Regent Seven Seas Mariner
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises started as Diamond Cruise in 1992. It went through multiple mergers and acquisitions in its three decades of existence and was rebranded Regent Seven Seas Cruises in March 2006.Read More
The Mariner set sail in 2001 as the world’s first all-suite, all balcony ship. With a capacity of 700 guests, the passenger to crew ratio is 1.56 to 1. It is considered to be one of the most luxurious cruises in the world.
In 2018, the Mariner went through a major facelift as part of the company’s $125 million renovation program. Prime 7, an upscale steakhouse, made its debut and its flagship restaurant Compass Rose got a new look. The pool deck was touched up and all suites were redesigned; new carpeting, furniture, and decor completed the look.
You’ll notice beautiful artworks in every nook and corner—paintings adorn all public spaces, chandeliers glitter in lounges and library, light fixtures are uniquely rectangular in shape, and a glass art installation over reception is eye-catching. In the Stars lounge, there is another crystal curtain that looks lovely when it’s lit at night. Keep your eyes on the ceilings and you’ll keep noticing stars.
You’ll meet serial cruisers on Regent—most of its guests are loyal customers who come back for its exceptional service and you’ll find semi-retired or retired crowds. The cruise company is known for its all-inclusive luxury—everything from food and drinks and gratuities to shore excursions and pre- and post-cruise packages are included. You’re welcomed on board with Champagne; you’re offered a flute after excursions; you even have a glass in your hand when the cruise meets a new port—there’s no skimping. When they say all-inclusive, they mean it.
Cruising is not the most sustainable way to see the world and the industry is trying to make amends. There is an environmental officer on board the Mariner and a lot of its environment-friendly operations happen in lower decks. The cruise has a water treatment plant and a waste management system. In your room, you will find refillable water bottles (still and sparkling) and in the cruise, there are water filling stations (still and sparkling).
One caveat is the stack of papers you accumulate over the course of the cruise—this might be avoidable. Every evening, you get menus from the restaurants in your room, along with the list of activities happening the next day, and other letters of information and correspondence.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
The Mariner has 348 suites spread out from Deck 7 to Deck 11, and each cabin has a balcony. The smallest size on board is the 301 square-feet Deluxe Veranda Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a king-size bed. The balcony has two chairs and a table, and a screen for privacy. You’ll also have a small lounge area in the room with sofas and a coffee table, facing the television.
Each stateroom is assigned a steward/stewardess. There is daily housekeeping service and an evening turndown marked by a chocolate on the pillow. A bottle of Champagne on arrival, a mini-bar and fruit basket, an espresso machine, laundry service, room service, and L’Occitane® amenities are complimentary. Note that technology is a bit old in rooms, so bring your chargers (converters are available) as there are no USB slots.
There are no staterooms for solo travelers and no interconnected rooms for families. But bigger groups can book the 2,000-square-foot Master Suite that features two bedrooms, two balconies, two-and-a-half baths, and a living room. It is designed with a walk-in closet, a crystal chandelier, a personal butler, personalized stationery, and a full bar setup.
The staterooms are designed with the cruise line’s demographics in mind. Everything is accessible by a scooter or a wheelchair. There are wheelchair-accessible rooms that have wider doors, lower access points, and hold bars, and most rooms have no bathtubs in the shower area. The cruise will also try to get buses at destinations that are wheelchair-friendly and point out the level of walking for each excursion.
Food & Drink
Compass Rose is the flagship restaurant and it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner a la carte. There are specials every day and destination dishes are must-try; vegetarian dishes are available, too. Windows dot the restaurant, and, at night, Versace tableware makes an appearance on the tables.
La Veranda is open for breakfast and lunch in buffet style. There is an assortment of dishes available (including regional specials) and an open deck in the back lets guests enjoy their meals with views. La Veranda turns into Sette Mari in the evenings with a buffet and live stations. It serves Italian specials, including antipasti, fresh pizzas, pasta, and salads, all paired with Italian wines. Ask the sommelier for a glass of grappa after dinner.
An open-air venue, Pool Grill is laidback and chill. You can take a seat at lunchtime and dinnertime and enjoy hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, grilled seafood, breads, desserts, and ice creams. There’s also a dedicated space for coffee lovers. Coffee Connection is open all day and has little nibbles (sandwiches, fruits, cold meats, and desserts).
