Regent Seven Seas Cruise – European Wine Greats
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Departs Lisbon on Sat 30th May 2015
Destination Ports include; Oporto, La Coruna, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Southampton. Excursions include; Port tasting at a Port wine lodge in Oporto, superb Tapas and Galician wines in La Coruna, visit to Bodega Marques de Riscal in Rioja, experience the phenomenal cuisine of San Sebastian, visit to a Medoc vineyard, dinner At Chateau Kirwan in the Medoc, visit to St. Emilion vineyards & village and a trip to one of the world’s famous houses of Cognac – Hennessy. [/jbox]
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for a Deluxe Veranda Suite – G, based on 2 persons sharing, including outward air fare.
FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package in Concierge Suites and Higher.
FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits
FREE Open Bars and Lounges Plus In-Suite Mini-Bar Replenished Daily
FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities
FREE Ground Transfers
FREE 24-Hour Room Service
NO Charge for Specialty Restaurants and much more.
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About the Ship, Cruise Highlights, Ports of Call & Excursions
[jtabs] Regent Seven Seas Voyager :: A trailblazer in the exclusive world of all-suite, all-balcony ships, Seven Seas Voyager exceeds even the loftiest expectations for luxury. Considering her size, the amenities are surprisingly plentiful and include four main dining venues where you can dine wherever, whenever and with whomever you choose. With 447 international crew members attending to a maximum of but 700 guests, personal service is exceedingly indulgent throughout. [jtab/] Dining :: Dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you choose in any of our open-seating restaurants. Simply request a table when the mood strikes and the Maître D’ will happily seat your party. Using fresh local produce, dry-aged prime meats, fish and seafood sourced from international markets, delicious artisan cheeses and scrumptious baked goods crafted from the finest imported French flour, combined with all the skills and imagination of our celebrated chefs to put it all together — cruising has never tasted so good. Menus change daily in Compass Rose as a multitude of Continental-inspired dishes are offered during the course of your voyage. Indulge in a Sunday champagne and caviar brunch at La Veranda or at Compass Rose. Dine in elegant surroundings including the iconic Prime 7, the premier steakhouse at sea, and delight in mouth watering entrées paired with distinctive complimentary wines and spirits. [jaccordion] Compas Rose ::
As the flagship restaurant aboard each of our ships, the wonderfully spacious Compass Rose serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features an exceptional variety of European-inspired Continental cuisine, as well as flavourful vegetarian and kosher dishes and nutritious Canyon Ranch SpaClub® specialties. Elegantly decorated in warm golden and maroon hues, Compass Rose delights with a beautifully refined atmosphere blessed with natural light during the day. Whenever you decide to whet your appetite, your Maître D’ will guide you to a quiet, romantic table for two or a festive larger table — reservations are not necessary.
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La Veranda ::
Serving breakfast and lunch, La Veranda is exceedingly popular any time of the day. Spacious and comfortably casual, La Veranda offers regional specialties that often reflect the cuisines of the countries called on, such as Grilled Lamb Chops with Spanish Sherry Sauce or pan-sautéed Mediterranean Sea Bass. Dishes are presented in a buffet style that displays the diversity of the menu. La Veranda also features an authentic pizzeria and a shaded, open-air veranda for dining al fresco.
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Sette Mari at La Veranda ::
Each evening, La Veranda transforms into Sette Mari at La Veranda, a casual, intimate dining experience. Enjoy an extensive menu of authentic antipasti and Italian specialties served á la carte and paired with fine Italian wines — complimentary of course. Delectable dishes are prepared á la minute by our talented chefs using only the freshest gourmet ingredients and served by our attentive waiters. Sette Mari at La Veranda is open for dinner only.
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Pool Grill ::
The ultimate come-as-you-are dining venue, the Pool Grill couldn’t be more casual. Walk over straight from sunbathing or swimming in the pool. Drop by before or after a shore excursion. Enjoy a snack between activities. The Pool Grill is open air, yet abundantly shaded for comfortable dining. Enjoy grilled-to-order burgers, grilled seafood, sandwiches and fresh salads. Treat yourself to milk shakes, malts, and hand-dipped ice cream desserts sprinkled with all your favourite toppings.
