A voyage of discovery: Seven Seas Grandeur cruise

(Image credit: ©Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

published 29 October 2024

If you’re looking for a dream getaway, where pretty much everything is taken care of, then you really can’t go wrong by jumping aboard a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship. I took a voyage on Grandeur, one of the newest in the fleet and it really was an unforgettable adventure. The all-inclusive packages available with Regent allow you to take in multiple destinations, without any of the usual hassles. The Grandeur is simply stunning. From the moment you come aboard, you can’t help but be taken with the beauty of it. It’s chic and luxurious throughout, accommodating up to 746 guests in 372 suites over ten decks, with 548 crew. There’s plenty to explore, but the grand staircase is particularly worthy of mention.

A spectacular voyage around Greece

The Heritage of Perfection Voyage to the eastern Mediterranean that I went on really was an epic adventure. I embarked at Athens. The next day, there was a stop at the Greek island of Mykonos, where I enjoyed strolling along the beautiful white-washed streets, and I also took a trip to see the ancient ruins on the neighbouring island of Delos. A stop at Gythio, in the Peloponnese, took me on an adventure to the Diros Caves, which we entered on a small boat. The caves were simply out of this world, giving us a view on life in the neolithic era. I was able to spend some time in Olympia, also in the Peloponnese and the site of the ancient Olympic Games – and visit Corfu town on the island of the same name – before sailing for Dubrovnik in Croatia. After that, the voyage went on to Santorini and Istanbul.

These shore excursions were brilliantly organised. You certainly don’t have to do all of them, but they are stress-free. You just have to turn up. After a brilliant day out and about, you are taken back to the ship to relax and get ready for some evening entertainment. Or, if you prefer, you can simply take the time to relax in your suite and enjoy the views from your balcony. The suites on the Grandeur are spacious and comfortable – even the smallest suite is large enough for a couple. I stayed in the deluxe veranda suite for two, which came with a private balcony, a seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in wardrobe and an elegant marble shower room. Free laundry service is included as part of the all-inclusive package, which is handy if you’re planning to be away for a few weeks at sea.

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The Grandeur has eight tantalising dining options from which to choose – it is a culinary experience not to miss. The Compass Rose is the fine-dining restaurant and the largest restaurant on the ship. The decor is stunning. You sit under a canopy of interwoven crystal and wood-edged illuminated trees, which makes you will feel like you’re dining in an enchanted forest. Also try the Chartreuse for classic French cuisine, Pacific Rim for panAsian creations, and Prime 7, which is a classic steakhouse. Throughout the day, you can also enjoy La Veranda for breakfast with shimmering sea views or the Pool Grill for an al fresco dining experience. There is also Coffee Connection for coffee and pastries. The food is fresh and delicious.

When it comes to activities, there’s plenty to do at sea. If you prefer to take things slowly, you can simply relax by the pool with a cocktail or visit the spa and its aromatherapy multisensory steam room. Otherwise, you can stick to your fitness routine – I recommend trying out the jogging track on the top deck. I also particularly enjoyed my evening sessions on the treadmill, running with a full sea view and sunset. You won’t want to miss an evening at the ship’s Constellation Theatre, where the acts are lively, energetic and brilliantly produced. If you enjoy having a drink with friends (and you will make many friends on such a cruise as this), you will find live music in the bars. The library – again, with sea views – is well-stocked and the ship also has a casino and the elegant Connoisseur Club lounge. You will want to take some time to explore the artworks onboard. The Grandeur is home to a 1,600-piece art collection – don’t miss the first Fabergé egg to reside at sea.

The staff and service on the ship were truly first class. Cruise director David Nevin became a familiar face, and I really enjoyed the moment the captain went around the ship to greet all the guests. I even had an exclusive opportunity to see the bridge, talk to the captain and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen. The work that goes on behind the scenes is impressive and the staff care about your holiday as much as you do. A cruise really is a getaway like no other.

Kalpana is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in financial journalism. She is also the author of Invest Now: The Simple Guide to Boosting Your Finances (Heligo) and children's money book Get to Know Money (DK Books).

Her work includes writing for a number of media outlets, from national papers, magazines to books.

She has written for national papers and well-known women’s lifestyle and luxury titles. She was finance editor for Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima.

She started her career at the Financial Times group, covering pensions and investments.

As a money expert, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio – appearances include BBC One’s Morning Live, ITV’s Eat Well, Save Well, Sky News and more. She was also the resident money expert for the BBC Money 101 podcast .

Kalpana writes a monthly money column for Ideal Home and a weekly one for Woman magazine, alongside a monthly 'Ask Kalpana' column for Woman magazine.

Kalpana also often speaks at events. She is passionate about helping people be better with their money; her particular passion is to educate more people about getting started with investing the right way and promoting financial education.