Earlier this year we spent a week aboard Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, sailing from Liverpool to Southampton. Our suite? Our cruise took us from Liverpool to Cork and Dublin, giving us plenty of time to explore the many indulgent corners of one of the world’s most luxurious ships, including plenty of perfectly mixed cocktails, an unreasonable amount of fine dining, and some questionable dancing.

Boarding in Liverpool: First Impressions of Grandeur

Our journey began in Liverpool where we had an overnight stay before setting off on our week long voyage. The moment we stepped aboard Regent Grandeur, it felt like entering a floating art gallery with champagne on arrival. We headed directly to our lovely veranda suite on deck six to unpack and settle in before exploring the decadent Grandeur. Finishing our self guided tour at the lofty Observation Lounge, with its panoramic windows, jazz piano and sleek bar, and the next door Library, which quickly became our official “reading and relaxation spot”.

Compass Rose: The Heart of Dining on Regent Grandeur

Dinner on night one was at Compass Rose, the ship’s main dining room. Grand, graceful, and gleaming with crystal chandeliers, marble floors and Versace chargers, it always brings a sense of occasion. At breakfast, it’s a serene spot to ease into the morning with freshly brewed coffee and a full à la carte menu offering, among other things, made-to-order omelette, eggs Benedict, avocado on toast, or a warm pastry basket, it’s all beautifully presented and served with a smile.

In the evening dinner, the space transforms into something rather special. The menu is expansive featuring classic favourites (lobster tails, beef Wellington, seared scallops) as well as “design your own” creations, where you choose the protein, sauce, and sides. Think of it as luxury à la carte, with the freedom of a bespoke menu. Service is quietly attentive and never rushed, the wine flows freely, and the setting is every inch as glamorous as the food.

Dublin: Books, Guinness & French Delicacies

Having left Liverpool, our first stop was Dublin. We opted for an included excursions to the Guinness Storehouse… twenty years after our last visit. A lot has changed since then - and not necessarily for the better. What was once a quieter, more informative experience now feels a bit like a very busy gift shop with a brewery attached. But don’t get us wrong - we still had a nice afternoon and very much enjoyed our included pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar, seven floors up with panoramic views of Dublin.

A Taste of Paris at Sea: Dining at Chartreuse

Dinner that evening was at Chartreuse, Regent’s modern French restaurant. Chartreuse combines two of our favourite things in the world: exquisite French cuisine and a showstopping sea view. This is French gastronomy at sea with all the trimmings – gleaming brass, smoky mirrors, soft lighting, and just enough of a nod to art deco Parisian chic.

By day, it’s a refined lunch spot with a lighter, elegant menu - our personal favourites being the croque monsieur with a delicate twist, or the melt-in-the-mouth steak frites that somehow taste even better mid-ocean.

Come evening, the lighting dims, and the romance dials up. The dinner menu is classic French with a modern flourish - duck confit, Dover sole, foie gras, and a cheese soufflé that is impossible to resist. Service is flawless. The team knows their Burgundy from their Bordeaux and won’t bat an eyelid when you request another round of black truffle butter (as you absolutely should).

Sea Day: Doing Everything and Nothing

Sea days are where Grandeur really shows off. We started in the Fitness Centre — partly for health, partly to justify dessert later. It’s surprisingly well-equipped. Rich went for cardio, Helen went for… sitting in the spa’s thermal suite.

Next up, a lecture in the theatre. We learned about the golden age of transatlantic travel and realised we’ve definitely chosen the right century to cruise.

Lunch was relaxed at the Pool Grill. The Impossible Burger and Matador Burger are both genuinely excellent and we slapped ourselves on the back for choosing to go bunless. And the sweet potato fries? Frighteningly addictive.

We finished just in time for afternoon trivia. Things got intense. Teams with mascots. Teams with spreadsheets. We came third… and took it badly.