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Prime 7 ::
A true classic in every sense, Prime 7 sets a new standard in steakhouse fare with its contemporary interpretation of an American favourite. Handsomely decorated with supple leather wing-back chairs, burnished woods and rich earth-toned fabrics, Prime 7 exudes a distinct, intimate elegance. This is glamour redefined, a luxurious setting to enjoy classic steakhouse cuisine with a modern flair.
All the traditional starters are here, including Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Oysters Rockefeller, and French Onion Soup Gratinée. Of course, beef is the undisputed star, as it is all USD A Prime and Dry-Aged at least 28 days to ensure the ultimate tenderness, juiciness and flavour. “Côte de Boeuf” Bone-in Rib Steak, Porterhouse Steak and succulent Filet Mignon only touch upon the selections. Mouth watering alternatives include Colorado Double-Cut Lamb Chops and Oven-Roasted Organic Free-Range Chicken. Prime 7 is open for dinner only and reservations are required.
Click here for Prime 7 Dinner Menu
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Signatures ::
Signatures is one of two restaurants at sea (the other is aboard Seven Seas Voyager). Preparing authentic, decadent French cuisine is an art form and is the raison d’être of our French restaurant, Signatures. Capturing the diversity of French fare, our seasoned chefs offer an exquisite dining experience with tantalizing tastes and enticing presentation. Consequently, each and every dish served in Signatures is absolutely sublime and purely French.
Classics like Quiche au Camembert and Foie Gras Terrine with Plum Marmalade tease the palate. Main courses such as Rack of Lamb with Morel Mushrooms and Melted Potato Garnishes and Magret Duck Fillet with Raspberry Vinaigrette excite the senses, especially when perfectly paired with a delightful French vintage carefully selected by the sommelier. The experience is so authentically French that it rivals that of the finest Parisian restaurants. Open for dinner only, reservations are required for Signatures.
Click here for Signatures Restaurant Sample Menu
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Suites ::
A trailblazer in the exclusive world of all-suite, all-balcony ships, Seven Seas Voyager exceeds even the loftiest expectations for luxury.
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Deluxe Veranda Suite ::
Explore picturesque, historic Oporto and the Vila Nova de Gaia quarter, home of its signature port wine industry. Or discover Portugal’s scenic countryside and visit Guimaraes with its impressive medieval castle and beautiful Braga with its Bom Jesus shrine and superb cathedral. Look for gold and silver filigree jewelry, lovely azulejos tiles, porcelain, leather goods, needlepoint carpets and Madeiran lace and embroidery. Try a northern specialty – caldo verde, a soup of potatoes, shredded cabbage and smoked sausage, or appetizers including sheep’s cheese, olives and smoked ham. Fish and pork top most menus, accompanied by port wine.
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Highlights of Oporto ::
Free excursion
The city of Oporto lies on the north bank of the Douro River, near where it meets the Atlantic Ocean and is the second largest city in Portugal. While it has always played an important role in international trade, Oporto’s historic centre has been recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your tour begins with a lovely drive around the historic heart of Oporto where you will see many of the city’s notable landmarks. Dating mainly from the 18th century when trade was booming and merchants were financing elegant homes for themselves and grand buildings for the city, the local architecture reflects the elaborate gilt-work of the baroque-style and the neoclassicism and romanticism of the 19th and 20th centuries. You will also have the opportunity to drive over the unique double-decker bridge which spans the Douro River, the work of the famous Parisian engineer Gustav Eiffel. At the conclusion of your city tour, you’ll be given some free time to explore on your own or browse through some of the colourful local shops.
Before returning to the ship, a final stop is made at one of the many port wine lodges that Oporto is internationally famous for. After an informative tour of the cellar where you will learn about the processes involved in creating fine port wine, you’ll be treated to a wine tasting of some of their finest products.
