"A stunning improvement" is what I can best say to sum up my recent voyage on Regent's Seven Seas Mariner. My previous experience on this ship three years ago (see review on that ill-fated Asia cruise below) was nothing compared to this cruise. While this is still not as "perfect" a ship as Regent would like for it be, it finally comes pretty darn close.
We sailed for 26 days (2 cruises B2B) from Ft.Lauderdale to Vancouver. While I had been to all of the ports we visited before, this was a trial run to see if Regent had improved its game since being rebranded. For those not in the loop, Regent was previously known as Radisson until the Spring of 2006. And while I'm not a complete Regent convert, one more cruise this good might just make me a brand loyalist.
Accommodations: The Seven Seas Mariner was the cruising world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship. And, 6 years after its inaugural cruise, the suites are still the finest at sea. Plus, I was lucky enough to board just weeks after the Mariner's drydock, so the rooms were extra plush. The carpets and soft goods in the rooms were redone, while the line's new bedding is the best I've experienced anywhere. In fact, the rooms are so comfortable, I was unable to wake up early several days and would retire to my suite for afternoon naps (and I don't take naps). The bathroom products are Aveda accompanied with plush linens. And each room has a terry cloth robe and slippers. I am a long time "Crystalized" Crystal Cruises loyalists, but even I have to admit that Regent's Accommodations blow Crystal right out of the water.