Agents will get to see new luxury ship Seven Seas Splendor first-hand this summer.
The 750-passenger vessel, which debuted in Italy this week, will call at several UK ports during a 12-night round-trip sailing out of Southampton in August.
Graham Sadler, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “We will be showcasing this vessel this summer. It will be invite-only and we want to make sure that everyone who comes on this ship has a purpose and there is an output.”
He said the line had not yet chosen who would be invited. The UK is the second-biggest source market for the line after the US.
A suite on board Seven Seas Splendor
Speaking on board the ship in Civitavecchia, Italy, Jason Montague, the line’s president and chief executive, welcomed competition from other premium and luxury lines entering the market, adding that there was “a huge opportunity” for growth.
Montague said: “You love competition if it is coming in the right way and they’re designing great ships. That is not a problem whatsoever.
“The main luxury competitors only have 25%-30% of the total suites in the industry. It means that people are going [on other lines] and spending the same amount of money for suites on ships that carry three, four or five thousand passengers.
“You cannot deliver the same type of luxury experience that you can get on a ship like Splendor, Explorer, Mariner, Voyager and Navigator.”
He also said that Regent’s value proposition was “off the charts”.
“This product is far different from what you might be getting on alternative products where [passengers] think they are getting a better deal,” he said.
The line, he said, was “100% focused” on the 50-plus age group that “have the time and resources to travel and are looking for that truly luxurious experience”.
The lounge on board Seven Seas Splendor
Agent reaction
Andy Hollins, TF Travel
The ship is stunning. There is no doubt about it. The ship is an easy sell. The biggest problem is when you have a client who books with another cruise line and they see the base price, but once you add everything in, Regent ends up being cheaper. The all-inclusive part is amazing. You do not need anything once you’re on board.
Dan Nickless, DNA Travel
It is my first cruise and we are trying to do more. Whatever the client is like, whatever level, be confident in Regent because the client is going to love it. You do not have to leave the ship. You do not want to leave the ship. This ship opens up the market to people that do not cruise.