Well before Seven Seas Explorer launched in July 2016, Regent Seven Seas was calling it the "Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built." That is a bold statement when it comes to ultra-luxury cruising. In many ways, the ship lives up to the billing, with extraordinary features and tiny details that will make even the most discerning passenger exceptionally happy.

To begin with, the cabins -- they're all suites -- are beautifully designed and feature some of the largest balconies in the industry. (Balcony sizes range from 55 to 994 square feet.) At the very top is the Regent Suite, a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom cabin that is so indulgent and well-appointed, passengers staying there might never want to leave.Then, there's the dining, with two restaurants that make their debut for the line on Explorer: Chartreuse and Pacific Rim. Food onboard is outstanding no matter where you dine, but the addition of the new specialty restaurants -- included in the price -- gives passengers more variety. The line's signature steakhouse, Prime 7, remains one of the best at sea, and its main dining restaurant options, Compass Rose and La Veranda/Sette Mari, set the bar high for "standard" cruise ship dining.The ship features more than an acre of granite and an acre of marble, almost 500 chandeliers and some 2,500 pieces of art, including works by masters such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. And that's not just in the public spaces, which are impressive. Suites feature incredible marble and stone detailing in their bathrooms and on surfaces like desks and bars.Those looking to poke holes in the "most luxurious" claim might point to the ship's entertainment, which is OK but not extravagant as one might expect. Likewise, the spa feels like it missed an opportunity to create a more expansive thermal suite complex, with features such as a therapy pool. But complaints in general are minor.Uncover the best deals with a Regent Seven Seas expertTeresa SkeimSpecialities : Luxury Cruises and World Cruises51 reviewsContact AgentGillian ClarkSpecialities : Luxury Cruises and Small Ship Cruises43 reviewsContact AgentKatie DillaboughSpecialities : All Inclusive and Beach Vacations39 reviewsContact AgentKim BristowSpecialities : River Cruises and Luxury Cruises34 reviewsContact AgentDanny FisherSpecialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive33 reviewsContact AgentJulie KeownSpecialities : Beach Vacations and Escorted Tours29 reviewsContact AgentDebbie SebastianSpecialities : All Inclusive and Destination Weddings24 reviewsContact AgentJosh OretskySpecialities : Luxury Cruises and River Cruises20 reviewsContact AgentRhonda Shumway CTC, ECCS, LCS, DSSpecialities : River Cruises and Beach Vacations16 reviewsContact AgentLori HeathcoteSpecialities : Beach Vacations and Christmas Markets16 reviewsContact AgentWith its over-the-top features and world-class dining, Seven Seas Explorer delivers a luxurious experience that feels like something special. Whether the ship is the world's most luxurious is a judgment call, but Seven Seas Explorer makes a good case.