Voyager in the Med

We are a couple in the mid of our 40s who have been cruising a few times with Oceania and we like it very much. We are still working and no interesting Oceania cruise did a peel to us, we then found a Seabourn cruise but somehow we now ended up booking a 10 day Regent cruise on the Voyager in the Med:rolleyes::)

Now what can we expect from our Regent cruise? What are the difference between Oceania and Regent?

On Regent everything is included. You do not have to purchase a liquor package. I understand that they are even giving some laundry free in the Med. Also there are included excursions if you book them soon enough. All excursions are not included. You must book as soon as possible. Other than that I have not found much of a difference.

If you put the word "Oceania" in the search box on this Regent website, you'll find a number of posts that specifically speak to your question about the differences between Oceania and Regent. There's a post, e.g., called "What do you think re Regent or Oceania?" (I'm fairly computer illiterate, so don't know how to put that thread right here.) In addition, I'd suggest doing same on the Oceania board, i.e. put "Regent" in the search box and more comparisons will probably pop up. Most people see significant differences-- and also similarities. We've never sailed on Oceania, but very much like Regent. Have fun! (We were on Voyager in the Med last summer and enjoyed it enormously.)

We find a big difference between Oceania and Regent along with some similarities (note: have sailed Riviera twice). Once you are onboard a Regent ship, passengers are treated the same once they walk outside of their suite (note: all suites on Regent - not on Oceania). Passengers in all suite levels have access to all of the ship -- no "Concierge" or "Executive" lounges that only upper suites can visit.

The dress code is different - after 6:00 p.m. you will not see shorts or jeans as you do on Oceania

Officers on Regent interact with passengers more than on Oceania. This may not sound like a big deal but it speaks to the ambience of Regent ships.

Food is subjective but we find the food in Compass Rose (Regent's main dining room) dramatically better than on Oceania's MDR. Also, while the food in the Terrace Cafe on Oceania (equivalent to La Veranda on Regent) has many more choices and the buffet looks nice, our opinion is that the food quality is inferior on Oceania (so much so that we stopped eating in the Terrace Cafe). On the other hand, we love Jacques on Oceania and also enjoy Red Ginger (similar to Pacific Rim on the Explorer)

Excursions. Yes - Regent has included excursions and are likely the same as the least expensive excursions on Oceania. However, when you get into the really good excursions - ones that even Regent charges for -- the price on Regent is 33% - 50% less than Oceania. Note: We have taken identical excursions on Regent and Oceania and were blown away by the price on Oceania!

Apparently there is a promotion for 2018 Regent cruises on the Voyager and Explorer in the Med. So, you will likely get included laundry.

You should have a great time on Regent next summer!

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Welcome to Regent! If you booked in the last ten days please look at the “member referral credit” thread to save yourself a few dollars towards your cruise!

So now booked and made a deposit and are really looking forward to try out a new cruise line.

We do like the breakfast in the MDR on Oceania, are they equivalent on Regent? Do they offer lamb chops and fresh berries on Regent as well? I read about Caviar and Champagne breakfast on Regent, when do they serve that?

We also like to have lunch in the MDR as we are not buffé people, are they open for lunch every day?

And how does the in-suite bar work?

So now booked and made a deposit and are really looking forward to try out a new cruise line.

We do like the breakfast in the MDR on Oceania, are they equivalent on Regent? Do they offer lamb chops and fresh berries on Regent as well? I read about Caviar and Champagne breakfast on Regent, when do they serve that?

We also like to have lunch in the MDR as we are not buffé people, are they open for lunch every day?

And how does the in-suite bar work?

Three of Regent's ships (voyager, Navigator and Mariner) have a sit down lunch in Compass Rose (their main dining room) every day. The Explorer alternates between two of their specialty restaurants for lunch. Caviar and champagne breakfasts are served in both La Veranda and Compass Rose on Sundays.

Regent does offer lamb chops, berries, etc. in Compass Rose (and also on their room service menu for breakfast).

In terms of the in-suite bar, if you do not have a butler, just let your stewardess/steward know what alcohol you would like in your suite (up to 2 bottles) when you get onboard. If you have a butler, you can pre-order alcohol online prior to the cruise so that it is in your suite when you arrive. In addition to a bottle or two of alcohol, we also ask for beer, mixers and soft drinks for our refrigerator.

Hope that this information helps!