Seabourn sends newest expedition ship to the Kimberley next June

Seabourn Pursuit Atrium

Seabourn Pursuit, the purpose-built expedition ship, arrives in the Kimberley in June next year. She is already 40 per cent sold to Australiaโ€™s intrepid travellers. Robin West, Seabournโ€™s Vice-President of Expeditions, says Seabourn Pursuit is the second luxury expedition vessel in the lineโ€™s fleet of seven, including five ocean-ships. Pursuit has just begun her maiden … Read more

Embark on a luxury 24-night sea, rail and safari African adventure from $666 per person per night

Embark on a luxury 24-night sea, rail and safari African adventure from $666 per person per night

If you are seeking an African adventure like no other, Imagine Holidays and Silversea Cruises have partnered to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime, 24-night sea, rail and safari travel package. The enchanting excursion includes a 15-night, all-inclusive cruise onboard Silversea’s luxury Silver Spirit followed by a three-night all-inclusive Rovos Rail journey and three-night stay for your safari … Read more

Are these the most opulent suites at sea?

The Regent Suite on Seven Seas Splendor

As more Australians are jumping aboard luxury ships, Teresa Ooi takes a look at what money CAN buy. They are bigger, smarter and ever more indulgent. Lines are vying for the luxury dollar with suites that are more extravagant than ever before. So if you have some spare cash and want to book the best … Read more

Inside the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor

Inside the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor

Upmarket line Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled details of its six-star new build, Seven Seas Splendour which has all the bells and whistles of a super-luxurious liner.

Scheduled to debut in early 2020, SS Splendour will have the hallmarks of everything lavish, lush and decadent. Building on the lineโ€™s earlier creation, sister ship Seven Seas Explorer, the new SS Splendour is expected to steal the title and be crowned the most luxurious ship in the world.

โ€œWhen we launched Seven Seas Explorer in 2016, we delivered a new level of elegance to the cruise industry. With Seven Seas Splendourโ€™s upcoming debut, we are focused on perfecting all the details,โ€ said Jason Montague, president and CEO of RSSC.

โ€œEverything on board the ship is designed to provide a sophisticated yet comfortable retreat for our guests and weโ€™re confident that theyโ€™ll appreciate the attention to detail that has been put into perfecting the newest ship in our fleet.โ€

The grand staircase has been redesigned and will face the entrance to the shipโ€™s biggest restaurant, Compass Rose, giving guests a grand sense of arrival.

The popular Coffee Connection has been expanded with a new alfresco seating area, to allow guests the joy of sipping their custom coffee creations while enjoying the ocean breezes.

The all-suite SS Splendour will have 375 distinctive accommodations starting from the 28 sq metre, entry-level Veranda suite to the lavish 413 sq m Regent suite. All come with a balcony including some of the largest in the industry. There will be king-sized beds covered with the finest and sumptuous linens and oversized marble bathrooms. Top suites will include a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, priority restaurant reservations, butler service and daily canapรฉs.

The crown jewel of SS Splendour is the Regent suite, which will have a 132 sq m balcony overlooking the bow of the ship, an opulent bathroom with gold fittings, palatial walk-in closet and private spa and sauna. In port, Regent suite guests will have their own personal car and guide. In addition to the master bedroom, there will be another bedroom and two-and-half bathrooms.

The two-bedroom Master suite is styled like a luxury Park Avenue apartment measuring from 176 sq m to 196 sq m which will have an expansive living area, bar for entertaining and spacious balconies up to 92 sq m in size.

The ship will have a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, shuffleboard, an 18-hole putting green, a golf driving range, a top deck jogging/power walking track, fitness centre and a cooking school.

RSSC is an all-inclusive cruise line which includes the biggest collection of free, unlimited shore excursions, unlimited internet access, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits and ground transfers.

Reservations for SS Splendourโ€™s inaugural season open on April 12 or visit www.rssc.com

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Ultra-luxe cruise line Regent Seven Seas has just completed its multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Seven Seas Mariner.

The stunning ship has just completed a 20-day drydock in Marseille and has emerged with new dining options, elegant and opulent suites as well as completely new guest spaces.

