Formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises until a renaming by the Carlson Group in 2005 to give the vessels a deservedly more upscale connotation, the cruise line has transformed itself from a mishmash fleet of oddly different ships to a much more streamlined and modern three-ship fleet.
Fleet
Gone are the Radisson Diamond and Song of Flower, while the
Paul Gauguin, based in the South Pacific, is marketed by but not owned by the
company. Taking between 500 and 700 passengers, the trio is the largest in the
luxury market when compared in size to Silversea and Seabourn. The two largest
ships, the Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager, offer all-suite
accommodations while the smaller Seven Seas Navigator has 90 per cent suite
accommodations.
Itineraries
The three ships together trade worldwide.
Dining and Decor
The two largest Regent ships offer, as an alternative to the
main restaurant, a very good French menu, a formula-style Asian sampler meal
and Mediterranean style restaurant with antipasto and dessert buffet and served
main course. The Navigator’s has an Italian menu. The décor is sophisticated
European.
Programs
Regent ships have an excellent enrichment programs
spotlighting the ports and special theme cruises.
Onboard Experience
The first two ships also offer more public rooms and
specialty restaurants than the immediate competition but curiously, the
atmosphere is often more subdued and private because so many passengers chose
to spend time in their accommodations, venturing out for meals and perhaps a
drink before dinner and the evening show.
Competitors
Overall food and service would be on par with Seabourn and
Silversea but the two large Regent ships offer more venues and more elaborately
staged shows than Seabourn or Silversea. All three lines have worldwide
itineraries and draw a mixture of North Americans, Europeans and Australians.
