What Travel Advisors Should Know about Today’s Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Sunlit views of Vancouver’s mountains illuminated the windows of Regent Seven Sea Explorer’s Meridian Lounge as Travel Market Report sat down with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ chief sales officer Steve Odell, just before the ship’s horn harkened its departure for Alaska on a two-week voyage continuing on to Tokyo, Japan.

Speaking of his past work with Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises, Odell’s blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm for the Regent brand, which he has overseen as senior vice president and chief sales officer since January 2024.

Asked what travel advisors need to know most about Regent Seven Seas Explorer – launched in 2016 as the first of RSSC’s three Explorer Class ships – Odell recalled its “game changer” impact on the cruise industry’s luxury niche.

Besides conceptualizing residential-style design with notable art collections, and adding tailored elements in its spacious, all-suite accommodations – including the then industry’s most lavish suite at sea – the 750-passenger Explorer provided a comprehensive all-inclusive cruise product, including gratuities, excursions in every port where possible, plus no-fee dining in all specialty restaurants.

On inspection, Regent Seven Seas Explorer has weathered splendidly, its luxurious ambience and amenities in elegant condition throughout, from its splendid atrium lobby to its various lounges and leisure facilities to dining areas and all categories of suites.

However, Odell predicted Explorer will see future refurbishments to keep up with its newer fleetmates: Regent Seven Seas Splendor, launched in September 2021, and Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, launched in December 2023.

Comparing Explorer to the newer ships, Odell noted the difference between these three ships is mainly in the décor, as the layout designs are the same.

When asked about advice for travel advisors keen to succeed in selling the RSSC brand, Odell told us, “Their biggest challenge is to understand the totally all-inclusive value proposition of Regent over other brands.”

As the ultra-luxury cruise space has a few more players than it did five years ago, he encourages advisors to “look beneath the surface for the value proposition,” to see exactly what is included in other lines’ “inclusive” claim, which may translate to cruise fares with some inclusions, but not all.  

“Our inclusivity is the reason Regent has managed to keep our leading position stable. Our all-wrapped up version includes everything from no-fee specialty restaurants to drinks with meals, unlimited shore excursions, valet laundry in every suite category, to gratuities and unlimited high-speed WiFi provided by Starlink as of September 2024. Also, by having long-term staff ashore and on board, and a very consistent delivery of service, we’ve kept our nose in front.”

“The luxury customer wants a one-stop shop, the feeling of getting on a private yacht, putting away your wallet, and not taking it out for 14 days,” he added. “Customers in premium and upper premium markets think more about the initial fare, then buy what they want, such as a beverage package.”

Odell recommends travel advisors plan ahead.

“Market to your customer base at the same time as we launch. We spend a lot of money to launch because the most important business is the early booking business.”

Odell suggests advisors become a RSSC partner and use the line’s marketing and education tools, to empower themselves with insights and tools to grow their business.

Briefly put, the educational program helps advisors identify clients in their database who are potential Regent customers and advises how to market to and then convert them ito Regent customers.

We asked Odell what he sees for the future for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“Planning wise, the future is on sale now, with sales ahead to June 27. Our next ship, Regent Seven Seas Prestige will launch in late 2026, with sales likely starting in early 2025.”

At 77,000 tons, with room for 850 guests, Regent Seven Seas Prestige will be bigger than Grandeur, which measures 55,000 tons and has room for 750 guests.

As guests’ interests evolve, the line also is currently testing itinerary preferences by offering 15 “immersive overnight itineraries” with fewer ports but longer, overnight stays in key ports around the globe.

“This increases interest for existing customers as well as new-to-Regent customers,” Odell said. “For example, the 12-night Sunset of Tuscany aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner will include overnights in every port. Starting with an overnight in Trieste, Italy on October 22, 2025, guests will have overnight stays in Valletta, Malta; Naples and Livorno, for Tuscany, Italy; and Marseille for Provence, France.”

As for the future of the cruise industry, Odell told us he’s feeling bullish.

“There’s a lot of confidence in cruising, particularly in the ultra-luxury market, thanks to growing global wealth, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Considering Regent’s demographics, we have at least 15 years of baby boomers, currently our core market. But we’re targeting millennials and Gen X markets, as they’re the customers of the future, and they are certainly spending money on luxury hotel experiences.”

Odell also noted that confidence among investors in the cruising industry is rising due to several factors moving together at a fast clip: growing global wealth plus increasing demand as evidenced by 25 more ships being launched between now and 2028.

“The most important thing to consider in the luxury space market is price integrity, to keep it at a meaningful level that says we are an ultra-luxury brand so we can continue to deliver on the luxury experience. That said, we are doing extremely well,” he said.