Imagine for a moment arriving at the port with your steamer trunk, dressed in white linen, a floppy sunhat, and designer shades. Seamlessly a white-gloved porter arrives and assists with your luggage. And off you go on a grand adventure.

Sophistication and luxury faded away in all modes of transportation a generation ago—except luxury cruises. Indulge your senses with sophisticated cabins and chef-created menus. Slow down the journey and take in the scenery to add the glamour back to travel. Tour unforgettable ports-of-call during the day then retreat to a five-star cabin on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise. Sailing the seas in a newly appointed luxury suite on the RSSC Mariner is my top wow moment of 2018. From the time you book until the time you disembark, passengers are swaddled in luxury.

Step into luxury aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Photo by Catherine Parker

What’s Included on Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Knowing that everything is taken care of before you depart makes relaxing easy. And with Regent Seven Seas Cruises the inclusiveness adds peace of mind. All of this is included with every cruise:

• Round trip airfare for domestic flights
• Shore excursions
• Alcoholic beverages, including fine wine and premium spirits
• Specialty restaurants
• Minibars replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, bottled water
• Wi-Fi
• Airport transfers
• Gratuities

Toast each sunset with a glass of champagne on the RSSC Mariner. Photo by Catherine Parker

Before Your Cruise

The feel of luxury arrives with the signature Regent departure packet. Find matte gray luggage tags along with a travel portfolio—a smart way to keep important documents together.

Use the Regent checked luggage tags and checked bags will arrive at your suite later on your arrival day. And the Regent’s representative guides passengers through baggage claim and to the motor coaches.

Once at the port, the check-in process is efficient compared with other cruise lines. And forget those tacky plastic pouches other cruise lines issue. Regent Seven Seas uses gray bi-fold suite key holders. Of course, the outstanding crew greets all with smiles and champagne.

What’s New on the RSSC Mariner

After three weeks in dry dock during 2018, find lots of upgrades on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Starting with the common areas, like a redesign of the Coffee Connection, Library and Compass Rose, and the main dining room. Each received a luxurious overhaul with elegant finishes, like marble accents, rich woods, and new furniture appointments.

After three weeks in dry dock in 2018, the Mariner features a newly redesigned and stocked library. Photo by Catherine Parker

Find a new restaurant, Chartreuse, featuring shades of pale celery and burnished gold. Chartreuse offers a night of French fine dining with all the flourishes, like Versace tableware.

Suites on the Mariner

The Mariner’s suites offer an oasis of refinement. Even the smallest cabins are spacious enough that guests can lounge all day without feeling confined.

All cabins on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner are suites with balconies. Since the suites are located across five decks, guests rarely see each other in the passageways.

Deluxe Veranda Suite and the Concierge Suite

The Deluxe Veranda Suite and the Concierge Suite offer the same size accommodations at 252 square feet, along with the same amenities.

• King bed with luxurious white cotton bedding (can be broken down into two twins)
• Private balcony with seating
• Marble bathroom with shower or tub
• L’Occitane Mer & Mistral toiletries
• Walk-in closet with safe and wooden hangers
• Minibar with glassware and a complimentary refill
• 24-hour room service
• Welcome champagne and fruit plate
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Dressing table with hairdryer
• A separate seating area with settee
• Flat screen TV with complimentary movies on demand
• Shoeshine

With the Deluxe Veranda Suite, only one Wi-Fi log-in is included. The Concierge Suite offers four unlimited log-ins for Wi-Fi.

Concierge Suite passengers also receive a free pre-cruise hotel package. Including transfers to-and-from the airport, along with breakfast the following morning.

For two of my three Mariner cruises, I stayed in a Deluxe Veranda Suite.

