A review of the Regent Seven Seas fleet

In a Nutshell

Comfortable and stylish, Regent Seven Seas delivers passengers a complete vacation experience of quality, with well-delivered service and a good balance of food, entertainment and on-board activities. The world’s first, all-suite, all-balcony, luxury cruise ships. In 2007 the ships became 'all-inclusive' by including standard alcoholic drinks as part of the fare.

History

Evolving through a series of marketing agreements, Regent Seven Seas Cruises was launched on January 1st, 1995, as Radisson Seven Seas Cruises,with 500 employees in the Fort Lauderdale-based offices of the former Radisson Diamond Cruise. The company brought together the massive resources of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, the parent company the Radisson and Regent chain of hotels and resorts, and Seven Seas - a San Francisco based company marketing the elegant 172-passenger Song of Flower.

Radisson Seven Seas, entered into a joint venture with Monte-Carlo based V-Ships in 1999, and the partnership has seen the launch of the lines best, and newest ships. It began with the 490 passenger, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator in 1999 featuring all ocean-view suites (90 percent with private balconies), plus fine dining options. The Navigator was followed by the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship, the 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner, which was launched in March 2001. The Mariner accommodates her guests in oceanview suites from 300 to 2,000 sq. ft. with private balconies, boasting the first Le Cordon Bleu® restaurant at sea; four single, open-seating dining venues and Mermaid pod propulsion systems for a virtually vibration-free cruise.

Her sister (but not a twin sister), the Seven Seas Voyager which debuted in 2003, features the largest "lead-in" suites at sea: 356-square feet including balcony. Her four dining venues include Signatures, the world's second at sea Le Cordon Bleu restaurant, and the unique "Latitudes" designed to celebrate the "American Palate."

Radisson Seven Seas changed the branding of the ships to "Regent Seven Seas" during 2006.

The Concept

Regent Seven Seas aims to offer an incomparable program of exploration and discovery to over 300 ports on six continents, including Antarctica. The lines luxury vessels are designed for guests numbering in the hundreds rather than the thousands. The ambiance on board is personal, individual, accommodating...upscale but not uptight. All ships share certain distinctions in accommodations, service, dining and amenities.

The lines stated objective is to provide an ultra-luxury cruise experience that also represents true value. In keeping with that philosophy, voyages feature many enhancements, benefits or special events on a complimentary basis or at a minimal cost.

Cruise Line Strengths

*All-suite, all balcony ships.

*Large, well stocked suites.

*Good choice of dining, and consistent delivery of meals.

*All-inclusive fare. Includes all tips, selected wine and spirits and soft-drinks.

Cruise Line Weaknesses

*Some ‘mainstream’ activities on-board reduce the luxury ambiance, things such as bingo, art auctions, loudspeaker announcements etc...

*Cost pressures from head office dictate butlers are Indian, not European, and fittings are not always 'best of breed'.

Who’s Aboard?

The typical Navigator, Mariner and Voyager passenger is well traveled, independent, social and accustomed to luxury. Almost all travel in couples, while a smattering of singles and younger baby boomer pairs are usually found aboard. While Regent does have a small European following, around 80-90% of most sailings are made up of North American passengers. Many own their own company, the average age is right around 50, and the average income is upward of USD$125,000.

Who’s the Competition?

At sea, Regent Seven Seas compete most directly with Crystal who have slightly larger ships. Price-wise Regent usually is the lowest of the six luxury operators. The Cunard style of classing passengers, and not including drinks is a long way apart from Regents philosophy, however the ships themselves offer similar amenities. In terms of food, Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn are slightly superior, or on par, depending upon your luck, and the crew from Crystal have superior attention to detail and experience.

The Lifestyle

Life on board a Regent ship is about refined relaxation in spacious suites, high-quality wining and dining, interesting itineraries to far-flung destinations and sophisticated entertainment. The daytime emphasis is on self-improvement through enrichment lectures and learning new skills such as computing or Le Cordon Bleu cooking. Shore excursions are well handled and Regent does provide very useful and comprehensive maps and information to passengers wishing to do their own thing in port. The evening entertainment has recently been overhauled and it is now rather more entertaining and professional than previous years.

The Wardrobe

Less formal than Cunard and Seabourn. The attire on board Regent ranges from country club casual to informal and formal. Country Club casual is fine for daytime on board ship or ashore. Evening attire can be casual, informal or formal. Casual wear includes open neck shirts, slacks and sport outfits. For informal evenings, dresses or pantsuits, coats and ties are suggested. Formal evening-wear is gowns and cocktail dresses, tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits. Cruises of seven to ten days have one or two formal nights; longer cruises of eleven to fourteen days usually have three formal nights.

Showtime

Regent Seven Seas recently doubled its entertainment budget and the production shows in the Constellation Theaters are now more ambitious that in the past. The shows on-board are rather more entertaining than previously and feature some cerebral styled artists. An excellent jazz band also plays in the Horizon bar most nights.

Crew Facilities

Regent provides crew with free access to e-mail as well as (reportedly) a good size crew mess and bar.

Unfortunately (and for the first time ever) Mr Lars Olssen, Hotel Director of the Voyager at the time, declined my request to view the facilities first hand.

Past Passengers

Membership into ‘The Seven Seas Society’, the Regent Seven Seas Cruises loyalty program is automatic after your first sailing. The Seven Seas Society began in 1993 with six repeat guests invited to cocktails in the Captain's quarters aboard Song of Flower. Now, in 2004, the Society has in excess of 90,000 members throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Europe. All Seven Seas Society Members receive: 5% discount off any fare, shipboard and shore side special events on select sailings; Seven Seas Society recognition cocktail party on every sailing and a quarterly newsletter, Inspirations.

How to book

Regent Seven Seas Cruises are VERY travel agent friendly and direct bookings with the line are not permitted-unless you book while on a cruise for a future sailing. If you live in North America, Regent provides a zip code searchable data-base of preferred travel agents, on its web-site...the link to which is listed at the bottom of this page.

Skeletons in the closet

The marketing alliances of the early days caused a few incidences of ‘shifting the buck'. Since this review is restricted to the new offerings we’ll forgive them for that, however the continued pressure for profit that all of the luxury lines now seem under, often reveals inconsistencies from one cruise to the next, call it evolution if you will, but I still hear the discontent this causes some loyal passengers.

The Bottom Line

Regent have a great product, the ships are new, stylish, comfortable and the space is lavish. The accommodations aboard are often larger than her competitors. While in the past you could expect the food offering to be a touch bland now the food aboard is universally good, with Signatures and Latitudes standing out as excellent. If you prefer larger ships, like 'all-inclusive' fares, freestyle dining then Regent Seven Seas is a top choice.


Regent's Voyager review & photos CLICK HERE


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