The Conversion of a “Non-cruiser”

The Inaugural Voyage of Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor

Jodie striking a pose.

For this self-proclaimed non-cruiser, it was an awakening. Angela reports, “I just never really got it until now. I can’t wait for our clients to experience this ship. They’re going to love it.”

Poe’s Angela Simon doesn’t describe herself as a cruiser, but after returning from the inaugural sailing of the Seven Seas Splendor last week, she’s changed her tune.

Asked if Regent’s newest, toniest ship—lauded as a work of art from bow to stern— lives up to the hype, Angela answers a definitive “yes.”

It started with a bang (or rather a “POP!”) . . .

Angela and her sister, Jodie Soto, joined other exclusive guests—including travel partners, local community leaders, media, and luxury travelers—at the private, glamorous black-tie gala. Honorary Godmother Christie Brinkley delivered the traditional maritime blessing—“I hereby name this ship Seven Seas Splendor. May God bless her an all who sail on her”—which officially christened the vessel. The supermodel/actress then depressed a button which sent a 15-liter Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut champagne smashing against the ship’s hull. Also worthy of celebration, the fact that Seven Seas Splendor is helmed by 30-year veteran Captain Serena Melani, the first woman to captain a newly built ocean cruise ship!

To conclude the celebration, guests were treated to a concert by Seal, whose performance wowed the audience and had Angela and Jodie leaping out of their seats, dancing with wild abandon, and singing along.

Her enthusiasm and up-for-anything attitude make Jodie an ideal traveling companion, says Angela, and the perfect person with whom to explore a new ship. (See her in action in these pictures.) “She wants to see and do everything.” So she and her sister set out to see every inch from bow to stern—and took advantage of everything on offer. They visited every suite (all superb), dined at every restaurant, sampled every cocktail (passionfruit was a favorite), took every class, and signed up for every activity (including snorkeling in Nassau where they were undeterred by the chilly, choppy waters). They also took part in a cooking class, which Angela reports was fantastic. “They’re really focusing on the culinary arts on this ship. The facility is just beautiful. It looks out over the water, and everyone has their own station. The chef was really likable, and the atmosphere was fun. We slow poached a delicious fish in white wine sauce and also made French toast with rum caramel sauce and hazelnuts.”

As for dining options: “This food was memorable, really delicious. I mean, the desserts were legit—not the kind that look pretty but don’t taste like anything. Even room service was great,” enthuses Angela. “We ate an insane amount of beef tenderloin and lobster.” They also had caviar—on Versace plates.

When not eating . . .“We went to the spa every day. They had a really nice sauna with windows overlooking the water, a cold room, ceramic heated chairs, and, best of all, an aromatherapy suite. Also, the fitness instructor was George Michaels’ trainer.” (‘Cause “you gotta have faith”—and fitness, right?)

The gala wasn’t the only party onboard. There was also a “block party,” where you meet all your neighbors on your floor. “It was fun. We drank wine, met the captain, the CEO, and the entertainment director for all the Regent ships who was really interesting.”

For this self-proclaimed non-cruiser, it was an awakening. Angela reports, “I just never really got it until now. I can’t wait for our clients to experience this ship. They’re going to love it.”

Epilogue

Angela and Jodie ended their girls’ trip with a stay at The Four Seasons Hotel The Surf Club in Miami, very glamorous (in an old Hollywood way) and a (welcome) distance from glitzy, glossy, over-the-top South Beach. It was quiet and elegant and a nice way to unwind after all of that exhausting luxury of the Splendor.

More on Seven Seas Splendor:

Intimate and spacious, Seven Seas Splendor offers her 750 guests the most luxurious accommodations as she sails to the world’s iconic destinations and less-familiar hidden gems. The ship features more than 46,000 square-feet of Italian marble and a $5 million curated fine art collection that is the most discerningly curated collection of museum-quality 20th- and 21st-century art on the seas. Her 375 suites include nearly 52,000 square-feet of balcony space—among the largest cruise ship balconies in the world. The beautifully appointed suites range from the 307 square-foot Veranda Suite to the lavish 4,443 square-foot Regent Suite.

The Regent Suite sets the tone for Seven Seas Splendor’s 14 other astonishing suite categories in offering the most luxurious accommodations at sea. Its guests enjoy the ultimate comfort of a $200,000 Hästens Vividus custom handmade mattress, an in-suite spa retreat featuring a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area with unlimited spa treatments, unobstructed 270-degree views over Seven Seas Splendor’s bow from the 1,300 square-foot wraparound veranda, and a glass-enclosed solarium sitting area on top of the bridge for a Captain’s view to see the world’s most beautiful destinations. Guests in the Regent Suite also delight in first-class air accommodations, a dedicated personal butler to manage all the details of the guests’ experience, and a personal car with driver and guide in every port.

Seven Seas Splendor features a Culinary Arts Kitchen with 18 stations for hands-on gourmet cooking classes presented by master chef instructors, and Serene Spa & Wellness™, a new globally inspired spa brand created for Seven Seas Splendor offering exclusive treatments that integrate techniques and ingredients from destinations around the world to soothe both the body and mind.

The ship’s exquisite restaurants include Compass Rose, the largest specialty restaurant at sea; Pacific Rim, a dramatic Pan-Asian restaurant with a mythical dragon greeting guests; Prime 7, an intimate and elegant steakhouse; Chartreuse, featuring classic French fare with a modern twist; and Sette Mari at La Veranda, serving guests authentic Italian specialties and featuring stunning, over-water alcove seating that juts out over the ocean for an even closer connection to the sea, surrounded on three sides by inspiring, magnificent views.

This winter, Seven Seas Splendor cruises the tropical paradises of the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera, which includes two crossings of the Panama Canal and one unique Southern Caribbean cruise from Miami to New York City. In spring, Seven Seas Splendor will traverse the Atlantic Ocean for her inaugural European season, offering cultural and historically rich ports of call in two of the world’s most popular regions, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Jodie cooking.

Jodie enjoying some bubbly.

Jodie putting.