My wife and I are huge fans of Regent and have been on 18 different Regent cruises. We really have no way of comparing Regent to other cruise lines as we have only sailed four other times on various ocean and river cruises. Regent takes care of just about everything for their passengers. We are presently in the midst of a 20 day eastern and western Caribbean on Regent's new ship The Explorer. Regent advertises this ship as the most luxurious ship ever built and that statement is probably true. We are in what Regent calls the Explorer Suite. We originally booked a Seven Seas suite, but Regent changed the classification of our suite right before we left. The suite has a bath and a half, seating area for six, dining room table for four, a work desk, king size bed and a massive deck that has an L shaped sofa, recliner for sunbathing and two tub chairs. The furnishings are very modern with lots of mirrors, chrome, velvet fabrics, great artwork, two flat screen televisions, and a bar. All of the drawers are auto closing drawers. The walkin closet is more than ample in size. The bathroom has a full size jacuzzi tub, two sinks, a large shower and private commode. The toiletries seem to be upgraded since our last cruise, or maybe they are new for the Explorer or the Explorer suite. Our suite has a butler who has been as good as any of the butlers we have had on previous cruises. There was a slight mis-communication as to our status with Regent when we first got on board, but that was worked out quickly. The food is excellent, especially the presentation. Regent's new Pacific Rim restaurant is wonderful, just like Prime 7 and Chartreuse. The size of the Compass Rose has been reduced because of the addition of the Pacific Rim restaurant. Also the aft lounge that is on other Regent ships has been eliminated and replaced by a much larger spa, gym and the Pacific Rim restaurant. The shows have been typical Regent quality. Shore excursions haven't been great, but we are in the Caribbean and there are not a lot of choices down here.

Now for my only serious complaint. We are in suite 1005 which is below the Culinary Kitchen. There is activity in that area from 7 AM till 11 PM almost daily. We have complained but the noise cannot be stopped unless they close the kitchen which they will not do. The cooking classes are only on the days at sea, but the commotion goes on when we are trying to go to sleep and starts when we are still trying to sleep. We never take a suite on the uppermost suite deck because of the noise factor. However, there wasn't anything available on this cruise except on Deck 10. All in all we can overlook the noise as the ship itself is pure luxury.