Splendor had a frustrating first year in the water, having started officially in February 2020 with a spectacular naming ceremony in Miami watched by around 35,000 online viewers, but sadly, the ship only made it as far as San Diego before the pandemic hit.
Fast forward 18 months, and the enthusiasm from the crew and team shone through as we stepped onboard for the second attempt of an inaugural season. Our journey would take us from Southampton to Portland and onto Falmouth for a short four-night UK tester sailing.
At just under 55,000 tonnes with only 375 suites and 750 passengers, Splendor is considered one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world, offering unrivalled space at sea. The second of Regent’s Explorer Class ships, it boasts a 73.9-to-1 space to guest ratio – compared with 41-to-1 on a typical premium ship carrying around 3,000 passengers – something that’s very important to highlight in a post-Covid world.
I have to confess; cruising had never appealed to me. I experience terrible motion sickness, even in a car, so the thought of being at sea did concern me a little. However, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime invite and I was intrigued to see how the cruise lines are operating now, so it was the perfect time to face those fears.
Splendor is the sister ship to Explorer, made famous from the TV documentary Building the World’s Most Expensive Cruise Ship and my expectations were high, having also already experienced many Regent training sessions and arranged several cruises for clients.
It’s clear no expense has been spared on Splendor, with something sparkling at me at every turn (there are 216 crystal chandeliers onboard).
But while the ship oozed luxurious opulence, carefully designed by Tilberg Design of Sweden, it was presented in a sophisticated and thoughtful way with a glamorous, not garish, approach and a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. There are no formal nights or demands to wear ball gowns and tuxedos, something many would be surprised about; the dress code is ‘Casually Elegant’, so it feels as if you can always be at ease.
Suite talk
Regent is an all-suite ship, and these start from 307sq ft up to the huge 4,443sq foot Regent Suite which I was lucky enough to see – it features a second guest room and private outdoor deck with Jacuzzi.
All suites come with their own balcony as a minimum. They are decorated in soft tones with classic lines, modern, fresh touches and sumptuous bed linens and furniture, making it extremely comfortable. The entry-level suite is equivalent to two-cabin sizes up from the smallest cabin onboard larger ships, so even with the lead-in priced option, you are already experiencing an enhanced experience.
My jaw dropped to the floor when I found the Splendour Suite we would be staying in, with living room, triple length balcony, separate (huge) bedroom and a bathroom larger than some city centre apartments. The Jacuzzi bath was a real treat and this was certainly one of the most luxurious experiences I have ever had anywhere around the world.
The $5 million art collection really stood out for me. Adorning the corridors, lounges and restaurants are original works by Picasso, Joan Miro and Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, to name a few, and you can even enjoy expert-led tours to learn more.
We had only been onboard a few hours but we were already made to feel very special indeed when a request for an outdoor table at Italian restaurant Sette Mari was not only granted, but we ended up with the best seat in the house, overlooking aft of the ship from where we enjoyed the sunset.
Meals were also taken in Prime 7 (steaks and other American-inspired dishes), Compass Rose, which has a fun “build your own menu” concept, and unique chef’s specials accompanies by personable, light-hearted yet attentive service.
On our final night we dined in Pacific Rim, definitely the talk of the ship. We enjoyed soft shell crab tempura and signature curries while casually mentioning it was our wedding anniversary weekend. By the end of the meal, we were presented with a personalised dessert from the restaurant team. This Asian-fusion restaurant would give any top Michelin star location a run for its money.
Keeping busy
Entertainment takes the form of a nightly West-End style show, live music in two of the bars and a mix of special events. We enjoyed sampling the cocktail list in the Meridian Lounge while making new friends, sharing stories about travel, cruise ships and the service onboard – which was one of the top talking points among guests.
It is difficult to describe just how attentive, personable and impressive the service was. Each crew member is encouraged to let their personalities shine through and this really helped enhance our experience while not compromising on luxury service.
Other activities you can enjoy include the beautiful pool deck with large pool, Jacuzzis, plenty of oversized cabanas to relax under the sun, along with a jogging track, fitness centre, spa, casino, boutiques and of course plenty of space to sit back and watch the scenery – in this case Devon and Cornwall – go by.
One of the most unique activities I took part in was the Culinary Arts Kitchen. I’m not exactly confident in the kitchen but this was a great opportunity to spend time with executive chef Kathryn Kelly along with 17 of my fellow passengers as we watched and learnt how to make some quintessentially British dishes.
This purpose-built teaching kitchen was the perfect place to learn a few new skills and it was an original take on the traditional cooking class, and I must say – my English scones were tasty too!
If like me, you are wondering about the environmental impact of cruise ships I was pleased to hear about some interesting initiatives Regent’s owners have been investing in. These include turning food waste into fish food and installing power facilities in ports so the ships can turn off their engines and reduce carbon emissions.
After our return to Southampton, the ship welcomed its first commercial passengers and set sail for the Mediterranean. Splendor will then cross the Atlantic to its Miami base in November, getting ready for winter cruises in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Next year, Splendor will return to Europe in April.
This really was a trip where I stepped out of my comfort zone. I’d always put cruises and cooking classes last on my travel “To Do” list, however I took the leap, and the feeling of achievement, satisfaction and overall enjoyment outweighed any fears and worries I previously had.
There are certainly huge benefits to seeing the world by cruise ship as you can see a lot in a small period in comfort, familiarity and with good company. Plus, it makes a solid price presentation for clients when everything is included: flights, transfers, all food and drink (including speciality restaurants), unlimited shore excursions, gratuities, WiFi and even laundry!
As for the motion sickness concerns, this was quickly combated with a daily dose of medication, and you quickly realise how stable modern ships are – at the end of the day, they want you to enjoy your time onboard and I most certainly did.
