Have you ever returned home from a cruise feeling like you need another vacation to recover from the vacation you just took? If so, you’re probably like me when it comes to choosing an itinerary: The more ports the better. I’ll take exploring a new city or island over multiple sea days any day. Because if I wanted to hang out by a pool and sip cocktails for the entirety of my vacation, I’d book a resort stay.
However, over the past few years, I’ve tried to embrace a more relaxation-focused mindset when it comes to cruising by opting for several less port-intensive sailings.
My most recent was a one-week itinerary aboard Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, the newest ship in the Regent fleet. It featured three sea days, two following embarkation day in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and one following an overnight and two full days in Charleston, South Carolina, ending with a pre-disembarkation overnight in New York (my hometown).
Three full days at sea seemed daunting at first, but it provided just the right counterbalance to the bustling pace of the more port-intensive journeys around the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Baltic I’m used to: Being able to sleep in for a few days instead of waking early for shore excursions definitely left me feeling better rested.
This itinerary not only changed my attitude about sea day-heavy trips but also about close-to-home cruising. Keep reading for a review of this epic journey, as well as a roundup of U.S. luxury cruises that offer a similarly leisurely pace. In addition to Charleston and New York, these sailings also visit vibrant North American ports such as Boston, Quebec City, New Orleans, Santa Barbara, Astoria (Oregon), and Victoria, British Columbia.
Exploring the Ship and a Dazzling San Juan Sail Away
Before I set sail on the 746-guest Seven Seas Grandeur, I overnighted in Old San Juan. This was my eighth visit, but I still enjoyed exploring this 500-year-old, UNESCO World Heritage-listed jewel. Spending the night offered just enough time to wander its colorful, cobblestone-paved streets and stroll the tree-shaded Paseo de la Princesa and the seaside pathway leading to the historic San Juan Gate and views of El Morro fortress.
By noon the next day, I was on board Seven Seas Grandeur, wowed by its modern polish. The décor features 300,000 pounds of marble and other stone, 503 sparkling chandeliers, and $6 million worth of eye-catching artwork that includes a 40-foot hand-woven tapestry hanging in the central atrium, viewable from two glass-walled elevators.
I settled into my Veranda Suite with its spacious balcony, marble bathroom, and walk-in closet and then set out to explore the ship. The deck 11 pool area beckoned with its chic Pool Bar, adjacent Pool Grill, and La Veranda buffet. After enjoying a lunch of Indian curries and salads I peeked into the airy Culinary Arts Kitchen (for anyone who loves to learn new techniques and recipes, hands-on classes are available for an added fee) before entering the stocked library. I zeroed in on two mystery thrillers by a popular author I hadn’t read before. On this cruise, I’d actually have time to indulge in many leisurely hours of reading.
Fine dining is a hallmark of Regent ships and like its Explorer-class siblings Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Grandeur features a main dining room, Compass Rose, and three superb specialty restaurants, which must be reserved but don’t require an additional cover charge: Prime 7 for an elevated steakhouse menu, Chartreuse for French cuisine, and Pacific Rim for pan-Asian specialties. A section of La Veranda also becomes Sette Mare each evening, which serves an Italian menu. Caffeine aficionados flock to Coffee Connection, while three indoor bars — Grandeur Lounge, Meridien Lounge, and Observation Lounge — serve up free-flowing cocktails and live music. The Constellation Theater is the setting for nightly entertainment and the Serene Spa offers a range of treatments and a relaxing aft Spa Deck with heated whirlpools.
Decks 6 to 10 and deck 14 are home to the ship’s suites, available in 10 categories with fares that escalate as square footage increases — culminating with the lofty Regent Suite. This exclusive deck 14 enclave, which offers 3,026 square feet of interior space and a sprawling 1,407-square-foot verandah with a private whirlpool, features a bed with a $200,000 Hastens Vividus mattress, a private spa area, two original Picasso lithographs, and a long list of special amenities. More down-to-earth options include 332-square-foot Concierge Suites and 450-square-foot Penthouse Suites. Even my standard Veranda Suite was beautifully designed and a perfectly indulgent way to enjoy a week or more at sea.
As I heard the rumble of Seven Seas Grandeur’s thrusters, I headed to deck 11, grabbed a glass of rosé at the Pool Bar, and positioned myself along the starboard railing for a spectacular sail away. The late afternoon sunlight gave colorful Old San Juan a vintage postcard quality. As we cruised toward the imposing El Morro fortress, a feeling of relaxation began to take hold. Was I actually looking forward to the two sea days ahead?
My dinner reservation was at Prime 7, and I enjoyed a Harvest Salad with mixed greens, roasted pumpkin, beets, and dried cherries followed by applewood smoked salmon in a tamarind whiskey sauce and a dessert of red velvet cheesecake. No nightcap tonight: While relaxing on my private balcony earlier, I’d read a few chapters of one of the books I’d grabbed — and I was hopelessly hooked.
