We have cruised about ten times in the past on larger mass market lines and this was our first luxury line. Once we compared the cost of everything, airfare, gratuities, excursions and beverages it really wasn't much more expensive. We believed that we were getting a superior product for a slight price difference and we were correct.
We flew to Anchorage from Dallas on American Airlines. We had heard conflicting reports about the ability to upgrade to first class when using Regent Air. I can't speak about other airlines but on American it was no problem.
Regent booked some passengers at the Hilton and some at the Sheraton. We were at the Sheraton. We really didn't have a preference for this one night stay. We all boarded the same bus and dropped off the Hilton guests first. There was a bellman there to greet the bus and assist with luggage. At the Sheraton, it was very different. We were dropped off at a side door and had to make our way through the hotel with our luggage on our own. To be honest, it was mildly inconvenient but worsened by what I had witnessed at the Hilton. Otherwise, the Sheraton was perfectly fine.
We were in Delux Suite E 712 and the location was fine. The room was spacious and well appointed. The only negative was that we were locked out on our balcony early one morning and had to be rescued by security. I'm not sure if this was due to a design flaw in general or just a problem with this balcony door.