In a way, this is an “I told you so” kind of article, but in a positive and productive way. This article has a happy ending. I swear!

Because when positive changes are made, I think it is important to call them out equally to those that I have had issues with. And, in the end, that means a better product and more luxury cruise options for you. But to appreciate my view of the positive, you need to understand my long-time negative view and, thus, my appreciation of the significant changes that are coming to Regent Seven Seas.

There has been a lot going on with NCLH, the holding company of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. While I have previously written about some of the NCLH ordeal and some of the things of interest at Oceania (more below!), this article focuses mostly on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. But I do have to mention my underlying question: “What Took So Long?” and what seems to be the answer:  The planned and then actual departure of Frank Del Rio. Possible Shakeup at NCLH (NCL, Oceania & Regent Seven Seas) – What Could It Mean? 

For background (and there is a lot of it), my relationship with Regent Seven Seas has been tenuous for many years. I sailed on:

• The wonderful Radisson Diamond in 2004 (before she was sold off and Radisson was sold and renamed Regent Seven Seas – with an intended link to Regent Hotels; something that never panned out).
• Seven Seas Mariner in 2005 (just after a switch from European to undertrained Filipino staff and with showers that you could not stand up in).
• Seven Seas Navigator in 2006 (which vibrated unmercifully).
• Paul Gauguin in 2007 (which was a different product and sold off years ago).

My frustration with the Regent Seven Seas product at that time, from ship condition to suites to service to cuisine, was well documented…as were the consistent complaints from its guests, along with the marketing hype that everything was “Free! Free! Free!” (free air, free hotel, etc.) when you were actually paying for them, and if you didn’t want the air, hotel, or whatever, you received a reduction in the cruise fare.  Making matters worse, Regent would pitch comparing the cost of its cruise to a Celebrity, Princess, or Holland America cruise and claim it was less expensive. But when the numbers were crunched, Regent Seven Seas was far more expensive. Regent Seven Seas vs. Holland America – Really? Let’s Talk Ethics. 

So, I passed on another Regent Seven Seas experience until there was a hint of improvement.  In 2017, I decided to give the Regent Seven Seas Voyager (at the time the Regent Seven Seas flagship) a try, traveling as a host for a group for my then consortium. Unfortunately, things not only didn’t get better, but, in fact, they got worse, including the condition of the ship, the service, and, despite the hype about the new elevation, the cuisine.  Ugh. This article pretty much sums up all of my disappointments and frustrations. Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: August 1, 2017) – Caveat Emptor! Consistently Inconsistent: Not a “Six Star Luxury” Cruise Experience. By the way, if you want to read some of my other reviews, you can search them on my website.

Adding to my admitted negativity toward Regent Seven Seas was the constant assurance during that time period that a new ship was going to be built being built, but it clearly wasn’t going to be. Rather, it was a shallow way to keep guests from moving to other cruise lines. That was until the 2015 announcement that the Regent Seven Seas Explorer claimed to be “The Most Luxurious Cruise Ship at Sea”, was going to be built, with the hype of more premium suites (85 in total), but the Veranda Suites were a mere 219 square feet with tiny bathrooms and small closets akin to a cramped megaship and Deluxe Verandas that were a modest 253 square feet (smaller than a standard suite on Celebrity). This continued on the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur.

Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas sister company, Oceania Cruises, has recently made some pretty significant moves – most positive – working to upgrade (at least) its hardware. Offloading some of its older smaller ships, building new, larger ships, significantly redesigning the older Nautica and renaming her Aurelia (sending her on long voyages).  I sailed on Oceania Riviera in 2024, its then-second-newest ship, and it was pretty much disastrous in every possible way. Oceania Riviera in Japan – Discovering a Premium Experience: Reflections (What Does One Problematic Cruise Tell Me?)

Curiously, after my experience, Oceania has begun a pitch beyond its hyped “The Finest Cuisine at Sea” (it isn’t) that it is a luxury cruise line – which it is not. While that seemingly puts Oceania in direct competition with Regent Seven Seas, it also frustrates me, as it is yet more deceptive marketing. (Trust me, as I have written, it is worse than simple marketing hype.) It is also frustrating that Oceania cannot maintain a consistent product amid constant changes to its amenities.  (Ironically, Oceania recently announced a “no kids” policy but Regent Seven Seas allows them.) Oceania Cruises Now Claims it is a “Luxury” Cruise Line. Seriously: It Should Stay In Its “Premium” Lane! 

Now, with all that ugly background: How the heck am I going to turn this Regent Seven Seas article into a positive one? It won’t take long!

First, Regent Seven Seas is focused on “Out with the Old. In with the New.”  It is building a new, larger, Prestige Class ships. The ships will be larger than the current fleet but will proportionally carry fewer guests (822 in 411 suites) giving her one of the industry-leading guest-to-space ratios. At the same time, the number of dining venues will increase while keeping consistent with the existing fleet by the addition of a couple of new experiences. There are also some pretty creative public spaces, such as the Solara Sports Deck and the Starlight Atrium.  To be sure, the Prestige remains a comfortably classic cruise ship; not really breaking any new ground…not that it needs to or is, actually, its market. (But I do wish Regent Seven Seas would drop the “hype” such as “Epicurean Perfection” and “Unrivaled Space at Sea”. I don’t expect perfection, and I don’t measure square footage to the inch. Give me a quality and creative dining experience and a well-designed, comfortable experience onboard (possibly with a bit of “wow”. Show me. Don’t tell me).

Second, Regent Seven Seas is (finally) offloading the troublesome Navigator. She was not only troublesome from an operational standpoint, but she was inconsistent with the Regent Seven Seas product in many ways.

Third, in late 2027 and 2028, Regent Seven Seas is correcting the errors of Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Splendor, and Seven Seas Grandeur. While you can’t add more space to suites, you can eliminate suites and modify others. Reducing the number of suites from 373 to 344 by eliminating those “non-suite suites”, replacing them (and modifying others) so that they are 320 to 400 square feet (plus balconies), have walk-in closets, and bathrooms that are much larger. This will not only greatly improve the hardware but will improve the previously somewhat crowded experience by reducing guests from 750 to 688.  And with that, an anticipated improvement in the level of service is also expected; hopefully with the number of staff being maintained or increased.  

I believe these, some would call, radical changes are setting Regent Seven Seas up for being legitimate competition in the luxury market; not so much for its loyal guests, but more so the new-to-luxury market. I also wonder if the steadfast focus on “classic” and “hype” will be enough to convert the younger, more information-savvy potential guests, be they “new to cruise”, “new to luxury cruise”, or itinerary focused.

And, of course, how the marketing of Oceania Cruises (larger ships, but the option for fewer inclusions…marketed as essentially “the luxury of choice”…affects Regent Seven Seas. Could it be that NCLH plans on increasing fares on both Oceania and Regent and, thus, give those who can’t or don’t want to pay the Regent fares the ability to “downgrade” without saying the did so. (To me it sounds similar to calling those tiny staterooms on Seven Seas Explorer and her sisters “suites” when they were. How’d that work out?)

I am truly optimistic about Regent Seven Seas’ significant “hardware” upgrades, but I remain concerned about the “software”, as there hasn’t been any real mention of it. It can build new, better ships and include more dining options, but the quality of the cuisine and the level of service have to be improved. 

I know! I know! One step at a time. And to be sure, I see this as a big step… A good and much needed one!