Crystal cruiser looking to book a Regent Cruise

[LNugent]

My husband and I have sailed on many cruises. Our favorite is Crystal and we have also sailed many Seabourn cruises. We have a couple of upcoming cruises on Crystal that are probably getting cancelled….one through Suez in December and the other in March 2025 that is two legs of a their World Cruise in which it looks like they are rerouting. We can’t find an itinerary we like to substitute in December on Crystal so we are looking at Regent Voyager cruise. Thoughts? Comparisons?  

[Emdee]

We sail both Regent and Crystal. Regent for itinerary and Crystal for pure relaxation. 
I haven’t been on Voyager for a number of years but suggest you read the reviews as there has been some dissatisfaction with that ship.

 

The Compass Rose daily menu is more extensive than Crystal but with less of the wow factor. Regent beef quality is not good. Regent service is good but not close to Crystal. 
 

Regent lectures are second to Crystal and their entertainment is not as good as Crystal. They do have Casinos though…lol. 
 

I would consider one of the newer ships if this is your first Regent cruise. 
 

That being said we have 4 Regent cruises and 2 Crystal cruises booked so obviously like both lines. 
 

Just some suggestions. 

[Gilly]

6 hours ago, Emdee said:

suggest you read the reviews as there has been some dissatisfaction with that ship.

There's also been more than a few positive comments - mine included - but it's the dissatisfaction that seems to be remembered.

Edited June 17 by Gilly

[Emdee]

1 hour ago, Gilly said:

There's also been more than a few positive comments - mine included - but it's the dissatisfaction that seems to be remembered.

No doubt. Last year the negatives were on the Mariner. But I am nevertheless going on it in the fall. 
 

For a new Regent cruiser it is best to do your research. 

[LNugent]

Thank you. Exactly the feedback I was looking for. 

[Gilly]

@LNugent  perhaps you might find the most recent Regent blog post useful, for it's one of mine, written from Voyager about a couple of months ago on our way across the Atlantic Ocean.  There's a link in there towards the end to my actual blog, where the following posts describe some sea days on board Voyager, including a couple of daily programmes and some other activities.  Whilst the newer, larger ships have an extra restaurant and more contemporary decor, all Regent ships offer the same great service from first class staff and if the itinerary suits us, we'd happily sail on any of them.

[cAPS lOCK oN]

Voyager was our first Regent ship. It was a wonderful cruise, but that was in 2014, so the ship is 10 years older, (as are we).

 

Anyway we board Voyager once again tomorrow afternoon so I can give a much more up to date review soon.

[boblerm]

I am a devotee of both Regent and Crystal, although I have not yet sailed on New Crystal.  I have never had anything less than a stellar experience on either of these two excellent cruise lines.

 

The thing is, you will get as many opinions about this comparison, as well as opinions about the various ships as there are posters on this forum.  As a well known Crystal poster likes to say, the only opinion that matters is your own.

 

If you decide to cruise on Regent, you my find that you like it as much (even better????) than you do Crystal.  Or, you may find that for you, it just doesn't make the grade. You will never know unless you try it.

 

Whatever you decide, happy cruising!

 

Bob

 

 

[SandJCruiser]

Sailed on Old Crystal twice.  Just got off our first Regent cruise on Explorer to Alaska.  Quick comparison (our opinion only):

 

Cabin - Regent far superior.

Service - Pretty equal

Food - Crystal by a hair, mostly because of better presentation and creativity, but no complaints either way.

Entertainment - Lounge and casual daytime Crystal.  Production shows in the evening Regent.

Lecturers and enrichment - Crystal by a mile.

 

Our conclusion: Very happy with both.  Itinerary would be the deciding factor.  Keep in mind the value of included shore excursions.  If that's what you like to do,  Regent has a major leg up.  If you prefer to explore on your own, then the value is not there.  Obviously, I can't speak to New Crystal; I'm assuming the current product is similar to Old.

[Emdee]

4 hours ago, SandJCruiser said:

Sailed on Old Crystal twice.  Just got off our first Regent cruise on Explorer to Alaska.  Quick comparison (our opinion only):

 

Cabin - Regent far superior.

Service - Pretty equal

Food - Crystal by a hair, mostly because of better presentation and creativity, but no complaints either way.

