The culinary landscape of Regent Seven Seas Cruises has undergone a remarkable transformation since my last sailing. Indeed, the epicurean experience on Seven Seas Mariner transcends previous voyages with notable sophistication. Five distinct dining destinations punctuate this floating sanctuary of gastronomy, each offering its own curated atmosphere and culinary philosophy.

• Compass Rose – the ship’s signature dining room, where classic elegance meets contemporary culinary artistry.
• Chartreuse – an exquisite celebration of French haute cuisine, where Parisian techniques blend seamlessly with Mediterranean influences.
• Prime 7 – a refined sanctuary for connoisseurs of exceptional cuts, presented with understated luxury and impeccable attention to detail.
• La Veranda / Sette Mari – a versatile venue that transforms from daytime casual elegance to evening Italian sophistication.
• Pool Grill – offering alfresco indulgences with elevated interpretations of relaxed fare against the backdrop of endless horizon views

Chartreuse is arguably the vessel’s crowning culinary achievement – a testament to French gastronomic tradition accompanied by flawless precision. Compass Rose follows with remarkable distinction. While Prime 7 elevates the chophouse genre to gastronomic heights.

Chartreuse

Chartreuse stands as a floating testament to French culinary sophistication. This jewel box-like restaurant proved to be the ship’s most coveted reservation – and after one sublime dinner, it’s abundantly clear why.

The menu reads like a love letter to contemporary French gastronomy. A starter of beef tartare arrives crowned with a generous portion of caviar. Meanwhile, meticulously crafted lemon-artichoke tapenade rests on a pristine fillet of halibut – pearlescent and delicate – poised atop a bed of braised fennel that has been coaxed to tender submission. The dish is a testament to restraint and refinement.

For main courses, the Dover sole reinforces the kitchen’s commitment to seafood excellence, while the Chicken with Morels, Comte Cheese & Champagne-Lobster Sauce emerged as the menu’s unexpected star.

Come dessert, the Apple Tart delivers comforting perfection, but it is the Rose à la Chartreuse that steals the show: a velvet champagne mousse paired with raspberry jelly and blackcurrant sauce that provides a fittingly elegant finale to an exceptional meal.

Insider tip: Chartreuse is slated for replacement by Pacific Rim when Seven Seas Mariner undergoes refurbishment in 2025. However, Francophiles need not despair – several signature Chartreuse dishes will find new life on the Compass Rose menu.

Chartreuse is open for dinner only. Reservations are essential.

Dinner: 6:30pm – Last seating: 9:30pm

Compass Rose

In the rarefied world of luxury cruising, few dining experiences rival Compass Rose, the elegant main restaurant aboard Seven Seas Mariner. Beyond its sophisticated décor, this culinary sanctuary presents a perfect marriage of refined ambiance and attentive service that transforms each meal into a memorable occasion.

The menu showcases exceptional ingredients prepared with masterful technique. A starter of Smoked Haddock Parfait arrives adorned with white sturgeon caviar and delicate lemon cream – a sophisticated opening statement that sets the tone for what follows. The Porcini Risotto deserves special mention, achieving that elusive balance of creamy comfort and earthy depth that distinguishes truly superior versions of this Italian classic.

Seafood enthusiasts will delight in the array of lobster preparations and fish dishes, while carnivores can indulge in perfectly executed meat courses. The Beef Wellington was a standout – a testament to the kitchen’s classical foundations and precise execution.

Unlike the ship’s specialty venues, Compass Rose presents a refreshingly democratic approach to luxury dining, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner without the constraints of reservations. Morning brings all the traditional breakfast pleasures, prepared with the same attention to detail that defines evening service.

Insider tip: While specialty restaurants may generate more pre-cruise buzz, experienced Mariner guests know that Compass Rose offers an equally impressive culinary experience with greater flexibility – a rare combination in luxury cruising.

