all-inclusive luxury
If you caught Secrets of the World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship on Channel 5, you already know that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the gold standard of 6-star cruising. You might've even gasped the same way we did when we saw the 4000-square-foot Regent Suite (yes, the one that comes with a private spa and a grand piano).
But what does it actually feel like to be a guest on board? We've put together a guide that goes beyond the flashy bits to detail the day-to-day experience—what's included, how it all works, and what days look like both aboard and on shore. Whether you're toying with booking, or just want to take a peek at some ultra-luxury ships, here's an insider's look at cruising the world in serious style.
Regent
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epicurean perfection
immersive exploration
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Living the suite life
As Regent is such a luxurious cruise line, every guest gets a suite, even at entry level. All have separate living and sleeping areas, and 99% have a private balcony, too.
The design is all about understated opulence. Suites tend to feel luxurious but relaxed at the same time. Wake up to soft sunlight filtering through the curtains, enjoy a barista-made coffee on your private balcony, then get ready for the day in a roomy bathroom with a walk-in wardrobe.
Your steward will leave you little surprises so you have something to look forward to during your pre-dinner pit-stop. You might even be tempted to spend a night in—after a long day exploring, having dinner delivered to your suite, and dining in your robe on your private veranda, can be a real luxury.
The atmosphere on board
If you feel no need to ride a waterslide or scale a climbing wall, these ships are perfect for you. There are no go-karting tracks, surf simulators, or zip lines. More than likely, after a leisurely lunch at sea, you'll set yourself up on one of the huge double sunloungers and relax with a book in the sunshine—perhaps with an included glass of champagne in hand.
Though the atmosphere is serene, it doesn't feel stuffy or pretentious. Guests tend to be well-heeled travellers who are excited to discover new places. You can socialise as much or as little as you like, and as ships are intimately sized, you have a good variety of bars and lounges to flit between. Pop into one of the cocktail bars, enjoy some live jazz in a cosy lounge, or just head back to your private veranda for a nightcap.
Spacious, stylish ships
Some luxury cruise lines bill their ships as ultra-modern hotels that just happen to float. With Regent, there's no forgetting you're at sea, and that's part of the magic. You'll experience the quiet, understated elegance that defines traditional luxury cruising—think sweeping staircases, a classic pool deck, and expert crew who'll know your name, drinks order, and exactly how you like your eggs by day one. All the time-honoured traditions are upheld, and the attention to detail is unrivalled.
Regent currently has a fleet of six ultra-luxury ships, and a seventh ship, Seven Seas Prestige, will take to the seas in late 2026. Each ship carries between 411 and 732 passengers, which we'd say is the perfect size—personal service, plenty of space to breathe, and never a crowd or queue. To be the first to hear the latest updates from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, become a Regent Insider.
Regent's Legendary Journeys are real standout experiences. They aren't quite like regular round-the-world-cruises. They're more like extended, in-depth explorations of various regions across the world, and itineraries are slightly different every year. These voyages last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, so the included valet laundry service will certainly come in handy.
Regent's 2027-2028 Legendary Journeys collection has just been released, and they range from 61 to 133 nights. Itineraries cover the Arctic, the Indian Ocean, and an epic adventure through Asia and Australia.
Though you're seeing and doing so much, itineraries never feel rushed. Ships stay longer in port, and often remain in destination overnight so guests can explore at their own pace. Sometimes there are also unique shoreside events held mid-cruise.
Unpack once, see the whole world
Regent's ships are perfectly sized to combine big, bucket-list destinations with the smaller, more boutique ports that mainstream ships can't reach.
Itineraries are meticulously designed to give guests a deep and meaningful insight into the region—either by going inland on excursions, or straying a little off the beaten path.
You can choose to explore everywhere from Alaska to Arabia, sailing landscapes that range from remote coral atolls to vibrant cities.
Regent's Immersive Overnights programme lets guests see even more by staying overnight in port in select destinations. See big cities aglow with neon lights, dine out in a local restaurant, or book a specially-tailored evening shore excursion.
550 destinations worldwide
When you first hear about included shore excursions, you might picture quick walkabouts in a big groups. An umbrella may factor in somewhere. This is the real difference with Regent—there's a huge, varied list of excursions in every port, going well beyond the standard walking tours, and they're nearly all included. You can take catamaran cruises, go on jeep rides in remote areas, visit tiny, family-owned vineyards—all without paying a penny extra. Just choose what you'd like it to do in advance, then jump straight into your adventure when the day comes. No worries about rushing back to the ship.
