Setting Sail In Ultimate Luxury

THOUGH WE CERTAINLY LIVE IN PARADISE among our pristine beaches and gentle waves, there is a completely different kind of paradise more than 4,000 miles away.

Alaska is home to stunning glaciers, wildlife galore and is the best spot for admiring the Northern Lights. But this 49th state is also known for its memorable cruises, and, among them, is the Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which recently launched its most luxurious ship in the Alaskan waters, the Seven Seas Explorer.

Regent, which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., has headquarters in Miami and explores more than 500 destinations around the world. One of its upscale ships, the Seven Seas Explorer, set sail in the summer of 2023. From June to September, it offers seven-night sailings between Seward, Alaska and Vancouver, British Columbia. We were fortunate enough to be guests on one of them.

The price of this cruise line is higher than others — but it’s worth the extra money — we reveled in vast services along with all-inclusive drinks and meals, roundtrip airfare and transportation to and from the ship, which, by the way, was practically flawless.

We were impressed with our Alaskan cruise adventure from the instant we boarded the exquisite Explorer. Unlike mainstream cruises which squeeze thousands onto a ship, Regent allows no more than 746 guests, which means we avoided long wait times and massive crowds.

Once aboard, we were welcomed with a glass of champagne and were immediately in awe of the ship’s interior — beautiful decor, gorgeous furniture and countless pieces of artwork — including some gems by Pablo Picasso — that adorned the walls.

We were eager to see our room, a basic suite that stood out phenomenally from those on other cruise lines. It felt like a five-star hotel room flawlessly designed with details like a spacious balcony and a rainfall shower, but what impressed us even more was the cabin steward. She immediately offered to press our clothes and requested our favorite beverages. Later that day, we found those waiting for us in our room.

Our dining experience on the Explorer was amazing, and we were pleasantly surprised to discover the food wasn’t typical cruise fare. We enjoyed lunches at La Veranda, and, though it was a buffet, it wasn’t your run-of-the-mill selection. Instead, we savored beautifully plated small plates of foods like salmon sashimi with a mustard puree.

In the evenings, this space transformed into a restaurant called the Sette Mari At La Veranda, which offered impeccable dinners, such as a generous portion of veal parmesan and a delightful mushroom risotto. The dining room allowed guests to show up at any time instead of having to make a reservation, another welcome perk.

The Pacific Rim, which focused on Pan-Asian flavors, was our favorite specialty restaurant, where we ordered nearly everything on the menu from Korean-style barbecue lamb chops to miso black cod and found it all to be exquisite.

The wine list and liquor options were equally perfect, as we had our choice of unlimited drinks, like espresso martinis and Macallan on the rocks. The selection of libations was as impressive as the diverse lounges — each with their own vibe (classic, chic or casual). The experience was elevated by music, signature cocktails and mixologists who are experts in creating the perfect drink.

When we weren’t enjoying a meal or a drink, we got comfy on our balcony or the observation lounge, soaking in incredible sights in cool weather most Floridians dream of in the summer months.

There was no shortage of dramatic views — the Alaskan mountains looked even better as we relaxed in the Infinity Pool with its 180-degree view of this glorious scenery.

Spa and gym services were also available, and they were comparable to a smaller, high-end country club in Boca. One of our favorite amenities provided by the staff was the valet laundry service, as well as daily afternoon tea service, complete with finger sandwiches and incredible desserts.

While the days at sea were leisurely, our excursions, also included in our fare, were action-packed. We kayaked in Sitka, ziplined in Skagway and took a self-guided tour on a Jeep in Juneau. One of our favorite moments was sea kayaking in Ketchikan among sea lions and bald eagles.

This all-inclusive luxury cruise is a perfect getaway for couples (and groups of friends) who wish to see Alaska without having to plan a thing. From itineraries for exploring the towns to meals and even laundry, once you’re aboard the Explorer, all you have to do is relax because the staff takes care of just about everything else.

For more information on the Regent Seven Seas Cruises, call 866-967-1275 or visit rssc.com.