Travel can’t get any closer to flawless than on board this ship

The spaces

A grand staircase split in two sweeps up to Deck 5 where all the services are concentrated: reception, concierge, cruise consultant, restaurant bookings. It’s all bathed in a golden glow, and I expect staff to come gliding out in white robes like angels, although they’re soberly suited.

Adjacent is the popular Coffee Connection cafe (with proper Aussie-pleasing coffees, thank you) and the quiet Meridian Lounge, which only erupts into activity for morning teas and evening drinks.

Splendor Lounge outside the main restaurant Compass Rose is dark and intimate. Sombre blues, swathes of curtain and sultry music make it the spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink. The walkway outside must be cruising’s most extravagant corridor. The entranceway to the Observation Lounge is lovely too, with blown-glass flowers fixed to walls and ceilings and reflected in mirrors.

For a quiet retreat, the Library features cosy dark-wood panelling and high-backed armchairs and sofas. I lose myself on occasion in its superb coffee-table books. Smokers might prefer the Connoisseur Club, and games players the poshest card room in cruising. But my favourite spot might be the back corner of the pool deck, which has overhead heaters above armchairs piled with cushions where I can bask like a hamster.

The stateroom

I’m in a Concierge Suite and have an enormous balcony that doesn’t get much use on the windy South Africa coast. No matter. The interior is roomy enough to swing numerous cats, and comfy enough to satisfy my feline side. I have a big double sofa, coffee table, desk and endlessly refilled complimentary bar fridge in the sitting area, which can be divided from the king-sized bed by a curtain. The large bathroom has double sinks and a generous shower – no bruised elbows on this cruise. A walk-in wardrobe keeps clutter confined. The decor, soft and silvery, is a tad bland but won’t offend anyone. I maintain a friendly relationship with my delightful potted orchid.

The food

Regent Seven Seas’ restaurants are among the most stylish and beautiful at sea, and lovely place settings and heavy cutlery add to the sense of occasion. Eighty-six chefs work in the galley to produce 30,000 meals during this cruise, plus in-betweens like afternoon tea. That’s a lot of dishes, and barely any miss the mark.

Speciality restaurants are included in the fare, among them Prime 7 for grilled meats and seafood, and Sette Mari for Italian. On a previous cruise on Seven Seas Explorer, I reckoned Pacific Rim was the best venue and best Asian restaurant at sea. This time around, my favourite is Chartreuse.

In this French restaurant, lobster bisque with armagnac rivals mushroom veloute for flavour. Seared barbary duck breast with candied Morello cherries is as good as the beef tenderloin Rossini with seared foie gras. Whoever makes the mash should be awarded the Legion of Honour.

Wellness

The ship has a Fitness Centre in which eccentric passengers pound the treadmill, take yoga classes and lift dumbbells. I’d rather do quick laps around the jogging track above the pool deck so I can watch waves and seabirds.

Serene Spa & Wellness addresses skin, joints, nails, hair and muscles I never knew I had. It’s another gorgeous part of the ship, with an entranceway that makes me feel as if I’m passing through the Pearly Gates into a fit and fabulous heaven.

Entertainment

Singers, dancers, magicians and comedians are ubiquitous evening performers on cruise ships and are many guests’ cup of tea, or more likely glass of champagne. Not really my thing, but they pass a toe-tapping hour and make a change from TV.

The ship has great lectures from a historian specialising in social, aviation and military history, and on days at sea, an impressive program of activities ranges from silliness (carpet darts, baggo) to the serious (wine tasting, bridge competitions, a lecture on Pythagoras). I could have learned how to samba or do origami, but opt for daily team trivia instead.

The crew

Regent Seven Seas excels at most things and that includes service standards. If you want your martini shaken, pillow plumped, laundry done, breakfast eggs over easy or dinner gluten-free, you need only ask. Only in the busiest times at La Veranda restaurant does service become less than almost instant.

The verdict

Seven Seas Splendour has the looks, it has the touch, and while I heard some guests with complaints, they really ought to have been consigned to First World problems. They weren’t, though. Travel surely can’t get much closer to flawless than this unless you’re the Queen of Sheba.

The details

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 14-night “Lagoons, Safaris and Dunes” cruise return from Cape Town departs January 13, 2026 and visits Walvis Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and Mossel Bay. From $12,380 a person including all dining, speciality restaurants, beverages, Wi-Fi, gratuities, laundry service and shore excursions. See rssc.com

The rating out of five

★★★★★

Swell

The bread, pastries and cakes, are baked fresh throughout the day starting at 3am in time for breakfast. Only bagels and English muffins aren’t made on board.

Not so swell

On a ship this fine, the Pool Grill lacks glamour and doesn’t rise above standard fare. A more adventurous take would be the cherry on an otherwise superb dining cake.

The writer was a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.