Quickfire questions: Seabourn vs. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn both offer ultra-luxury cruises on-board stunning ships. We recently had the opportunity to interview representatives from these six-star cruise lines. So, we took the chance to put directors from Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn Cruises head-to-head with our quickfire cruise questions.

Lynn Narraway – Managing Director of UK & Ireland for Seabourn Cruises & Holland America Line

Paul Beale – Senior Director of UK Sales for Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The thing I like the most about cruising is…

LN: Visiting incredible destinations and spending quality time with my family – being able to catch up in the evening on all the different experiences we’ve enjoyed.

PB: An impossible question to answer as there’s too many highlights! I could say unpacking just once or overindulging on exquisite cuisine (especially on-board Regent), but if I was pushed, I would have to say it’s watching the world drift into the horizon as you sip champagne from your very own veranda. No other holiday can top it.

My suitcase essential is…

LN: A good book – I love reading.

PB: Wherever I travel whether abroad or within the UK I always have my Regent travel adapter with me.

My favourite cruise ship is…

LN: The one I am on at any time!  But I will never forget the naming ceremony of Seabourn Ovation in Valletta, Malta in May 2018, with Elaine Paige OBE as godmother, which I was very honoured to attend!

PB: This has to be Seven Seas Explorer – the most luxurious ship ever built. We have just had a four-part documentary televised on Channel 5 detailing life onboard. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s really worth a watch.

Cruising with family or cruising with friends?

LN: Both – and I have done both!  It’s very special to cruise with my family, however we’ve also made great friends on Seabourn, some of whom we still see!

PB: I have a young family with three boys, and whilst they can be a handful there is nothing better than expanding their travel experiences and showing them first-hand some of the incredible places that we sail to. Regent has an incredible youth programme on selected sailings during the summer months and some 2020 sailings have free child places for a limited time – a great opportunity for a multi-generational holiday!

I’ve always wanted to…

LN: Visit Vietnam and Cambodia – and I know I will be able to do this in a single cruise – and see the highlights of Thailand!

PB: Sail through French Polynesia. I worked on a dive liveaboard yacht in the Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar, and the idyllic islands and inlets were literally paradise on Earth. I imagine the French Polynesian islands would be similar and I can’t think of anything more romantic than experiencing this with my wife.

Breakfast or dinner?

LN: I love breakfast – but dinners are special, as I love relaxing and enjoying cuisine that I haven’t had to cook myself!

PB: Dinner every time!

The first thing I do on-board a cruise ship is…

LN: Head for Seabourn Square, our incredible ‘concierge’ lounge, to order freshly roasted coffee… or a glass of champagne!

PB: Open the complimentary bottle of champagne which has been chilled and waiting for me in my suite.

Visit somewhere warm or cold?

LN: Warm. Although I do want to visit Antarctica – perhaps on our new ultra-luxury expedition ship Seabourn Venture, which will even be equipped with two six-seater submarines.

PB: Warm. Whilst I am a keen snowboarder, the relaxation of a warm beach is simply heaven.

The last place I travelled was…

LN: My last cruise was in the Mediterranean, departing from beautiful Barcelona!

PB: On a cruise in the Mediterranean. You can’t beat the classics!

My favourite cruising memory is…

LN: A very special wedding anniversary on Seabourn. On returning to our suite after dinner we were surprised with origami swans, towel animals – and the bed was strewn with fresh rose petals!  Definitely one of our ‘Seabourn Moments’

PB: Sat on the top deck with friends after an amazing barbecue with as much sushi, sashimi and seafood as I could eat. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset and relaxed with no particular place to be.

Early riser or night owl?

LN: Early riser – but when cruising I do love to dance in the Club after dinner. Or see a show, including our incredible ‘Evening with Sir Tim Rice’.

PB: Both… life is for living!

If I didn’t work in cruise, I would be…

LN: That’s hard as I love the cruise industry. I already volunteer for the Lady Taverners charity which raises funds to give children a ‘sporting chance’, and I’d love to do more one day. I’ve always enjoyed working with film crews, so maybe an ‘alternative’ TV career beckons?

PB: Managing a yacht marina. I am a keen water sports fanatic – sailing, windsurfing, diving, paddle-boarding, water-skiing, power boating – basically if it floats, I’ll have a go!