The newly updated steakhouse onย Seven Seas Marinerยฎ,ย Prime 7, has new interiors and fixtures which give the dining area modern and sleek appeal.

The flagship restaurant Compass Rose offers its guests personal customisation and choice, as well as a stunning new look with grand crystal chandeliers, rich wooden accents and celestial blue furnishings.

Replacing Signatures is Chartreuse, already a guest favourite aboardย Seven Seas Explorerยฎย andย Seven Seas Voyagerยฎ.

The restaurant boasts new furnishings, china, flooring and dรฉcor, along with a completely new menu that highlights modern French cuisine.

Seven Seas Marinerโ€™sย pool deck also received a redesign, with a new open layout and teak flooring throughout. The centrepiece is a new mosaic-tiled pool, featuring a broad ledge for lounging in shallow water and surrounded by plush, white daybeds.

Guests can enjoy expanded lunch selections at the outdoor Pool Grill, including steaks, chops, salmon, chicken and sausage, all prepared to order from new infrared barbeque grills.

Inside, all public spaces received new carpeting, world-class art, furniture and dรฉcor, creating a new look throughout the ship.

The Reception area, featuring new marble desks and original gold leaf accented artwork by Atlanta-based artist Tom Swanston. The grand spiral staircase in the atrium is crowned by a new large-scale blown glass art installation designed by Canadian studio Tsunami Glass.

The completely remodelled and relocated library has dark-wood bookshelves with plenty of books to choose from and with doors that can provide a quiet retreat, guests will enjoy relaxing and enriching their minds in the new library.

The previous library space makes way for expanded seating at Coffee Connection and the internet cafรฉ is now conveniently located at the back of Coffee Connection where guests can make use of the free unlimited internet access.

Outside on deck 6, there is all new teak decking and new sun loungers where guests can soak up the ocean breeze at sunrise or sunset.

The shipโ€™s Canyon Ranchยฎ Spa was also redesigned, featuring pebble-stone tiles and light-wood accents in the treatment rooms. The adjoining fitness and aerobics centre has new state-of-the-art machines and equipment.

Regent has also redesigned all guest suites. The elegantly appointed retreats feature new Elite Slumber™ Beds framed by plush, padded leather headboards, sitting areas furnished with comfortable sofas, accent tables and new artwork, as well as private balconies where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal blue sea and passing landscape.

All suites feature walk-in closets and oversised, marble-accented bathrooms with Lโ€™Occitaneยฎ amenities. Plus, guests of Penthouse Suites enjoy additional in-suite bath amenities by Guerlain, and Distinctive Suite guests also receive Bottega Veneta.

With her renovations complete,ย Seven Seas Marinerย is repositioning to the Pacific Northwest to take travellers on 15 seven, 10- and 11-night immersive, Alaska itineraries, which alternate departures from Vancouver and Seward.

 

Scenic v Crystal v Ponant: The new expedition ships go head to head

Scenic v Crystal v Ponant: The new expedition ships go head to head

Luxury expedition cruising is fast emerging as the hottest market in the industry. In the last three months three lines have announced major new ships to begin this year and launch in 2018. But undoubtedy, the sexiest and most exciting are the two new polar vessels: Scenic Eclipse and Crystal Endeavor, with Ponantโ€™s chic new … Read more

Crystal Endeavor – Are we seeing double?

Crystal Endeavor - Are we seeing double?

Crystal Cruises announced overnight that it would be launching a 200-passenger polar class megayacht to be named Crystal Endeavor โ€“ย with a design that looks uncannily similar the Scenic Eclipse. Both ships boast similar specs and appear aimed at the same luxury expedition market. They are even being launched in the same month – August 2018. … Read more

Antarctica Cruise Guide: Ports, Attractions

Destination: Antarctica

Antarctica has long been considered the last frontier of exploration and, when it comes to cruising, represents the ultimate adventure at sea. While an Antarctic cruise remains an exclusive experience โ€“ only about 40 ships visit and just 40,000 cruise passengers set eyes on the great white continent each year, some just from passing ships … Read more