Two specialty restaurants on board require reservation for dinner. Chartreuse is a French-inspired restaurant, hidden at the back on Deck 6. Prime 7 is an upscale American Steakhouse that offers a menu with seafood and steaks.
All restaurants will be able to accommodate your allergies—just talk to the maitre’d or the chef. You can also pre-order your meals. Not feeling like stepping out? Order room service; you can get anything from Compass Rose or pick from the in-room dining menu.
All restaurants and meals (including specialty restaurants) are included in the price.
Pool Grill serves drinks all day. It’s a relaxed space, and you can lounge by the poolside with a beer or cocktail in hand. For non-drinkers, there are mocktails on the menu and bartenders can also whip up ice slushies or smoothies.
Evenings start with live music and canapés at Horizon Lounge, which has gorgeous views of the waters. Watch the sunset with specially-crafted cocktails at the Observation lounge, which is located on the top deck and has unbeatable views from the front of the ship. For pre-dinner cocktails, you can head to the Mariner Lounge—chic and dimly-lit with a pianist performing soothing music. The Connoisseur Club is an old school lounge to have a cigar or a smoke. You can purchase cigars and cognac on board.
After dinner, Stars Lounge brings guests to the dance floor with live music, karaoke, and late-night jukebox. A staircase leads to the casino upstairs and the vibe is chill and club-like with bright lights and high chairs. Private parties are also organized here.
All beverages are included in the price.
Entertainment
Mariner may be a mid-size ship, but it manages to keep guests engaged through a variety of offerings. Dance classes, bowling, solo travelers’ meet ups, bingo, casino games, bowling, and trivia are organized all through the day. There are two boutiques on board if you want to shop duty-free or get a couple of essentials.
The performers from the Regent Orchestra entertain guests at lounges every night. The main evening performance is scheduled every night at 9:30 p.m. in the Constellation Theatre. Movie screenings, orchestra, Broadway musicals, dance performances, live artists, and comedy shows are some of the events they book.
Apart from that, there is a library, a card room, and a casino on board. On deck six, you can play board games or finish a jigsaw puzzle, and the top two decks have a swimming pool and Jacuzzis, golf nets, shuffleboard, paddle tennis, table tennis, and bocce.
Spa & Fitness
The cruise features Serene Spa & Wellness. It offers a range of wellness and beauty treatments including massages, body wraps, manicures, and facials. But note that the services are expensive. There will be special prices on some days, but expect to cough up as much as $250 for a massage and $200 for a facial. The steam and sauna rooms—tucked inside the spa with a changing area and a shower—are free.
There is a good size gym with spinning cycles, weight machines, treadmills, yoga mats, and dumbbells. There are morning and evening stretches with a trainer, along with HIIT, pilates, and circuit training scheduled every other day. All of these services are free for guests, including the use of the fitness centre. Guests can book a personal session with the trainer for a fee.
Mariner also has a jogging track on its top deck.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
COVID-19 vaccinations or negative test results are not mandatory, but they are encouraged. Guests are required to fill out a health questionnaire before embarking the ship. After each port visit, health screenings are automatically done. Masks are not required on board. However, if there are cases of COVID-19, crew will mask up and limit social interaction with guests, depending on the severity of the situation, and sanitization procedures may increase.
Dress Code
It’s elegant casual after 6 p.m.; slippers, caps, T-shirts, jeans, sneakers, and shorts are not considered appropriate. There are a couple of formal optional nights on every segment that require cocktail dresses and evening gowns for women and dinner jackets and dark suits with ties for gentlemen. Note that most people dress up in the evenings, regardless.
Junior Cruisers
There is shuffleboard, paddleboard tennis, table tennis, board games, and jigsaw puzzles. There is a swimming pool on deck and three Jacuzzis, but no lifeguards. There is no specific activity for children as most of the guests on the cruise are over 50.
Service
Impeccable. Hands down, you won’t have any complaints. They’ll know your name, your drink preferences, and your allergies when you step inside a restaurant or bar. You won’t have to make any request twice. Crew is friendly and goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. Every stateroom has a steward/stewardess and housekeeping happens twice a day. They take care of the details—I asked for extra glasses and bowls in room to soak almonds and fenugreek seeds and I didn’t have to tell them again. Ice bucket was replaced in the morning and at turndown, and my coffee flask was cleaned every day after I made a request once.
Tipping
It is included in the rate. You can show your appreciation for a crew member by leaving some cash for them—envelopes are available at reception.