Regent Seven Seas' Explorer has been billed as the most luxurious ship ever built, and its 2025-27 schedule gives travellers plenty of chances to find out why. Launched in 2016 at a cost of around USD 450 million and refurbished in 2023, the 224-metre ship carries roughly 750 guests looked after by 552 crew — one of the highest space and staff ratios at sea.
The headline draw for many is the all-inclusive model. Fares cover unlimited shore excursions, all speciality dining, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and even a pre-cruise hotel night on select sailings. There are no surprise bills at the end, which is half the appeal.
Where is it going? Alaska runs May to August 2025, with 7- to 14-night sailings between Vancouver and Seward/Whittier calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Skagway. From October to December 2025 the ship shifts to Asia, with ports including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Busan, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. Then it's Australia and New Zealand from January to March 2026 — highlights include a 16-night Bali-to-Sydney voyage via Komodo Island, Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane, plus New Zealand itineraries calling at Auckland, Wellington, Napier and Dunedin. For those with serious time, Grand Voyages link Tokyo to Sydney and Singapore to Auckland.
Onboard, every cabin is a suite with a balcony, and there are nine categories. Entry-level Veranda Suites get a king bed, marble bathroom and walk-in wardrobe; the top-tier Regent Suite spans 4,000 square feet with its own in-suite spa, a piano, original art and a private car and driver in every port. Dining spans six venues: flexible Compass Rose, French Chartreuse, steakhouse Prime 7, pan-Asian Pacific Rim, the daytime buffet La Veranda (which becomes Italian Sette Mari at night) and a Pool Grill. All included.
The crowd skews mature — mostly couples and solo travellers in their 50s to 70s — and evening dress is 'elegant casual', so no jeans or shorts at dinner. Families are catered for on select sailings via the Club Mariner kids' program for ages 5-17, and solos get reduced single supplements and social events on some departures. Beyond eating, there's a Serene Spa, a Culinary Arts Kitchen for cooking classes, production shows in the Constellation Theatre, a casino and a two-deck pool area including an infinity pool.
Who's this for? Travellers who want a small-ship feel with big-ship polish, and who'd rather pay one upfront price than track onboard spending. If that's you, book early — Alaska and the Grand Voyages tend to move fastest.
