8 incredible experiences with Regent Seven Seas®

Regent Seven Seas^® has the philosophy ‘you really can have it all’. This ethos is what makes this cruise line really stand out from the crowd. Everything is included, from gourmet dining, fine wines and premium spirits to unlimited shore excursions in every port of call. From an Amazon moonlit cruise in search of caiman to wandering around historic châteaus in Bordeaux, we take a look at some of the very best free Regent Seven Seas cruise experiences.

Step back in time in Bordeaux

A trip to France isn’t complete without a visit to a historic château. The world-famous wine region of Bordeaux is dotted with some of the most beautiful castles in France and on a half-day tour, you will have the opportunity to visit either the Château de Cazeneuve or the Château de Roquetaillade. The 11th-Century Cazeneuve was the home of King Henri IV of France and Queen Margot and their royal descendants, while Roquetaillade is a perfectly-preserved medieval castle which has been owned by the same family for six centuries.

Ask us about Regent Seven Sea’s Wines of the World cruise itinerary for details.

Tour the wine cellars of Catalonia

If you’re a wine lover, joining this complimentary experience from Barcelona is a must. Penedés is one of Spain’s premier wine regions and it is widely known for its Cava and other white grape varieties. You’ll visit the cellars of the late Jean Leon, a big character who was a favourite with the Hollywood elite in the 1950s. Join a wine specialist and wander through the cellar, visit the cellar museum, take a tour of the winery and admire the panoramic views. And the best bit? At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance taste the produce.

Ask us about Regent Seven Sea’s Classical Explorations cruise itinerary for details.

Seek wildlife in Alaska

The coast of USA’s Frontier state has long been a firm favourite with wildlife lovers and there’s no better way to see this part of the world than from sea. Alongside the unrivalled animal encounters, Alaska has some pretty epic natural landscapes and the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Quest tour from Juneau is the perfect way to experience both. First, you’ll head to the glacier, a 13-mile long sea of ice that flows into its namesake lake. Once you have seen the face of the ice up close you will continue on to Auke Bay where you will board a whale-watching cruise in St Stephens Passage. Keep an eye out for orcas, humpback whales, sea lions and bald eagles.

Dine on delectable crab in Ketchikan, Alaska

Aside from its landscapes and marine creatures, Alaska is known for its mouth-watering seafood. On the ‘Cruise George Inlet and Crab Feast’ experience, which departs from the vibrant city of Ketchikan, you’ll head out on a cruise along the inlet to where the crab pots are located. Help pull up the pots and measure the crustaceans before returning them to the sea. Once back at the lodge it’s time for your Dungeness crab meal, a staple Alaskan dish.

Spot caiman in the Brazilian Amazon

From North America’s famous waterways to the most famous river in South America, if not the world – the Amazon. The city of Manaus is the gateway to the Brazilian Amazon and the set-off point for one of the most unique excursions on this list – a moonlit caiman spotting cruise. With a local guide, travel on a small motorised canoe into the river’s tributaries and backwaters and dense flooded jungle on the lookout for caimans.

Snorkel with reef sharks and stingrays in Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a destination of dreams. On this far-flung French Polynesian island, emerald peaks rise dramatically from waters so blue they almost seem unreal. On Regent Seven Sea’s Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari, you’ll take a dip below the cerulean seas and seek out string rays on a shallow sandbank in the lagoon which surrounds the island, and see reef sharks and vibrant marine life at a pristine coral garden.

Explore volcanoes in Hawaii

The Hawaiian island of Maui has two striking mountains and one spectacular and sacred Iao valley that separates them. One of these peaks, Haleakala, is the focus on a guided tour of the island. From the pier, you’ll head to the national park of the same name and ascend up to the crater that sits over 3000 metres above sea level. The views from here – the top of one of the world’s largest dormant volcanoes – are truly spectacular. The crater is so deep that you could stack two Shards on top of one another and still have room for a couple of Big Bens!

Sail a tall ship in the Caribbean

The Dutch Caribbean outpost of Saint Maarten is heaven for sailors and a trip on board the tall ship Mercedes is an unforgettable experience. Sail around the island to the Maho Beach, the famous stretch of sand that is located at the end of the island’s airport, and on to Simpson Bay. If you wish, you can help raise the sails and take the helm as you sail. If that sounds like too much work, you can just relax, enjoy the complimentary light snacks and watch the world glide by.