Actually Enjoying 48 Hours of Blissful Blue
As much as I wanted to sleep in (I’d read until 2 a.m.), I woke up at 8:30 a.m., showered, grabbed a light breakfast at Coffee Connection (they serve delicious fresh-brewed iced tea, too, which, as a non-coffee-drinker, I greatly appreciate) and headed to the Constellation Lounge for the day’s first Speaker Series lecture. The subject: “Sea Turtles: Cold Blooded? Yes. Warm Hearted — You Decide.”
Over the next hour, Dr. David Plourd, a retired physician with a degree in marine biology, entertained us with images, anecdotes, and facts about the five species that inhabit the Caribbean and Northern Atlantic oceans. Dr. Plourd regaled us with fascinating statistics about the turtles, among them that sea turtles, which can be traced back 230 million years (predating the dinosaurs), are actually vertebrates with a shell that’s composed of overlapping scales and that female turtles return to lay their eggs (as many as 190 in a single clutch) on the exact beach where they themselves hatched 6 to 35 years earlier.
Feeling like I could ace “Jeopardy” if there were a Sea Turtle category, I stayed on for a talk by Bill Miller, an international authority on all things cruise-related who was speaking about the history and evolution of the industry. Not only was the “leisure cruise” invented in the 1850s by U.K.-based P&O Cruises, but P&O also offered the first world cruise. It took place in 1922 and lasted 165 days. These fun fact-filled Speaker Series sessions were beginning to win me over to the idea that sea days needn’t be mindlessly spent at the pool sipping Aperol Spritzes — not that there’s anything wrong with that.
On a mission to use my time aboard in nourishing ways, I headed to Chartreuse, which serves a lighter French-inspired menu at lunch. My selections — a “modern-style” Salade Nicoise, and a Pear & Walnut Quiche with blue cheese and mixed greens — were both beautifully presented and delicious. I topped the meal off with a silver goblet of sliced fresh fruit.
Could such healthy eating habits be sustained amid the culinary temptations of Seven Seas Grandeur? Only until 4 p.m., when I ducked into the Meridien Lounge for Mediterranean Afternoon Tea. In addition to my Blackcurrant Breeze tea, I caved in and ordered a scone (with clotted cream and jam, of course). Afterward, I managed to burn some mental calories during the daily Team Trivia contest in the Observation Lounge before giving in to more caloric overindulgence with a pre-dinner Negroni followed by a four-course meal in Compass Rose that involved crab and avocado, mushroom risotto, sliced duck breast, and scoops of creamy coconut and chocolate ice cream.
I waddled to the Constellation Theater just in time to catch the 9:30 p.m. special guest performance by “Ireland’s Greatest Showman,” veteran West End performer David Shannon whose powerful voice has entertained audiences in productions of “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Come From Away,” and other musicals. And with that, the curtain closed on my first sea day. I retired to my suite, picked up my book, and again read late into the night.
Day two at sea unfolded similarly: 10 a.m. Speaker Series lecture by Dr. Plourd — this time titled “Dolphins: Our Intelligent Cousins of the Deep” — followed by lunch at Prime 7 (blue cheese panna cotta and a Caesar salad with grilled pepper shrimp, accompanied by a glass of rosé) and a blissful afternoon of reading and dozing. Then I was off to enjoy a sunset Negroni in the Observation Lounge followed by dinner in Chartreuse, where it was incredibly difficult to select three courses from the extensive menu of modernized French classics. I opted for an Alaskan King Crab salad, a filet of halibut, and opera cake. No musical entertainment for me that night: I was on a mission to finish my first book and rest up for the next two days in Charleston.
Experiencing Southern Charm in the Heart of Charleston
By day four, I was ready to rumble, so in Charleston — which I’d visited twice before — I used the map app on my phone to chart my own course around the historic downtown. I strolled across Queen Street to Meeting Street, meandered south of Broad Street to The Battery, happily snapping photos of church steeples, courtyards, and gorgeous homes and gardens along the way. I could see Fort Sumter in the distance and had briefly contemplated a group excursion there, but decided I’d be happier left to my own devices.
Wandering quaint alleyways and perusing the stalls at the Charleston City Market, all while getting in a five-mile walk in the spring sunshine, suited me just fine. And while I was tempted to linger longer and indulge in Lowcountry shrimp and grits for dinner, I ended up back aboard Seven Seas Grandeur. My meal at Compass Rose — a crisp mixed green salad, salmon mousse with a saffron and black mussel sauce, and seared king scallops with a beurre blanc sauce and asparagus — was among my favorite of the cruise. To cap it off, David Shannon gave an encore performance in the Constellation Theater, where he sang a medley of hits ranging from Phantom’s “Music of the Night” to the jazzy 1972 soul classic “Me and Mrs. Jones.”
