Cruise line comparison
Oceania vs Regent: which should you choose?
Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are sister lines, and the step between them is about inclusions and space. Choose Oceania for outstanding food, port-rich itineraries and gratuities, Wi-Fi and specialty dining in the fare at an upper-premium price. Choose Regent for true luxury: all-suite ships, unlimited shore excursions, premium drinks, specialty dining and gratuities all included, with a pre-cruise hotel night for higher suite levels. Regent costs considerably more, and most of the difference comes back in what you don’t pay for later.
- Oceania
- Regent
Photo: Jordandkatz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Our verdict
Oceania delivers exceptional food and fascinating itineraries at an upper-premium price, and it’s ideal for travelers who like to plan their own days ashore. Regent is the more complete luxury product, with suites, space and nearly everything included, down to the shore excursions. Before deciding, price out what you’d actually spend on Oceania for tours and drinks: for guests who take an excursion most days and enjoy good wine, Regent’s higher fare is often closer in real value than it first appears.
Both brands belong to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, both sail mid-size ships on long, destination-heavy routes, and both appeal to affluent, well-traveled guests in their 60s and 70s. Many Regent regulars started on Oceania, and the two lines often visit the same Mediterranean and Northern European ports in the same season.
The difference shows up on the bill and in the suite. On Oceania you’ll still pay for most alcohol and every shore excursion unless a promotion covers them. On Regent, nearly everything is prepaid, including excursions in every port, and every guest sleeps in a suite, most with a private balcony. Regent ships also carry fewer guests for their size, so public rooms rarely feel busy.
Oceania vs Regent: head to head
| Feature | Oceania | Regent |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Relaxed, refined and food-led; country-club casual with a lively dining-room buzz. | Quietly opulent and spacious, with a gracious, unhurried pace. |
| Typical guest | Well-traveled couples 55 and older and serious foodies. | Affluent North American couples in their 60s and 70s who want everything handled. |
| Ships and size | Intimate Regatta-class ships, the mid-size Marina and Riviera, and the newest pair, Vista and Allura. | Six ships, the newest being Seven Seas Explorer, Splendor and Grandeur, each carrying somewhere between 500 and 750 guests. |
| What’s included | Specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, soft drinks and specialty coffee. | Unlimited shore excursions, all drinks including premium spirits, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities and, for higher suites, a pre-cruise hotel night. |
| Shore excursions | Extra, unless a promotion or chosen perk adds credit. | Included in every port, with a premium Regent Choice tier at extra cost. |
| Dining | Polo Grill, Toscana, Red Ginger, Jacques or Ember, Aquamar Kitchen and the Grand Dining Room, all included. | Compass Rose plus Prime 7, French-leaning Chartreuse, Pacific Rim and Italian dinners at La Veranda, all included. |
| Cabins and suites | Inside, oceanview and veranda cabins plus Concierge Level, Penthouse and Owner’s Suites. | All suites, most with balconies, up to the huge Regent Suite on the newer ships. |
| Enrichment | Hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Center and guest lecturers. | Guest lecturers and, on the Explorer-class ships, the Culinary Arts Kitchen. |
| Itineraries | Port-packed Europe in summer, then Asia, Africa, Latin America and multi-month world voyages. | Similar global reach, plus annual World Cruises and Grand Voyages. |
| Dress code | Country-club casual; no formal nights. | Elegant casual, with optional formal nights on longer voyages. |
| Price positioning | Upper premium. | Luxury; among the most inclusive fares at sea. |
| Loyalty | Oceania Club. | Seven Seas Society. |
Which should you choose?
Choose Oceania if…
- You want luxury-caliber food without paying a luxury-line fare.
- You prefer to hire your own guides or wander ports independently rather than prepay for tours.
- You drink little alcohol and would rather not fund an open bar through your fare.
- You like the intimacy of a 670-guest Regatta-class ship that slips into smaller harbors.
Choose Regent if…
- You want excursions, premium drinks and tips prepaid so you never sign a bar check.
- You want an all-suite ship with noticeably more space per guest.
- You plan to join a tour in nearly every port and want the choice included.
- You’d like a pre-cruise hotel night and more of the logistics handled for you.
The fleets by the numbers
| Measure | Oceania | Regent |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean ships in our guide | 8 | 6 |
| Average ship age | 19.9 years | 15.7 years |
| Average ship size | 46,000 GT | 46,000 GT |
| Newest ship | Allura | Seven Seas Grandeur |
| Largest ship | Allura | Seven Seas Grandeur |
Calculated from the ocean ships in our guide, with build years and tonnage from Wikidata.
Oceania vs Regent: FAQs
Is Regent worth the extra cost over Oceania?
For travelers who take excursions and enjoy wine or cocktails, often yes. Regent includes unlimited shore excursions, premium drinks and all-suite accommodations. If you explore independently and drink little, Oceania usually gives better value for a similar itinerary.
Are Oceania and Regent owned by the same company?
Yes. Both belong to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also owns Norwegian Cruise Line. They run as separate brands with their own ships, crews and loyalty programs, Oceania Club and Seven Seas Society.
Which has better food, Oceania or Regent?
Both are excellent, and food is close to a tie. Oceania built its reputation on cuisine and offers hands-on cooking classes. Regent’s Prime 7 steakhouse, French-inspired Chartreuse and pan-Asian Pacific Rim are equally refined, with service that feels a touch more personal.
Does Oceania include shore excursions like Regent?
No, not as standard. Oceania’s fares include specialty dining, Wi-Fi and gratuities, while excursions are extra unless a promotion or selected perk adds credit. Regent includes shore excursions in every port.
Read the full reviews
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Oceania official site, Regent official site.