Penthouse Suite

Penthouse suites offer more space with 376 square feet. Notably, find a sectional in the separate seating area and a larger balcony with upgraded outdoor seating. All of the standard amenities are included in the Penthouse Suites along with these additional luxurious appointments:

• Personal Butler
• Complimentary pressing on the first night
• Priority online excursion booking
• Selection of pillows
• Daily canapés
• Personalized stationery
• BOSE mini Bluetooth speaker
• Binoculars
• Illy espresso maker
• Cashmere blankets
• L’Occitane men’s shaving kit
• Guerlain toiletries
• Complimentary signature tote bag
• Cruising essentials kit with hand sanitizer, lip balm, stain remover, sewing kit, and hand wipes

I stayed in a Penthouse Suite for one of my Alaskan cruises and I didn’t want to leave. With a color palette of champagne and sterling, the suite oozed luxury.

My butler, Kumar, was attentive and even anticipated my needs. He, along with many of the Regent crew members, are exceptionably well-traveled.

Horizon View Suite

The Horizon View Suite is 359 square feet and offers a dining table in the seating area. The balcony offers more space and a pair of chaises. Get all the amenities of the Penthouse Suite above plus a few added luxuries, including:

• Early access to your suite on embarkation day (1 p.m.)
• Fruit arrangement
• Floral arrangement
• In-suite blue ray player
• Weather clock

Seven Seas Suite

The Seven Seas Suite offers 505 or 561 square feet with a separate living and dining space. Get all the amenities featured in the smaller suites along with additional amenities, including:

• Bottega Veneta Soap
• Selection of Fig and Tea Leaves Bath Salts

Mariner Suite

The Mariner Suites offers 650 square feet of luxury with a master suite in addition to a separate half bath. This suite offers all the amenities of the smaller suites with some added luxurious appointments, including:

• Welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne
• Welcome letter from President and General Manager
• One in-suite caviar service
• Delivery of three daily newspapers
• World Atlas and Weather clock
• Bath scale

Grand Suite

The Grand Suites are located on Deck 11 and feature 903 square feet. With a signature step-up in amenities, the Grand Suite offers a cruising experience like no other. All of the items from the smaller suites are included, plus more luxurious offerings, such as:

• Guerlain Fragrance
• Spongelle Buffer
• VIP status and dinner with a Senior Officer
• Priority Boarding at noon on embarkation day
• Complimentary cocktail party for eight
• Personalized in-suite full-liquor bar set-up
• Guaranteed reservation for each night in a specialty restaurant
• Complimentary training session at the fitness center
• Room service selections from specialty restaurants during dinner service
• Tea Forte set-up
• Chocolate Leonidas
• Complimentary shore excursion bag

Master Suite

The Master Suites are located on Deck 9 and feature 1202 square feet of indoor space. With two balconies and the addition of another bedroom, this is an ideal suite for a larger group, as it accommodates five passengers.

Find luxurious appointments and furnishings throughout the suite. Feel comfortable dining in-suite or enjoying a meal al fresco with a forward-facing main balcony outfitted with a dining table.

One of the bedrooms features a separate balcony with chairs. And both marble bathrooms feature a tub and a separate shower. The suite amenities are the same as the Grand Suite, featuring all the signature Regent Seven Seas offerings.

Entertainment on the Mariner

Passages, the onboard daily newsletter, provides details for activities. Find favorites, like trivia, yoga classes, bridge, and mah-jongg. Or take in a group, like the solo and social travelers group.

With a full line up of nightly entertainment, enjoy a show during your cruise. Photo by Catherine Parker

Enrichment Series: Most cruises offer in-depth lectures. For my Alaskan cruises, I learned about glaciers, the Tlingit people and the history of Victoria from a local expert.

Spa: The Mariner features a full spa offering Canyon Ranch signature treatments, including massage and reflexology.

Enjoy a pool, a couple of spas, gaming tables and lots of chaises during a Regent Seven Seas Cruise. Photo by Catherine Parker

Shopping: The Mariner offers a small boutique showcasing classic resort and evening wear along with accessories. Find regional souvenirs to make shopping easier. A jewelry boutique is also available.

Casino: The Mariner features a small but staffed casino onboard. Find slot machines as well as live games like three-card poker, Blackjack, American Roulette, and craps, using cashless wagering and charging gaming to your suite.

Connoisseur Club: For passengers who enjoy cigars, the Connoisseur Club offers leather-tufted sofas and armchairs. Recently updated, find a club-like atmosphere along with a selection of vintage cognacs and port.

