Regent targets cruise luxury leadership

REGENT Seven Seas Cruises this morning confirmed its firm intention to maintain its position as the “leading luxury cruise line in Australia and NZ”, with its all-inclusive offering resonating strongly with post-pandemic consumer booking behaviour.

The line’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Andrea DeMarco, is in Sydney for a week of updates with her team and key industry partners, and told CW Regent continues to see strong demand, with new booking records set each time a new program debuts.

DeMarco, who’s pictured with Regent Seven Seas Cruises SVP APAC Steve Odell and Lisa Pile, the line’s VP and GM for Australia and NZ, said more than half of those reservations are coming from “new to brand” guests.

“You still have this phenomenon after COVID that people want to travel, and people have changed their purchasing behaviours.

“They want luxury experiences, they want to treat themselves after being stuck at home... people are ready to spend.”

DeMarco noted that with Regent Seven Seas Explorer

heading Down Under shortly and the launch next year of the new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

“the opportunity for the trade to capitalise on that is hands down one of the best opportunities you’re going to see in a long time”, particularly given that the all-inclusive fares mean travel agents receive commission on all aspects of clients’ cruise holidays.

The local Regent team continues to drive inquiry through key partnerships, such as the new David Jones agreement (CW 23 Sep) and strong co-marketing relationships with the Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet and the Art Gallery of NSW.

More from Regent in tomorrow’s issue of CW.