Regent: $125 Million in Refurbs for Three Ships

Greetings,

From Cruise Industry News

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced today plans for an extensive, $125 million fleet-wide refurbishment program.

Beginning with Seven Seas Navigator this spring, the public spaces and suites to be refurbished to the detail as featured on Seven Seas Explorer, providing guests with a consistent look-and-feel, said the company.

The two-year $125 million investment includes significant renovations of most public spaces along with a complete redesign of all categories of suites.

Seven Seas Navigator be the first to receive this luxurious upgrade, followed by Seven Seas Voyager in late 2016 and Seven Seas Mariner in the spring of 2017.

Seven Seas Navigator will emerge from her drydock with all suite categories, all lounges, the library, casino, boutiques, reception area, and signature restaurants Compass Rose and La Veranda having recently been completely renovated.

“Seven Seas Navigator is one of our most beloved ships, so it’s fitting that she is the first to undergo this extraordinary refurbishment,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “These renovations will bring a new level of elegance to the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, strengthening our position as the undisputed leader in luxury cruising, operating the most luxurious ships at sea.”

The refurbishments on Seven Seas Navigator comprise the first phase of the $125 million renovation project.

The ship’s renovations will commence when it enters dry dock in Marseille, France on March 31. The project will be completed by April 13.

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13759-regent-125-million-in-refurbs-for-three-ships.html

RSSC has more details in their blog here:

http://rsscblog.com/2016/01/20/just-announced-125-million-renovations-aboard-the-most-luxurious-ships-at-sea/

Sounds great to me!

I will be back on the Navigator in April after the renovations. Looking forward to it!

I just got the email. The photos look very nice. There is no mention of fixing the vibration problem, but I would not expect Regent to publicly advertise this. Also there is no mention of creating a forward observation lounge from the gym space. If they don't do this then I have to wonder who is in charge of the redesign and what they are thinking! This ship needs a forward observation lounge.

Hopefully, after buying all the new carpeting, chairs, beds, etc., there will be a few dollars left over to address the issue of brown water randomly squirting out of various bathroom faucets. :)

I just got the email. The photos look very nice. There is no mention of fixing the vibration problem, but I would not expect Regent to publicly advertise this. Also there is no mention of creating a forward observation lounge from the gym space. If they don't do this then I have to wonder who is in charge of the redesign and what they are thinking! This ship needs a forward observation lounge.

Unfortunately, the vibration issue is not fixable (nor is it on the Voyager) even though Regent has tried. Fortunately, as long as you don't book an aft suite, you should not feel the vibration.

In terms of the forward Observation Lounge, it would be great if the Navigator had one. From what I have heard, it did have one quite some time ago but it was too small to accommodate the guests that wanted to be there. It would take removing the "spa" on deck 12 completely in order to build an Observation Lounge. Then people will be upset that there is no spa.

pingpong1: The "brown water" (aka rust) occasionally occurs on all Regent ships and any other ship where the container for the water can rust. It reminds me of foreign cars vs. some American cars. While American cars get rust from a part in the air conditioning system, Japanese cars do not have this issue as they use some type of long lasting (very long lasting) plastic.

Love the new "look" for the Navigator. While it may not encourage us to book a cruise on her in the future, it is great to see how she will improve.

That works out to about $42 million per ship. That's obviously a lot of money, but what does $42M buy you in a renovation? Can we expect stem-to-stern enhancements?

We are fans of Navigator anyway, its so welcoming and now it's got a very special wow factor appearance. it looks so smart and luxurious.

That works out to about $42 million per ship. That's obviously a lot of money, but what does $42M buy you in a renovation?

New pillows, new sheets, and about 3,479,167 pizzas for the workers...

So from the attached write-up it appears that they're completely eliminating the Connoisseur Club/Lounge? I know what the prevailing thoughts are on smoking these days, but I will certainly miss that - I've passed some highly enjoyable evenings in that lounge with cigars, cocktails, and lively conversation.

I, for one, am not too happy about that change...

Bill I would agree with you re the loss of the Connoseur lounge. I am not a smoker, have never smoked but it seems unfair not to offer a nice indoor area for smokers to be comfortable. We are all paying a premium for the cruise and it seems unfair not to provide somewhere sheltered and comfortable for smokers. Sitting in the Navigator bar for a night cap many a hearty laugh was heard from the next door Connoseur lounge. I know people have complained about the smell of smoke going past the lounge but once past it wasn't an issue for me. Jean.

Bill/Liptastic - Completely agree regarding the unfortunate (elimination) of the Connoisseur Club. And I'm not in the mood to get into a "debate" as to the "political correctness" or potential "negative" impacts of smoking an occasional cigar with anyone else on this board.