Constellation Theater: In a two-tiered venue, it’s the destination for after dinner entertainment. The Mariner showcases full production musicals along with a line-up of entertainers like magicians and concert pianists. The Constellation Theater also hosts cruise-specific lectures along with movies.

Horizon Lounge: Located at the stern of the ship, the Horizon Lounge offers a quiet place for reading or needlework. The Horizon Lounge hosts cooking demonstrations and a popular afternoon tea as well.

During the afternoon and evening, the resident musician plays so enjoy a spin on the dance floor. The furnished deck off the Horizon Lounge is perfect for spotting marine life in the ship’s wake.

Mariner Lounge: Located between evening dining venues, the Mariner Lounge offers a destination for evening cocktails. With nightly entertainment, many passengers enjoy retelling adventures of the day. The solo cruisers group usually meets in the Mariner Lounger and dine together.

Observation Lounge: During the day the Observation Lounge offers a quiet escape with sweeping views of the ocean located on the 12^th deck.

Stars Nightclub: For the night owls and dancers, head to the Stars Nightclub. Find dance music and cocktails until the wee hours, especially on holidays. Though during the daylight hours, it’s another quiet spot for reading.

Cruising with Kids

Regent Seven Seas isn’t necessarily a family cruise line. Though you will find families onboard as a part of a multigenerational trip, especially the summertime Alaskan and Mediterranean cruises.

For select cruises, Regent features kids programming. This is not an all-day program for supervised entertainment and activities. It’s an informal group of kids that hang out for a few hours once a day on port days and two sessions during sea days.

During our Alaskan cruise with my three kids, the youngest two enjoyed the kids programming daily. With informal gaming competitions: board, hand-held, and onboard sports, my boys checked themselves into the programming every day.

Some evenings, the kids would gather for a movie night. And during our cruise, the kids met in the Compass Rose and ate together. Another popular kids’ event was decorate-your-own cupcakes.

Dining on the Mariner

From breakfast through dinner, every meal offered on the Mariner was an event. The champagne and caviar brunches at La Veranda are weekend indulgences. And I delighted perusing the menu of French classics at Chartreuse, especially the desserts.

A weekend indulgence, the caviar and champagne brunch is a must for your cruise. Photo by Catherine Parker

Breakfast

The Compass Rose offers a selection of standard breakfast options with table service. Though due to early morning excursions, I only dined at the Compass Rose once. The menu is similar to the La Veranda so best for leisurely sea days.

La Veranda offers a full breakfast buffet with indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a plate and the waitstaff brings out fresh coffee or tea.

I found made-to-order eggs and daily specials, like eggs benedict, along with a full selection of breakfast meats. The freshly baked breads, fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereal had diners from across the world satisfied.

The Coffee Connection is a quick stop for busy mornings. Find breakfast breads, cereals, yogurt, and fresh fruit. The coffee bar brews up popular coffee drinks, hot and cold.

Next to the Coffee Connection, find another brew-your-own coffee machine along with cookies.

The Pool Grill sets out a continental breakfast as well. Though the cooler morning temperatures on some cruises make it a quiet spot.

Lunch

Most port days, passengers dine in port. Another popular choice is to eat a heavy breakfast then skip lunch and attend afternoon tea once back onboard.

The Pool Grill is a favorite with a grill serving hamburgers and hot sandwiches. A themed lunch buffet is also served, like BBQ or regional favorites.

Burgers with a view at the Pool Grill, a favorite for lunch. Photo by Catherine Parker

Find a salad bar along with a daily soup selection. And my kids’ favorite, indulge at the ice cream and gelato bar along with daily desserts.

With ice cream and gelato bar, sweet treats are at the ready near the pool. Photo by Catherine Parker

La Veranda features a daily buffet along with a pizza oven. The menu changes daily and the offerings are displayed outside both entrances.

Afternoon Tea

Another personal favorite, I religiously attended afternoon tea in the Horizon Lounge. With some of the best scones I’ve tasted, it’s a delight for the Anglophile.

