Regent vs. Seabourn

[Travelcat2]

Will provide a suggestion you have given others who don't like some of Regent's rules:

 

Find another cruise line that is satisfactory for what you would like the rules to be.

 

You have apparently misunderstood my post. We are comparing Regent with Seabourn. It sounds as if you have sailed on Seabourn. Do you feel that the dress code is more comfortable on Seabourn than on Regent? Do you feel that Regent's dress code is better than it was when it was Country Club Casual/Informal/Formal?

 

I do not recommend other cruise lines lightly. There is so much to consider. As explained in several previous posts, most people weight the pros and cons of the cruise line they prefer. If the cons outweigh the pros, you switch lines -- very simple.

 

Are you happy with Regent's dress code? Do you find their "rules" to your liking? Are their "rules" easier to deal with than on Oceania, Silversea, Seabourn or Crystal?

 

If you have read any of my previous posts, you know that I have weighed everything that is measurable on Regent vs. other cruise lines and Regent remains our cruise line of choice. The fact that we sail on Regent does not mean that other cruise lines do not have some valid rules/policies.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, your last Regent cruise was at least three years ago. I also recall that you did a world cruise on HAL. Does this mean that you will no longer be sailing on Regent? If this is the case, kindly let us know what HAL offers that Regent does not. It is always interesting to know why people stay with Regent as well as why they change cruise lines.

Edited January 24, 2015 by Travelcat2

[lincslady]

It is difficult to advise someone who has never tried either line which to choose - mainly I think because those of us who have multiple cruises with one of them get to enjoy things which 'newbies' will not for a while - knowing the ships well and of course always some of the staff, who also remember you, and the 'perks' you get as a frequent cruiser - although we apparently qualify for Gold on Regent I am not sure what these would be, but on Seabourn with enough days on board you get completely free internet, completely free laundry, done beautifully for you, and a free week after 140 days or 2 after 250 days. If you also enjoy your cruises these incentives are good to have.

[cruiseej]

We have only cruised Regent -- we got spoiled when my parents took us on our first cruises on the Paul Gauguin and Diamond years ago. We've done a number of cruises on Mariner and Voyager, but we've cruised less in recent years as the prices have increased significantly. This summer, we're trying Seabourn for the first time to cruise the coast of Norway. The main factor was the itinerary and the more favorable length of the cruise versus Regent's Norway trip. While it will be hard to give up our free Internet on Regent, we're looking forward to experiencing Seabourn.

 

It's been impressive to me how nearly uniformly positive and enthusiastic the comments on the Seabourn forum are... something of a change after years of reading the ups and downs on this forum. Many CC members who have cruised both Regent and Seabourn in recent years seem to give Seabourn an edge on food and service. We'll be interested to see for ourselves.

 

One interesting thing to me is that in a few of the ports in Norway where a long excursion is desirable, such as Geiranger, Regent's excursions might be $199 versus $279 on Seabourn. For all Regent adds to its base cruise fares for included excursions, Regent doesn't seem to give back much of that included value.

 

Eric

[PaulaJK]

Eric, We are not fans of included excursions. Speaking of 'give back', on our recent Caribbean cruise we missed 3 ports due to weather. No compensation for excursions not taken; no refunding of port taxes.

[Travelcat2]

While not a fan of included excursions, the excursions in Norway were some of the best we have ever done!

 

It is always interesting to read comments from people that have sailed Regent and switched to other lines (and those that switched to Regent). One must consider, however, that it is the people that are at least somewhat dissatisfied with Regent that switch (obviously) -- the thousands of Regent customers that are happy with Regent don't necessary post about it.

[wripro]

Same goes for all lines. Most people have never heard of CC. It's the same people here over and over and over (including me) who post over and over and over and say the same things over and over and over.

[eliana]

Hear Hear Wripro. But on our recent Regent cruise most of the passengers we talked to about CC read the comments but never wrote. So all of you who do comment please keep up the good work, even though in my experience cruise lines never seem to react.

[gnomie1]

Hear Hear Wripro. But on our recent Regent cruise most of the passengers we talked to about CC read the comments but never wrote. So all of you who do comment please keep up the good work, even though in my experience cruise lines never seem to react.

 

When I mention CC to other cruise passengers, I am surprised at how many mention that they follow the threads but never contribute. I think it depends on the cruise line - the luxury lines tend to attract an older crowd who take their cruising very seriously, many of whom are retired and have the time to read the various threads as opposed to the family who takes a five day Caribbean cruise once every two years and really are not not that interested that they take the time to follow the threads on CC.

 

gnomie :)

[TedC]

While not a fan of included excursions, the excursions in Norway were some of the best we have ever done!

 

It is always interesting to read comments from people that have sailed Regent and switched to other lines (and those that switched to Regent). One must consider, however, that it is the people that are at least somewhat dissatisfied with Regent that switch (obviously) -- the thousands of Regent customers that are happy with Regent don't necessary post about it.

 

TC, which Norway tours were best? I'll be there on Voyager this July in Russia, Sweden, Copenhagen etc.

 

Thank You!

[Travelcat2]

TC, which Norway tours were best? I'll be there on Voyager this July in Russia, Sweden, Copenhagen etc.

 

Thank You!

 

Hi Ted! Difficult question but I'm more than willing to look back at our cruise last July. Are you on the Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise? That is "almost" identical to what we did last year. There is one "not to miss" excursion that books up very quickly. If you let me know either if this is the Copenhagen to Stockholm itinerary or if it is a different itinerary, I'll try to help!

[TedC]

Copenhagen to Copenhagen on Voyager, July 6- 20 days.

[Travelcat2]

Copenhagen to Copenhagen on Voyager, July 6- 20 days.

