Ship Comparison
Seven Seas Navigator vs Seven Seas Explorer
For those weighing intimate, classic luxury against a grander, contemporary opulence, these two Regent Seven Seas ships offer distinct yet equally indulgent paths to global exploration.
The verdict
The Seven Seas Navigator, with its 2016 refurbishment, retains a timeless, intimate charm, perfect for cruisers who cherish a familiar atmosphere and seamless access to diverse ports. Its smaller scale fosters a truly personalized experience, emphasizing destination immersion without compromising on comfort. In contrast, the Seven Seas Explorer, launched in 2016, embodies a lavish, contemporary luxury, boasting more specialty dining options and an impressive array of artistic details. While both ships deliver Regent's signature all-inclusive luxury, Navigator leans into a refined, comfortable elegance, while Explorer offers a grander, more feature-rich journey for those seeking heightened onboard spectacle alongside their travels.
Choose Seven Seas Navigator if…
Travelers who appreciate a classic, intimate luxury cruise experience with a strong focus on destination immersion and highly personalized service. Ideal for those who enjoy a more subdued evening atmosphere and prefer to explore ports extensively.
Best for
- Travelers seeking an intimate, classic luxury experience
- Those who prefer highly personalized service and a familiar atmosphere
- Destination-focused explorers who value seamless port access
- Guests desiring a refined, comfortable, and less bustling onboard environment
Avoid if
- Guests looking for a wide variety of specialty dining options
- Families with teens seeking extensive, dedicated youth programs
- Travelers who prefer larger, more bustling ships with grander public spaces
- Those sensitive to potential vibrations in aft suites
Choose Seven Seas Explorer if…
Cruisers seeking a contemporary, opulent luxury experience with a wide array of dining choices and state-of-the-art onboard amenities. Best for those who enjoy a grander ship feel and are interested in culinary enrichment alongside their travels.
Best for
- Cruisers seeking a contemporary, opulent luxury experience
- Food enthusiasts eager for diverse specialty dining and culinary classes
- Travelers who appreciate lavish interiors and an extensive art collection
- Guests desiring a wide array of onboard activities and enrichment opportunities
Avoid if
- Travelers sensitive to smaller entry-level suite sizes (Veranda Suites)
- Guests who prefer a more intimate ship scale with fewer passengers
- Those expecting an expansive, state-of-the-art spa thermal suite complex
- Passengers who might find the Pool Grill ordering process less luxurious
Overall Vibe
Seven Seas Navigator
Seven Seas Navigator, originally launched in 1999 and last refurbished in 2016, exudes a quiet, classic luxury. This intimate vessel, with its 12 decks, is designed for discerning travelers who value a refined, comfortable home base for their explorations. The ship’s smaller stature fosters a sense of familiarity among guests and crew, creating an understated elegance that prioritizes relaxation and seamless port access over grand-scale theatrics. It's a ship where every detail contributes to a pampered and sophisticated journey.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer, launched in 2016, was introduced with the ambitious claim of being the 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built,' and it largely delivers on that promise. Spanning 14 decks, this ship offers a grander, more opulent experience than its fleetmate. Its interior design showcases an acre of granite and marble, nearly 500 chandeliers, and 2,500 pieces of art, including works by Picasso. The Explorer caters to those who desire a lavish, sophisticated environment, blending contemporary luxury with an extensive array of high-end features.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Seven Seas Navigator
With a capacity for 490 guests and a dedicated crew of 362, Seven Seas Navigator maintains an exceptional staff-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:1.35. This allows for an intimate, familiar atmosphere where personalized service truly shines. Guests often find themselves among well-traveled, sophisticated individuals who appreciate the quiet luxury and destination-focused nature of the cruise. The ambiance is generally refined and relaxed, catering to those who prefer engaging conversations and a more subdued social scene.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer hosts 750 guests with a crew of 542, resulting in a staff-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:1.38, similar to Navigator but on a larger scale. The atmosphere is sophisticated and opulent, attracting affluent, experienced cruisers. While adult-oriented, families are welcomed during summer and holiday sailings, with seasonal children's programs available. The ship's grander spaces and diverse amenities create a dynamic yet elegant environment, appealing to those who enjoy a lively luxury experience.