You can also get exclusive Regent Choice experiences that you'd be hard-pressed to book independently. Imagine dining at the private estate of a Michelin-starred Provençal chef, visiting a generations-old farm in remote Andalusia, or taking a yoga class in the hills overlooking Taormina and Mount Etna (available at an additional cost).
Excursions are included in every port
Immersive exploration
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Epicurean perfection
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Freedom and flexibility
Food is a real highlight on a Regent cruise for good reason. The breadth of choice is exceptional, but it's also easy to further personalise meals to your own tastes. At the main restaurant, Compass Rose, you can build your own entrée from a huge list of mains, sides, and sauces. Off-menu orders are so easy that you can basically eat whatever you want, whenever you want.
At the two main restaurants, there are no seating plans or set dining times, so you're free to listen to your body and eat when you're hungry. At the speciality restaurants, you need to book in advance, but you can do so at any time, even whilst you're on board the ship. Dining is a real event, so we'd recommend making reservations as soon as you can, especially if you're keen to catch the theatre show afterwards. Performances normally start around 9:30pm, so 7pm is a good time to book.
Try any restaurant on board
Every restaurant onboard is exemplary, and 'premium' dining options are all included with Regent. There are two excellent main restaurants, Compass Rose and Sette Marie at La Veranda, that can accommodate walk-ins. The three speciality restaurants (not on all ships), include Prime 7, Chartreuse, and Pacific Rim. Chartreuse feels just like a bistro discovered on an evening stroll through Paris, while the Pan Asian restaurant Pacific Rim is complete with a 6000-pound bronze-cast prayer wheel. Prime 7 is inspired by a New York City-style gentleman's club, and chefs serve expertly prepared beef and delicious seafood.
The experience is so luxurious that you could eat prime dry-aged steaks or a whole Maine lobster every night if you felt inclined—though we might not recommend it for your waistline.
What else is included?
You also get unlimited Wi-Fi, unlimited 24-hour suite service, and unlimited access to the spa facilities (you do have to pay if you want a massage or treatment, but the list has to stop somewhere). Shore excursions are included and unlimited, too—but more on those later.
One of our favourite perks is the valet laundry service. Regent is the only cruise line to offer this to its guests as part of its extensive inclusions list. Your clothes will be picked up from your suite and returned to you freshly washed and carefully pressed. It makes the experience all the more indulgent, and in some cases, can be a game changer. If you're on a voyage that'll last several weeks, you can still pack light, knowing that your clothes will be laundered and you'll always feel photo-ready. It makes unpacking so much easier, too—going back to reality is always hard, but it's slightly easier when your clothes are all washed, ironed, and folded.
Industry-leading service
The Regent crew have a reputation for being near clairvoyant. They're real experts in what they do, and always seem to be one step ahead. Often, they'll anticipate your needs before you even have time to think about them—perhaps bringing a blanket if you're dining outdoors, or pressing a shirt that got creased in a suitcase.
Regent's ships have an industry-leading crew-to-guest ratio, so the team has time and space to go above and beyond. It's not always about moving mountains—sometimes, it's the little things that make you feel extra welcome. You'll be welcomed back on board if you're a returning guest, greeted by name, and enjoy thoughtful little surprises tailored to your tastes.
The crew take pride in getting the tiny details right, and that's a huge part of what makes the experience feel so seamless.
Regent is proud to offer the most inclusive luxury cruising experience at sea—and certainly lives up to the promise. Unlike some luxury cruise lines, you can go the entire cruise without getting your wallet out onboard. Dine at any of the gourmet speciality restaurants without paying a surcharge, enjoy unlimited drinks (even fine wines and high-end spirits), and take your pick from a customisable in-suite mini-bar. It is truly all-inclusive indulgence.
This level of seamless indulgence is surprisingly rare in today's world. There's absolutely no nickel-and-diming on board the ship, and it's freeing to know that all costs are covered upfront. You don't need to think about getting the most value out of the premium drinks package you paid for, or figure out how many devices you'll need to add to the Wi-Fi package. Just enjoy what you want, when you want—no need to give it any further thought.
Indulgence is effortless
Truly
all-inclusive
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The focus on gourmet cuisine doesn't begin and end at meal times. You can pay a little extra for some really special experiences, both on and off the ship.
The Culinary Arts Kitchen is a state-of-the-art workstation on board Grandeur, Splendor, and Explorer. Inspired by France's finest cooking schools, it has top-of-the-line induction hobs and professional kitchen equipment. Here, you can book personalised, hands-on cooking courses, themed around the places you've visited.
You can also arrange chef-led, foodie tours in port. Grab a shopping bag, immerse yourself in the local markets, then cook lunch together. You're bound to return home with a knockout recipe for your next party, not to mention some interesting stories for after dinner.
Cruises
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