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Despite my last name, I’ve never been on a ship before. At 27, going on a cruise isn’t exactly at the top of my travel bucket list, either. But when the opportunity arises to experience an all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas itinerary, I can hardly say no.
After flying to Bangkok and travelling 40 minutes to the Thai port at Laem Chabang, I board the Seven Seas Explorer. Immediately, my eye is drawn to the enormous chandelier hanging in the heart of the ship. Then it’s caught by a different kind of sparkle – a glass of champagne handed to me by a crew member that makes the check-in process feel instantly glamorous. It’s also a taste of things to come: the staff regularly ask my name, remember it, and use it liberally throughout the trip.
While I wait for my room to be ready, I’m free to explore. Walking around, I initially feel out of place among the 746 guests. Though I’m not the youngest passenger, or the only solo traveller, I’m unsure of what to do, so I tag along with a few people who look like seasoned cruisers.
We head to the spa and wellness centre, where ink prints are being taken of passengers’ feet to assess posture. The spa boasts a steam room, sauna, cold room, a multisensory “experience shower” and an adults-only pool.
When I later head to my cabin, I am pleasantly surprised. My Veranda Suite might be the smallest available, but the 28-square-metre room still feels grand (and, like every suite on board, it features a private balcony). My fridge is stocked with soft drinks and water and after years of being terrified of hotel minibar prices, it feels delightfully rebellious to open a complimentary can of Coke. The all-inclusive lifestyle takes some getting used to.
That evening at Chartreuse, the ship’s specialty French restaurant, my waiter spies my black dress and immediately offers me a black napkin. Over dinner I get to know a couple from Canada who have been cruising for 22 years and whose last nine voyages have all been with Regent Seven Seas.
Overnight, we travel to Koh Samui and the next morning I shake off the previous evening’s indulgence with a run around the upper deck, passing the golf driving range, bocce court and other sports activities. Because the ship cannot dock directly at Samui’s small port, tender boats are used to take us to shore. And while getting so many people off a ship sounds like a recipe for chaos, the process is remarkably quick and efficient.
During a beachside Thai cooking class, I chat with two sisters and their mother who tell me that what they love most about cruising is the ease of it. And it’s true: we’re able to enter different countries without the hassle of transiting through multiple airports. It’s equally true that as a woman travelling solo, there’s a sense of safety that comes with being part of the community on a ship. But the best part? Only having to unpack once.
The following day is a “sea day”, which I initially fear might be boring. Instead, sitting by the main pool, reading a book while food and drinks are brought to my chair, is an absolute dream. If you asked me to name my happy place, this would probably be it.
For dinner, I head to Compass Rose, the ship’s largest restaurant. Now I’ve settled into the rhythm of ocean life, I can appreciate the finer details, such as how each restaurant features its own china (in Compass Rose, it’s a Versace set). The wine and cocktail lists are also different for each venue, though all have knowledgeable sommeliers who’ll ensure your glass is never empty for long. After dinner, I head to the theatre for an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute show that quickly gets the crowd dancing.
When we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City the next day, I decide to skip the offered excursions and take a shuttle bus straight into the city. Wandering the streets gives me a taste of being a regular tourist, free from a schedule.
Even on a busy ship, I discover, solo travel can occasionally get lonely. That evening, at one of the ship’s bars, I realise I am hogging the cocktail menu. So when someone approaches, I use it as an icebreaker, offering the menu while striking up a conversation. It works. I quickly make friends, who add me to their WhatsApp group chat. Among them is Carol, another solo traveller embarking on her first cruise since her husband passed away.
Over the next few days, the group chat pings regularly. One afternoon, I am summoned to the observation deck for trivia. I offer limited help, but it’s a thrill to go head-to-head with a rival group. We win, and our celebration dinner that night is at Pacific Rim, the ship’s Asian fusion restaurant. The food, including miso black cod and seafood laksa, is so spectacular I wish I could order the entire menu.
On my second-to-last day, I meet Captain Luksa Kristovic and ask him about the whispers I’ve been hearing on the passenger grapevine about a new vessel. He confirms the rumours: the Seven Seas Prestige’s maiden voyage is scheduled for December and select top-tier suites will feature in-room elevators, private gyms and multi-deck balconies.
As I prepare to disembark on my final day, my stomach is full thanks to a breakfast special of pancakes and mimosas. But my heart is even fuller: packed with new adventures and, more importantly, wonderful new friends.
The writer was a guest of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, sailing on Seven Seas Explorer; www.rssc.com.
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