Seabourn vs Regent

[Carol From California]

I have gone on four Regent cruises over the past four years and I am considering booking a Seabourn cruise. I am considering an Asian itinerary. This cruise I am consering is on the Seabourn Pride with only 208 passengers. I actually like the idea of it being small, but the ship seems older and does not seem as nice as their newer ships. I am wondering if anyone who has sailed on this ship could comment on it, and if you have sailed on Regent, how did you like Seabourn? While we have enjoyed our previous Regent cruises, the fares keep increasing and I want to explore other options.

[Keith1010]

Carol, I have not sailed Regent. I have sailed most of the other luxury lines. I've also read posts to your thread on the Regent board.

 

The Seabourn Pride like the other two triplets will provide you with a unique experience. Sure there are things that you won't find on the Pride because of its age and it certainly will not have an appearance of a brand new ship.

 

But what it does have is character and the reality is they are not making ships of this size for luxury lines forever and these three ships are not going to be around forever either.

 

We sailed on the Pride twice and it provided a very unique experience because of its small size. On our first sailing we were on board for 18 days and we literally spoke with each passenger by the end of the cruise and we really got to know several very well and on the second cruise while we didn't have time to meet everyone we also got to get to know several very well. In a matter of a day or two it had the feel of being at a country club that you have been a member of for years. The dinners were most memorable and a lot of that had to do with the conversations with fellow guests that lingered on for as long as you liked.

 

It is a very unique experience and as I say these ships will not be around for ever so if the itinerary presents itself and you are also happy with the cruise fare I would highly recommend booking the Pride.

 

In the end, you will never know what you think until you give it a try and if you wait too long it may not be an option.

 

I also think trying multiple cruise lines is always a good idea too.

 

Good luck with your decision.

 

Keith

[mcavanaugh]

Carol I would second in spades Keith's comments. We have sailed the Pride in Asia on 2 occasions and they both were fabulous trips. We are "platinum" on Regent and after the last trip I canceled my next Regent sailing because the passenger mix on our trip was so awful (probably not Regent's fault.) However that adds to the concept that we have always found that the passenger mix on Seabourn, especially the little sisters has been memorable. I would not hesitate on this choice. Maxine

[wripro]

I too echo Keith's comments. The Pride and its sisters will offer you an experience that may soon no longer be available. You cannot compare it to Regent because Regent offers nothing comparable (at least not since the Song of Flower.)

[Kilroyshere]

There is a current Seabourn v. Regent thread with many good posts.

 

I’d echo others comments that the 3 Seabourn little sisters days will one day end and today still offer a unique luxury cruise experience that no longer may be financially viable for cruise operators.

 

In the 80’s, there were several luxury 200 or so passenger ships to choose from that no longer sail (Raddison’s Song of Flower, Cunard’s Sea Goddess I & II). Spirit, Legend and Pride remain from that class of ship.

 

Regarding the ship’s vintage ‘80’s age; these ships are generations older than current fleets elsewhere, but we’d suggest you not even think that will matter. All public venues have been renovated and maintained up to date and like new. These ships handle big seas quite well and versus Regents fleet, this is not a factor in our opinion.

 

Versus Regent or other larger ships, if you seek a lot of on-board shopping f’gettabout it. Seabourn regulars don’t care or seek that. The Seabourn Casino is micro. Evening entertainment is nothing akin to Regent. The pool is small. You won’t find big show productions. These things matters to some...if so, go big and elsewhere.

 

You will rarely find a line anywhere on ship. It's a unique level of intimacy and personalized service. Meeting others we find easier due to the smaller size and enjoy that.

 

You will find caviar…anytime, anyplace and no up-charge v. Regent (if you love this delicacy, you’ll understand). Meals are made to order and aren't steam table offerings necessary on ships with 700 or more.

 

From the moment you board ship, attentive crew with a tray of filled champagne flutes and refreshments will meet you. Others will ask if they can do anything for you. This level of service will become daily shipboard routine...a level of service beyond and better than Regent in our opinion.

 

Once you experience Seabourn service, we believe you may find as we do, that Regent is more akin to Celebrity or HAL with open bar and not in the same league with Seabourn.

 

Just our opinion; and worth every cent paid for it!

[mariners]

I can't give a comparison between the Regent ships and the Pride until we sail in November. However, as I've sailed on small ships before, a larger Seabourn ship and also all of the Regent ships, I think it would be helpful to you to examine what your priorities are when you are on a cruise. If it is the size of the suite, having a balcony, multiple venues for entertainment, a larger swimming pool, a larger number of dining venues, a casino with many slot machines/tables, and/or you want everything from air, hotels and shore excursions included in your package, then a smaller Seabourn ship experience might not be your best choice. If you are looking for an experience described by the other posters about a Seabourn small ship, then I would recommend booking Seabourn. If you have specific concerns about the ship, there are always people on this board who would happily answer your questions.

[greg33418]

On Seabourn the beach barbeque has champagne, caviar, filet mignon, and lobster tails...

On Regent last Christmas, our day at Princess Cays was replete with hot dogs, hambugers and those "half an ear" frozen corn on the cobs that they sell by the bagful at Costco...all at a price point even higher than Seabourn..

I had a laundry list of things wrong with Regent (in addition to the horrible food) that I was going to email to Conroy but ultimately did not because the inevitable $500 onboard credit for a future cruise would have gone to waste...

Been there, done that...ain't never making that mistake again..

G

[susan8231]

Hi Carol - Please see my post on the Regent board, concurring with others here favoring Seabourn over Regent. I didn't go so far as to say the Regent food was horrible but that and the service are way below Regent's standards IMO.

[CraftyEC]

Hi Carol - Please see my post on the Regent board, concurring with others here favoring Seabourn over Regent. I didn't go so far as to say the Regent food was horrible but that and the service are way below Regent's standards IMO.

??!!??

I'm a little confused, as you say that your favor SB over Regent, but then say that the food and service are way below Regent's standards/

 

A typo perhaps? Or just me being befuddled and not re-reading the whole thread :confused: perhaps!

[wripro]

I think it was a typo. She meant Seabourn's standards.

[Flamin_June]

A politician's answer, you can take it to mean whatever you want;)

[lincslady]

I think it was a typo. She meant Seabourn's standards.

 

I assumed (I imagine correctly) that she meant Regent's usual or previous standards?

[wripro]

Looks like everyone has his/her won interpretation. Perhaps susan8231 will chime in and let us know who is correct.