Head to head
Regent and Seabourn both sell small-ship luxury with most things included. Regent includes more and is a little grander; Seabourn is smaller, warmer and more sociable. We say which we would choose for which couple.
These two are the natural shortlist for couples and grandparents who want an elegant, inclusive ship and have no children with them. The differences are of degree rather than kind, which makes them worth setting out carefully.
| Criterion | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Seabourn |
|---|---|---|
| Ship size | 500 to 750 guests | 450 to 600 guests; expedition ships around 260 |
| Atmosphere | Grand, polished, a little formal | Warm, sociable, understated |
| Inclusions | Excursions in every port, drinks, speciality dining, often flights | Drinks, dining, gratuities; excursions extra |
| Children | Youth programme on selected sailings | No facilities |
| Suites | All suites, all balconies, very spacious | All suites, all verandas, slightly smaller |
| Expedition | None | Venture and Pursuit to the poles |
| Guide price, 7 nights Med | From about £5,500 pp | From about £4,500 pp |
Stars are Blackbury's editorial opinion, not independent ratings or customer reviews.
Choose Regent if you want to pay once and stop thinking about money, if you enjoy a dressier evening, or if the included excursions will be used every day — Alaska, the Greek islands and Japan are where that pays off most. Choose it, too, for grandparents taking teenagers in school holidays, when the youth programme runs.
Choose Seabourn if you prefer a smaller, warmer ship where the bar is a social club by day three, if you would rather pick your own excursions, or if Antarctica or the Arctic is the plan. Many of its guests return again and again, and the price is often a notch lower.
We would not put a family with children on either; Regent tolerates it, Seabourn is not designed for it.
Tell us who's travelling and what matters most. We'll say which of these we'd book for you, and why.
The lines
The most inclusive fare at sea, on all-suite ships that take elegance seriously.
Small, sociable, quietly luxurious ships, with a sister expedition fleet.
Good to know
On many UK fares, yes, with upgrade options. Seabourn generally does not. We price the whole trip side by side so the comparison is honest.
Keep reading
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Which luxury cruise lines actually work when grandparents take the grandchildren: the ships with children's programmes and connecting suites, the ones to avoid, and how we would plan it.
Tell us who's travelling, where you'd like to go and what matters most. We'll recommend the ships we'd actually consider.