Entertainment - Lounge and casual daytime Crystal.  Production shows in the evening Regent.

Lecturers and enrichment - Crystal by a mile.

 

Our conclusion: Very happy with both.  Itinerary would be the deciding factor.  Keep in mind the value of included shore excursions.  If that's what you like to do,  Regent has a major leg up.  If you prefer to explore on your own, then the value is not there.  Obviously, I can't speak to New Crystal; I'm assuming the current product is similar to Old.

New Crystal cabins are a lot better than the old.

Included excursions do bring additional value to a Regent cruise. 
My last three cruises have been on New Crystal so looking forward very much to my next 4 on Regent. 

[j_anandu]

On 6/16/2024 at 9:55 AM, LNugent said:

My husband and I have sailed on many cruises. Our favorite is Crystal and we have also sailed many Seabourn cruises. We have a couple of upcoming cruises on Crystal that are probably getting cancelled….one through Suez in December and the other in March 2025 that is two legs of a their World Cruise in which it looks like they are rerouting. We can’t find an itinerary we like to substitute in December on Crystal so we are looking at Regent Voyager cruise. Thoughts? Comparisons?  

Our Crystal cruise got cancelled in December ( I’m guessing it’s the same one as yours) se we booked the Cape Town to Dubai on the voyager. Was on the Voyager last year and on the symphony earlier this year and I enjoyed both !

[LNugent]

Crystal just came out with new alternatives. I decided to book a couple of those. I think Regent could be an option in the future. 

[vistaman]

I was not entirely happy on my first "new" Crystal Symphony cruise 

i am a single  and the single cabins are small  comparing to the entrance level on the new Regent ships

bar service is maybe superior during daytime on Crystal -   and choice of spirits as well

non complimentary wines are very expensive on Crystal  especially the special Champagnes 

daily closure of the MDR for lunch when a ship  is in port ,  on Regent there are other possibilities as a buffet 

the Bistro is of course a plus on Crystal 

on Regent there is a menu "always available classics"  for dinner - so if you are in the mood you can go for a Dover sole every evening 

 

[PaulMCO]

Just off Regent Encore in April and Crystal Serenity this week.  Have several more Regents booked.   Second many of the pro's and cons.  They are both good cruise lines.  Think the service was great on both.  Food comparable.  Waterside vs. Compass Rose - probably a tie.  Buffet much better on Regent, Specialties a slight advantage to Crystal.  Enrichment -- much better on Crystal.

 

The biggest advantage to Regent is the size of its fleet and more varied itineraries. Two ships of Crystal means limited choice.

[vistaman]

2 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Just off Regent Encore in April and Crystal Serenity this week.  Have several more Regents booked.   Second many of the pro's and cons.  They are both good cruise lines.  Think the service was great on both.  Food comparable.  Waterside vs. Compass Rose - probably a tie.  Buffet much better on Regent, Specialties a slight advantage to Crystal.  Enrichment -- much better on Crystal.

 

The biggest advantage to Regent is the size of its fleet and more varied itineraries. Two ships of Crystal means limited choice.

I am a wine snob  -  so Regent has a far friendlier choice -  

I never eat Asian so Nobu is adding no single value for me on Crystal. 

I also was disappointed  about the buffet on Symphony .

IMHO  the Encore is a SB ship...

[PaulMCO]

1 hour ago, vistaman said:

I am a wine snob  -  so Regent has a far friendlier choice -  

I never eat Asian so Nobu is adding no single value for me on Crystal. 

I also was disappointed  about the buffet on Symphony .

IMHO  the Encore is a SB ship...

I meant Explorer...  Agree on the wine.  The non included Champagnes were $$$ (about 2X what they should be)

[vistaman]

43 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

I meant Explorer...  Agree on the wine.  The non included Champagnes were $$$ (about 2X what they should be)

a few days after my arrival  I was invited on the ms Europa  ( the old one ) as past pax in my hometown 

Dom P  220€   ,  Pol Roger  Bl de Blancs 145 and Churchill some 230 €

Baron de L   by Ladoucette  a superb Pouilly Fumé  : 120€  

I really cannot decide what to drink on Hapag Lloyd .... 🙃