22nd June 2017: I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a very memorable and informative day on board the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship. What an experience; I will never forget it! Follow Judy as she shares with us her dining experience on board Regent Seven Seas Explorer.
The ship was tendered in Dartmouth which enabled me to sample the excitement of boarding the tender and then, as the tender headed out from the jetty, there, in all its glory was the stunning Explorer of the Seas; the sight was just amazing.
Champagne Welcome
On embarkation I headed directly to the magnificent theatre and was greeted with a very welcome glass of champagne followed by a guided tour of this magnificent vessel. On this occasion, all the cabins were full booked so I didn’t get the change to nose around, but I'm here to tell you about the food.
Plenty of Choice
The dining experience on the ship is endless. Guests can chose from five amazing dining options which include the exclusive Pan-Asian restaurant, Pacific Rim as well as the opportunity to learn to prepare their very own masterful meals at the on board Culinary Arts Kitchen, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ first cooking school at sea.
Prime 7
Whilst on board, I sampled a wonderful lunch at the ship’s Prime 7 restaurant; a most enjoyable five course meal accompanied by a choice of complimentary wine. All drinks are complimentary throughout the ship and the choice of wine offered is extensive.
For my appetiser, I had lobster and melon with a passion fruit glace, followed by a gorgeous coconut-butternut squash soup. I highly recommend my next course, Chilean sea bass; pan-fried with five spices accompanied by a parsnip mousseline and barolo-cassis gastrique – absolutely stunning.
Only two courses to go and I was brought the most tender black angus beef tenderloin with forest mushroom vol-au-vent with a truffle infused hollandaise sauce and seasonal vegetables. No service would be complete without dessert and mine was no exception as I was brought Regent’s signature dessert, chocolate cheesecake infused with dry Irish stout, house marshmallow and a raspberry coulis - heaven.
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Pacific Rim
Full of flavours and zen-like ambience, guests are treated here to gorgeous ocean views which are complimented by the restaurants stunning décor. To top it off, guests are treated to a fantastic selection of Pan-Asian cuisine such as Korean barbecue lamb and eryngii mushroom. Open each evening, Pacific Rim requires reservations and I’d advise to book early as spaces fill quickly.
Chartreuse
The menu here is mostly modern and follows a French theme. With an ere of Parisian chic, the fine dining in this restaurant is exquisite. Guests are treated to a succulent dinner with equally succulent ocean views whilst seated in this regal restaurant. Open for lunch on alternate port days and every day at sea, dinner is also served here but again, reservations are required to get yours in early.
La Veranda
Here guests can enjoy an elegant breakfast or lunch buffet in its beautiful dining room or, if they prefer, dine al fresco on the shaded, open-air deck. The buffet here is no ordinary one and while guests can enjoy the classic Continental breakfasts here, they can also choose from a wide range of daily specials as well as taking advantage of its made-to-order omelette station. During the evening La Veranda is transformed into the Sette Mari at Le Veranda where tables are lit by candlelight while guests enjoy a selection of traditional Italian cuisine.
The Café
Much more informal than other restaurants on board the Explorer, The Café is located on deck five and is a place where guests can enjoy complimentary drinks throughout the day. As well as coffees and teas prepared by their professional baristas, guests are welcome to take advantage of some of the delicious pastries, sandwiches and homemade cookies on offer here. Ideal for some relaxation after a busy day on shore, The Café is a great place to sit back and watch the world go by.
Compass Rose
Possibly one of the most beautiful main dining rooms you will ever see, The Compass Rose contains 400 specially designed Versace place settings and offers its guests a seemingly endless combination of dishes to choose from; just another reminder of the decadence of this ship.
Pool Grill
Another informal restaurant on board this ship, the open-aired, Pool Grill restaurant, is located on deck 11 where guests can enjoy everything from grilled-to-order burgers and fresh salads to hand-dipped ice cream deserts; the perfect place to enjoy a bite to eat in the sun on those ‘at sea’ days.
Room Service
Another option on board is to take advantage of the Explorer’s amazing room service. Available twenty-four hours a day, guests can enjoy everything from a Continental breakfast on their private balcony, to a gourmet dinner served course by course delivered to their suite. and watch the sun rise over the horizon.
Exquisite cuisine is just one of a whole host of things which makes the Regent Seven Seas Explorer stand out from other luxury cruise ships. I'd highly recommend you try a cruise on board at least once.
