There is a particular sort of client who is the perfect match for a Regent Seven Seas cruise, says Marcel von Rotz, Senior Sales Manager, Northern Europe, Benelux, Russia and South Africa.
“The ideal clients are people who appreciate quality, those who stay in small select hotels and are interested in food, wine, art, gardens and museums. A cruise should never be a compromise for these clients,” said Von Rotz, speaking to a gathering of travel consultants at a breakfast at The Saxon hotel, Johannesburg, last month.
There’s little chance these clients will be disappointed on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise. Von Rotz says many guests have moved up to Regent Seven Seas from other luxury brands.
What differentiates Regent’s offering and makes it so desirable for these discerning clients?
*The cruise line fields its Every Luxury Included (all-inclusive) fares, incorporating a great deal of value. Inclusions are: unlimited shore excursions, two- to four-night land programmes on selected voyages, all drinks (plus daily replenishment of mini-bar), all gratuities, speciality dining, valet laundry service and WiFi. Because of the volatility of the rand, South African travellers find very inclusive offers particularly appealing.
Guests in Concierge Suites and higher get a free one-night pre-cruise hotel package and also enjoy free transfers between hotel and ship.
Agents should note that their commission is paid on the whole amount of the cruise, including the Every Luxury Included package.
*At sea, space is expensive. But Regent Seven Seas ships have a maximum of 375 spacious suites onboard ships, minimum size 28sqm, all of them with private balconies.
*Aside from its usual excursions, Regent offers a range of specially curated tours, such as Behind the Design Tours, Gourmet Explorer Tours, Serene Spa and Wellness Tours, Reconnect on Regent, Exclusive Collection and Bespoke Tours, Mid-Cruise Overland Programmes, Pre- and Post-Cruise land programmes. The result is that the cruise line offers a wide choice of many, many excursions. An eight-night cruise from Rome to Athens on the Seven Seas Splendor offers no fewer than 56 excursions. Regent’s shore excursions have a maximum of 30 guests.
Guests’ special interests are well taken care of. As an example, a Regent Seven Seas cruise calling at Marseille will offer a Food and Wine Tour - a pre-lunch guided tour of the estate, plus a wine tasting at the Domaine de Fontenille, with a gourmet lunch paired with distinctive wines from the estate. Free time in Lourmarin, one of France's most beautiful villages, visiting the shops, cafés, and the chateau.
The same cruise will additionally offer a more specialised Gourmet Explorer Tour, led by a chef, to Aix-en-Provence market to sample local delicacies, take in a cookery demo, lunch on Provençal fare, and a wine tasting with local tapenade.
While in Marseille, a guest with an interest in architecture and design might be interested in a Behind the Design Tour, led by an architectural historian, to discover how the challenges of building an underwater conference centre were overcome, and find out how a national museum in France used revolutionary materials to achieve its design.
Regent Seven Seas plans to launch Seven Seas Grandeur in November this year. This vessel is earmarked for Mediterranean, transoceanic and Caribbean cruises.
Art and hospitality are moving ever closer together. Two special Spotlight on Fabergé cruises will take place in June 2023 and July 2024 (the 2024 cruise will be on what will then be the newly launched Grandeur. Fabergé’s Curatorial Director, Dr Géza von Habsburg will host the exclusive sailings. Regent Seven Seas’ own bejewelled Fabergé Egg will be introduced and displayed on these cruises as a permanent exhibit at sea.