Sitting in the C Club in the afternoons/evenings in a comfortable leather chair, having a good conversation with other like-minded passengers, and enjoying a good cigar along with a well-aged single malt (and without the wind and crowds of a small corner allotted to us on the pool deck) was something that I very much looked forward to and was one of the features that for me, defined a "luxury cruising experience".

Now that the C Club is being eliminated, I no longer see any compelling reason or overriding personal justification for me to continue to pay the prices charged for a Regent cruise. So - Goodbye Regent!

I can eat an equally good (most oftentimes better) meal in my own house, I can sleep in an equally (or more) comfortable bed in my own house, and I can sit on my patio and enjoy a good cigar without being "harassed" or made to feel "guilty" about it by others.

Bill/Liptastic - Completely agree regarding the unfortunate (elimination) of the Connoisseur Club. And I'm not in the mood to get into a "debate" as to the "political correctness" or potential "negative" impacts of smoking an occasional cigar with anyone else on this board.

 

Sitting in the C Club in the afternoons/evenings in a comfortable leather chair, having a good conversation with other like-minded passengers, and enjoying a good cigar along with a well-aged single malt (and without the wind and crowds of a small corner allotted to us on the pool deck) was something that I very much looked forward to and was one of the features that for me, defined a "luxury cruising experience".

 

Now that the C Club is being eliminated, I no longer see any compelling reason or overriding personal justification for me to continue to pay the prices charged for a Regent cruise. So - Goodbye Regent!

 

I can eat an equally good (most oftentimes better) meal in my own house, I can sleep in an equally (or more) comfortable bed in my own house, and I can sit on my patio and enjoy a good cigar without being "harassed" or made to feel "guilty" about it by others.

That's such a fantastic idea for you Pingpong!! Enjoy your self imposed exile where you can enjoy your cigar and eat your superior food on your own terms

While I will not miss the C Club, as I don't smoke, I am not convinced that its elimination is wise, considering that it provided a good place for smokers to go without bothering non-smokers.

Some of the other changes appear (from the rather minimal info available to date) to be pretty good, while others are of dubious merit. The change in Compass Rose from those absurd red chairs with their curved backs that blocked walking areas to chairs that do not do so is a change of considerable improvement. One would hope that the newly-improved avenues of transit might allow for a reintroduction of the cheese cart; but that is likely an unrealistic anticipation in view of the bean counters' control over such luxuries as the cheese cart.

The changes in the cabins seem a bit less salubrious, although they are certainly attractive on the most superficial level. I will heartily agree with previous posters who lament any reduction in drawers, shelves, or other storage in the cabins. This new mode (which seems to be in line with FDR's South Florida design aesthetic which prefers form and glitz over practical function) makes for very pretty cabin photos but does not provide the optimal cruising experience for the passengers who are paying the freight.

Cheers, Fred

While not trying to turn this into a smoking thread, I do have one question. Who does not have to go outside of a restaurant, bar or place of employment in order to smoke? Hmmmmmm, guess I have a second question....... why should cruise ships be any different?

Hi Sunprince - Thanks for the reply. It certainly won't be an "exile" :) as DW and I put on about 50,000 vacationing air miles a year to many different places around the world, which can't be gotten to or enjoyed with the limitations of a cruise ship itinerary. We certainly enjoyed some of our R cruises, but the "negatives" are now outweighing the "positives". We're not going away "mad".....we just "going away". Our alternative destinations are reached/enjoyed at less than 1/2 the per diem rate of an R cruise and are most certainly experienced without any sacrifice in "luxury". :p Our non-cruising destinations provide the most comfortable/relaxing venues and are all enjoyed with "adult beverages", great meals, good conversation with fellow-travelers, excellent service, AND fine cigars. Best Regards.

While not trying to turn this into a smoking thread, I do have one question. Who does not have to go outside of a restaurant, bar or place of employment in order to smoke? Hmmmmmm, guess I have a second question....... why should cruise ships be any different?

Because of workplace laws, mostly. But I'd be fine if they didn't even offer drink service in the C Club; for me and many others, having a place to enjoy a nice cigar in the evening was a rare treat...one that has now been eliminated. My last few cruises I had noticed a growing trend of cigarette smokers taking over the C Club, which actually cut down on my enjoyment, as there is a distinct difference in the smell and effects of cigar vs cigarette smoke...but I'd usually spend two or three evenings with cigars and brown liquids, and now that's gone the way of the dodo. How much longer before they crack down on adult beverages, or red meat, or fatty foods, or dessert...

While not trying to turn this into a smoking thread, I do have one question. Who does not have to go outside of a restaurant, bar or place of employment in order to smoke? Hmmmmmm, guess I have a second question....... why should cruise ships be any different?

