I sailed on a new ultra-luxury cruise ship for wealthy travelers. I can never go back to a normal one.

Brittany ChangJan 15, 2024, 23:43 IST

The new Seven Seas Grandeur is a great luxury cruise for travelers who can afford the starting price of $4,115 per person in 2024.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently launched a new ultra-luxury ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur.
To attract wealthy travelers, the cruise ship is filled with luxuries like caviar and a $6 million art collection.

I vacationed how the "other half" vacations — aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest ship, the ultra-luxury Grandeur.

Unfortunately, I loved it.

After three nights aboard the $525.4 million vessel during its non-revenue "christening" sailing, I now understand why wealthy travelers are shelling out over $4,000 for one week on the floating resort.

Cruises have never been my preferred vacation option.

Travelers can head to the Observation Lounge for views of the ocean and trivia.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

While many cruise giants are cutting back on expenses, Regent Seven Seas is splurging big.

The new ship has 503 chandeliers, including one in its atrium.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

With a guest capacity of 746, the 735-foot-long vessel was smaller than what I’m used to.

The spa has three hot tubs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Despite my early concerns, the Seven Seas Grandeur quickly became one of the best ships I’ve traveled on.

The Seven Seas Grandeur joined Regent's six-ship fleet on November 14, 2024.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The Grandeur facilitated a peaceful three-night break from the hustle and bustle of my life on land.

Regent says its new ship holds 1,600 pieces of art.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

On this note of excess luxury: During a 10-night sailing, the Grandeur will carry 1,200 pounds of lobster, 1,000 pounds of filet mignon, and 20 pounds of caviar, according to its operator.

The steak tartare at Chartreuse was toped with caviar.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

On this note of excess luxury: During a 10-night sailing, the Grandeur will carry 1,200 pounds of lobster, 1,000 pounds of filet mignon, and 20 pounds of caviar, according to its operator.

And unlike the larger operator— which offers a cheaper base fee but upcharges on drink, food, and WiFi packages — Regent Seven Seas is all-inclusive.

Prime 7 is the ship's steakhouse.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Yes, this includes dinners at specialty restaurants. No need to pay extra for the foie gras-topped beef tenderloin or the whole lobster.

The beef tenderloin at Chartreuse was topped with luxuries like seared foie gras.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Every menu had black truffles, foie gras, or caviar.

Guests at the pre-christening ceremony gala dinner dined on luxurious dishes like this truffle-infused potato panna cotta topped with a thin layer of white sturgeon caviar.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If steaks aren’t your thing, the ship also also two buffets and pan-Asian, French, and Italian restaurants.

The waiters removed the larger Versace plates before the meal began.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At French-influenced Chartreuse, I dined on mushroom soup and steak tartare topped with a layer of sturgeon caviar.

Pan-Asian Pacific Rim serves up options like vegetarian pad thai and fried lobster.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Even the poolside buffet was a decadent feast.

The poolside buffet had an afternoon "Italian Buffet" with several seafood options.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Other than the cured meats and cheeses table, this buffet wasn’t very “Italian.”

The one-day Italian buffet had luxurious cured meats.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

It wouldn’t be a cruise without some booze. The Grandeur did this a bit differently.

Nighttime programming includes a DJ in the Grandeur Lounge.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I spent most of my time at the latter, which became my remote office while working at sea. (I spent most of my time complaining about the slow WiFi).

Coffee Connection serves various espresso-based brinks and light bites.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But for afternoons when I craved sunlight, I found the pool deck to be a quiet and calm workspace as well — that is until the DJ arrived.

The pool was surrounded by several hot tubs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The pool deck was never too crowded.

The pool deck was surrounded with two decks of lounge chairs. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Travelers seeking a quieter reprieve can head to the stocked library or one of the three lounges.

The Seven Seas Grandeur has a stocked library that includes destination guidebooks.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

During afternoons at sea, the Grandeur also hosted classic cruise programming like live music, a corn hole competition, and trivia.

Afternoon tea included a sizable dessert spread.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Unfortunately, the typical nighttime cruise show wasn't my favorite.

The theater hosts live nighttime performances like "Marauders' Ball."Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But I’ll overlook this show for all the other complimentary amenities, of which there were plenty.

My cabin's coffee machine was stocked with complimentary Illy coffees. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Dispel whatever stereotypes you may have about cruise ship staterooms: All of the 373 cabins had a balcony.

