Both seasoned voyagers and those considering their first ultra luxury cruise should peruse the latest Regent Seven Seas Cruises offer, which can be booked through the cruise experts at YOU Travel & Cruise. With its promise that “nobody does it better”, Regent has curated an exclusive Upgrade Your Horizon offer which can reduce the price of your next luxury voyage by up to 40%.

With more than three decades of experience, Regent has established itself as a leading provider of luxury voyages, with over 300 itineraries every season sailing to over 550 of the world’s most captivating destinations. While ultra luxury is the name of the game, so too is value, says the company’s Sydney-based Vice President Sales & GM Asia Pacific Lisa Pile.

“One of our defining features is that our cruises are all inclusive, so once on board you don’t have to worry about expenses. You design your day your way without pressure, take any of the all-included shore excursions, enjoy the Epicurean gourmet food and beverages, without ever having to consult the budget,” she beams.

There’s no skimping aboard any of the cruise line’s fleet of six luxury vessels described as The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™. A laser-like focus on guest comfort and enjoyment defined Regent Seven Seas Cruises from day one, explains Pile, noting that it was the first to introduce suites all equipped with balconies. “That really set the tone for the cruise industry’s ultra-luxury segment, and we quickly determined alongside that the guests don’t want to think about money for a completely worry-free getaway,” she notes.

Here, “all inclusive” really means just that. While the prominent items might be culinary experiences, beverages and excursions (“in some ports there are up to 18 to choose from,” says Pile) the team at Regent has thought through all the smaller, yet just as crucial details. These include unlimited and included valet laundry, Starlink Wi-Fi on all ships, in-suite mini bar, and entertainment. “It is absolutely all encompassing,” Pile says.

The idea that cruising is exclusively for silver-haired travellers is a myth that a cheery Pile is happy to dispel. While retirees are warmly welcomed, she says, a growing trend of younger people recognising the advantages of a cruise holiday is being observed. “We generally market to those above 50, typically with children out of the house, and the average age of people booking cruises out of New Zealand is 63.”

There’s ample reason for Pile’s sunny disposition, not the least of which is her recent voyage on the Seven Seas Grandeur™. Setting sail in November 2023 on its maiden voyage from glamorous Rome and rounding Italy to end in Trieste (Venice), she says it was yet another memorable journey. “It’s truly gorgeous, with the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, views of the Slovenian mountains… really, a beautiful find.”

As a seasoned cruiser, her advice is to seek ‘shoulder seasons’ in spring and autumn, where Kiwis are more likely to enjoy the cooler temperatures and reduced tourist numbers in shoreside attractions. A YOU Travel & Cruise expert can find you the ideal Regent Seven Seas Cruise to suit your desired itinerary.

What draws folks to the cruising lifestyle is the sheer quality of the getaway. For those who haven’t yet dipped a proverbial toe in the water, so much awaits. The experience of travelling to a port and boarding a luxury vessel is novel, quite unlike the more familiar and humdrum trip to an airport. Up the gangway and onto the ship itself is, for many, jaw-dropping – an appreciation of the proper use of the word ‘luxury’ takes hold, with the excellence and scale of the amenities leaving a powerful impression: glamorous decor, sweeping staircases, plush carpets, elegant glass sculptures and artworks adorning the walls.

After visiting your equally impressive and surprisingly spacious accommodation, take in the sparkling swimming pools, amazing food and drink, impeccably attentive service, and contemplate the handy fact that you’re rarely more than a few metres away from a bar, lounge or restaurant. The ships are essentially fully self-contained 5-star floating hotels, including exceptional entertainment with nightly live shows spanning music, Broadway-style theatre productions, comedy and more.

Except, of course, that once under way the world is your oyster. Offering cruises out of popular ports including those in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Alaska, the Americas and Caribbean, Australia and of course New Zealand, sailing across the world’s seas is a remarkable pleasure.

Awakening each morning in a different exotic location, sometimes in a new country to be explored via multiple shore excursions, is unlike any other holiday. “We really do offer something for everyone, on board and with our partners ashore,” says Pile. “And that means anything from the sedate, like wine tastings or art galleries, casual or more formal dining, to the more energetic like canoeing or exploring by bicycle. Or, of course, you could just relax by the pool on board and enjoy the ocean air. The options really are endless!”

If all-inclusive luxury with so many options sounds like it would make for a frightfully expensive holiday, you may be pleasantly surprised. “Cruises offer such good value for money with exceptional quality. When compared with land-based holidays, it often comes as a surprise.”

Pile is excited to share Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 2025 Upgrade Your Horizon promotion, which includes a free two-category suite upgrade and up to 40% off over 300 sailings in 2025 and 2026. The offer is available for bookings with payment of a deposit of 7.5%.

But there is limited time, so those interested are encouraged to contact the experts at YOU Travel & Cruise and see which Regent Seven Seas Cruise would best suit them. The exclusive Upgrade Your Horizon offer is available for new bookings made between now and February 28, 2025, and applies to select cruises departing through to 2026. The offer ends February 28, 2025.

• For more information contact the cruise experts at YOU Travel & Cruise Phone: 0800 968 872 or www.youtravel.co.nz.