princess vs regent cruise line

[ckr31]

I have been on several princess cruises,however I got some info today on regent cruise line how does princess compare

[silkismom]

I thought Regent SS Mariner was wonderful. Even the lowest price cabin has a balcony. We were on the cruise from Monte Carlo to Venice last Apr. (had a forced 4 night extension in hotels because of the Iceland volcano) There are several included options for shore excursions, included air, included gratuities, included wine and liquor etc etc. Anytime dining and the food was very good. I am Elite with Princess, but, if I could afford it, would go to only Regent.

[Druke I]

Very difficult to compare.

 

Princess is a mass market mainstream line, Regent is a luxury line.

[cruz guy]

Very difficult to compare.

 

Princess is a mass market mainstream line, Regent is a luxury line.

 

And the difference is reflected in the price. Look at what a cruise on the Regent line will cost vs Princess for the same length of time and similar ports.

[alaska eh]

I have been on several princess cruises,however I got some info today on regent cruise line how does princess compare

 

I agree with Druke I, very difficult to compare but let me give you the benefit of my experience on Silversea, also a 6 star luxury line.

 

On the Regent Seven Seas, the largest ship is 700 pax. The crew ratio is 1.5 pax. per crew member. On Princess it is closer to 2.0 to 1.0.

 

Every cabin is a suite. On my Silversea cruise, by the time I had met a crew member for the 3rd time, he or she referred to me by name. When I went to the bar the third time, after ordering the same drink on each previous occasion, the drink was simply delivered to the table.

 

The ship provided 3 gentleman hosts to dance with and accompany ashore any ladies traveling alone.

 

The experience was first class in every detail and while the fare was high, it was all inclusive. Drinks, wine and tips all included. All meals were similiar to those you would order in the specialty restaurants on Princess or Celebrity.

 

While I still travel with the mainstream cruise lines, I will never forget my experience on Silversea and hope to repeat it with either Regent or Siversea.

[Morgsmom]

 

The ship provided 3 gentleman hosts to dance with and accompany ashore any ladies traveling alone.

 

 

Mental note: start saving for such a cruise!!! (On one of our cruises a woman of a 'certain age' hired an escort for the week - she was very proud about it. I believe she got him his own cabin but he had to bring her to dinner and go ballroom dancing each night. It was quite charming as he was easily 30 years younger)

[annierie]

I have been on several princess cruises,however I got some info today on regent cruise line how does princess compare

 

The biggest difference is space, followed closely by service and "inclusiveness".

 

Passenger space ratios are much better, so there aren't crowds or lines. For example, Navigator is about the same grt 28500 vs 30000 as Pacific Princess but only carries 490 instead of 670. Staterooms are larger, all of them.

 

No tips, no cost for beverages, except for very high end premium liquor, air included in fare, excursions that retail for less than $150 are included, only additional fee is for pricey excursions and they are "discounted" the $150 from what you would pay on Princess. You can get off the ship with little or no onboard expenses since many TAs give OBC, which generally is used for spa or boutique purchases.

 

You really feel like you are on someone's yacht. No charges in lounges for martinis or wine or "boat drinks".

 

Very good lecturers for most itineraries.

 

There is little entertainment though. Ships do not dedicate space to dozens of bars and lounges, and the show lounge is modest. Think concert pianists, or chamber music quartets, or jazz reviews, and one small production show.

 

Itins are very port intensive, so late night entertainment is lacking. Most people crash before midnight. Our last two trips were 7 nights with 6 ports, and 8 nights with six ports.

 

You get more destination driven passengers, and less ship oriented people.

[nho9504]

Apple and Orange. No comparison because they are totally different classes.

 

When we were in Euphesus earlier this year (on a land trip), Regent was the only cruise ship hitting Kusadasi that day. The ruin site had set up Welcome signs for them, and Regent had strategically positioned a quartet at the Library site waiting for their guests. Their tours were all ultra small, like no more than 6 persons a team, apparently led by very knowledgeable guides. We followed one to the Terrace Houses and gained a lot of insight by listening to their guide.

 

I dont see how anyone can make a comparison because what you pay and what you get is so different.

[Benita]

They are as different as Diamonds and Garnets. Both are gems, but one is a lot nicer, but also a lot pricier

[Cancun01]

We went to a cruise show a couple of weeks ago where there were representatives of several companies. Each company gave a 20 minute presentation "why they were the best" company to travel with - Regent handed out a brochure entitled Premium Cruise Lines 2011 Value Comparison comparing the Seven Seas Navigator, HAL Volendam, Celebrity Millennium, and the Island Princess for a 7 day 2011 Alaska comparison. They compared all of the stats of the ships using an AF mini-suite, ship space to guest etc. Their cruise fare was $2,600 more than Princess. They were a couple of thousand more than the others give or take a few. Part 2 of the comparision compared the included airfare of Regent, ground transfers, shore excursions, gratuities, alcohol with service charges, bottled water/soft drinks and alternative dining. According to Regent's figures, after all is said and done they are only $500 more for the 2011 Alaskan cruise than Princess keeping in mind that all of the discretionary costs listed are subjective and personal - if you do not do alternative dining or drink the difference would be a lot more. A comparision for Northern Europe and the Mediterranean were also listed.