Both Seabourn Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer unparalleled luxury experiences with exceptional service, meticulously curated itineraries, world-class dining, and high-end accommodations.
Regardless of whether you choose Seabourn’s intimate and ultra-luxurious vessels or Regent’s opulent ships, you’re guaranteed a memorable voyage. As luxury lines, however, they're more expensive than what you'd find on mainstream ships. However, the premium price tag reflects the high-end amenities, exceptional service, and unique experiences offered onboard.
If you’re used to sailing with mainstream companies like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises, consider this your guide to help you learn the ins and outs of these two luxury lines.
Both cruise lines operate a fleet of six ships
Yep, just six ships! With cruise giants like Royal Caribbean and Carnival having over 20 ships in operation, it’s clear Seabourn and Regent prioritize quality over quantity.
Out of the two, Seabourn has newer ships, with their oldest ship delivered in 2010. In comparison, Seven Seas Navigator entered service in 1999, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in 2001 and Seven Seas Voyager in 2003.
Within the past four seas, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas have welcomed two new ships to their fleet: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit for the former and Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur for the latter.
Seabourn’s newest ships are smaller than Regent’s, having been the cruise line’s first purpose-built expedition ships. Both Seabourn Venture and Pursuit measure around 23,000 gross registered tons (GRT), while Regent’s newer ships come in at around 56,000 GRT.
On that note, Regent’s newer ships are larger than any of the vessels in Seabourn’s fleet, with Seabourn’s largest ship in operation measuring around 41,000 GRT.
They have two ships on order that are planned to be even bigger, too. When Seven Seas Prestige enters service in 2026, she’ll be the largest ship in Regent’s fleet with a GRT of around 77,000. A second Prestige Class ship is scheduled to be delivered to Regent Seven Seas in 2029. Despite Regent's fleet expansion, Seabourn doesn't have any orders for new ships.
Seabourn's fleet
- Seabourn Sojourn (2010)
- Seabourn Quest (2011)
- Seabourn Encore (2016)
- Seabourn Ovation (2018)
- Seabourn Venture (2022)
- Seabourn Pursuit (2023)
Regent Seven Seas' fleet
- Seven Seas Navigator (1999)
- Seven Seas Mariner (2001)
- Seven Seas Voyager (2003)
- Seven Seas Explorer (2016)
- Seven Seas Splendor (2020)
- Seven Seas Grandeur (2023)
- Seven Seas Prestige (Planned 2026)
- Unnamed ship (Planned 2029)
Regent Seven Seas offers a more inclusive experience
Regardless of which line you sail with, certain amenities will be included in your base fare, including Wi-Fi; gratuities; specialty dining; unlimited beverages, such as fine wines and premium spirits; an in-suite mini-bar; and more.
Regent takes it one step further, offering complimentary shore excursions and valet laundry. Many itineraries include round-trip first-class airfare, too. For instance, between September 1 and October 31, 2024, select cruises to Canada and New England, Alaska, and The Caribbean include first-class airfare.
Even if you book your Regent cruise outside of an ongoing promotion, Regent’s “Ultimate All-Inclusive” fare includes roundtrip flights, coach transfers between the airport and ship, and a $500 Blacklane voucher, allowing you to reserve a private chauffeur transfer service between your home and the airport before or after your cruise.
Still, Seabourn has its perks, despite requiring passengers to purchase excursions. Seabourn's intimate ships are renowned for their exceptional service, spacious accommodations, and high staff-to-guest ratio. Plus, with amenities like beverages, gratuities, and Wi-Fi included in the cruise fare, you won't feel as nickel-and-dimed as on mainstream lines.
Neither cruise line is cheap
Though cruise vacations on mainstream lines are an affordable way to travel and visit new destinations around the globe, luxury lines have a higher price tag than fares you'd find on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian.
For example, a 7-night Caribbean cruise with Regent starts at around $3,399 per person, with balcony cabins priced at $4,999 per guest. Similarly, a weeklong Caribbean cruise on Seabourn costs around $4,398 per passenger for a Verandah Suite.
However, both lines are known for their unique itineraries, which are far more expensive than standard offerings to the tropical Caribbean. Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn offer voyages to destinations across all seven continents, from the icy landscapes of Antarctica to the ancient temples of Southeast Asia, allowing for more in-depth exploration of unique and remote regions.
In general, the more remote the itinerary, the more expensive it will be.