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La Coruna ::
La Coruna is a busy port on the Atlantic Ocean that provides a distribution point for agricultural goods from the region. It was the arrival of democracy in Spain after the death of Francisco Franco that caused a major growth in the city. The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation for nearly 2,000 years. The city is also well-known for its characteristic glazed window balconies, called galerías.
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Walking Tour of La Coruna & Tapas ::
Free excursion
What better way to discover a destination up-close than on foot. This delightful and delicious tour allows you to not only experience the charming atmosphere of La Coruña, but its lively Galician food culture as well.
Your tour begins with a brief walk from the pier to the beachfront that runs along the Atlantic coastline. Along the way, you will pass by many conservatories and beautiful old homes that capture the character of La Coruña. From here, it’s on to the San Agustín Market, which is the town’s main food market. Every day, a huge variety of products are available for purchase here and the Market is especially well-known for its impressive and wide-ranging selection of seafood.
Next, you will have the opportunity to enjoy local tapas as your tour takes you around to two local taverns, known as tapas bars. During your visit, you will be treated to various tapas, which are typically made with fresh seafood and ham, accompanied by the best wines in Galicia, like Albariño or Ribeiro.
Following your visit to the tapas bars, your guide will escort you back to the pier where your tour concludes.
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Bilbao ::
Bilbao straddles the Bilbao or Nervión River some 15 miles from the Cantabrian Seacoast. An industrial city, the metropolitan area ranks among Spain’s most important commercial and financial centres. Proximity to the sea and early discovery of vast mineral deposits led to the development of the port. The modern city centre is El Ensanche (literally “the expansion”). Possibly the newest source of great local pride is the remarkable Guggenheim Museum-Bilbao.
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Marques de Riscal and the Rioja Wine Region ::
Excursion fee £169 pp
Embrace the beauty and flavour of the scenic Rioja Alavesa countryside during this memorable tour, tasting and lunch in El Ciego.
Depart the pier by coach for the scenic 2-hour drive to the town of El Ciego. Located in the Alava Province, El Ciego is the site of the new City of the Wine, a complex created by the Marques de Riscal cellars. The City of the Wine includes the old cellars, new Frank Gehry hotel, and new French wine spa, Caudalie.
Upon arrival to the complex, your tour will begin with a visit to the cellars. Here, you will learn about the history of the region’s wine-producing heritage and techniques, and hear about the latest wine-making technologies. After your visit, you will be invited to taste the white Verdejo and red Reserva Marques de Riscal wines.
Continuing on, you will make your way to the town of Laguardia, where you will enjoy a brief guided walking tour and then a typical local lunch at Posada Mayor de Migueola, a traditional restaurant. Following lunch, you’ll transfer directly back to the ship.
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A Glimpse of San Sebastian ::
Free excursion
It’s a 90-minute scenic drive from Bilbao to San Sebastian, the Belle Epoque resort city and capital of the province of Guipuzcoa. Often referred to as the Pearl of the Sea, the city was made popular in 1886 by Queen Regent Maria Cristina and has been a favourite amongst Spanish aristocracy ever since. It is now a relaxed family resort city and plays host to the International Film Festival every September.
Upon arrival, you will have a panoramic overview of the city, viewing such main sights as the Miramar Palace, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, and the Hotel Maria Cristina. Following your panoramic tour, you will leave your coach behind and embark on a guided walking tour through the Old Quarter, where you will find an eclectic blend of shops, bars, restaurants and squares. Although the city has burnt to the ground twelve times in its history, one street not destroyed by the Fire of 1813, contains the oldest buildings, including the Church of San Vicente.
Re-joining your coach for the leisurely drive back to Bilbao, you will make a final stop at the Monte Igeldo Viewpoint where you will have the chance to take photos. Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city, oyster-shaped Bay of La Concha, Mount Urgull, Mount Igueldo and the Isle of Santa Clara from this wonderful vantage point.
