This article originally appeared in the December issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
With a history dating back well over 30 years, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is unquestionably a venerable player in the ultra-luxury market, with a fleet of six ships that feature all the bells and whistles that well-heeled travelers have come to expect in their sailing experiences.
Regent Seven Seas Explorer, the first of the line’s three Explorer-class ships, serves as a case in point – which is something I discovered in September on a five-night segment from Vancouver, B.C., to Seward, Alaska, that was a part of an 18-night itinerary to Tokyo.
The ship is distinguished by elegant and spacious accommodations, stunning public areas decked out in marble and chandeliers – there are nearly 500 – and a $6 million art collection including pieces from Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall.
Explorer also packs a lot of punch when it comes to the breadth and depth of its accommodations, public areas and dining options – particularly for a 55,254-gross-ton ship carrying 746 guests.
Another key selling point is that Regent includes virtually everything in the price tag: restaurants, WiFi (which has greatly enhanced, thanks to the installation of Starlink across the line’s fleet), unlimited shore excursions, gratuities and laundry.
Accommodations
The ship’s stunning accommodations run the gamut, from the Regent Suite, the largest suite at sea at 4,443 square feet to the 307-square-foot- Veranda Suites. All accommodations feature balconies, which are arguably some of the most generously sized in industry, along with super spacious bathrooms appointed in marble and stone.
Grand Suites measure between 1,277 to 1,836 square feet. (Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
The Regent Suite measures 3,026 square of inside space, with a 1,417-square-foot balcony, while the Veranda Suites are 219 square feet with balconies measuring 88 square feet.
I stayed in a Concierge Suite, the most plentiful accommodations on board (144), measuring 332 square feet with balconies ranging from 83 to 132 square feet. Appointed in hues of blue, Concierge Suites are equipped with walk-in closets with safes; L’Occitane Jasmin & Bergamot soaps, shampoos and lotions in bathrooms; sitting areas with couches; televisions; minibars, which are replenished daily; cashmere blankets; binoculars; and illy espresso makers.
Other accommodations’ categories, listed here with suite and balcony square footage combined, are the Signature Suite (1,895-2,108), Grand Suite (1,277-1,836) Explorer Suite (821-918), Seven Seas Suite (814), Penthouse Suite (561-644), Serenity Suite (415-464 ) and Deluxe Veranda Suite (308-361).
Dining Experiences
Explorer is home to a formidable number of dining options – nine in all – including Compass Rose, the gorgeous main dining room; La Veranda, for breakfast and lunch buffets; Pacific Rim, for Asian-Fusian cuisine; Prime 7, a steakhouse; the al fresco Sette Mara for Italian specialties; Chartreuse, featuring modern French dishes; The Pool Bar, serving burgers, sandwiches and more; The Coffee Connection, for coffee, pasties, sandwiches, desserts and other snacks; and room service, which, in addition to a wide-ranging menu, enables guests to order from the Compass Rose menu, with dishes served course-by-course if guests so choose.
The Compass Rose, Explorer’s main dining room. (Source: Claudette Covey)
Here are couple of my favorite meals. At Compass Rose, which features a daily changing menu along with an Always Available menu, I chose a Caesar salad to start and a lobster tail with garlic herb butter for the main course from the Always Available menu – both of which were divine. At Pacific Rim, the sushi was absolutely outstanding, as was the red Thai curry chicken with coconut, eggplant, straw mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, lime leaves and Thai basil. At Prime 7, the lump crab cake was sumptuous, as was New York strip, which was cooked just as I asked: medium rare. Last but not least, the ahi tuna steakburger at The Pool Grill was beyond compare.
Public Areas
The ship’s atrium. (Source: Regent Seven Seas Cruises)
Explorer’s public areas are stunning and supremely comfortable. They include the Observation Lounge on Deck 11; the Connoisseur Club for cigar smokers; the Meridian Lounge, a popular spot for pre- and post-dinner cocktails with live music; the elegant Explorer Lounge for cocktails and chill music; the Constellation Theatre for movies and lectures and evening performances by the cast of the Explorer Production Company; a casino, a fitness enter and a spa.
Target Clientele
While Regent guests are affluent and experienced travelers, the age demographic varies depending on itinerary. On a seven-day Alaska cruise, for instance, the average age is between approximately 40 to 60, said Steve Odell, the line’s senior vice president and chief sales officer.
“That tips a little older on longer cruises and in other destinations – but if you’re looking at the summer season, you get multigenerational families, solo travelers and generally a younger demographic,” he added.
Seventy-five percent of Regent’s business is generated from North America. “We are very America centric, and we cater to the American market – but the international markets are important as well,” Odell said.
Travel Advisor Assistance
Last year, Regent unveiled The Regent Elevate program (rssc.com/regent-elevate), which provides advisors with a marketing asset portal and a cobranding solution; and the greatly enhanced RSSC University, where advisors will find courses that dig deep into the line’s ships and offerings, and much more.
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