Embarking on one of Regent's "Grand Voyages," for example, costs at least $39,299 per person. The 61-night "Indian Ocean Odyssey" sailing will take passengers from Cape Town, South Africa, to Barcelona, Spain, stopping at over 25 different ports, including Durban, South Africa; Antsiranana, Madagascar; Muscat, Oman; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; and more.
Cruises on Regent and Seabourn can get even more expensive than that, though. Seabourn's 75-day cruise from Darwin, Australia, to New Guinea, Patagonia, and Antarctica starts at $63,499 per passenger, equating to roughly $846 per day.
The premium price reflects these voyages' exclusive and upscale nature, which offers unparalleled access to some of the world's most remote and untouched destinations.
Though it's possible to take an affordable cruise to the Caribbean or Alaska or a mainstream cruise line, luxury lines provide a level of service and experience beyond what you'd find onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
Read more: Here's what a 7-night Carnival cruise should cost you
Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn are renowned for their exceptional dining experiences, offering an array of world-class dishes that cater to every palate
Unlike on mainstream cruise lines, Regent and Seabourn's ships have intimate, stylish restaurants that offer everything from classic favorites to dishes infused with creative inspiration, prioritizing culinary excellence that specialty restaurants on family-friendly lines cannot match.
Eight restaurants—including room service—are found across Regent's fleet. The elegant Compass Rose is the largest restaurant and is available on all six ships. The menu highlights classics like chilled shrimp cocktails, lobster bisque, salmon, and roasted chicken. However, adventurous guests can indulge in rotating selections like chicken & goose liver parfait, parsnip truffle soup, and more.
Other restaurants on Regent ships include Prime 7, which specializes in prime cuts of steak and fresh seafood; Chartreuse, where guests can savor refined French cuisine; Sette Mari at La Veranda, the upscale Italian restaurant; La Veranda, offering a sophisticated buffet breakfast and lunch; Pacific Rim, Regent's Pan-Asian specialty restaurant; and the Pool Grill for casual, al fresco bites.
Seabourn ships also boast a variety of high-end dining venues, such as Solis, a fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant; The Restaurant, which features seasonal menus with fresh ingredients; Colonnade, for a lavish buffet-style or table service experience where guests can dine indoors or outdoors; and Earth & Ocean, an inventive restaurant with dishes from around the world all while dining under the stars.
There are also two casual joints onboard Seabourn ships: The Patio, offering fresh salads, soups, pizza, and burgers by the pool; and Seabourn Square, the casual coffee spot with delicious pastries and sandwiches.
Certain ships have a traditional sushi restaurant, whereas Seabourn Odyssey, Sojourn, Quest, Venture, and Pursuit offer Sushi in The Club, which serves a variety of light bites each evening.
Quality entertainment
Though both cruise lines have high-quality entertainment options, Regent generally focuses on larger productions, while Seabourn emphasizes more intimate performances.
Seabourn's claim to fame is "An Evening with Tim Rice," a concert-style presentation narrated via video by Rice, highlighting some of his favorite works, including those from Aladdin and The Lion King.
During the day, guests can enjoy lectures, movies, and cooking demonstrations in the Grand Salon. At night, however, the venue transforms into a vibrant space for live music, dancing, cabaret performances, and more. For those wishing to try their luck, Seabourn's casino offers a variety of gaming options, ranging from traditional table games to slot machines.
Regent's ships feature Broadway-style musicals in the Constellation Theater. The Production Cast and Regent Signature Orchestra come together to deliver unforgettable entertainment with sophisticated choreography and live orchestral accompaniments.
Onboard Seven Seas Splendor, for example, guests may watch "Bohemian Soul," a show about a group of travelers who raise their tent in Paris and feature hit songs from Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Lady Gaga. There's also "Divos and Divas," a concert-style review celebrating some of the world's greatest singers and songwriters from the last seven decades.
Classic cruise activities, like trivia, live music, and gambling in the casino are also offered.
Regent is more family-friendly
Families with younger children will appreciate Regent's Club Mariner Youth Program, offering passengers between the ages of 5 and 17 a range of specialized activities like mini-putt tournaments, dance parties, and movie nights.
Comparatively, Seabourn doesn't have any permanent youth programming. That said, the cruise line isn't adults-only; however, the onboard experience is catered toward adults.
Of course, if you're looking for a ship filled to the brim with family-friendly activities, you're better off sailing with a mainstream cruise line. Even upscale lines like Celebrity and Princess offer a broader range of children's programming and activities.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