Early April in Charleston is perfect for an excursion to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, home to an elaborate romantic-style (natural rather than formal) garden on 66 acres adjacent to the Ashley River, where my second port day began with a guided walk amid azalea and magnolia blossoms. Back in downtown by midday, I again set out on foot to peruse the shops of King Street and navigate atmospheric Chalmers Street (one of only eight remaining cobblestone streets in Charleston). Back on board, I got a chance to sample the pan-Asian menu at Pacific Rim, where the sushi and softshell crab tempura were highlights. I also stayed up later than usual to listen to some of my fellow passengers bravely belt out chart-toppers during karaoke in the Grandeur Lounge.
I Could Actually Get Used to This
As my third sea day dawned I fell right back into my mellow groove, enjoying the gentle roll of the ship as it cruised north toward New York, zipping through the pages of my second book, enjoying lunch at the Pool Grill, a cocktail in the Grandeur Lounge, and dinner at Compass Rose. But the moment that brought me the biggest joy was when members of Seven Seas Grandeur’s hard-working culinary, housekeeping, and engineering team showcased their musical talents in the “Krew Kapers” show, singing, dancing, and basking in much-deserved rounds of applause.
Should I Go Ashore in My Hometown or Just Enjoy the Ship?
I have lived in New York City for most of the past 40 years, so I didn’t feel particularly compelled to explore. Instead, I reserved an 8 a.m. “Biotec Skin Resurfacer” facial in the spa and emerged renewed. I then let all the nourishing potions and lotions soak into my skin as I relaxed in my suite for another few hours, reading the final chapters of my second book. When I dressed, I noticed right away that the belt I’d been cinching on notch three now only felt comfortable on notch two (the bread basket, desserts, Coffee Connection cookies, and nightly Negroni being the likely culprits). So, I put on my walking shoes and set out to wander around the West Side of Manhattan. I ended up covering about 5.5 miles, reminding myself about the calorie-burning benefits of a day spent ambulating rather than being supine with a good book.
My takeaway? While I’m still more inclined to choose a port-intensive itinerary simply because I am by nature an explorer rather than a lounger, I now see the luxury inherent to a restorative cruise that combines several sea days with ports I know I’ll enjoy exploring. I also now appreciate that the ship itself is a destination worth savoring.
For a similarly relaxing sailing close to home, check out these 7 U.S. coastal luxury cruises:
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Regent’s 12-night Bermuda Sunset & Southern Charm itinerary (March 26 - April 7, 2026) on 746-guest Seven Seas Grandeur sails roundtrip from Miami, overnights in Charleston, calls on Norfolk (Virginia) and Port Canaveral (Florida) as well as three days in Bermuda and a day in Nassau, Bahamas. Sea days? There are three.
Viking: Viking’s 9-day Pacific Coast Explorer itinerary (available in April, May, and September 2025 and April 2026) sails from Los Angeles to Vancouver, or vice versa, on 930-guest Viking Sea, features two sea days, and calls on San Diego, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco in California; Astoria in Oregon; and Victoria in British Columbia.
Crystal: This 14-night Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale sailing (Oct. 26 - Nov. 9, 2024) on 740-guest Crystal Serenity spends two days in Quebec City, overnights in Boston, New York, and Jacksonville, Florida, and calls on Norfolk, Virginia, and Nassau, Bahamas — plus there are four sea days.
Seabourn: The 14-day Atlantic Coast Harbors sailing from Montreal to Miami (Oct. 18 – Nov. 1, 2024) aboard 458-guest Seabourn Quest visits Quebec City and Saguenay in Quebec and Halifax and Shelburne in Nova Scotia, before overnighting in New York and calling on Charleston. There are six sea days. A similar 12-night sailing is also available in November 2025.
American Cruise Lines: The 7-night Historic South & Golden Isles itinerary, offered by American Cruise Lines on multiple spring and fall dates in 2024, 2025, and 2026 aboard its four 100-guest Coastal Cat cruise ships, sails from Charleston to Amelia Island in Florida and calls on Beaufort and Hilton Head in South Carolina and Savannah and Jekyll Island in Georgia with one day of cruising the Intracoastal Waterway.
Silversea: The 11-day Montreal to New York sailing (Oct 5-16, 2025) aboard 388-guest Silver Shadow visits the Canadian ports of Saguenay in Quebec, Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, and Halifax in Nova Scotia, before calling on Portland, Maine; Boston; and Newport, Rhode Island, during peak foliage season. There are four sea days.
Explora Journeys: The 10-night A Journey to New Orleans Jazz & Mexico’s Yucatan (January 14-24, 2025) sailing on Explora Journeys’ second ship, 922-guest Explora II, sails roundtrip from Miami, overnights in New Orleans, and visits Cozumel in Mexico before overnighting in Progreso, Mexico, and visiting Ocean Cay in the Bahamas. There are three sea days.