Compare Regent and Silver Sea?

[poss]

Would appreciate if folks could do a quick, simple comparison. Don't need lengthy reports with minute details. Would love, though, brief direct comparison. Thanks very very much.

[DebbieH103]

Can compare these :

 

The smailler the better for personal know your name service -

 

Silver Wind, great service, they remember your drink and name and have very persnal service with seldom a "no". Whisper is similar but not quite as intimate, still over the top and a little larger public rooms. In 2008 on the bigger ships, the production shows will be back. SS actually studies the name badges and says your name when they see you the first time in many cases. This wierds my husband out a little but I love it. Service to me on SS blows Regent away.

 

Regent Navigator Vs. Voyager - I went solo on both and with my husband on all the 3 SS cruises. I found Navigator more intimate, but Voyager has the most dining options of the 4 ships I have mentioned. Regent has a younger demo overall, though the SS groups are always fun. Regent lounges may be busier at night with more happening, but it depends on who is traveling and what is offered and if people chat up their fellow guests.

 

I like the tours on both. I think Regent does a phenomenal job of making tours tailored to the specific area, including local food tastings and often a local tour rep. I think SS uses local companies but not always local guides, and they do great job of sheltering guests from crowds and the "ick" factor you might find some places. They always escort their tours with one or more staff person per bus, while Regent sometimes does.

 

Regent has a better loyalty program and often a better single supplement. Also, Regent has the full couches, while SS has loveseats in the basic cabins.

 

I would not hesitate to book either line, though I'd be more concerned about my cabin location due to some vibrations on Regent.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

When I look casually at prices for comparable Med. cruises for Regent, Seabourn and Silversea, I see Regent having the best price, mostly because of the included air. Am I missing something, or are they just still more expensive generally than Regent?

[Travelcat2]

Just wanted to point out that the Voyager and Navigator have some vibration issues -- the PG and Mariner do not. When on the "vibrating" ships, if you book a cabin as much towards middle of the ship as possible (decks 7 or 8 work well).

[Goofyisme]

Both lines offer a very nice quality product. I wouldn't say SS service "blows" Regent's away, in fact I liked the stateroom service on Regent better than SS, although overall SS service is a notch above.

I love the variety of dining options on the larger Regent ships. Pretty much stuck with main dining room on SS (we should be stuck that way all the time i.e. food was very good there). I just liked the variety.

DW enjoyed SS more I think becouse the more all inclusive at the time made for more interaction with other cruisers. Have to see how Regent new policy effects that on our next cruise which is with Regent.

Staterooms pretty much comparable, shows about the same quality. Have to give SS a little bit better rating for excursions as there was always a crew member with every excursion we booked through the ship.

Cost for all cruises I am interested in are more for SS than Regent in some cases dramatically so in others marginally.

Can't lose with either one so just choose and enjoy.

Happy sailings.

[clewiskids]

In just about all areas we found the Regent, Navigator far superior than the Silversea's Shadow. The service was about equal on each. The Shadow had several laundry machines broken, one of the elevators was broken for several days, the "scheduled" time for transiting the Panama Canal was delayed so that in fact our Panama Canal transit was completed at night! The bathroom didn't work when we embarked - just a few of the issues.

[LOGHL]

Would appreciate if folks could do a quick, simple comparison. Don't need lengthy reports with minute details. Would love, though, brief direct comparison. Thanks very very much.

 

The biggest difference is in the home office!!!!

I have ALWAYS gotten a rapid response from Regent on any question or problem. Whereas, since Mr. Smith's departure, I either get none or a very much delayed response. This to me is VERY important. Basically the both lines are comparable in service, though we have found the food on Regent to be overall a bit better. Regent is a bit lower in price.

[wripro]

Unless of course one likes caviar which is included on SS and not on Regent.

[poss]

Appreciate the responses-- helpful indeed!

[AtA]

Just wanted to point out that the Voyager and Navigator have some vibration issues -- the PG and Mariner do not. When on the "vibrating" ships, if you book a cabin as much towards middle of the ship as possible (decks 7 or 8 work well).

Actually the PG does have a slight vibration issue in the rear like the others mentioned. It would lull me to sleep but would bother others. There are only a few cabins at the back of the ship though.

[TedC]

I read that Silversea charges $100 pp for early embarkation. On our recent Regent Mariner cruise we were on board for lunch with no extra fee.

 

Also, Regent's specialty restaurants do not charge extra but I understand that some of Silvesea's alternate dinning venues charge a hefty extra fee.

[DebbieH103]

The early embarkation on SS allows boarding generally at 10:30 am, and the 5 course lunch is available. They try to also make the cabins available shortly after that. We got our cabin around 11 or 11:15 on the two times we used it.

