Azamara vs Regent Seven Seas

Please Note: There may be additional inclusions and privileges for select stateroom and suite guests or select loyalty member tiers. Activities and entertainment vary by ship, itinerary and departure and are a guide only.

Who provides the best value - Azamara or Regent Seven Seas?

Comparing Azamara and Regent Seven Seas is like comparing apples and oranges, particularly when it comes to their inclusions and price point.

Azamara sits in the higher end of the premium range and, while they offer some great perks as part of every cruise fare (such as standard alcoholic beverages and an a complimentary AzAmazing Evenings event on most voyages), they are not wholly inclusive.

Regent Seven Seas is a top end luxury cruise line with all-inclusive fares, so you’ll have far more bonuses built into the cruise price from the outset – think free unlimited shore excursions, specialty dining, WiFi, and alcoholic beverages extending to fine wines and premium spirits (all of which you’ll need to budget for with Azamara).

While Regent Seven Seas includes more in their cruise fare than Azamara, these benefits are reflected in the price. For a similar itinerary, the upfront daily cost with Regent surpasses that of Azamara (and are often more than double), particularly when you are comparing lead in (lowest priced) categories.

Even the most economical options with Regent will see you in a suite boasting a balcony, whereas with Azamara you can opt for an oceanview or interior stateroom with a lower price tag. If a private balcony is important to you, you can still expect to pay less in a veranda stateroom with Azamara, and it’s not until you are weighing up Azamara’s suites that you may find yourself in the realm of Regent’s prices (depending on which categories you are considering and the promotions on offer at the time).

If you are looking to have a higher level of perks included regardless of the category you book, then Regent Seven Seas may be for you. However, if price is a primary consideration, then Azamara offers stateroom options at a lower price point with a generous number of inclusions, and the ability to purchase additional packages to include extra perks should you choose. Below is a rough guide to give you an idea of what you may need to budget for with Azamara, so you can weigh up which is better value for you.

Perks included with Regent Seven Seas

• Beverages: Select spirits, wines, champagne and beer served complimentary, including fine wines and premium spirits.
• Dining: All dining is complimentary, including specialty restaurants.
• Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi (one login provided per suite – up to four for higher suite categories).
• Shore Excursions: Free shore excursions are included at each port (additional selections are available for purchase).

Items you may need to budget for with Azamara

• Beverages: Select standard beer, wine and spirits are included in the cruise fare. To upgrade standard inclusions, a Premium Beverage Package or Ultimate Beverage Package will cost US$15.95 or US$21.95 per person per day respectively.
• Dining: A US$30 surcharge applies to Azamara’s two specialty restaurants – specialty dining packages are available for purchase.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Packages are available to purchase in one hour bundles, day passes, or a full voyage package (US$19.95 per day).
• Shore Excursions: Shore excursions vary by port. As an indication, across the 122 shore excursions available throughout Italy, there is a handful under AU$100 (most of which are independent explorations with transfers included or short 2-3 hour walking tours). Most excursions sit in the AU$100 - $300 range; you can enjoy a Tuscan Wine Tasting experience or an evening gondola ride in Venice for $210 per person and learn how to make pasta at a local farmhouse or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa for $250 per person. Experiences like a visit to the Isle of Capri and a behind the scenes tour of the Vatican will set you back $330 per person and $485 per person apiece.

Which ships will suit me best?

Azamara’s intimate three ship fleet and Regent’s five luxury vessels both offer a small ship experience, each accommodating roughly 700 guests (except Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator, which accommodates just 490 passengers). Their size means they can dock in the heart of destinations and access smaller ports as they carry their similarly culturally curious travellers around the globe. Guests tend to share similar interests, but you may find a ‘newer to cruising’ crowd on Azamara, while on Regent Seven Seas you can generally expect repeat guests and seasoned cruisers.

Being smaller vessels, both Azamara and Regent ships have an elegant yet understated pool deck, stylish lounges and social spaces to mingle, a similar number of dining venues (both inside and al fresco options), and a dedicated lounge/theatre where guests can enjoy shows and lectures.

Azamara offers a broader range of accommodation options, from inside staterooms to suites, while Regent’s fleet consists of all suite, all balcony accommodation (except for some Deluxe Window Suites on Seven Seas Navigator). Regent’s accommodation options are more spacious, with even their smallest offering topping all but Azamara’s suites.

If you’re after the largest of each line, look for the Club World Owner’s Suite on Azamara or Regent’s Master Suite which can be found across the fleet and is roughly double the size of Azamara’s most spacious option. Guests cruising on Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer or Splendor can enjoy the crème de la crème – the Regent Suite – with almost three times the space of the Master Suite. Guests can relax in an impressive 412 sq. m. (4434 sq. ft.) of space spread across two spacious bedrooms, living room and dining room, an in suite spa, 2.5 marble and stone bathrooms, and two private balconies.

If you are looking for the most spacious accommodation options, then opt for Regent Seven Seas. However, if you don’t plan on spending a lot of time in your stateroom/suite or the extra space isn’t imperative for you, then Azamara provides more choice with a lower price tag, so you won’t be paying for space you may not particularly need or use.

Who has the right itinerary for me?

Both Azamara and Regent Seven Seas craft itineraries for travellers who appreciate culture and want to delve deeply into the destinations visited, and both deliver with unique journeys, interesting ports, and programs designed for enrichment.

With a larger fleet, Regent is able to offer more voyages (with over double the number of trips) and service more destinations than Azamara. Notable differences include Alaska and the Canadian East Coast where Azamara doesn’t currently cruise and the Caribbean where Azamara travels through on a handful of itineraries but doesn’t offer any round-trip journeys.

Guests will also find longer journeys on Regent, with more Transatlantic crossings along with Pacific crossings and lengthy worldwide itineraries which are not offered by Azamara. Azamara’s smaller portfolio tends to have shorter, and sometimes more destination intensive itineraries. They promote their ‘Country Intensive Voyages’ for those who have less time or want to focus on one country or region in depth, and they also offer a handful of trips that you can enjoy in under a week.

If you are looking for a longer journey or wish to have excursions included at every port along the way, then opt for a Regent Seven Seas itinerary. Alternatively, if you are looking for a ‘Country Intensive’ voyage or prefer independent exploration (and don’t want to pay for preorganised excursions that you may not use), then Azamara may be the choice for you.