Luxury Cruise Line Comparison

Oceania vs Regent Seven Seas

What defines true luxury at sea? Both lines deliver exceptional experiences, but they take different approaches to premium cruising. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Quick Answer

Choose Oceania if you want world-class dining at a more accessible luxury price point with some à la carte pricing. Choose Regent Seven Seas if you want the ultimate all-inclusive experience where virtually everything is included from the start.

Oceania Cruises

“The Finest Cuisine at Sea”

Mid-sized ships (684–1,250 guests)
Culinary-focused experience
Simply More inclusions package available
Jacques Pépin culinary partnership
Country club casual atmosphere
Strong destination immersion

Starting from: ~$400/day per person

Regent Seven Seas

“The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience”

Intimate ships (490–750 guests)
All-suite, all-balcony accommodations
Truly all-inclusive fares
Unlimited shore excursions included
Premium spirits and wines included
Business class air on various routes

Starting from: ~$700/day per person

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Oceania Cruises	Regent Seven Seas
Ship Size	684–1,250 guests	490–750 guests
Staterooms	Mix of inside, oceanview, balcony, suites	All suites with private balconies
Dining	6–8 restaurants, specialty dining free	5–7 restaurants, all free
Beverages	Soft drinks, some wine with Simply More	Premium spirits, fine wines, champagne
Shore Excursions	Extra cost (discounts with Simply More)	Unlimited excursions included
Gratuities	Included with Simply More	Always included
WiFi	Included with Simply More	Unlimited WiFi included
Dress Code	Country club casual, optional formal	Elegant casual, optional formal

The Dining Experience

Both cruise lines are renowned for exceptional cuisine, but they approach it differently.

Oceania’s Culinary Focus

Oceania has built its reputation on being “The Finest Cuisine at Sea,” and it’s a claim they take seriously. The partnership with legendary chef Jacques Pépin influences menus fleet-wide, and their culinary program is often considered the benchmark in the industry.

The Grand Dining Room serves dishes that rival fine restaurants ashore, while specialty venues like Toscana (Italian), Red Ginger (Asian), and Polo Grill (steakhouse) are all included in your fare. The Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking classes for those who want to learn techniques from master chefs.

For foodies who want exceptional dining as the centerpiece of their cruise experience, Oceania is hard to beat.

Regent’s All-Inclusive Approach

Regent Seven Seas delivers excellent cuisine across all venues, from the main Compass Rose restaurant to specialty options like Chartreuse (French), Prime 7 (steakhouse), and Pacific Rim (Asian fusion). While Oceania may have the slight edge for pure culinary excellence, Regent’s dining is exceptional by any measure.

Where Regent shines is the complete package. Premium wines flow freely at every meal, top-shelf spirits are poured at every bar, and you never see a bill. The caviar bar, afternoon tea, and 24-hour room service all feel genuinely indulgent because there’s never a thought of cost.

For travelers who want excellent food paired with truly all-inclusive luxury, Regent delivers peace of mind.

Who Should Choose Which?

Here’s our recommendation based on different traveler priorities.

Choose Oceania If You…

Prioritize culinary excellence above all else
Want luxury at a more accessible price point
Prefer to customize what you pay for
Don’t drink much alcohol
Are happy selecting a few key excursions
Want the option of different cabin categories

Choose Regent If You…

Want everything included from the start
Value unlimited shore excursions
Enjoy premium wines and spirits
Prefer smaller, more intimate ships
Want a guaranteed suite with balcony
Prefer not to think about costs once booked

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about these two luxury cruise lines.

Is Regent really worth the higher price?

For many travelers, yes. When you factor in what Regent includes—unlimited shore excursions (often $150–$300 each), premium beverages, gratuities, WiFi, and sometimes business class air—the price gap narrows considerably. If you’re someone who would book multiple excursions and enjoy premium drinks, Regent can actually represent better value despite the higher sticker price.

Which line has better ships?

Both fleets are well-maintained and elegant. Oceania’s newer ships (Vista and Allura) are stunning, while their O-Class ships offer intimate luxury. Regent’s fleet is smaller but consistently excellent, with the Seven Seas Grandeur being their newest addition. Regent ships tend to feel slightly more opulent in public spaces, while Oceania ships focus on warm, residential comfort.

Are the demographics different?

Both lines attract sophisticated travelers, typically 55+, though both are seeing younger luxury travelers. Oceania tends to attract serious food and wine enthusiasts, while Regent draws those who appreciate the finer things and prefer not to worry about any additional costs. Both maintain a refined, adult atmosphere.

What about Oceania's Simply More package?

Simply More significantly bridges the gap between the two lines by including WiFi, gratuities, beverage packages, and shore excursion credits. When you add Simply More to an Oceania cruise, the all-inclusive difference shrinks, though Regent still includes more shore excursions and higher-end beverages.

Which has better itineraries?

Both lines offer excellent destination-focused itineraries with longer port stays than mainstream lines. Oceania has a slight edge in variety with more ships, while Regent’s smaller vessels can access some ports larger ships cannot. Both excel in Mediterranean, Alaska, and exotic destinations.