 

One specialty restaurant (Italian) is free on SS, but Le Champagne or La Saletta on each ship carries a $30 pp charge for the dinner with the regular wine list and $200 pp for the wine pairings dinner with premium wines served with each course.

[Cerinda]

Poss, my quick take:

 

shore ex - significant advantage Regent

pax - advantage Regent (even in the pre-inclusive days)

 

 

ship decor - slight advantage SS

service - significant advantage SS (I prefer the Shadow's staff's more formal style, "Good evening, Madam. A manhattan?" and quick response to my raised eyebrow. Found only Regent's Navigator staff came close)

 

food, wine, cocktails - good; equally variable day to day

musical entertainment - more options on SS, slightly better quality on Regent

[Travelcat2]

Poss, my quick take:

 

shore ex - significant advantage Regent

pax - advantage Regent (even in the pre-inclusive days)

 

 

ship decor - slight advantage SS

service - significant advantage SS (I prefer the Shadow's staff's more formal style, "Good evening, Madam. A manhattan?" and quick response to my raised eyebrow. Found only Regent's Navigator staff came close)

 

food, wine, cocktails - good; equally variable day to day

musical entertainment - more options on SS, slightly better quality on Regent

 

You make a really good point regarding service on SS vs. Regent. Service and comfort levels are very different in some countries. My English DH would love to hear "Good evening, Sir. A manhattan?" I, on the other hand would prefer "Hi -- how are you this evening Mrs. _____? A cosmo?"

 

The level of formality on SS is a major factor in why people choose SS (or not). Since is a bit difficult to cater to both the "formal" and "less formal" customers, SS has done more advertising in Europe/Asia this past year (according to souces on these boards). It really is just a matter of preference.

[Shipless in Seattle]

We just disembarked Regent Mariner in LA on 12/21 after crossing the Pacific from Auckland. I have never seen better consistent great service throughout an entire cruise staff than on this cruise. Food to me was consistently excellent in all restaurants. We were so happy we rebooked Regent for both 2008 and 2009.

 

Silversea is a great line (spent a month on them in both 2006 and 2005), but the consistency throughout seemed to be hit or miss to me.

 

Kent

[poss]

This has all been REALLY helpful-- thankee!

After paying a lot of attention to these posts and others, I'm beginning to think that Oceania or Seabourn would be a better fit for us than SS, probably Oceania even more than Seabourn. The sticking point for us is the bed situation. We really really do need a king. Ah, if only Voyager would do some Med cruises in the summer months, and do some 10 day cruises in that region instead of 7!

Thanks again-- really a huge help.

[jimgib]

This has all been REALLY helpful-- thankee!

After paying a lot of attention to these posts and others, I'm beginning to think that Oceania or Seabourn would be a better fit for us than SS, probably Oceania even more than Seabourn. The sticking point for us is the bed situation. We really really do need a king. Ah, if only Voyager would do some Med cruises in the summer months, and do some 10 day cruises in that region instead of 7!

Thanks again-- really a huge help.

 

I have sailed on all lines mentioned, I thought Oceania was great until I had a problem, Then you realise things are not that good. We were let down by staff on board and after our return by being ignored by the head office staff, I eventually e mailed frank del rio who responded imediately and said he would call me when he returned from a trip. Nothing happened, I emailed again and his secretary more or less told me to go away and stop bothering them. for that reason we will not be using Oceania again, we were asking for nothing other than an appology and reassurance that it would not happen again.

Guess when things go wrong you find out just how good the cruise line is.

Regrds

JimGib

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Jim, very interesting. I've read threads in the past about problems with O. This is one of the things that worries me about making a future switch to O from R. Of course, Regent's not perfect either in that regard, but pretty darned good.

[jimgib]

wendy

point taken, in the past I have pointed out problems with p&o and celebrity and on both occasionsions the problems have been handled in the way they should. after which I was happy with the cruise line and would be pleased to use them again, its just sad that Oceania with whom we have had 4 great cruises cannot deal with clients in the way they should.

regards

JimGib

[wripro]

I have read about many instances where Oceania has handled passenger complaints quickly and successfully. I have read about Regent not doing so in some instances. I have read about Crystal passengers being very unhappy because of bridge groups taking over public rooms and being loud. I have experienced mediocre food and service on Silversea on one cruise only to have it vastly improved on the next. I have seen inappropriate reactions from security on Seabourn. My point is no line is perfect, certainly not all the time. If one has had a bad experience that does not mean it is pervasive and everyone will have a similar experience. Those who look for everything to be perfect all the time are doomed to constant disappointment.

[AtA]

Poss, from what I read on their website, Oceana has queen beds. In most cases even if it says King, it's most likely a European King like on Regent. Your best bet is to call each line and ask for measurements. Even Voyager has the European King.

[poss]

European king works fine for us.