Breakfast: 8:00am – Last seating: 9:30am
Lunch: 12:00pm – Last seating: 1:30pm (not on Sundays)
Dinner: 6:30pm – Last seating: 9:30pm

Prime 7

Prime 7 redefines the traditional steakhouse concept, elevating the genre with refined culinary artistry that transcends typical cruise fare. This specialty venue combines the comfort of prime cuts with unexpected gastronomic flourishes that surprise and delight even the most discerning palates.

For instance the Ahi Tuna & Avocado Poke Bowl delivers bright, clean flavors, while the Seared Diver Scallop paired with cured pork belly confit and orange-pomegranate sauce demonstrates the kitchen’s commitment to sophisticated ingredient combinations.

When it comes to the main event, Prime 7 executes flawlessly. The menu showcases exceptional cuts – Filet Mignon, Rib-Eye, New Zealand Lamb, and a memorably succulent Bone-In Veal Chop – each prepared to exacting specifications and served with your choice of complementary sauces. The precision of temperature control and expert seasoning elevate these prime cuts to memorable status.

Save room for the finale – the dessert selection provides a fitting conclusion to this refined steakhouse experience. Fresh Berries with Crème Anglaise offers a lighter option, while the showstopping 14-layer Chocolate Mousse Cake with Pistachio Sauce delivers decadence worthy of special occasions.

Insider tip: Prime 7 serves dinner only, and reservations are essential. Savvy cruisers secure their preferred dining time well before sailing to ensure they don’t miss this standout culinary experience.

Dinner: 6:30pm – Last seating: 9:00pm

La Veranda / Sette Mari

Seven Seas Mariner transforms its daytime buffet venue, La Veranda, into the Italian-inspired Sette Mari once evening falls. It is a dining concept that yields mixed results amid the ship’s otherwise stellar culinary landscape.

By day, La Veranda embraces its casual buffet identity, offering a spread of salads, seafood, cold cuts, and carved meats that satisfy the lunchtime crowd. Savvy cruisers, however, should note that during peak periods, the venue can succumb to a certain frenzied energy that detracts from the otherwise refined shipboard experience.

As twilight descends, tablecloths appear and the space transitions to Sette Mari, where table service replaces the self-serve model. The menu pivots to Italian classics with antipasti and pasta courses – the Carbonara delivers comfort, but arguably not refined technique. Meanwhile, mains courses such as Veal Scaloppini and Pancetta-Wrapped Chicken Rolls are disappointly dull.

While the concept shows promise, the execution falls noticeably short of the high standards set by the vessel’s other dining venues. Discerning palates will detect the subtle but unmistakable difference in culinary precision that places Sette Mari a tier below Chartreuse, Prime 7 and Compass Rose in the ship’s gastronomic hierarchy.

Breakfast: 7:00am -10:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Dinner: 6:30pm – Last seating: 9:00pm

Pool Grill

Nestled among the upper decks of Seven Seas Mariner, the Pool Grill offers a refreshing counterpoint to the ship’s more formal dining venues. Here, beneath the gentle shade of elegant canopies, casual sophistication unfolds across a landscape of glorious teak.

Unlike its culinary siblings aboard Seven Seas Mariner, the Pool Grill embraces simplicity with unapologetic confidence. It delivers perfectly prepared classics that satisfy sun-drenched appetites. Carefully grilled fish and select cuts of meat emerge from the open kitchen with a light char; while burgers, hot dogs, and artisanal sandwiches provide familiar comfort with quality ingredients.

Insider tip: For those seeking respite from multicourse formality, the Pool Grill offers an ideal midday retreat. Arrive slightly before or after peak hours to secure the most coveted tables – those positioned along the ship’s rail, where uninterrupted sea views enhance even the simplest meal.

Breakfast: 6:30am – 9:30pm
Lunch: 11:00am – 4:00pm

For more information visit Seven Seas Mariner on the Regent Seven Seas Cruises website.