Regent Seven Seas says Aussie luxury cruise is booming

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has doubled its passenger numbers and revenue in Australia over the last year, visiting president and CEO Jason Montague said today.

Mr Montague, in Sydney to mark the line’s 25^th anniversary, received Cruise Passenger’s 21^st Birthday award for the Best Luxury Cruise Line.

“Australia is a strong market for us and will be part of our expansion growth,’’ he said.

Underlining the line’s commitment to Australia, Mr Montague said that three of its ships – Seven Seas Navigator, Mariner and Voyager – will spend more time down under in 2018. By then the ships would have undergone a US$125 million refurbishment and upgrade.

The three ships will spend 90 days in Australian waters, with Mariner undertaking its first ever Australian circumnavigation itinerary next year. The 36-night Sydney return Grand Aussies Adventure cruise will depart Sydney on 15 December.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer was launched last year as the world’s most luxurious ship ever built with caviar and champagne on tap, millions of dollars worth of art and exquisite cuisine.

Australasian Vice President Steve Odell, who runs a office with 80 staff based in Sydney,  said Australians had taken to luxury, with numbers increasing.  “They like to book early, spend high and go on long cruises.”

Earlier, Mr Montague and Mr Odell featured on Cruise Passenger’s new radio show on Talking Lifestyle.  Hear it here: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-travel/cruise-passenger-magazine-30-6-17