Cobh, Cork and Whiskey Business

Next stop was the charming town of Cobh, gateway to Cork and every bit as pretty as the postcards promise, with rainbow houses, bobbing boats and a strong breeze that attempted to re-style Helen’s hair. We had a quick stroll along the waterfront before heading off on one of Regent’s included excursions - and this one packed in a bit of everything. Firstly a panoramic coach tour around the city of Cork, complete with an entertaining guide pointing out the sights and a driver who occasionally burst into song. We didn’t ask!

Then, on to the real highlight: the Jameson Distillery in Midleton and a 90-minute guided tour that was genuinely excellent - full of history, character, and the unmistakable scent of whiskey-soaked oak. Naturally, it finished with a tasting… purely for educational purposes, of course. A brilliant day all round — and another reminder that included doesn’t have to mean ordinary.

The Art of Afternoon Tea in the Heart of Grandeur

Back on board in time for Afternoon Tea in the Meridien Lounge. Think silver teapots, scones, cucumber sandwiches, and cakes we definitely didn’t share equally. A string duo provides a soundtrack so civilised you almost forget the caloric calories you’re inhaling. Our only complaint was the pretty ordinary teabags!

Pacific Rim: East Meets Indulgence

Dinner that evening was at Pacific Rim, Regent’s pan-Asian restaurant, and easily one of our favourites. Entering the restaurant, past the dramatic glowing Bonsai Cherry Tree entryway, into a world of sultry lighting, sculptural screens, and soothing Asian-inspired elegance. This is Pacific Rim, where East meets opulence. We kicked our meal off with a table full of Asian small plates (don’t miss the signature duck spring rolls or the wagyu beef tataki - both are sublime) followed by lobster tempura and miso black cod that melted faster than our resolve not to overeat.

Another Sea Day and a Sporting Chance

Today was about leisure — of both the slow and silly kind. First, a morning coffee in the Coffee Connection, then we wandered up to the Sports Deck, a playground for grown-ups. There’s a putting green that would make St Andrews blush, and courts for pickleball or paddle tennis (we’re still unclear on the difference, but it’s good fun.

Lunch? Pool Grill, again and we’re not sorry. The build-your-own salad bar is excellent, but we were too distracted by the pizza station.

The afternoon was spent making the most of a glimpse of a British summertime by relaxing around the sumptuous pool deck with a glass of champagne as we soaked in the warmth of one of the hot tubs.

Where Steak Meets Style: Dining at Prime 7

Dinner that night was Prime 7, the classic American steakhouse. Rich leather, dark wood, crisp white linens, and just a glint of Gatsby-esque glamour. By day, it’s a polished lunch spot with a menu offering lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon sliders, and possibly the best club sandwich at sea. Even the fries are fancy.

In the evening, it’s all about indulgence. The lighting softens, the steaks sizzle, and the menu reads like a swanky American diner. Start with a classic Caesar salad, then choose from a range of prime cuts, fresh seafood, surf and turf, and sides that are absolutely not playing second fiddle. But make sure to save room for the desserts - the 14-layer chocolate cake is a rite of passage but Helen loves the popcorn sundae.

Curtain Call in the Constellation Theatre.

The evening ended with a show in the Constellation Theatre which hosts full-scale, West End-worthy productions with dazzling costumes and soaring voices and the occasional guest entertainers - we had a comedian on our cruise, who proved that cruise humour can, occasionally, be funny on purpose. We finished the evening with a cocktail and some dancing in the wonderful Grandeur Lounge, trying to work out a way to stowaway and avoid disembarkation the next morning.

We may not have stayed in the Regent Suite, but we felt utterly spoiled every single day. From the food to the staff to the spaces — Grandeur lives up to her name.

Thank you to Regent Seven Seas Cruises who hosted us on this seven night cruise covering the cost of the cruise as featured. All other costs including travel to and from the cruise were covered by ourselves. regent Seven Seas Cruises had no editorial control over any of our content, either before, during our after our cruise and have not paid us to promote them or this post.

If you enjoyed this blog why not take a look at some of our other blogs, especially our other Regent content such as our Regent Dining Guide or our blog on Regent Splendor.

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