Celebrating its 30th year anniversary this week, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled its longest World Cruise ever. Encircling the Pacific Ocean region, Seven Seas Mariner will operate a 150-day 2025 World Cruise from Miami, FL to San Francisco, CA, departing on January 7, 2025.
Covering 36,295 nautical miles, the 2025 World Cruise itinerary is essentially a Pacific region extravaganza. Seven Seas Mariner’s itinerary will touch five continents—South America, Antarctica, Australia, Asia and North America. The 684-passenger ship will sail across 12 seas, straits, gulfs, bays and channels, plus sail on the Pacific, Atlantic and Southern oceans. The itinerary includes two new ports of call for Regent Seven Seas—the remote Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile, and Muroran, Japan, on the island of Hokkaido. Seven Seas Mariner will also operate a three-day scenic Antarctica cruise.
48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
From Australia to Alaska, New Zealand to Antarctica, Vietnam, Japan, Chile and beyond, cruise guests will go ashore at 97 ports of call in 25 countries. They'll have the opportunity to explore 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, choose from 365 complimentary shore excursions and spend 16 overnights in port.
Not long enough? For those desiring an even longer voyage, the next 18-day voyage segment can also be added. That will create a 168-day 2025 World Cruise voyage that operates roundtrip from Miami. Highlights will include the Mexican Riviera, Costa Rica, Colombia and a full Panama Canal transit.
Currently, Regent Seven Seas is allowing travel advisors to pre-register their clients’ interest in the 2025 World Cruise starting on June 1, 2022 by calling 1-844-873-2381. The World Cruise officially opens for sale to the public on June 15.
Exotic and Lengthier
Previously, the line’s longest cruise was its 143-night World Cruise in 2003. In 2024, Regent Seven Seas will offer a 132-night World Cruise, and “that World Cruise sold out in 2.5 hours,” says Andrea DeMarco, chief sales and marketing officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “We certainly saw a lot of demand, and in 2022, you’re seeing those same trends."
Certainly, advisors know the last three years have been a challenge on many fronts, with consumers either not able to travel given foreign nations’ entry requirements, or the global cruise shut-down in 2020 and a gradual return-to-service for cruise lines. Now, however, consumers now desire to reward themselves after being unable to travel in the past few years—to make up for several vacations lost. As a result, "consumers are looking for these longer, more exotic voyages,” she explains.
Luxury Travel Advisor asked DeMarco how the line chose the route for the 2025 World Cruise; it's not a more traditional “around the full globe” experience. “Certainly, we like to look at a couple of things,” DeMarco says. Number one, the line asked itself, “what have we done in the past,” and “we want to make sure we are giving different, varied experiences.”
In developing the 2025 World Cruise itinerary, “we’re touching places you haven’t been able to go for some time,” DeMarco adds. That’s a reference to countries in Asia and the South Pacific just starting to open borders to international visitors. She believes the 2025 timing is good, as the globe should be more fully open at that point. In addition, “this itinerary is really exotic,” she notes. Travel advisors are telling DeMarco and her team that their clients are “gravitating toward more of the exotic destinations, more of the bucket-list destinations—making up time from the past two years.”
“Our travel partners and our own booking trends have been telling us that luxury travelers want to visit exotic destinations and for extended periods of time which is why it is the perfect time for us to launch our longest ever World Cruise,” says Shawn Tubman, senior vice president, sales, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
From the advisor side, Tubman says the itinerary will “attract some of the highest commission rates in the travel industry. We’re here to help with a dedicated 2025 World Cruise sales toolkit, which includes a dedicated brochure, enticing video and much more.” That travel advisor sales toolkit includes website banners, a customizable sales flyer, e-brochure and more. The toolkit can be accessed at www.rssc.com.
It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all approach for booking any cruise, let alone alone a World Cruise. DeMarco stresses that the pre-reservation period “really allows the travel partners to speak with their clients and really understand what they’re looking for and what they want to book.” So, advisors can put in the client’s wish list, get it on record and then work with the line on options before the voyage opens for public sale. Strong demand is expected, according to DeMarco.
