Regent announces 2021 programme including Black Sea return

Regent Seven Seas has unveiled a programme of 146 voyages featuring 27 new ports of call as part of its 2021-2022 Voyage Collection.

There are first-time sailings for Seven Seas Splendor in Northern Europe and the Baltic and for Seven Seas Explorer in Alaska; new land programmes; shore excursions and access to newly announced Unesco World Heritage Sites in Japan, Portugal and Italy.

There are the first sailings to the Black Sea since 2014 with calls on Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

The programme includes 27 maiden ports for Regent across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean, plus a record 116 overnight stays.

There is a return to Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion in the Indian Ocean, plus a journey to Antarctica sailing near Deception Island, Paradise Bay, and Half Moon Island 

The programme includes three Grand Voyages, including a European Tour that combines the best of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean on Regent’s newest ship, Seven Seas Splendor.

“These voyages represent the most stunning and ambitious collection in our company’s history. We are sailing to even more legendary and lesser-known destinations highlighted by included immersive land experiences in every port,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“Whether searching for an exciting adventure, a new way to unwind or for something entirely different, we invite luxury travellers to find it with Regent and discover their next unrivalled experience, with the highest levels of elegance, comfort and hospitality on board.” 

Paul Beale, senior director of sales UK, Regent Seven Seas, told Cruise Adviser that the early launch of the programme would allow UK agents to steal a march on their US counterparts. “We’re building to make sure our trade partners get behind us and take advantage of this. There’s an urgency to get in there before availability goes, particularly when it comes to the upper suites. We’ve got a good idea already of which itineraries will sell well: we’ve got a Japanese itinerary in the autumn, which is new to us, and a lovely time to go there.”

Seven Seas Splendor will sail into the UK for the first time, and cruise a 10-night itinerary to Le Havre, St Peter Port, Lorient, Bordeaux (with an overnight), Bilbao, Gijon, and St Malo, returning to Southampton (from £6919 per guest, May 10, 2021). Beale said agents will be invited on board to tour the ship.

“We have 116 overnight stays to make sure that when guests are in port they can go ahead and explore the destination, and enjoy the nightlife, too. Plus, we’ve got three-night land tours in various long-haul destinations, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Cape Town, South Africa,” he added.

“Trade bookings are doing fantastically well,” Beale said. “I know it’s been a tricky year for some, but the ultra luxury market [is strong]. Business has been good, it hasn’t really skipped a beat.”