- Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer sailed into Sydney this week.
- The line is betting big on luxury, building or refitting ships to meet booming demand.
- Australians are among the line’s most ardent fans.
Regent Seven Seas is joining Oceania Cruises in betting big on the growth in luxury – including the next generation of high-net-worth travellers, Australian millennials.
Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is spending some $5 billion on new ships and refurbishments up to 2030, CEO Harry Sommer has revealed.
It’s the largest investment of any of the luxury lines. Regent Chief Sales Officer Steve Odell told Cruise Passenger Australia’s growing luxury market is definitely in the company’s sites.
The line has just created the new position of Chief Luxury Officer – another signal there will be no retreat from its pursuit of the high-end cruiser.
And Regent has unveiled a lineup of Spotlight Voyages for 2025 and 2026, including a range of curated experiences that immerse guests in gourmet cuisine, fine wines and whiskies, cultural heritage, media storytelling, sport, and the exceptional artistry of bespoke jewellery making.
Jason Montague, who starts as Chief Luxury Officer in February, said of the voyages: “We’re seeing a significant shift in luxury travel towards more immersive, passion-led experiences, which has inspired our carefully curated collection of Spotlight Voyages.”
The news comes as Regent Seven Seas Explorer, the first of the line’s ultra-luxe ships with Picassos on the walls and a 408 square metre Regent Suite, sailed into Sydney on local itineraries this week.
Cruise Passenger was at her launch a decade ago – and went on board this week to get reacquainted.
She was described as “the world’s most luxurious ship ever built” when she launched (Regent have never been bashful about being boastful). Today, she still stands at the pinnacle of luxury – and in line with Regent’s new brand position: Nobody does it better.
Regent and Oceania will be launching five new ships between now and 2029. Oceania Allura – sister to the Oceania Vista – in July in the Mediterranean. Slightly bigger ships will following.
Explorer’s successors will be larger than her 55,254 tons, 750 passengers and 552 crew.
Regent Seven Seas Prestige, which launches in 2026, weighs in At 77,000 tons and hosts up to only 850 guests. She will have one of the highest passenger to space ratios in the cruise industry.
Staying ahead in the luxury space is crucial as guests – including Australians – become more demanding. The company will refurbish Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner later this year and Seven Seas Voyager in 2026.
Explorer has three sisters: Splendor and Grandeur. At her launch, she was definitely at the cutting edge. Today, yachts from prestige hotel brands are everywhere. The luxury space is heavily contested.
But Explorer is still a rock star and the centre of attention as we tour her chandelier-lit corridors lined with artworks, designer suites with gold fixtures and beds made by the Royal Family’s bedmaker. She has more than an acre of marble and shut the factory in Italy for a year while her fittings were being made.
Odell told us: “We have seen rapid growth in the luxury cruise market as new brands enter the sector and existing brands announce new ships – there is a vast amount of potential in the space.
“As leaders in ultra-luxury cruising, we are committed to always looking forward and innovating. The appointment of Chief Luxury Officer is a sign of Regent’s dedication to ensuring that we are providing the most elevated and compelling product with incredible value for our discerning guests.”
He added that the line is preparing for the generational change in wealth that will see baby boomers succeeded by millennials. But the big change was in the luxury traveller.
“The luxury traveller is increasingly putting more value on their time; seeking out unique and unforgettable experiences and they are willing to spend more to explore incredible destinations in opulent luxury.”
And despite all that opulence, the line is still known for offering value.
“Regent offers the most Inclusive luxury experience – from exceptional cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco venues, the finest wines and spirits, laundry services, Wi-Fi, an extensive menu of unlimited shore excursions and more.
“We offer a comprehensive approach to inclusivity that inspires our guests to return repeatedly.”
Odell told us: “Seven Seas Prestige represents a thrilling new era for Regent Seven Seas Cruises as we continue to elevate what guests can expect from The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience. She will have more unrivalled space at sea – 40% larger and carrying only 13% more guests – and we will compete with soon to be announced innovations – such as a reimagining of the palatial Regent Suite, the most exclusive address at sea, as well as new accommodation categories and new dining experiences.”
He added: “The ultra-luxury cruise market continues to be strong with travellers moving up from premium brands and more people spending on special, once in a life-time vacations.
“So, we will continue to evaluate our deployment within the region but also pay attention to Australian travellers’ tastes and preferences globally, especially in European and waters and in Asia.
“ Between now and early 2027 four of our ships will have visited Australia & New Zealand and we will of course add to that if the demand continues to grow.”
Are Regent going to refurbish the Navigator?