inspired by the sea and living onboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ latest vessel — the Seven Seas Grandeur. The custom-made, glimmering egg in Deck 5’s Atrium, dubbed “Journey in Jewels,” is the first of its kind to be displayed permanently on a cruise ship.
Faberge eggs symbolize a form of opulence that is rarely found on the high seas, but is par for the course for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. (Fittingly, Sarah Faberge, founding member of The Faberge Heritage Council and great-granddaughter of founder Peter Carl Faberge, was named the ship’s godmother.)
Journey in Jewels is just one component of the ship’s 1,600-piece, multimillion-dollar art collection,
which also includes everything from a 40-foot-tall, hand-woven tapestry to a custom bronze and hand-cast glass bonsai cherry tree and works from world-renowned artist Pablo Picasso.
Seeking out each piece of art onboard was a game in and of itself, but I was also surprised by tiny hints of luxury in the most unexpected places. After sitting down at Compass Rose (billed as the largest specialty restaurant at sea, and the Grandeur’s signature restaurant), I looked down to find elaborate Versace chargers at each seat; looking up, I was under a canopy of crystals.
Compass Rose is the ship’s signature dining venue.
Credit: 2024 Regent Seven Seas CruisesElegantly Appointed Staterooms
The staterooms were just as impressive, but for another reason: They highlighted the luxury of space. The all-balcony, 373-suite ship spans 15 stateroom categories that range from 307 square feet to the gargantuan 4,443-square-foot, $11,000-per-night Regent Suite, which has its own spa, a $250,000 Hastens Vividus mattress and nine different types of marble in the primary bathroom.
Although it was no Regent Suite, my 332-square-foot Superior Suite certainly stood up to most cruise ship cabins. It featured a sea-facing, king-size bed; a spacious walk-in closet; a living room and vanity area; a private balcony; and a stone- and marble-detailed bathroom with a large soaking tub.
Seven Seas Grandeur features the first Faberge egg at sea.
Credit: 2024 Regent Seven Seas CruisesOnboard Entertainment Options
Despite some rough seas during my sailing, I was determined to spend the majority of my time making use of the ship’s array of entertainment options. During a hands-on, chef-led cooking class in The Culinary Arts Kitchen, I paid homage to Ancona, Italy (home to the Grandeur’s shipyard), by whipping up a creamy, emulsified spaghetti al limone. I tested out one of the Jacuzzis on the Pool Deck; played a game of corn hole on the Sports Deck (where guests can also opt for a round of bocce ball, shuffleboard, miniature golf or pickleball); bet — and lost — during a couple rounds of Blackjack in The Casino; and sang along to reimagined musical classics during Broadway Unplugged, an evening show at the double-deck Constellation Theater.
A sister ship to Regent Seven Seas Explorer and Regent Seven Seas Splendor, Grandeur will please longtime fans of the cruise line who will see familiar touches onboard, including several dining venues and the option to order each of Regent ships’ own signature cocktails.
The newest drink, “The Grandeur” is a handmixed blend of Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, Drambuie, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, honey, egg whites and old-fashioned bitters. Drinks and food are included in the fare, so clients will never have to worry about pulling of out their wallets.
Dining Venues
Although I didn’t get the chance to try the reservation-only Prime 7 steakhouse, Asian-fusion Pacific Rim or French-inspired Chartreuse, I was certainly content with the plentiful options in the La Veranda buffet on Deck 11 during the day, and Italian options in the same venue as the restaurant transitioned to Sette Mari at night. The customizable, build-your-own dish options in Compass Rose were a nice touch, too, and provided many options for guests with dietary restrictions.
As I got ready to disembark Seven Seas Grandeur, I stopped one final time to say goodbye to the ship’s piece de resistance, the Journey in Jewels. I couldn’t help but think that my experience so perfectly mirrored Regent’s philosophy of its newest ship, which was “inspired by the past, and stunningly reimagined for the future.”
And though I’m not sure what my future holds, I hope it includes a return visit to Seven Seas Grandeur.