TC, I guess that begs a couple of questions from me...first, why shouldn't a cruise ship have a place for cigar smoking? Many consider it a luxury...and secondly, why are they eliminating the Connoiseur Club on Navigator, yet there's one slated for Explorer? Makes no sense to remove one from an existing ship, but add one in a new build...

TC, I guess that begs a couple of questions from me...first, why shouldn't a cruise ship have a place for cigar smoking? Many consider it a luxury...and secondly, why are they eliminating the Connoiseur Club on Navigator, yet there's one slated for Explorer? Makes no sense to remove one from an existing ship, but add one in a new build...

If the Connoisseur Club was only for cigars, I would have no problem with it. However, as you noted, it is becoming overrun with cigarette smokers. This is what I object to. Note: If people can smoke cigars but not cigarettes in the Connoisseur Club, it would only be fair that cigar smokers not smoke on the Pool Deck.

While I have no first hand knowledge as to why they are eliminating the Connoisseur Club on the Navigator, it is probably due to complaints from passengers because the cigarette smoke wafts into other areas (plus they desperately need the extra space). For Regent passengers that feel the need to smoke in more areas of the ship, the only luxury cruise line left that permits smoking on the balcony is Seabourn. It would probably be a good alternative to Regent -- they have very good reviews for food and service. Unfortunately, we will never have the opportunity to sail on Seabourn as we would not spent $$$$ and risk having smokers next to us on the balcony.

Where did you see the Connoisseur Club on the Explorer (what deck?) I know that the deck layout on the rssc.com website is old (does not even have the names of the new dining venues), it is surprising that the Explorer will have a Connoisseur Club and the Navigator will not (not complaining - just find it curious).

The deck plans on rssc.com show the Connoiseur Club forward on Deck 11.

Yeah, public space is at a premium on Navigator. And I don't think adding more cigar smokers to the crowds on the side of the pool deck is necessarily a good idea. I know smoking is a sore subject for a lot of people, but for me, having the time to relax with a drink and a cigar in the evening was very relaxing and definitely added to my enjoyment. Will I still sail Regent if I can't have my evening cigars? Probably...but I'll sure consider other options more closely in the future.

on some of their observations. I am still mystified at the size of the lowest cabins and costs. As Regent becomes more like Oceania...certainly visually...it does not seem a stretch that Oceania might start to throw in that word "suite" if they can pull it off on Regent. Where will the smoking area for crew be placed? I have often seen officers and guests sharing company in the CClub and enjoying each other's company. "I" believe that Regent and Oceania are marketing to the same demographic in terms of ship itself. (Explorer). Nothing wrong with that and not in need of a debate as it is simply an opinion.

The deck plans on rssc.com show the Connoiseur Club forward on Deck 11.

 

Yeah, public space is at a premium on Navigator. And I don't think adding more cigar smokers to the crowds on the side of the pool deck is necessarily a good idea. I know smoking is a sore subject for a lot of people, but for me, having the time to relax with a drink and a cigar in the evening was very relaxing and definitely added to my enjoyment. Will I still sail Regent if I can't have my evening cigars? Probably...but I'll sure consider other options more closely in the future.

Thanks - I have been looking at the Explorer deck plan for so long that I no longer remember where anything is:o Agree that adding more cigar smokers to the pool deck is not ideal but I'm not sure what other space Navigator passengers can go to smoke cigars. Cigarette smokers can go outside of Galileo's but smoking cigars is not permitted there. In terms of having an indoor space to smoke, it appears that this will still be an option on the Voyager, Mariner and Explorer.

Just seemed odd that Regent was talking about all the money they're spending to have a "common look and feel throughout the whole fleet" yet they're removing amenities to make the experience different. Merely an observation (with a hint of venting).

Just seemed odd that Regent was talking about all the money they're spending to have a "common look and feel throughout the whole fleet" yet they're removing amenities to make the experience different. Merely an observation (with a hint of venting).

Good observation. IMO, it is not possible for the Navigator to "look" like the rest of the ships due to her size. In a way she feels like a smaller version of the Voyager (perhaps I should say that the Voyager looks like a larger version of the Navigator since the Navigator was built first:-)

From what I can tell, they removed the Connoisseur Club in order to make room for the Coffee Connection - a popular meeting place on all of the ships. They also may be making the tiny computer room larger in preparation for unlimited free Wi-Fi. Moving the smoking lounge to another location is not as easy as one would think as it requires all kind of filtration systems. Until fairly recently, people in the computer room on the Voyager could smell smoke from the Connoisseur Club on the deck below.

It is too bad that they can't enclose an area on the pool deck for cigar smoking. When our state went non-smoking, a nearby restaurant built a beautiful outdoor enclosure (clear plastic of some type so you could look outside) with nice furniture and they kept it heated in the winter.