Dining
Seven Seas Navigator
Dining on Seven Seas Navigator is a highlight, offering seven distinct, complimentary venues. The main Compass Rose was fully rebuilt in 2016, providing customizable multicourse dinners in an elegant setting. Specialty options include Prime 7, a classic American steakhouse, and Sette Mari at La Veranda, which transforms into a festive Italian eatery in the evenings. For casual meals, the Pool Grill offers made-to-order fare and even alfresco evening dining, ensuring variety and quality for every palate.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer elevates the culinary experience with nine complimentary dining venues, including the grand Compass Rose with its customizable menu. Unique additions include Pacific Rim, an exotic Pan-Asian restaurant featuring a stunning bronze prayer wheel, and Chartreuse, offering modern French cuisine in a chic Parisian-inspired setting. Prime 7 remains a stellar steakhouse. The Culinary Arts Kitchen also provides hands-on cooking classes for an additional fee, making it a true haven for food enthusiasts seeking diverse and elevated gastronomic journeys.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Seven Seas Navigator
Evenings on Seven Seas Navigator offer a relaxed pace. The Seven Seas Lounge hosts main shows, alternating between song-and-dance revues by the ship's cast and performances by guest artists, all backed by the Regent Signature Orchestra. Galileo's Lounge is a popular spot for live music, game shows, and trivia, while the Navigator Lounge features a piano entertainer for a convivial cocktail atmosphere. The Casino offers Monte Carlo-style excitement, and the Stars Lounge is perfect for drinks and dancing.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer offers a more varied entertainment program. The two-deck Constellation Theater presents lavish production shows and guest headliners in a Gatsby-esque setting. The Explorer Lounge features live music for dancing and intimate conversations, while the Observation Lounge transforms into a popular dance club at night. For enrichment, the Culinary Arts Kitchen offers hands-on cooking classes, and guest lecturers cover diverse topics. The Connoisseur Club provides a refined space for cigar aficionados, alongside a casino for games of chance.
Cabins & Suites
Seven Seas Navigator
All accommodations on Seven Seas Navigator are spacious suites, starting generously at 301 sq ft for Deluxe Window Suites, with 99% featuring private balconies. Even entry-level Deluxe Veranda Suites include a full-size bathtub and separate shower in their marble-appointed bathrooms. Higher categories like Navigator Suites (448 sq ft) and Grand Suites (539 sq ft) offer separate living areas and enhanced amenities, culminating in the expansive 1,067 sq ft Master Suites, ensuring ample space and comfort.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer boasts an impressive array of all-suite accommodations, though entry-level Veranda Suites start at a more compact 219 sq ft with an 88 sq ft balcony. Higher categories rapidly increase in size and luxury, with Penthouse Suites at 450 sq ft and Explorer Suites featuring 1.5 baths. The pinnacle is the Regent Suite, an extraordinary 2,917 sq ft haven with two bedrooms, an in-suite spa, and a private heated minipool, showcasing unparalleled opulence and bespoke amenities for the ultimate indulgence at sea.
Service & Onboard Style
Seven Seas Navigator
Seven Seas Navigator's smaller size inherently fosters a highly personalized and familiar service style. With a crew of 362 attending to 490 guests, the staff-to-guest ratio ensures attentive care. Butler service begins at the Penthouse Suite level, enhancing the already high standard of included amenities like valet laundry. The onboard style is one of quiet elegance, where the crew quickly learns preferences, making guests feel genuinely pampered and at home in a refined, yet unpretentious, atmosphere.
Seven Seas Explorer
On Seven Seas Explorer, the service maintains Regent's high standards, characterized by attentiveness and a slightly more formal, opulent presentation. The crew of 542 for 750 guests ensures a strong staff presence. Butler service is a highlight for Penthouse Suites and above, offering an elevated, personalized experience. The ship's overall style is one of dazzling luxury, with a General Manager visibly present to ensure guest satisfaction, reflecting a commitment to flawless execution within its grander, more feature-rich environment.
Best Itineraries
Seven Seas Navigator
Seven Seas Navigator is ideally suited for destination-intensive itineraries, leveraging its intimate size to access smaller, more unique ports that larger vessels cannot. The hallmark of Regent's offering, thousands of Unlimited Shore Excursions, are all included, providing extensive opportunities for cultural immersion and exploration. Its seasoned charm makes it a superb choice for travelers prioritizing a deep dive into each locale, with the ship serving as a luxurious, comfortable base between adventures.
Seven Seas Explorer
Seven Seas Explorer excels in offering a diverse range of itineraries complemented by enhanced enrichment programs. Beyond the included Unlimited Shore Excursions, guests can delve deeper with Regent Choice Shore Excursions for an added cost, including specialized Gourmet Explorer Tours and Epicurean Explorer Tours led by master chefs. The ship also features a Culinary Arts Kitchen for hands-on classes, making it perfect for travelers who wish to combine extensive global exploration with unique culinary and cultural learning experiences in port and onboard.
What reviewers say
Seven Seas Navigator
4.5/5Intimate, all-inclusive ship is a comfortable home base for exploration. A major refurbishment in 2016 keeps it in top form, offering quiet luxury and devoted service.
Seven Seas Explorer
4.5/5The Seven Seas Explorer offers an inclusive luxury experience with extraordinary features and world-class dining. While it makes a strong case for being the 'Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built,' there is still room for improvement in areas like entertainment and spa thermal facilities.
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Seven Seas Navigator
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