Inside world's most luxurious cruise ship where suites cost £8,600 a night and guests eat off £300 Versace plates

You know you're in for a treat when a friend suggests meeting by the Faberge egg on a cruise ship. This stunning piece, adorned with gold, gems and pearls, is part of a £5 million art collection on the Seven Seas Grandeur, the latest addition to the Regent Seven Seas fleet and touted as the "most luxurious" passenger vessel in the world.

The egg, crafted in England, features seven petals representing the world's oceans and is displayed in a glass cabinet. But that's not all - the ship also boasts three original Picassos casually hung on the wall of a steakhouse. And why not? It's not your average Beefeater, after all.

As you explore the decks, you'll walk across an acre of marble and under 503 chandeliers. The entrance to one restaurant features a life-size cherry tree sculpture made from bronze and glass, while a nearly 40ft-long hand-woven tapestry adorns a wall.

The word 'luxury' doesn't do it justice

The word "luxury" is often overused in the cruise industry, but it barely scratches the surface of this 746-passenger floating palace. The spa is like a hall of kings, while the 350-seat Compass Rose dining room uses £300 Versace plates. Some walls are covered in giant 3D flowers, carpets have pile so thick you feel like you're wading through them, and even buffet tables are laid out like an upmarket restaurant.

My accommodation - a suite, of course, because cabins are far too common - featured a walk-in wardrobe, separate bath and shower, and a spacious balcony. I made do with it, but only because the top suite on board was already taken.

Boasting an impressive 4,443sq ft, the opulent two-bedroom Regent Suite is nearly as vast as the observation lounge and boasts a personal bar, spa area and sweeping veranda.

Tucked away from those not as flush with cash, the suite also features a private dining room on another deck. For anyone considering a splurge, this suite seems to justify its hefty £8,600 nightly price tag.

How is the food?

You won't want for choice with several speciality restaurants on board. Chartreuse delivers top-notch French dishes; Prime 7 is all about the prime cuts of steak and, for lovers of Eastern flavours, Pacific Rim is the go-to spot.

Having spent five days at sea, I took my palate on a voyage through each restaurant, finding each meal nothing short of exceptional. What's more, being able to saunter off post-dinner without a bill in sight is undoubtedly a highlight.

What else is there to do on board?

For those inspired to whip up their own culinary treats, there's a Culinary Arts Kitchen offering practical classes. If your perfect day involves never leaving your suite, your meals can be served by the impeccably turned-out crew right where you are, with all the pomp of a fine dining establishment.

It's not all eating and drinking though. You can keep fit in the gym, pound the jogging track, or head to the fitness studio. Meanwhile, wellness seekers can relish treatments such as a "zero gravity" massage or a chilling moment in the cold room. Theres also a tempting pool and a well-stocked library for those looking to unwind in between adventures.

What is the dress code?

Cruise ships offer a unique blend of style and relaxation, where passengers can upgrade their wardrobe without stress.

Sailing with Regent means you can embrace "elegant casual" attire — there's no need for dinner suits or ball gowns here. It's an opportunity to don your best clothes, indulge in a bit more mirror time and enjoy top-tier restaurants, swanky bars and theatre shows — all while skipping the taxi ride hassles.

The Seven Seas Grandeur is the new pride of the fleet, following in the footsteps of its luxurious siblings, the Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor. And anticipation is high as Regent plans to introduce two larger vessels that will only carry a modest increase in passenger numbers, ensuring even more spacious luxury.

Where does the Seven Seas Grandeur travel?

I realised amidst the indulgence of my suite and quiet sun deck bliss that we were cruising the stunning Greek islands. Embarking from Athens' Piraeus port, I found myself basking on my balcony with champagne in hand, watching tender boats bob across the deep blue Aegean from ship to shore near Mykonos.

At Katakolon, I managed to get myself ashore for a tour of Olympia, using an iPad equipped with virtual reality software to view the ancient ruins as they once were. Pausing to appreciate the original runners' starting blocks, I could witness a reenactment of a race on my screen.

In Corfu, I took a stroll around the old town before embarking on my journey to my final stop, Dubrovnik. The Seven Seas Grandeur is now en route to Canada and New England, then it will spend some time in the Caribbean before returning to Europe next year.

Of course, not everyone can afford or would choose to splurge thousands to cruise on a ship that houses a Faberge egg. But if you've hit the jackpot and are in search of a truly extraordinary holiday, it's worth the investment....

Key facts and book the holiday

• 746 passengers, 548 crew, 10 passenger decks, 373 suites, 735ft long, 102ft wide, 55,500 gross tonnage, two years to build, $2,500 most expensive bottle of wine (Promontory Napa Valley), 503 chandeliers, 1,600 works of art, 791 flower arrangements, 39 nationalities of crew, £150,000 bed in top suite.
  
  
• For a 10-night voyage, Seven Seas Grandeur carries: 1,200lb lobster, 1,000lb filet mignon, 500lb smoked salmon, 500lb chocolate, 20lb caviar, 1,500 bottles of champagne, 5,000 bottles of wine.
  
  
• Regent Seven Seas offers a 12-night all-inclusive voyage on Seven Seas Grandeur from £7,779pp, sailing from Istanbul to Fusina (for Venice) on April 16 and calling at Kavala/Philippi, Chios, Piraeus (for Athens), Mykonos, Santorini and Argostoli in Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy; and Rijeka, Croatia. Includes unlimited shore excursions, wi-fi, fine wines and spirits, speciality restaurants plus pre-paid gratuities and valet laundry service. Flights extra. rssc.com
  
  
• More info at visitgreece.gr montenegro.travel croatia.hr italia.it