Regent Seven Seas · Ultra-Luxury Ocean Ship Review
Regent Seven Seas Explorer: A Firsthand Ship Review
Sailed by Melissa and Terry Yetter · Regent Seven Seas Explorer · September 2024 · Regent Seven Seas · Vancouver to Anchorage, Alaska · Superior Suite F2
Our firsthand review of Regent Seven Seas Explorer from a September 2024 Alaska sailing between Vancouver and Anchorage in a Superior Suite, category F2.
Firsthand Ship Review
- Advisor
- Melissa Yetter
- Cruise Line
- Regent Seven Seas
- Ship
- Regent Seven Seas Explorer
- Experience
- Personal sailing — Vancouver to Anchorage, Superior Suite F2
- Year
- September 2024
- Certification
- CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor
Section One
A New Standard for Everything We Have Experienced at Sea
We sailed the Regent Seven Seas Explorer in September 2024 on an Alaska itinerary from Vancouver to Anchorage, and this sailing set a new standard for everything we have experienced at sea.
From the moment we boarded it was clear that every detail had been considered. As we sailed away a string quartet played, and that single moment captured exactly what Regent Seven Seas is about. This is luxury without apology, refined and unhurried.
The Explorer is best for travelers who want an all-inclusive ultra-luxury ocean experience with impeccable service, exceptional food, and refined elegance throughout. It is adults-focused and ideal for those who want to be pampered without having to think about a single detail.
Highlights
What We Noticed on Our Sailing
Observations from our own Alaska sailing.
- A string quartet played as we sailed away — the tone was set immediately
- The Superior Suite F2 bed faces the balcony window, so you wake up to the Alaska scenery without moving
- A true walk-in closet is rare on a cruise ship, and this one had space for an extended sailing
- The bathroom had double sinks, a large vanity, the finest shower we have seen at sea, and a separate bathtub
- Butler service was impeccable — minibar stocked to our preferences, laundry perfectly pressed and folded
- The food is the best we have had on any ship, river or ocean
- The spa was beautiful, with a cold room and heated lounge chairs that rivaled the best spas we have visited anywhere
- In Ketchikan, Regent docks at the NCL port a few miles outside town; a shuttle is provided
Fit Check
Who I Recommend Regent Seven Seas Explorer For
Ultra-luxury travelers
This is all-inclusive luxury without apology: refined, unhurried, and considered in every detail.
Travelers who want to be pampered
Butler service handled every request quietly and promptly, from the minibar to the laundry.
Food-focused cruisers
The food on Regent Seven Seas Explorer is the best we have had on any ship, river or ocean.
Alaska scenery lovers
The Vancouver to Anchorage itinerary paired with a suite whose bed faces the window is a hard combination to beat.
Honest Limitations
Who Regent Seven Seas Explorer Is Not For
Families with young children
The Explorer is adults-focused. Families wanting kids' programming and thrill features should look elsewhere.
Budget-first travelers
This is an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive product, and the fare reflects that.
Travelers wanting big-ship spectacle
The experience centers on service, dining, and refinement rather than large-scale entertainment.
Accommodations
Our Suite: Superior Suite, Category F2
We stayed in a Superior Suite, category F2, and the cabin was extraordinary. The bed faces the balcony window, allowing you to wake up to the Alaska scenery without moving.
The walk-in closet was a genuine surprise. On a cruise ship a true walk-in closet is rare, and this one offered more than enough space for an extended sailing.
The bathroom featured double sinks, a large vanity, a beautiful shower that is the finest we have seen at sea, and a separate bathtub. The color scheme was rich and intentional, exactly what you would expect from a luxury vessel of this caliber.
Cuisine
Dining on Regent Seven Seas Explorer
The food on Regent Seven Seas Explorer is the best we have had on any ship, river or ocean.
We were not able to dine at Sette Mari at La Veranda on this sailing, but we walked past and saw guests who were clearly having a wonderful time.
Onboard Spaces
Layout and Spaces
Every detail of the ship had clearly been considered, from the arrival experience to the finishes in the suites. The design is rich and intentional throughout.
The spa was beautiful, with a cold room and heated lounge chairs that rivaled the best spa experiences we have had anywhere.
The Crew
The Service Model
The butler service was impeccable. Our minibar was stocked to our preferences, our laundry came back perfectly pressed and folded, and every request was handled quietly and promptly.
The overall service tone is refined and unhurried — you are pampered without having to think about a single detail.
Where to Sail
Alaska Planning Notes
Our September 2024 sailing ran from Vancouver to Anchorage, and the scenery through the season was outstanding.
For Ketchikan specifically, Regent docks at the NCL port, which is a few miles outside of town. A shuttle is provided and the terminal building itself is impressive, with a wide selection of purchases at prices we found to be the best of any port on the itinerary. This is an important planning note for anyone booking an Alaska itinerary on Regent.
My Assessment
Overall Score
Overall Score
5 out of 5, based on our September 2024 Vancouver to Anchorage sailing aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer.
Suites
10/10
Dining
10/10
Service & Butler
10/10
Spa & Wellness
10/10
Ship Design
10/10
Overall Value
10/10
Photo Gallery
From Our Sailing
Photos and video from our own September 2024 Alaska sailing aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Vancouver to Anchorage.
Video from our September 2024 Alaska sailing aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer
FAQ
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers about Regent Seven Seas Explorer, based on our own sailing.
Have you personally sailed Regent Seven Seas Explorer?
What is the Superior Suite F2 like?
How is the food on Regent Seven Seas Explorer?
What is the butler service like?
Where does Regent dock in Ketchikan?
Who is Regent Seven Seas Explorer best for?
Plan Your Cruise
Ready to Sail Regent Seven Seas Explorer?
If this sounds like your kind of sailing, we can help you choose the right itinerary, suite category, and timing — including the Alaska planning details that matter. There is no extra cost to book through a certified travel advisor.