World Cruise Perks
Kicking off the 2025 World Cruise in style, guests will celebrate with a pre-cruise gala. In addition, the ultra-luxury line also will set up three exclusive, shoreside events for "full World Cruise" guests in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Auckland, New Zealand; and Bangkok, Thailand.
Buenos Aires Event: During a “Delicious Fare & Rhythmic Flair at La Rural Pavilion” event, guests will watch an equestrian exhibition while sipping a cocktail, prior to a three-course Argentinian banquet and showcase of folkloric dancing including the tango.
Auckland Event: For the exclusive “Maori Engagement at Eden Park” event, guests will visit the country’s largest sports stadium and experience a traditional Māori welcome and multi-course meal with traditional elements and regional favorites. They’ll see a Māori kapa haka performance, including the famous haka war dance.
Bangkok Event: During “Li-khe & Thai Tradition at the Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya,” cruisers will view the intricate wooden carvings at Pattaya’s Sanctuary of Truth and also enjoy a meal and Thai dance presentation.
Strong destination immersion is a Regent Seven Seas’ core philosophy, says DeMarco. So, the 2025 World Cruise’s 16 overnight stays will allow extended exploration of such destinations as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
With 48 UNESCO World Heritage Site opportunities, guests have plenty of choices for shore excursions, based on their personal passions. So, they could opt to visit Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island from Hanga Roa, Chile, or the Sydney Opera House in Australia, or both if so desired.
Other UNESCO World Heritage site opportunities include:
- Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
- Taputapuātea from Raiatea, French Polynesia;
- Komodo National Park from Komodo, Indonesia;
- Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto from Osaka, Japan;
- Tongariro National Park from Napier, New Zealand;
- Cascade Head from Astoria, OR;
- Singapore Botanic Gardens from Singapore;
- The Historic City of Ayutthaya from Bangkok, Thailand; and
- Ha Long Bay from Hanoi, Vietnam.
Exclusive amenities for guests sailing on the full 2025 World Cruise will include first-class air; door-to-door luggage service; a comprehensive visa package; unlimited valet laundry including dry-cleaning and pressing; phone time per suite; onboard medical service; a commemorative gift; and more.
Onboard, Regent Seven Seas says all 2025 World Cruise guests can expect personalized service, gourmet specialty restaurants, premium beverages, entertainment, and unlimited WIFI.
30 Years and Counting
Speaking of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 30th year anniversary, “we wouldn’t be here today without all of our loyal guests, travel partners, outstanding crew and team members around the world,” DeMarco stresses. “The people are what really bring the product to life.”
Luxury Travel Advisor asked DeMarco what she sees at the top accomplishments of the cruise brand over three decades. First, she cites “constant innovation, having every luxury added, a whole packet of inclusions. It’s what the guests want – not to have to worry about anything, and that’s exactly what we offer.”
As another historic highlight of the line’s three-decade journey, she cites “delivering unrivaled cuisine” that's equal to the best luxury dining experience one could have on land. When guests are surveyed, she says that “cuisine is something very top of mind in choosing your vacation.” DeMarco also points to that “destination immersion” approach the line has developed and finetuned through the years: “We continue to innovate and find new ways to connect” guests to the destination, she says, citing the new “Eco-Connect” and “Behind the Design” shore excursions.
Moving into the future, DeMarco says Regent Seven Seas is perfectly positioned to address the recent shift in the value proposition that guests are seeking—“more of the mindset of the consumers who want luxury.” They’re seeking a value proposition for the type of luxury experience that they want, which she says has brought many new guests to the inclusive Regent Seven Seas brand.
“Post-pandemic, people are willing to spend more money on travel,” DeMarco says, explaining that when that opportunity to travel was taken away over the past few years, people really changed their view about the value of the travel experience. Now, “they value it more.”
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