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Bordeaux ::
Bordeaux is located near the European Atlantic coast, in the north of the Aquitaine region in France. The city is built on a bend of the river Garonne, with the city literally divided into two parts. The world’s wine capital, Bordeaux has about 60 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing châteaux, and 13,000 grape growers. With an annual production of over 700 million bottles, Bordeaux produces large quantities of everyday wine as well as the most expensive ones.
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Dinner At Chateau Kirwan ::
Excursion fee £169 pp
Begin with a scenic drive to the Medoc area vineyards. Prepare to feast on an enchanted dinner at Château Kirwan, an 18th-century Château, where history and wine combine to tease the curiosity of the guests. Enjoy a guided visit of the cellars, followed by a wine aperitif, where the surroundings enhance the fine delicacy. Indulge in an elegant dinner served in the main reception room of the Château Estate, overlooking the vineyards and a barrel cellar.
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Medoc Vineyards ::
Free excursion
After driving along the famous Quai des Chartrons, cradle of the Bordeaux wine trade, your tour begins just north of the city in Blanquefort. From the Médoc wine road, between the Gironde estuary and the Landes forest, enjoy magnificent vistas of vine-covered fields that rise as far as the eye can see. View some of the most famous Châteaux of the area. Visit the cellars of a famous château and learn the techniques of wine making. Indulge in a tasting of the unique creation of the vineyard.
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St. Emilion Vineyards and Village ::
Free Excursion
Begin with a scenic drive to Saint Emilion, the heartland of the Merlot grape. The outstanding wine-making reputation and colourful history of the St. Emilion and Pomerol regions have become known throughout the world. Enjoy views of the vine-covered “hills with a thousand chateaux,” leading to Saint Emilion’s 13th-century walls and moat. Explore the town, including the Collegiale Church, the ramparts, the market place and the underground church. Experience the astonishing transformation of caves which have been used for religious purposes from prehistoric times to the present day. Stroll through this historic centre, viewing the Cadene Gate and the King’s Tower. Enjoy a visit into the cellars of a nearby chateau. Sample a recent vintage and browse among the fine selection of wines before returning back to the vessel.
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Cognac & Hennessy Distillery ::
Excursion fee £81 pp
Boarding your coach at the pier, you’ll set-off to explore Cognac land. Cognac is made exclusively from grapes, usually from the Ugni-Blanc grape variety, coming from a clearly defined region of France that is situated around the town of Cognac. This area is also known for its historic old Château where French King, François I was born.
After a picturesque 2-hour drive through the French countryside, you’ll arrive at a local restaurant where you will be served a typical two-course meal. At the conclusion of lunch, you will re-board your coach and make the short transfer to one of the world’s famous houses of Cognac, Hennessy. Leaving your coach behind, you will next board the Hennessy river boat, crossing the Charente River to reach the other side and the Hennessy premises.
Upon arrival, you will embark on a guided tour of the cellars, discovering amongst many things, the secrets of the swan’s neck-shaped alembic still in use to distil cognac. You will also learn about the oak cask ageing process and the art of blending. At the conclusion of your guided tour, you will be treated to a tasting of some of the fine Hennessy liquors.
Following your Hennessy visit, your coach will transfer you to the Royan ferry boat terminal for the Gironde River crossing back to Le Verdon and your ship.
Some Hennessy history: The Irish founder, Richard Hennessy was so charmed by the region that he established a trading firm in the town of Cognac in 1765. Under his son, James, the company expanded rapidly and took the name it still has today: Jas Hennessy & Co. Since that time, eight generations of the Hennessy family have run this outstanding company, traveling the world and building the brand’s universal reputation. Hennessy has always had an international outlook. At the start, it shipped cognacs to its natural markets in Ireland and Great Britain, with London being the heart of the brand’s sales strategy for nearly two centuries. The British capital then became a springboard for shipments to distant markets such as Australia and America, and particularly from New York after 1794.
In the last quarter of the 19th century, the company began bottling on a large scale and became the first cognac brand. Today, Hennessy sells more than 40 million bottles, and is part of LVMH, the world’s top luxury and prestige group, and is acting as an ambassador for the French concept of gracious living.
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