Regent Seven Seas Cruises is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a line-up of sailings that start right on North America's doorstep. Instead of routing travellers through long-haul flights, the luxury line is running voyages out of Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Vancouver and Whittier, heading both north to Alaska's glacial coastline and south into the Caribbean.
The headline shore excursions give a flavour of what's on offer. In Ketchikan, Alaska, passengers can board a DeHavilland floatplane and fly over Misty Fjords National Monument — a wilderness carved by glaciers, dense with rainforest and deep cliff-lined fjords. From the window seat you're likely to spot otters, bald eagles, deer and both brown and black bears. On the warmer end of the map, an Atlantis submarine off Aruba descends to 120 feet in air-conditioned comfort, with porthole views of parrotfish, damselfish and sea turtles, plus sunken wrecks and a downed airplane that now act as artificial reefs.
On board, Regent leans on its reputation as one of the most inclusive luxury lines at sea. Fares cover gourmet dining across French, Asian and Italian restaurants with paired wines, and suites come with butler service at the top tiers. Ships are decorated with original artworks, guest speakers add cultural context for each port, and the wellness offering runs from fitness programmes to destination-inspired spa treatments. Evenings bring live performances in the lounges or, if you prefer, quiet stargazing over open water.
The anniversary sailings are being packaged with itinerary design from Tully Travel Designers, who handle pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, private guides, vineyard visits and after-hours access to landmarks — the kind of add-ons that turn a port call into something more personal.
For travellers in the US or Canada, the appeal is obvious: a full luxury cruise experience without the transatlantic or transpacific flight. It suits anyone who wants the inclusion-heavy, all-inclusive-fare style of cruising — dining, drinks and excursions largely covered — combined with a curated, private-experience spin ashore. Alaska itineraries are the pick for wildlife and scenery; the Caribbean routes are the easy win for winter sun and underwater sightseeing. If you've been putting off a cruise because of the flying, these departures remove the biggest friction point.