A favorite with Anglophiles, the afternoon tea offers traditional scones paired with clotted cream and assorted jams along with a full assortment of tea sandwiches and desserts. Photo by Catherine Parker

Regent Seven Seas offers themed afternoon teas, so check out Passages, the daily newspaper. The chocolate afternoon tea features an elegantly presented buffet of chocolate desserts, including a chocolate fountain.

Celebrate chocolate at the Chocolate Afternoon Tea. Photo by Catherine Parker

Dinner on a Regent Seven Seas Ship

Dinner is an event on a Regent Seven Seas ship. Diners enjoy a chef-created menu with multiple courses, including palette-cleansing sorbet along with a silver plated dessert caddy with petit-fours at most meals.

Compass Rose

In the Mariner’s main dining room, find an updated space to enjoy most evening meals. With a palette of ivory, silver and sapphire blue, the only element from the original dining room is the exquisite Versace charger plates.

With a rotating menu of continental ocean liner classics, find lobster every night along with Dover sole and filet. The Chef’s Selection pairs the best of the daily offerings and I highly recommend.

Compass Rose also features a Canyon Ranch healthy option for dinner with three carefully chosen courses, including a dessert.

The Mariner is a dessert lovers paradise. Find charlottes, soufflés, and baked Alaskas. Photo by Catherine Parker

Sette Mari

 La Veranda transforms from a breakfast and lunch buffet to offer Italian classics after 6:30 p.m. Start with a selection of anti-pasta served tableside, like meatballs or petite mozzarella balls. Find more at the Italian appetizer buffet and salad bar.

Sette Mari offers a daily menu of pasta, seafood, chicken, pork and beef selections. I particularly enjoyed the scallopini di vitello al limone.

Prime 7

A guest’s favorite, the Prime 7 Steakhouse got a new look blending marble and rich woods for a classic steakhouse feel. The menu is a classic as well, the lobster is always a thrill and the filet is satisfying. And indulge in the 14-layer chocolate cake.

Chartreuse

New to the Mariner, the French Cuisine destination, Chartreuse offers an intimate dining room serving all the best of French classics. The service is friendly and refined. And each lady gets a tiny box of meringue cookies at the end of the meal.

During my dinner, I delighted at my floating islands, a classic French meringue floating in a pool of crème anglaise and garnished with decorative sugar work.

Kids Menu

All restaurants offer the same children’s menu for dinner. During our cruise, the options included pasta with marinara sauce, fish and sautéed chicken breast, all paired with steamed vegetables or a side salad. Though burgers and buttered pasta can be ordered.

Room Service

Room service is available in all suites 24-hours a day. During my cruises, I enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though the menu stays the same, all meals are presented with silver-plated serving pieces and white linens.

With white linen and silver plate service, in-room dining is elevated on the Regent Seven Seas. Photo by Catherine Parker

What to Wear on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise

One of the biggest questions people ask is, “How do I dress for a Regent Seven Seas cruise?” Here are some suggestions to help you pack for your cruise.

During the Day

Depending on the itinerary, pack for your excursions. For Alaskan cruises, the day attire is rugged. Hiking pants, fleece, and boots are all acceptable for breakfast service. Sea days are casual resort attire, depending on the weather.

The Mariner features two complimentary laundry rooms outfitted with self-soaping machines. Find an iron and board in the launderette as well. No need to overpack.

After 6 p.m.

For cruises under 16 nights, the evening dress code is elegant casual. For all cruises of 16 nights and more, the itinerary includes two formal optional nights.

For Ladies—Smart dresses paired with a dressy sweater and low heels are perfect. I also saw lots of black slacks with dressy tunics or blouses.

For Gentlemen—Dress shirts and slacks are the standards. Some men wore ties or a sports coat. Suits are not the norm.

For Children—I dressed my two sons in khaki pants, blue dress shirts, and bow ties. For my daughter, a dress and flats paired with a sweater worked well. The maître d’ always commented on how smart my kids looked for dinner.

Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary meals, accommodations, and tours for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.