Five amazing spaces on Seven Seas Splendor

Rebecca Barnes was on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ newest ultra-luxury ship that’s famously home to the most expensive suite at sea

Seven Seas Splendor – Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ fifth ultra-luxury ship – defines modern day elegance, with every inch of the interior working hard to uphold the line’s ‘Luxury Perfected’ tagline.

Teaming up with renowned designers Studio DADO to create many of the public and private areas, the colour palette has been elevated to give a lighter, more spacious feel than previous ships.

Incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident at every turn, with no-expense-spared features including 500 chandeliers, more than $500 million worth of carefully curated artwork, including paintings by Picasso and Joan Miro, and 4,200 square metres – over an acre – of Italian marble.

These are the spaces we feel give even more bang for their buck…

Regent Suite
Designed by Sweden’s Tillberg Design and dubbed the most exclusive address at sea, this 412 square metre apartment, which rents out at $11,000 a night, has one of the largest private balconies on the ocean and is so inclusive that its guests may well never wish to leave – except perhaps to go ashore where a private chauffeur awaits them in every port. Featuring a Steinway piano, an original Picasso, a $200,000 Hästens Vividus bed and its very own spa (which is 30 per cent larger than on other Regent ships) with sauna, heated relaxation beds and a floor-to-ceiling ocean view shower, there’s even a team of therapists waiting to attend to guests’ every whim.

Regent Suite. Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Pacific Rim
A specially commissioned, gilded dragon sculpture reported to have cost $250,000, guards the entrance to the Pan Asian speciality restaurant Pacific Rim. According to Studio DADO, “the piece gives the illusion of dipping into the ceiling and floor as if travelling through spatial realms”. Guests take in ocean views through windows designed in an abstract lotus shape – a universal Asian motif. With diffused lighting highlighting the architectural detail, the zen-like ambience perfectly complements the beautifully presented dishes.

Pacific Rim restaurant dragon. Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Compass Rose
Dressed with exclusively designed Versace dinnerware and featuring a calming colour palette of soft greens and greys, the classically elegant Compass Rose sits at the heart of the ship and is the largest specialty restaurant across the fleet. On arrival at the restaurant, which is situated at the end of the marble-floored promenade leading from the atrium staircase, you can’t help but notice the chandelier made of 870 handblown glass panels which commands the ceiling – weighing 2800kg, it apparently took three craftsmen 10 days to install.

Serene Spa
Entering the light and extremely spacious Serene Spa, you get the feeling you’re walking into a chic day spa – it feels a world away from the typical wellness offering found on most cruise ships. This sophisticated yet tranquil space is echoed in the global menu of services, treatments and techniques which are inspired by many of the destinations the ship visits. Along with a sweeping staircase, the spa reception features a glamorous chandelier, a marble floor, curvy, sink-into chairs and a pebble-like check-in desk.

Observation Lounge
Positioned over the top of the bridge for panoramic views while sailing, the Observation Lounge was designed to inspire the feeling of a whimsical English garden, with furniture and upholstery said to emulate the fluid form of the flower petal. With a light, neutral and airy colour palette, the ambience is elegant and contemporary, with the undeniable centrepiece being the chandelier adorned with hand-painted porcelain peonies and roses. This is complemented by specially commissioned art featuring hand-painted flowers on glass screens.