It was a pleasure to experience Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ first Explorer-class ship — Seven Seas Explorer — back in 2016. And while I didn’t get to sail onboard the second Explorer-class ship — Seven Seas Splendor — when it launched in 2020, I recently had the opportunity to attend the christening of the newest ship of the fleet, which set sail this month: Seven Seas Grandeur.
Seven Seas Grandeur only builds upon the marvelous ship format introduced by Explorer, but still has its own distinguishing features, such as its priceless custom Faberge egg, dubbed “Journey in Jewels,” permanently on display at the reception area.
In fact, it was Sarah Faberge, founding member of the Faberge Heritage Council and great-granddaughter of Peter Carl Faberge, who served as Grandeur’s godmother during the ship’s christening on Dec. 10. After she remotely released a magnum bottle of Veuve Clicquot onto the bow, multitalented Broadway vocalist Kristin Chenoweth performed a fantastic concert.
The next morning, Harry Sommer, president and CEO of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Shawn Tubman, senior vice president of sales for Regent; and other company representatives and ship designers held a group question and answer panel.
Here’s what we learned.
Regent Remains Committed to All-Inclusive Luxury
“I love what we’re doing with this brand,” said Sommer, specifically citing the line’s outstanding attention to detail. The new ship’s tagline is “a heritage of perfection,” and Sommer noted that although he’s stayed at several five-star shoreside properties, he’s “never stayed in a hotel that looks like this ship.”
More than any other word, “unrivaled” was the most common refrain over our three-night preview cruise, with the greatest emphasis placed on Regent’s unique, all-inclusive nature. While there are many brands that claim to be all-inclusive, this luxury line is the most all-inclusive, and travel advisors can take full advantage of that fact.
Suites and other spaces onboard Grandeur highlight the line’s attention to detail.
Credit: 2023 Regent Seven Seas Cruises“We’re talking ‘commissions with commas,’” said Tubman, adding that everything from complimentary business-class flights to included shore excursions are bundled into the fare.
More Opportunities for Travel Advisors
Regent has been so successful that the line has also been able to raise pricing, noted the panelists. The line’s Regent Elevate program provides transparent guest and prospect data, enhanced university courses and degrees, best practices and tips and overall marketing strategies, the latter of which Tubman considers the most crucial for travel agents.
“What works for us, should work for you,” he said.
Guests enjoy included dining as part of the line’s value proposition.
Credit: 2023 Regent Seven Seas CruisesTubman also spoke about increasing demand from luxury FIT (fully independent travel) travelers. Recognizing that hotel pricing has skyrocketed since the pandemic, the luxury line alternatively offers an incredible value and convenience proposition, as clients need only unpack once and then enjoy. Dining and entertainment are also bundled into the price.
The Growing Luxury Cruise Market
Even considering the growing field of luxury players, which include hotel-owned cruise lines such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Four Seasons Yachts, Sommer said Regent is “absolutely not” concerned about competition.
With cruising’s relatively low market share in travel overall, the most significant competition is still from land vacations, he noted.
But what is potentially “game-changing,” according to Tubman, is what the line previewed next: Beginning in fall 2024 and into 2025, there will be six test itineraries of 10 days in length that will feature only four ports each — overnighting in every one — expanding on the occasional overnight or late-night stays offered by other lines, and targeting the aforementioned FIT travelers.
