Regent Seven Seas’ Aussie winter season almost sold out – more may follow, says new president

• The line has already sold almost half of the suites on board Seven Seas Navigator when she sails Down Under in 2027.
• Seven Seas Navigator will sail in Australia and the Pacific from May to July 2027.

• More luxury travellers are looking for more space on board and more personalised experiences.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will consider sending more ultra-luxury ships to sail Down Under during the winter months, newly appointed President Wesley D’Silva told Cruise Passenger.

“Seven Seas Navigator will sail in Australia and the Pacific during the off-season winter months in 2027 and we have already seen an incredible demand – we are close to being almost sold out, with almost half of the suites already sold.

“If there’s good response to the Navigator sailing and we have spare capacity, we will certainly consider sending more ships to Australia during the winter, off-season sailing months.”

Mr D’Silva was addressing a media lunch at Bennelong Restaurant, at the Sydney Opera House in his first official function as president. He arrived this morning onboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner from New Zealand.

The luxury line is trialling a three-month ultra-luxury winter season for the 496-guest Seven Seas Navigator to sail locally in Australia and the Pacific from May to July 2027.

The move is part of a broader swing towards luxury ships cruising in Australian waters during the winter months.

Historically, D’Silva said that the popular cruise season usually occurs during the summer months.

“But we are seeing this lengthening of that season where there are a lot of travellers, especially travellers in our demographic who are willing to travel during the off-peak months, where you don’t have as many crowds and where the temperatures are a little milder and cooler.”

Globally, there has been a significant growth in the number of cruise travellers from 37.7 million in 2024 to just under 42 million in 2028.

The growth in luxury cruise travellers is “even greater,” he added – from 1.1 million to 1.52 million.

“That’s a 40 per cent difference,” he added.

This has attracted many new luxury players on land who are now moving into the luxury cruise space at sea. This includes players such as Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Aman.

With the growth of more luxury travellers, they are looking for more space on board and more personalisation. They are also willing to go on longer itineraries and will do multiple cruise holidays at a time.

“They are also willing to upgrade and stay in slightly nicer accommodations,” he said.

He also talked about the launch of RSSC’s new class of ship, Regent Seven Seas Prestige, in December 2026.

This will be followed by further Prestige ships in 2030, 2033 and 2036.

The inaugural vessel is not merely an evolution but a revolution in refined elegance, with the duplex residence a haven of pure indulgence.

“This kind of shows the confidence we have in the ultra-luxury cruise ships,” he added.

The jewel of the Prestige class of ships is the bespoke Skyview Regent Suite, 836 sq m in size, spread over two levels with a wraparound balcony, a private Jacuzzi, insuite elevator, a personal gym and costs US$25,000 (A$35,000) a night.

Lisa Pile, VP sales and general manager Asia Pacific said that the Prestige class of ship will be 40 per cent larger than other previous vessels, but it will only carry 10 per cent more passengers, accommodating only 822 guests across 12 decks.

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