Today it’s no longer enough to offer the cruising experience alone. Cruise lines must now secure relationships with brands that align with their service levels to elevate both their onboard and onshore product offering and keep both new and loyal passengers engaged. This has been one of the key priorities for Andrea DeMarco, president of leading ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and her team since she was appointed to the role in 2022.
“I’m immensely proud of our achievements over the past 18 months,” says DeMarco. “Leading our outstanding team during such a transformative time has been both rewarding and exhilarating for me.”
One of the most significant milestones was the introduction of Seven Seas Grandeur in November 2023. The brand has seen a flurry of bookings for its sixth vessel. “The high demand for voyages on our newest ship underscores our guests’ desire to explore the world with the unparalleled comfort and elegance that Regent offers,” says DeMarco.
Sister ship to Seven Seas Splendor, the 744-capacity Seven Seas Grandeur enhances the unrivalled experience that guests have come to expect from Regent, says DeMarco. Once onboard, they can relax in an abundance of space, all-inclusive luxury and 15 all-suite accommodation categories, from the opulent Regent Suite to the timeless Distinctive Suites, and beautifully appointed Spacious Suites.
The vessel has exquisite finishings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, including a multimillion-dollar art collection and an ocean-exclusive Fabergé Egg residing in the atrium. The interiors were created in collaboration with designer firm Studio DADO, which has elevated the aesthetics of ultra-luxury cruising and notably enhanced the brand’s culinary offering.
Seven Seas Grandeur features impressive sculptures and artwork, including the only Fabergé Egg at sea
“We have elevated our ‘Epicurean Perfection’ across eight dining experiences, including its five complimentary speciality restaurants that boast 130 new dishes, which were exclusive to our newest ship at time of launch,” says DeMarco. “Guests can anticipate the highest quality cuisine onboard, whether savouring classic French dishes at Chartreuse or enjoying the convenience of in-suite dining, all meticulously prepared and served by our team of top chefs, sommeliers and hospitality professionals.”
Recognising that discerning travellers with healthy budgets are more than willing to pay for exclusive, elevated experiences and packages, Regent has also forged strategic land-based partnerships to provide guests with greater added value.
A highlight for DeMarco is a new partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team – Regent is the team’s first official Global Cruise Line Partner. “Aston Martin Aramco was specifically chosen due to the brand aligning perfectly with Regent’s reputation for delivering unrivalled experiences,” she says. “This collaboration aims to provide our guests with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, giving them further opportunities for discovery and enrichment during our sailings, such as our new ‘Spotlight Voyage’ with former Formula One driver, Pedro De La Rosa.”
DeMarco confirms that the guest experience is a top priority, and that Regent is always working to offer new and unique ways to explore the world. The recently launched ‘Immersive Overnights’ collection, which features overnight stays in every port of call, shows luxury travellers a different side of some of the world’s most popular destinations, with specially curated shore excursions.
To travel there, guests can now select and book all-inclusive fare options which give them more freedom and flexibility to personalise their journey to their tastes. “Just as we recognise the importance of offering guests the most inclusive luxury experience on the ship, we also wish to provide more ways to tailor their itinerary to their unique preferences throughout the entire journey,” says DeMarco.
“Flexibility is the ultimate luxury, and with the introduction of these new fare options, guests can choose an all-inclusive cruise fare with incredible inclusions throughout their cruise, ranging from unlimited shore excursions to speciality dining and premium beverages, valet laundry service, gratuities and more. Alternatively, they can opt for the ultimate all-inclusive fare, which also includes roundtrip flights and a new private executive chauffeur service with Blacklane.”
Regent also formed a prestigious partnership with the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) in 2023, and recently announced new three-night land programmes and accommodation at select iconic GHA properties during 12 voyages in 2025. Regent and GHA have crafted these multi-day land programmes for those keen to extend their stay in some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic destinations.
Available onboard five of the six ships in the existing fleet, the Concierge Collection sailings will provide access to six GHA properties, including Hotel Café Royal in London, UK; Conservatorium in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel and the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice in Italy; Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul in Turkey; and Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso in Athens, Greece.
Special shoreside experiences have been crafted to make each land programme an unforgettable experience. These exclusive evening shore excursions enable guests to explore Rome in a vintage Fiat 500 or on a Vespa, take a private tour of Westminster Abbey in London, sail on the Markermeer Lake in Amsterdam, and more.
With shipbuilder Fincantieri securing a landmark agreement earlier this year to build two further Regent ships in 2026 and 2029, the cruise line is adding to its sophisticated fleet to retain its crown as ‘the World’s Most Luxurious Cruise Line’ in the face of increasing competition, both in the industry and the burgeoning six-star sector.
“Exemplifying Regent’s commitment to revolutionising ultra luxury travel, we’ve been delighted to unveil the name of our incredible new ship, Seven Seas Prestige,” says DeMarco. “Following the tremendously successful Explorer-class vessels we launched in 2016, 2020 and 2023, Seven Seas Prestige, debuting in 2026, will be part of our first new ship class in 10 years. It will once again set a new standard for luxury cruising.”
Seven Seas Grandeur launched in November 2023
Exuding ambience and sophistication, the new Prestige-class ships have been designed to maintain the intimate experience that Regent guests love. Regent will also continue to provide even more space for guests throughout the ships.
“Through offering more unrivalled space at sea than ever before, we have been able to introduce new accommodation categories and dining experiences,” says DeMarco. “These new ships represent our commitment to delivering exceptional cruise vacations, allowing us to continue to set the standard for ultra luxury cruising in the fast-growing luxury landscape.”
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. Subscribe for FREE to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.