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My favorite part of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ latest ultra-luxury Grandeur ship wasn’t its massive cabins with walk-in closets, peaceable pool deck, and even the chandelier-lined lounge.
As an alternative, it was a characteristic supplied throughout the model’s total fleet — all-inclusivity.
After spending three nights on the Seven Seas Grandeur, I now perceive why this alone might make the ship price its costly beginning 2024 fare of $4,800 per individual.
Most individuals in all probability will not pay almost $5,000 for the typical weeklong cruise.
The pool on the Seven Seas Grandeur was surrounded by two decks of lounge chairs. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider through BI
An almost $5,000 cruise is dear — however while you evaluate that to the everyday cruise, you need to contemplate that the majority operators use a distinct pricing mannequin from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Another cruise strains usually mimic that of funds airways: Cost a cheap base cruise fare and pile on alternatives to upsell by meals, beverage, and leisure.
Nonetheless, luxurious cruise strains like Regent Seven Seas take the other method by going “all-inclusive.”
All the cabins have personal balconies. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider through BI
And in contrast to opponents like Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas is really all-inclusive.
The fare consists of roundtrip flights to and from the ship (enterprise class if it is an intercontinental journey), a one-night pre-cruise lodge keep, transportation between the airport and ship, and excursions.
After crusing on the Seven Seas Grandeur’s three-night “christening” crusing, it is simple to grasp why rich vacationers pay extra for this luxury and handy possibility.
Nighttime programming features a DJ within the Grandeur Lounge. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Regent Seven Seas comped my keep on this non-revenue crusing attended by different journalists, journey brokers, and the cruise line and its mum or dad firm’s staff.
I organized my very own flight there and again, which was a logistical headache when booked based on the embarkation and debarkation occasions — a difficulty conventional friends would not have with this all-inclusive mannequin.
Regent virtually plans its friends’ holidays door-to-door, not together with transfers between the vacationers’ properties and their origin airports.
The Sports activities Deck has a placing inexperienced. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Like several all-inclusive resort, meals, drinks, and onboard facilities are additionally included.
No want to drag out your pockets throughout your time at sea (except you need a costlier bottle of wine, a particular paid tour, or a spa remedy).
Visitors obtain a welcome bottle of champagne. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Not like sailings with mass-market operators like Royal Caribbean, not one of the menus I noticed had the elusive further greenback indicators subsequent to extra premium dishes.
As an alternative, irrespective of the place or what I ate or drank, I knew I would not should pay further — even when I ordered filet mignon or lobster.
The meat tenderloin at French-inspired Chartreuse was topped with luxuries like seared foie gras. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
As somebody who eats to reside and lives to eat, the all-inclusive meals was one of the best a part of the posh cruise.
No extra roast beef that is been drying out for hours — the eating places aboard the Grandeur, of which there are 5, served up choices like escargot, duck, and fish and steak tartare.
Pan-Asian Pacific Rim serves up choices like vegetarian pad thai and fried lobster. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
“Girl math” would decree that these all-inclusive meals are mainly free.
There was black truffle, sturgeon caviar, and foie gras on virtually each menu, all with out the dreaded supplementary payment.
Chartreuse served dishes like beef tartare with sturgeon caviar. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
It seems there may be such a factor as “an excessive amount of caviar” — I, a grasping diner, was uninterested in it by the second day.
On the one-day themed Italian lunch buffet, cured meats, cheeses, uncooked oysters, and freshly ready tuna lined the open-air counters.
The poolside buffet had a day “Italian Buffet” with a number of seafood choices. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Unsurprisingly, it was one of the best cruise ship buffet I’ve ever gorged on (even higher as a result of it felt financially guilt-free with no further costs).
Vacationers who drink might be happy to listen to that the wine, beer, and cocktails flowed as freely because the buffet meals.
Waitstaff shuttled drinks from the bar to friends lounging by the pool. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Each bar was an open bar, and empty wine glasses on the dinner desk had been a uncommon sight all through my three nights at sea.
Even the café’s snacks, espresso, and espresso-based drinks had been included.
Espresso Connection served numerous espresso-based brinks and lightweight bites. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
And so had been the drinks within the friends’ cabins.
“All-inclusive” additionally entails entry to the Grandeur’s spa services.
Entry to spa services just like the sauna and chilly room are included within the fare. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
This consists of the sauna, chilly room, aromatherapy room, and a small room with numerous water jet settings.
Nonetheless, the latter was confusingly ineffective, and the chilly room wasn’t actually that chilly.
I keep away from paying for further dietary supplements and packages once I cruise for work.
The brand new ship has 503 chandeliers, together with one in its atrium. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Prior to now, this has restricted my eating choices. To economize, I’ve even handed on shore excursions.
However for the primary time, I did not should suppose twice about my funds aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur: There was nothing for me to spend money on.
Afternoon tea included a large dessert unfold. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Even smaller charges like gratuities, WiFi, and laundry are included within the fare.
Not worrying about cash made my three nights at sea really feel stress-free and relaxed.
The pool was surrounded by a number of sizzling tubs. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
For as soon as, I did not really feel restricted by the quantity I used to be keen to pay.
Nonetheless, this does imply vacationers must handle a better upfront price.
The Seven Seas Grandeur has a stocked library that features vacation spot guidebooks. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
The most affordable 2024 crusing is at present the seven-night roundtrip Miami cruise to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras, beginning at $4,800 per individual.
This value ranges as much as $84,000 per individual for the costliest Regent Suite in the course of the 14-night roundtrip Barcelona cruise to France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, and different Spanish cities.
Regent Seven Seas additionally presents cheaper “inclusive cruise fares” that give credit score to friends who e-book their very own roundtrip flights and pre-cruise lodge.
Prime 7 is the ship’s steakhouse. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
Relying on the itinerary and cabin class, this might save vacationers tons of to hundreds of {dollars}. With this selection, the aforementioned cheapest 2024 cruise is $4,000 as a substitute of $4,800.
So sure, virtually $5,000 per individual for a one-week trip could appear costly in comparison with choices like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.
The Seven Seas Grandeur joined Regent’s six-ship fleet on November 14, 2024. Brittany Chang/Enterprise Insider
However in case you have the money, crave luxurious, choose the comfort of getting another person plan your trip for you, and do not need to spend cash throughout your trip, Regent Seven Seas may very well be an important possibility for you.
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