First timer considering Regent!

[canadarocks]

My husband and I have sailed Holland America a few times. We are considering Regent for a cruise next summer to Northern Europe. Our local newspaper is highlighting what sound like great deals for Regent.

Can anyone advise me on the similarities and/or differences between these two cruiselines? Any why do you prefer Regent?

Thanks in advance! :)

[wripro]

Why not try a search. There are probably threads comparing Regent to just about every other cruise line out there.

[Travelcat2]

It can be a bit difficult comparing a luxury cruise line with mainstream and premium lines. While we have not sailed on HAL, there are many obvious differences. Regent is the most all-inclusive cruise line at sea -- they include airfare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, speciality restaurants, tips, many shore excursions and a one night pre-cruise stay at a hotel in the city of embarkation.

Since you have been on HAL, I suggest you go to the Regent website (rssc.com) and take a look at the suites, dining venues (with sample menu's) public areas, etc. You may also want to read some reviews in the "Review" section of CruiseCritic.

I'm sure you will get opinions from posters that have been on both cruselines. The only comment I've heard fwas from a couple who typically sail on HAL is that there are not enough activities on the smaller ships. This is true. . . however, you are looking at very port intensive itineraries and will be too busy to worry about what is (or is not) going on onboard.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I agree you need to search around this site and look for comparisons. I've not cruised on HAL, but am about to do my 10th Regent trip (Caribbean.)

What are your expectations about cabins or suite size? What type of cabin do you usually book on HAL? Standard (lowest level) cabins on the Regent ships are all very spacious by industry standards, and almost all (except a few on Navigator) have balconies. So if you are used to a small cabin, then you are in for a treat. If you book higher-level larger suites on HAL, then you need to look closely at what you need and what you're used to. As TC2 says, study the layout of the cabins on the rssc.com website.

PH and above have butlers, and also often, to Europe, include Business class air. So there's that to consider. For lesser cabins, there are usually fairly reasonably-priced Business class air upgrades, which to me is a big plus.

Consider the number of passengers, the overall passenger-space ratio, the staff to passenger ratio as well. Rarely is there a line for anything, and dining whenever you feel like it is a pleasure.

If you're talking about today's Globe and Mail travel section, the special on cruising--I'll have to study it when I come home from my errands.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

We've sailed on HAL and Regent.

The food on Regent is better, the service is better. Everything is up a notch. Regent is better - no lines, good entertainment, higher quality all around. There is no comparison. Everything is included. No signing. No high pressure sales in the spa.

[canadarocks]

Thanks to all. We've done some more research and for now Regent is out of our price range, but maybe someday! :o:)

[ptiprof]

I have sailed on Regent, HAL, and most other lines at one time or another. I must say that although I agree that Regent is superior when it comes to food, all-inclusive/no pressure atmosphere, lack of crowding etc. I have had service on HAL that was as good as it has been on Regent. The thermal suite with hydrotherapy pool on the Eurodam was one of my favorite things on any cruise (and always uncrowded because there was a charge for it). Enjoy your next cruise whatever it may be. : )

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Thanks to all. We've done some more research and for now Regent is out of our price range, but maybe someday! :o:)

Make sure you add up all the incidentals like coffee, wine and specialty restaurants, tours and tips. You might be surprised

[ridolphi]

Have a nice cruise on HAL, we have cruised them and always enjoyed them. We especially loved being in the full deluxe suite as it comes with some nice perks and they are very spacious cabins. We've also been in one of their verandah cabins, which are similar in some ways to the standard Regent suites.

[cruiseluv]

We were for 15 days on the Eurodam in a verandah cabin. Smaller than a std Regent cabin but comfortable and well laid out. What I disliked tremendously from our HAL experience was dinner time in the main restaurant. Food was good, but the atmosphere was one of controlled chaos. Waiters literally running around, for the most part tables on top of each other, and terrible acoustics which drowned the conversation at the table. Not a relaxed, elegant experience at all. The evenings we had dinner at the alternative restaurants were much more pleasant.
In general, I found the level of service at the same level as Regent.

[MCOgirl]

We've sailed on HAL and Regent.

The food on Regent is better, the service is better. Everything is up a notch. Regent is better - no lines, good entertainment, higher quality all around. There is no comparison. Everything is included. No signing. No high pressure sales in the spa.
Well said...
I could not agree more!:DLOVE Regent ,Class all the way.
The ONLY positive I have to say of Holland, having sailed on both
lines.. The size of their deluxe suites are quite large 500-700sq.ft. for a mainstream line.
IMO the food was horrible on Holland too. (june2010 Oosterdam)
Good luck to you.