 

Before I research any further, the Crab Safari & Ice Bar is a MUST DO (Honningsvag, Norway). The Ice Bar is nothing - touristy - worth a stop and a photo - that's all. The Crab Safari was the best - ever! Cannot recommend it higher. Will look at the other ports but wanted to post this. Oh, we were in Honningsvag overnight -- it looks like you may not be. If you can fit the visit to North Cape, it is really good. HOWEVER, we went there at night -- good visibility. Overnight the clouds came in and the excursion could see absolutely nothing (barely could see across the parking lot). Soooooo, check local weather. On the other hand, whatever the weather is, the Crab Safari is worth it (and this is definitely not a "Free Excursion").

 

P.S. This excursion WILL book up in a short time.

[Travelcat2]

Hellesylt and Geiranger are "almost" the same place (different sides of the island) - both quite beautiful. There were no excursions at this port as the ship was in Hellesylt in the morning and moved to Geiranger in the afternoon. One or two excursions began in Hellesylt. We were told that there is "nothing" to see in Hellesylt and that "all stores" were closed. First of all, those two statements are not true. Second, highly recommend taking the shuttle into port and walking around. One of the most beautiful and romantic places that we have been (partly because no one was there -- everyone either took an excursion or stayed on the ship:-)

 

Ted -- I'm almost afraid to look at what thread this is. If this is off topic, let's continue it when it is on topic. If we are on topic, I apologize:-)

[TedC]

TC2 Thank you!

[TedC]

We've never had a smoke problem on Regent - perhaps a sniff when passing Casino or smoking lounge.

 

The GOOD NEWS is smokers could be SMART enough to quit - others will smoke themselves to DEATH! SAD!!!!

[Eager2Travel]

We just returned from a Seabourn cruise and have to admit we were very impressed with the total experience. We finally made it to free laundry on Regent but it may not be enough to keep us.

 

Seabourn even has a Guest Relations Department that talks to you on the phone.

[Travelcat2]

We just returned from a Seabourn cruise and have to admit we were very impressed with the total experience. We finally made it to free laundry on Regent but it may not be enough to keep us.

 

Seabourn even has a Guest Relations Department that talks to you on the phone.

 

What specifically was better on Seabourn? I assume that you know that Regent also has a guest relations department that talks to you on the phone.

 

In any case, it is good to hear that you found a cruise line that is a better fit than Regent:)

[fizzy]

We just returned from a Seabourn cruise and have to admit we were very impressed with the total experience. We finally made it to free laundry on Regent but it may not be enough to keep us.

 

Seabourn even has a Guest Relations Department that talks to you on the phone.

 

We are very interested to hear more of your Seabourn impressions when you have time. I'm thinking it's time to give them a try.

[Suite Travels]

Free laundry would not make a diffrence to us it is the total cruise experience that matters.

[Eager2Travel]

I will be happy to report some comparisons from our point of view once I catch my breath. As many know Regent has been our favorite for many years. We did not expect to have Seabourn compare to it but wanted to return to Antarctica. It definitely exceeded our expectations.

 

TC, that is good news that Regent now has a guest relations that answers the phone. After our last trip we were told to send a email and they would get back to us.

 

We haven't given up on Regent but hope that NCL will be good for it.

[gnomie1]

What specifically was better on Seabourn? I assume that you know that Regent also has a guest relations department that talks to you on the phone.

 

 

Yes, it is true that Regent has a guest relations department that will TALK to you on the phone, problem is that they are totally useless and cannot provide any helpful or useful information and is nothing more than a complete waste of time - this was actually discussed in detail at the preview of the Explorer - corporate seemed shocked at the level of criticism received regarding the "Regent customer relations/service department".

 

gnomie :)

[Eager2Travel]

Correction to my comment about Seabourn's Guest Relations. Turns out they don't answer the phone either. You have to leave a voicemail. I didn't want to put out ant wrong information.

 

Thanks, Gnomie for letting corporate know about customer service.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Eager2Travel

[gnomie1]

We are very interested to hear more of your Seabourn impressions when you have time. I'm thinking it's time to give them a try.

 

Now that we are platinum on Regent, previously we really didn't look elsewhere because we enjoyed and utilized the benefits. However, based on some of the comments on this thread, and reading the various threads left on the Seabourn board, I actually just went to their website and requested a brochure - maybe it is time to do some comparison cruise shopping. As I have mentioned before, at least for our pocketbooks, the Regent prices are getting quite steep for what we are receiving in return.

 

gnomie :)

[Travelcat2]

It is important to remember that these are opinions. While we have not found Regent's Customer Service to be perfect, we have not experienced what is described above. We have spoken to people that were very upset with Regent's Customer Service because they could not give them what they were asking for (and in some cases were not entitled to).

 

There are many sides to the accusations against Regent's Customer Service!

[Emperor Norton]

Having actually been on both lines (I think some commenting here have been on 1 or 0) these are a few things that I've found differentiate the lines:

 

• Seabourn is nicer to their solo travelers
  
• Seabourn hasn't told me one thing then done something else that was completely in a different (and orders of magnitude lower) league
  
• Restaurant service can be faster on Seabourn
  
• Staff seemed friendlier on Seabourn
  
• I've never had a Seabourn exec chef complain about how little he has to spend on food for the guests
  
• The food on Seabourn was better handled (eg: I haven't been served anything that's been through enough freeze/thaw cycles to be reduced to mush)
  
• Seabourn has shopping with the Chef (perhaps Regent does this now?)
  
• Seabourn staff make an effort to get to know the passengers, on my last Regent cruise the staff ignored those of us doing a segment while lavishing attention/service on the world cruise passengers
  
• For those that enjoy it caviar on Seabourn is free flowing and no charge
  

That's not to say Seabourn is perfect, but one of the main areas of contention I have with them is going away in a few months with the departure from their fleet of the Spirit and Legend.