Is Regent's Seven Seas Explorer the world's most luxurious cruise ship?

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Is Regent's Seven Seas Explorer the world's most luxurious cruise ship?

By Sally Macmillan
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Whoever said "don't sweat the small stuff" wouldn't have been employed on the construction of the newly launched Regent Seven Seas Explorer. The all-suite, 750-passenger uber-luxury ship cost more than US$450 million to build and the line calls it "the world's most luxurious cruise ship". Its interiors were designed by three different companies and once you recover from the initial impression of palatial opulence, the true level of luxury reveals itself gradually in the meticulous attention to detail.

Take the marble, for a start. There is 45,876 square feet of it, more than half of it from Carerra, around the ship; in the spectacular inlaid marble floor in the atrium lobby, on the floors of the lifts, in the bathroom of every suite and in the walls and floors of the public bathrooms – and these are definitely the most beautiful I've ever seen, at sea or on land, not a description you'd apply to many public loos.

Then there are the chandeliers – from the enormous cascading crystal extravaganza in the atrium to the intricate blue centrepiece in the main Compass Rose restaurant and 254 more in the ship's lounges, bars and corridors, each one is individual, bespoke and handmade in the Czech Republic, Germany and Britain.

The beautiful Douro River.

The beautiful Douro River.

Everywhere you look there are contemporary paintings, sculptures, and glass and ceramic artworks. Most of the 2200 pieces were chosen by Frank Del Rio, the chief executive officer of Regent's parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Del Rio is a major collector and he also decided where the artworks were to be placed on the ship – future cruises will feature a self-guided art tour when each piece has a plaque naming the artist. Meanwhile, you can check out the easily recognisable Chagall and Picassos in the bar at Prime 7, or spin a drum on the Tibetan prayer wheel, a US$500,000 bronze sculpture that sits outside the Asian-themed Pacific Rim restaurant.

For the ultimate attention to detail, however, you have to consider Seven Seas Explorer's 360-square-metre, two-bedroom Regent Suite. Its custom-made Steinway piano cost about US$250,000. It has 2½ marble bathrooms, its own spa with sauna, steam room, multi-jet shower and hot tub and a wraparound balcony the width of the ship. The most extraordinary feature, however, is the US$150,000 bed in the master bedroom. It was built by English company Savoir, which only produces one or two a year, and the mattress is stuffed with hair from horses that are specially bred for the purpose.

The US$10,000 a night Regent Suite is fully booked until next year and its popularity has led Frank Del Rio to comment that they might increase the tariff to US$15,000 a night. Meanwhile a sister ship to Seven Seas Explorer is scheduled for 2020 – will it feature more than one Regent Suite? Nobody is saying yes or no.

APT's AmaStella.

APT's AmaStella.

Sally Macmillan travelled as a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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MEET THE CREW

NAME Cherie Cooper, from Australia

Cherie Cooper, from Australia, is the cruise director for APT's AmaStella.

Cherie Cooper, from Australia, is the cruise director for APT's AmaStella.

POSITION Cruise Director, APT's AmaStella

MY JOB I pull all the threads of the cruise together for our guests, from making sure they are kept up to date with the sailing schedule to organising guides and answering questions. The way I see it, I'm the host for the cruise and I want to ensure guests leave my ship having had an unforgettable holiday.

A TYPICAL DAY I start early, checking in with the captain and organising coaches, tour guides and daily newsletters. Afternoons are for paperwork and reports; evenings are for fun, seeing guests, briefing them for the next day and spending quality time with everyone.

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT When I'm standing outside Vienna's City Palace greeting guests after their private concert. I love to see the look of amazement on their faces as they take in what they've just experienced.

FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS Bamberg is like a little Venice. It escaped bombing in the war so you get to see the original timber houses as they once were. The shopping is great too.

INSIDER TIPS Salzburger Bosna in Salzburg's covered arcades just off the Getreidegasse is a local secret food haunt. It's basically a hole in the wall from where you can sample the most amazing hotdog – a bun filled with onion and parsley and a Bratwurst sausage all topped off with curry powder. Divine!

TIP

Don't forget to pack your gym kit – your next cruise could be the perfect time to kick-start a new fitness campaign.

NEWS

Lyndey Milan Gourmet Cruise

It's not too late to book a last-minute spot on TV chef Lyndey Milan's Gourmet Eastern Mediterranean cruise on board Celebrity Constellation – the 19-day fly/stay/cruise package departs Australia on September 16. The holiday includes tours in most of the ports; after two nights in Venice the ship calls at Taormina, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany and Dubrovnik. Gourmet highlights include dinners hosted by Lyndey in Venice, learning how to make limoncello and gelato in Sorrento, and classes on Italian and Croatian cuisine on board the ship – led by Lyndey. After the 10-day cruise finishes, there are four nights and tours in the beautiful Italian Lakes area. Fares include gratuities, transfers and a private welcome drinks party on board Celebrity Constellation. See travelrite.com.au.

New Travelmarvel river cruises

As river cruising continues to boom, Travelmarvel has introduced new itineraries in Portugal and Russia. Its Douro river cruising portfolio comprises three cruise and land combinations in Portugal and Spain. Ranging from eight to 21 days, the Douro cruises are on board the newly refurbished, 130-passenger Douro Queen. Travelmarvel's "Insider Experiences" include an on board Portuguese lesson; a sunset sailing accompanied by the soulful sounds of Fado performers; and dinner at a local Quinta. In Russia Travelmarvel is offering 11-day cruises on MS Surikov. from St Petersburg to Moscow; and coming soon is a 14-day land/cruise trip that covers Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Russia. See travelmarvel.com.au.

Star Clippers sails to South-east Asia

Star Clippers has released its new Sailing Collection brochure with itineraries from October 2016 to April 2018, including the line's first cruises in Indonesia (available in seven- to 11-night itineraries). Star Clippers will also be sailing in its usual destinations – the Caribbean, Panama, and Cuba – St Maarten and Barbados bookend the Caribbean trip. Returning to Asia in December, the four-masted Star Clipper will sail seven-night itineraries in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Indonesian archipelago until early 2018. During the 2017 Mediterranean summer season ships will call at some of the smallest islets in Greece and ports along the coast of France and Spain. Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia are gaining momentum as must-sees. See starclippers.com/au.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Sample the delights of Asia on Cruise1st's 19-night fly/cruise/stay package, departing Australia on April 13 for Singapore for a 12-night cruise on board Royal Caribbean's new Ovation of the Seas. Port stops include Ho Chi Minh City and Hue/Danang in Vietnam; Hong Kong; Seoul (Incheon) and South Korea before arriving in Beijing, China, for a six-day tour tour. From $4099; phone 1300 596 345, see cruise1st.com.au.

MORE DEALS

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE'S popular Explore4 promotion is back with four top offers on select cruises from January 2017 to April 2018. Benefits include complimentary beverages and specialty dining on board, as well as reduced deposits and fares for friends and family. Suite bookings feature an Internet credit and prepaid gratuities. Bookings must be made by November 18, 2016.

RUSSIAN TRAVEL CENTRE is offering solo travellers two cruises between Moscow and St Petersburg on board MS Fedin with no single supplement. Fares for the 10-night cruise departing St Petersburg on August 26, 2017, and 11-night cruise departing May 23 are $2107 and $2565. Offer valid until October 31. Phone 1300 668 844, see eetbtravel.com.

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