My spacious balcony could've easily accommodated more than two people.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

There was even a walk-in closet, though it was quite narrow.

My cabin had a narrow but long walk-in closet.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, the rest of my cabin picked up the closet’s slack.

The concierge suite ranges from 415 to 464 square-feet.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

My cabin also came with a complimentary bottle of Monopole champagne and a plate of fruit.

Guests receive a complimentary bottle of champagne. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

After non-revenue sailings like this, I always ask myself: could I stay here an entire week?

Larger ships like the Norwegian Prima have more exciting amenities. Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The closest the Grandeur had to these was the sports deck complete with a mini-golf course, running track, and the expected pickleball court.

The Sports Deck has a putting green.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But for once, I didn’t care: The ship was so peaceful, all I wanted to do was relax, take it slow, and enjoy the warm weather.

Classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen often sell out, according to the cruise line.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Caviar just seems to taste better when it’s served on a swaying boat.

Access to spa facilities like the sauna and cold room are included in the fare.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

These bottomless luxuries don’t come cheap: Grandeur’s 2024 itineraries and cabins range from $4,115 to $84,000 per person.

The guest cabins come with products from L'Occitane en Provence.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But if it’s within your budget, the Seven Seas Grandeur could be a great all-inclusive option.

One of the buffets opened out onto the pool deck.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

If you can afford it, why not try it out?

The onboard boutique includes luxury second-hand products, premium watches and jewerly, and Regent Seven Seas merchandise.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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I sailed on a new ultra-luxury cruise ship for wealthy travelers. I can never go back to a normal one.

Cruises have never been my preferred vacation option.

While many cruise giants are cutting back on expenses, Regent Seven Seas is splurging big.

With a guest capacity of 746, the 735-foot-long vessel was smaller than what I’m used to.

Despite my early concerns, the Seven Seas Grandeur quickly became one of the best ships I’ve traveled on.

The Grandeur facilitated a peaceful three-night break from the hustle and bustle of my life on land.

On this note of excess luxury: During a 10-night sailing, the Grandeur will carry 1,200 pounds of lobster, 1,000 pounds of filet mignon, and 20 pounds of caviar, according to its operator.

And unlike the larger operator— which offers a cheaper base fee but upcharges on drink, food, and WiFi packages — Regent Seven Seas is all-inclusive.

Yes, this includes dinners at specialty restaurants. No need to pay extra for the foie gras-topped beef tenderloin or the whole lobster.

Every menu had black truffles, foie gras, or caviar.

If steaks aren’t your thing, the ship also also two buffets and pan-Asian, French, and Italian restaurants.

At French-influenced Chartreuse, I dined on mushroom soup and steak tartare topped with a layer of sturgeon caviar.

Even the poolside buffet was a decadent feast.

Other than the cured meats and cheeses table, this buffet wasn’t very “Italian.”

It wouldn’t be a cruise without some booze. The Grandeur did this a bit differently.

I spent most of my time at the latter, which became my remote office while working at sea. (I spent most of my time complaining about the slow WiFi).

But for afternoons when I craved sunlight, I found the pool deck to be a quiet and calm workspace as well — that is until the DJ arrived.

The pool deck was never too crowded.

Travelers seeking a quieter reprieve can head to the stocked library or one of the three lounges.

During afternoons at sea, the Grandeur also hosted classic cruise programming like live music, a corn hole competition, and trivia.

Unfortunately, the typical nighttime cruise show wasn't my favorite.

But I’ll overlook this show for all the other complimentary amenities, of which there were plenty.

Dispel whatever stereotypes you may have about cruise ship staterooms: All of the 373 cabins had a balcony.

There was even a walk-in closet, though it was quite narrow.

However, the rest of my cabin picked up the closet’s slack.

My cabin also came with a complimentary bottle of Monopole champagne and a plate of fruit.

After non-revenue sailings like this, I always ask myself: could I stay here an entire week?

The closest the Grandeur had to these was the sports deck complete with a mini-golf course, running track, and the expected pickleball court.

But for once, I didn’t care: The ship was so peaceful, all I wanted to do was relax, take it slow, and enjoy the warm weather.

Caviar just seems to taste better when it’s served on a swaying boat.

These bottomless luxuries don’t come cheap: Grandeur’s 2024 itineraries and cabins range from $4,115 to $84,000 per person.

But if it’s within your budget, the Seven Seas Grandeur could be a great all-inclusive option.

If you can afford it, why not try it out?