Once you’ve boarded Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur, it is immediately apparent this recently launched cruise ship delivers what the name promises. Jewel box opulence dominates in most of the public areas, while quiet luxury teamed with clever function defines the cabins (save for the individually decorated top-tier suites). The ship, designed by internationally acclaimed Studio DADO and constructed by Ancona, Italy, ship builder Fincantieri, holds up to 746 guests and is serviced by a staff of 548 for optimal passenger-to-staff service.

© Elyse Glickman

Bold color palettes further set aglow with contemporary lighting, accent pieces and museum-caliber art feature prominently in the lobby and other large public areas, aesthetically tying together the 1920s and 2020s. Art highlights include the first Fabergé Egg permanently displayed at sea; Picasso paintings in the Prime 7 Steakhouse bar area; and nearly 1,600 other pieces which can be navigated with Art Experience, the line’s first digital art tour accessed with the Regent Mobile App.

Most rooms and suites start at 307 square feet and unite timeless fashion and essential function. The palatial top-tier suites, meanwhile, run up to 4,443 square feet and are outfitted with butlers and elevated perks further enhancing the guest experience. Chartreuse, the ship’s French restaurant, is adorned with camellia floral motifs on the walls and jewelry-like light fixtures echoing the chandelier in the main atrium. Prime 7 simultaneously salutes the golden age of train and ship travel and classic New York steakhouses. A bonsai cherry tree sculpture greets guests at Asian-fusion restaurant Pacific Rim, while The Compass Rose main dining room is just ever so slightly over the top.

© Elyse Glickman

Food offerings at the white tablecloth restaurants consist of tried-and-true “continental”-style preparations, with Prime 7 being the strongest among the onboard specialty venues. There are a few ambitious daily lunch main course specials at Chartreuse (a Malaysian beef stew on my two-day preview cruise), and the buffet breakfast at La Veranda (which transforms to Italian restaurant Sette Mare by night) features an excellent Bloody Mary station. The adjoining poolside grill has a buffet breakfast, excellent burgers, and international items at lunch such as Mousaka and a Korean chicken sandwich. The culinary standout is the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen, where hands-on classes and demonstrations are staged. Chef John Stephano’s class has a professional cooking school feel, focusing on impossibly simple recipes that produce delicious results in their own right, yet also serve as the foundation for other dishes.

© Elyse Glickman

The Serene Spa & Wellnes area encompasses a large, well-appointed fitness room and spa menu of lush massages and treatments. While several bars offer live entertainment, shows in the main theater (with cozy nightclub-style seating) lean toward jukebox musical performances. Unlimited complimentary shore excursions at every port; round-trip, business-class air on intercontinental flights from the United States and Canada; valet laundry; gratuities; and ground transfers round things out. One-night pre-cruise hotel offers are extended to guests in Concierge-level suites and higher. Inaugural year itineraries include New York–Barcelona, Miami (Caribbean voyage), Athens–Istanbul, Barcelona–Venice and Rome–Barcelona.