Regent Seven Seas vs Viking Cruises

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 – Regent Seven Seas or Viking Cruises?

Regent Seven Seas and Viking Cruises bring a different offering to the market. Regent is a luxury line and one of the most inclusive at sea, while Viking is a premium cruise line that offers generous inclusions, but not quite as many. Choosing the right cruise line for you, and the best value fare, comes down to the included items that are important to you in your cruise – as well as what special deals are available at the time of booking.

On face value, inclusions may appear similar between Regent Seven Seas and Viking. Each stateroom/suite comes with a private balcony (except a handful on Seven Seas Navigator) and both lines include free shore excursions, complimentary dining, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and Wi-Fi. However, on closer inspection, the level of inclusions differs on some items.

Included Shore Excursions

Viking includes one complimentary shore excursion at every port of call. These generally offer an introduction to the destination with a walking or coach sightseeing tour as well as some free time – entry to attractions generally isn’t included. Viking also offers three categories of for-fee excursions that showcase destinations in more depth – the Local Life, Working World, and Privileged Access experiences incur additional costs.

Regent Seven Seas also includes shore excursions in the cost of their cruise fares, and these are unlimited. If there is time to join more than one in any given destination, then you can do so without paying extra. Their complimentary offering is also more comprehensive and extends beyond a destination overview. Depending on the port, you can expect anything from beer and wine tastings, whale watching (in Alaska), a gondola cruise along the canals of Venice, a tango show in Buenos Aires, or a kayaking adventure along Norway’s Geirangerfjord.

On top of their included collection, there is also a selection of Regent Choice experiences that guests can purchase at extra cost – these may be even more in depth, of a specialist nature, or a private experience with a driver and guide so you can tailor your time on shore.

Complimentary Beverages

Viking includes beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner (specialty teas and coffees are included 24/7). If you plan on enjoying spirits and premium wine selections during your cruise, then guests are able to upgrade to a Silver Spirits Package for US$20 per person per day. Viking also has a very relaxed alcohol policy, allowing guests to bring their own alcohol on board and charging no corkage fees.

Regent Seven Seas includes all day service of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. As such, complimentary soft drinks, fresh juices, and specialty tea and coffee, as well as select spirits, wines, champagne and beer (including fine wines and premium spirits) can be consumed at any time. There is also a selection of beverages available for purchase and guests can bring their own alcohol on board to consume without any corkage fees if they choose. However, Regent’s complimentary beverage offering on board tends to be quite comprehensive.

Comparing Regent's and Viking's ships

Viking sails a fleet of seven mid-sized ships (with more earmarked to come) while Regent Seven Seas has five small ships under its umbrella. Each Viking vessel is practically identical and has a capacity of 930 guests, while Regent’s fleet is a little more intimate. Four of Regent’s ships accommodate 700 – 750 passengers, and it’s oldest (Seven Seas Navigator) has just under 500 guests.

Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator is the only ship that has a handful of window-only accommodations, all the rest across both lines offer a private balcony for every stateroom and suite. All Regent’s cabins are classed as suites by the line, although privileges vary by category, while Viking also has balcony staterooms in the mix. Entry level options are similar in size with Regent’s just a little larger, and if you’re after the most spacious option, then look out for the Regent Suite on Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor.

When it comes to dining options, every Viking ship has seven complimentary restaurants, while Regent has between four and seven dining venues depending on the ship. Regardless of the line you choose you’ll find a similar number of lounges (possibly more on some Regent’s ships), a theatre, a pool area, a sports deck and fitness centre apiece. There are also movie theatres on board Viking ships to screen lectures and films. Regent has a casino on each of its vessels – a venue that Viking has overtly omitted from its design.

Each line also offers complimentary access to their onboard spa area. This is a proudly Scandinavian inspired space on Viking ships complete with a sauna and snow grotto, and on Regent’s Explorer and Splendor guests can enjoy facilities such as a cold room and an aromatic steam room in the hydrothermal suite (there are fewer facilities on Regent’s other ships).

These two lines have their own distinct feel in terms of styling. On board Regent ships guests can expect a sophisticated design with lavish décor - think Italian marble, Versace dinnerware, artwork from the likes of Picasso and Chagall, and ornate touches illuminated by sparkling chandeliers. In contrast, each Viking ship has a distinctly understated Scandinavian design celebrating the line’s Nordic heritage. There is lots of natural light filling the serene spaces, classic and contemporary artwork, and light wood detailing.

You’ll find seasoned travellers cruising with both lines, and as itineraries and onboard programs are designed for enrichment, guests tend to have a thirst for knowledge and an appreciation of culture. Viking is known as ‘The Thinking Person’s Cruise’ and Regent prides themselves on immersive exploration, so you can expect to travel with others who share your interest in the world and have a passion for experiencing it in a meaningful way.

You won’t find children on board any Viking ship, with a minimum traveller age of 18 years, so they are a great option if you are looking for an adult-only cruise experience. Regent’s demographic is also primarily comprised of guests in their fifties and over, however you may also find some families cruising with older children (more likely on holiday sailings and shorter journeys). There are no specific facilities or entertainment options for children on most voyages, however, on select sailings Regent does offer a Club Mariner program for 5 – 17 year old guests, so keep an eye out for these if you are looking for a family friendly option.

Comparing destinations and cruise itineraries

If you are looking for a cruise itinerary that delves deeply into the destinations visited, you’ll be pleased by the offering of both Regent and Viking. Both have ships that can get places that larger liners can’t, and each showcases a blend of iconic ports as well as lesser visited destinations.

Both lines deliver in all-time favourite cruise destinations such as the Mediterranean, Japan, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as offering transoceanic and worldwide voyages. Being their homeland, Viking excels in cruises around Scandinavia and their Mediterranean collection extends to the quieter winter season, while Regent Seven Seas has considerable Alaska collection and is also a popular option for cruises to Iceland and Northern Europe.

Despite having fewer ships, there are more itineraries to choose from with Regent Seven Seas. This is in part due to the number of unique itineraries Regent has, many offering just one departure (although some are quite similar, they are rarely identical). Viking on the other hand has multiple departures for the same collection of itineraries (so you tend to have more choice in sailing dates), as well as having one-off journeys.