Regent vs Seabourn

[floridaphilly]

We are booked on a back to back Voyager Cruise Nov 4. Seven days Rome to Funchal then 7 days Funchal to Ft Lauderdale. We have been spoiled on Seabourn and want to know how Regent will compare. We know that the wine and drink policy is different but we really want to know if the service is as exceptional as Seabourn. Also is it suggested to make reservations in the specialty restaurants or is the food in the dining room very good?

[xplrcrzn]

You'll gain a real balcony (!!!) but loose a lot of the social interaction Seabourn offers. The Voyager is much larger than the Seabourn triplets, there are no "hosted" tables at dinner and there is very little activity in the bars and lounges before dinner or after, for that matter. The service is fine but different--not as personal and intuitive. The casual Italian steakhouse (at dinner) is my favorite restaurant on any ship.

[thulewx]

The staff will be dining with the pax, but on an irregular basis. There was a "Captain's Table" on my Voyager cruise (not always used), and staff would join other tables (with the table's permission), sitting at different tables nightly. On the Gauguin, I was regularly invited to join various staff members at various tables, probably because I was a single.

Nighttime activity varies, depending on makeup of pax.

The alternate restaurants are very good (of course that's subjective) but you should try to make reservations as early as you can, if there's a special occasion.

[Iamboatman]

The previous comments are, in my opinion, pretty accurate. Regent is a good product, but even its management is making a very public retooling of the product to better compete with Seabourn/Silversea. (That is the Radisson becoming Regent thing.) I do not think you will be disappointed, but just do not expect that same level of personal and anticipatory service.

 

Also, I think you will find the food to be quite good, but with rare exception (but they do exist) I think you will find the food on Seabourn to be a bit better. (To be fair, cooking and serving for 200 is a lot different than for 500+.)

 

Enjoy!

[dougburns]

I would disagree with some of the above comments. The Voyager is a completely different ship than those of Seabourn. We've done 3 cruises similar to the one you're talking about Transatlantic; two of them on Voyager. First, you can't even compare the staterooms dollar for dollar. Voyager wins hands down every time. Especially during a Transatlantic trip where you'll probably want to enjoy the sea from your balcony. Second, the social interaction is what you make it. We regularly dine with staff and other pax and there is always a great deal of socializing in the Voyager Lounge before dinner. After dinner many people go to the show. We dance instead. After the show the casino and the Voyager Lounge/Horizon Lounge have a lot of socializing and dancing until @ midnight. The staff on Voyager is outstanding, whether the Captain is Dag or Hannsen. You'll usually find @ 450 pax on a Transatlantic trip. The average age is @ 60-65. Crossing the Atlantic you'll have a much more enjoyable cruise aboard Voyager than on one of the Seabourn ships because of the size. I think you'll find the food comparable on either line. If you haven't tried Voyager, I would strongly recommend that you do. It's our favorite ship and we've cruised a LOT. You don't have to pre-book reservations in Signature and Latitudes. We used to, but we don't anymore. After the first day or two you can get reservations same day as long as you're flexible on time; especially during the Transatlantic portion. We usually only eat in each of the above once a cruise, because we generally prefer Compass Rose. On formal nights you will certainly want to eat in Compass Rose because of the menu.

[xplrcrzn]

thulewx-Seabourn has several large tables hosted by crew, staff, entertainers and lecturers every night in the Restaurant. Calligraphed invitations are sent to the invitee's stateroom and place cards are at the table. Single travelers receive invitations every night; couples receive them several times. If they want more invitations they simply notify the Purser's Office. This "ritual" is a key element of the "Seabourn Family" shipboard experience.

[Iamboatman]

If a balcony is a must, Seabourn loses; unless the French balcony (really a sliding door with about an 8" platform) gives you enough air. I am not certain how much a balcony would be used on a transatlantic in November, though.

 

I have to disagree about the suites themselves, however. I look at things like fit and finish and find both to be very good, but Seabourn better. Regent has better closet space, but dining in suite is better on Seabourn.

 

Also, don't get the impression that Regent is boring. It is not; it is just different with less people in the lounges in the evenings. Regent has expressly recognized this and it is one of the reasons it has stated it is going to all liquor inclusive. Regent does tend to have better entertainment, though still not usually stellar.

 

Regent also does give you more dining venues. That does not always amount to more dining choices (especially as Seabourn - especially with notice - can make things off the menu and its alternative restaurant serves each course as a pair of dishes).

 

Also, there was a curious review posted regarding the Seabourn Spirit which complained about Seabourn staff being too attentive and doing things like opening jam jars and butter and refilling glasses without asking. (I have problems with many of the comments in the review, but take it for what it is worth).

[dougburns]

One other thing that is nice about Voyager is that every stateroom bathroom has a separate tub and shower. You don't have the double sink if that's your thing, but the separate tub and shower were a great improvement over Mariner. We use our balcony every day for a couple of hours, especially during at sea days. Don't know how much iamboatman has cruised rssc, but we quite often get specially prepared items off menu with morning of or day prior request and I can't imagine in-suite dining being any better on Seabourn. RSSC serves each course separately and it's hot when you get it.

[Iamboatman]

I have 3 cruises on RSSC and another one shortly. One can technically order off the menu on Celebrity, but what can be ordered off the menu is really the point. On Seabourn it is more extensive and they will go to great lengths...even if they just hear you like something but don't actually make a request. That is not a criticism of RSSC, it is just a difference.

 

Just like the seperate bath and shower on RSSC. It is nice, but it is one at a time in the bathroom in my family (too much info??), so it is not a big deal. Seperate sinks is a big deal...so I don't interfere with my DW's space.

 

No line does everything as good or better than every other line.

[count florida]

The 16 night crossing from Rome Civitavecchia to Funchal to Ft. Lauderdale will be the "Society Summit Reunion Cruise" with RSSC President Mark Conroy and his executive VPs and select HQ staff on board, so things should be a bit "up-scale" from the usual crossing. For those doing the 16 night (not two 7 day cruises) back-to-back, luggage transfers should be provided at no charge, at least for Seven Seas Society members (have you sailed on Radisson or Regent before?). Because you're doing the full back-to-back cruise, the liquor should be all-inclusive as well (like Seabourne). You can find out more at 1-866-225-5005. Just say Mark told you to call, because he didn't "want you to miss out on a single enjoyable minute."

[floridaphilly]

Thanks for the info on the Nov 4-20 President's Society Event. Is there any way to be included even this is our first RSSC Cruise. We are frequent cruisers and would love to feel that we are being pampered and recruited by RSSC. Would we be considered Society Members after the first segment, since we are taking 2 segments. If you are invited by a Society Member would they include you?