Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

Regent is my favorite cruise line, and I was finally able to inspect the Seven Seas Explorer while she was docked in Bilbao on May 27, 2019. Launched in 2016 for 750 passengers, this all-balcony-suite ship lives up to the hype (“The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built”). She is gorgeous. The chandeliers, the in-laid marble floor, the zebra carpet... The Culinary Arts Kitchen offers 18 individual cooking stations for hands-on cooking classes at sea. Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Enrichment, Kathryn Kelly designed the curriculum of classes with a destination-focus, catering to all skill levels. Above is the Compass Rose Restaurant, the main dining room with open seating. Preciosa designed the stunning lighting: "The Sea was design inspiration for the aquamarine lighting installation in Compass Rose. Bohemian hand blown crystal glass droplets in combination with fused glass with chips creates together wavy and organic object, that evokes impression like you a...

I happened to be in Valencia, Spain on the same day as Ponant’s brand-new ship was in port and our Sales Rep was able to arrange a private tour for me. Le Bougainville is an expedition yacht with only 92 rooms and suites, all with private balcony. Her maiden cruise began April 15 but she was officially inaugurated on June 4, 2019 and I toured her on June 8, 2019. No, cruise ships do not have a new-car smell. Here are my photos .  Ponant is not well-known in the US yet, but this French company has been offering classic yachting experiences and luxury expedition cruises since 1991. Exploring all seven continents, Ponant has been a leader in polar expeditions for 20 years. Le Bougainville is the third of six “Ponant Explorer” yachts representing a huge fleet expansion. Le Bougainville (and all the other “Ponant Explorer” yachts) are built for 184 guests and 110 crew members. Ponant describes the decor as ‘ethnic-chic’ which is spot on: organic shapes and natural co...

Oceania Cruises is celebrating their tenth anniversary, so they hosted agents for lunch and a ship tour on the Marina while she was in New York on May 26, 2013.  Launched in 2011 for 1250 guests, she is gorgeous. Here's a link to my photos . Oceania Cruises is all about the food, and this ship was the first vessel they designed from scratch. There's a Bon Appetit Cooking School which offers hands-on classes (the first at sea). There are TEN dining options on-board and Jacques Pepin is their Master Chef (Specialty restaurants include his signature restaurant called Jacques , and Red Ginger , a sexy Asian venue). Wine Spectator hosts tastings, classes and wine dinners at La Reserve. La Reserve As if that didn't offer enough sensual pleasures for one vacation, there's a Canyon Ranch SpaClub with full-service salon and fitness center too. The staterooms aren't bad either, but the suites are superb, especially the 2000 square foot Owner's Suite. I...