2015 is off to a great start with my first inspection for the year onboard the Regent Sevens Seas Mariner here in my hometown Timaru.

Mariner is one of 3 ships in the fleet with a new arrival planned for mid 2016 - Seven Seas Explorer. Her itineraries will be out in the next couple of months and you can bet they will sell quickly.

Regent Seven Seas prides itself in being the worlds MOST inclusive luxury cruise experience. The biggest benefits being the range of speciality restaurants that you can book to enjoy at no extra cost. They also offer unlimited free shore excursions, another expense you will be spared when you cruise with Regent.

When you step onboard nothing immediately jumps out at you but you are struck instantly with a feeling of tranquilty and pure understated class. The decor is subtle with a few interesting peices of art that you pickout as you scan the atrium. It has a feel of pure elegance and I am glad I took the time to freshly paint my nails and tidy my holiday hair for the occasion.

All the ships in the fleet are classed as midsize hosting between 490-700 guests with the Mariner offering all suites with private balconies and a crew to guest ratio of 1:1.5. She moves about the world and offers itineraries for Asia, Africa, South Pacific, South America, Alaska and the Caribbean. 

The ship was refurbished in April 2014 and in fact all the ships undergo refurbs frequently to keep them looking as good as new.   The rooms are gorgeous and all with private balconies, king size beds, a mini-bar replenished daily, spacious walk in closet with enough area to relax in your cabin for some me time. The Grand Suite (pictured)  provides you with the space you would experience at home and for some of us maybe a bit more.

There are 4 specialty restaurants aside from the main dining areas so you will never be short of culinary delights. Our lunch was in the main dining room Compass Rose and the service was outstanding. Whilst my experiences ends after lunch I am told that they have spectacular broadway style shows, culinary demonstrations, winetastings and lectures to fill up your days.

In summary Regent Sevens Seas provides one of the few totally inclusive ship options where surprisingly gratuities are neither included or expected. The service is personal and intimate and the fodd likely to get you in a power of trouble with your Gym instructor. Which reminds me I forgot to mention the onboard Gym is huge and the outdoor area with plenty of space to take a jog before breakfast.

I look forward to seeing the new ship when it hits the seas and fingesr crossed it may venture to our parts before too long.