I went on a $4,800 ultra-luxury cruise. This is what makes that price worth it.

Brittany ChangJan 16, 2024, 02:31 IST

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is all-inclusive, including flights to and from the ship, alcohol, raw seafood at the buffet, and caviar-topped dinners.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Regent Seven Seas Cruises invited me to sail on its new ultra-luxury ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur.
The ship's 2024 itineraries range from $4,800 to $84,000 per person.

My favorite part of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' newest ultra-luxury Grandeur ship wasn't its large cabins with walk-in closets, peaceful pool deck, or even the chandelier-lined lounge.

Instead, it was a feature offered across the brand's entire fleet — all-inclusivity.

After spending three nights on the Seven Seas Grandeur, I now understand why this alone could make the ship worth its expensive starting 2024 fare of $4,800 per person.

Most people probably won't pay nearly $5,000 for the average weeklong cruise.

The pool on the Seven Seas Grandeur was surrounded by two decks of lounge chairs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas take the opposite approach by going “all-inclusive.”

All of the cabins have private balconies.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

After sailing on the Seven Seas Grandeur’s three-night “christening” sailing, it's easy to understand why wealthy travelers pay more for this luxurious and convenient option.

Nighttime programming includes a DJ in the Grandeur Lounge.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

After sailing on the Seven Seas Grandeur’s three-night “christening” sailing, it's easy to understand why wealthy travelers pay more for this luxurious and convenient option.

Regent practically plans its guests’ vacations door-to-door, not including transfers between the travelers’ homes and their origin airports.

The Sports Deck has a putting green.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

No need to pull out your wallet during your time at sea (unless you want a more expensive bottle of wine, a special paid excursion, or a spa treatment).

Guests receive a welcome bottle of champagne.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Instead, no matter where or what I ate or drank, I knew I wouldn’t have to pay extra — even if I ordered filet mignon or lobster.

The beef tenderloin at French-inspired Chartreuse was topped with luxuries like seared foie gras.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

No more roast beef that’s been drying out for hours — the restaurants aboard the Grandeur, of which there are five, served up options like escargot, duck, and fish and steak tartare.

Pan-Asian Pacific Rim serves up options like vegetarian pad thai and fried lobster.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

No more roast beef that’s been drying out for hours — the restaurants aboard the Grandeur, of which there are five, served up options like escargot, duck, and fish and steak tartare.

There was black truffle, sturgeon caviar, and foie gras on almost every menu, all without the dreaded supplementary fee.

Chartreuse served dishes like beef tartare with sturgeon caviar.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

At the one-day themed Italian lunch buffet, cured meats, cheeses, raw oysters, and freshly prepared tuna lined the open-air counters.

The poolside buffet had an afternoon "Italian Buffet" with several seafood options.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Travelers who drink will be pleased to hear that the wine, beer, and cocktails flowed as freely as the buffet food.

Waitstaff shuttled drinks from the bar to guests lounging by the pool.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Even the café’s snacks, coffee, and espresso-based drinks were included.

Coffee Connection served various espresso-based brinks and light bites.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

“All-inclusive” also entails access to the Grandeur’s spa facilities.

Access to spa facilities like the sauna and cold room are included in the fare.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I avoid paying for extra supplements and packages when I cruise for work.

The new ship has 503 chandeliers, including one in its atrium.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But for the first time, I didn’t have to think twice about my budget aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur: There was nothing for me to spend cash on.

Afternoon tea included a sizable dessert spread.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Not worrying about money made my three nights at sea feel stress-free and relaxed.

The pool was surrounded by several hot tubs.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, this does mean travelers will have to manage a higher upfront cost.

The Seven Seas Grandeur has a stocked library that includes destination guidebooks.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Regent Seven Seas also offers cheaper “inclusive cruise fares” that give credit to guests who book their own roundtrip flights and pre-cruise hotel.

Prime 7 is the ship's steakhouse.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

So yes, almost $5,000 per person for a one-week vacation may seem expensive compared to options like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.

The Seven Seas Grandeur joined Regent's six-ship fleet on November 14, 2024.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

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I went on a $4,800 ultra-luxury cruise. This is what makes that price worth it.

Most people probably won't pay nearly $5,000 for the average weeklong cruise.

However, luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas take the opposite approach by going “all-inclusive.”

After sailing on the Seven Seas Grandeur’s three-night “christening” sailing, it's easy to understand why wealthy travelers pay more for this luxurious and convenient option.

Regent practically plans its guests’ vacations door-to-door, not including transfers between the travelers’ homes and their origin airports.

No need to pull out your wallet during your time at sea (unless you want a more expensive bottle of wine, a special paid excursion, or a spa treatment).

Instead, no matter where or what I ate or drank, I knew I wouldn’t have to pay extra — even if I ordered filet mignon or lobster.

No more roast beef that’s been drying out for hours — the restaurants aboard the Grandeur, of which there are five, served up options like escargot, duck, and fish and steak tartare.

There was black truffle, sturgeon caviar, and foie gras on almost every menu, all without the dreaded supplementary fee.

At the one-day themed Italian lunch buffet, cured meats, cheeses, raw oysters, and freshly prepared tuna lined the open-air counters.

Travelers who drink will be pleased to hear that the wine, beer, and cocktails flowed as freely as the buffet food.

Even the café’s snacks, coffee, and espresso-based drinks were included.

“All-inclusive” also entails access to the Grandeur’s spa facilities.

I avoid paying for extra supplements and packages when I cruise for work.

But for the first time, I didn’t have to think twice about my budget aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur: There was nothing for me to spend cash on.

Not worrying about money made my three nights at sea feel stress-free and relaxed.

However, this does mean travelers will have to manage a higher upfront cost.

Regent Seven Seas also offers cheaper “inclusive cruise fares” that give credit to guests who book their own roundtrip flights and pre-cruise hotel.

So yes, almost $5,000 per person for a one-week vacation may seem expensive compared to options like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.