Regent's Japan and SE Asia Sailings: What $1,000/Night Gets You

Regent Seven Seas Explorer is sailing Southeast Asia (Singapore roundtrip, Oct 4) and Japan (Tokyo roundtrip, Oct 14) this fall. The all-inclusive fare covers unlimited shore excursions, all premium drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and every specialty restaurant — no extras. The Exotics Edition promotion (ends April 30) offers up to 40% off these sailings.

There is a version of October in Japan where you wake up in a harbor, walk off the ship, and spend the morning at a 16th-century castle — and the excursion, the guide, and the coffee you had at 6am are already paid for.

That is what Regent means by all-inclusive. It is not a marketing claim. It is a different financial structure for a vacation.

Here's what that looks like in practice.

The Two Sailings

The Seven Seas Explorer — Regent's 750-guest flagship, in service since 2016 — operates two Asia itineraries this fall. Both are on the same ship, back to back.

The Southeast Asia Explorer departs Singapore on October 4 for 10 nights, visiting ports across Vietnam and Malaysia — typically including Ho Chi Minh City and George Town, Penang — before returning to Singapore on October 14. The Japan Highlights sailing departs Tokyo on October 14 for 8 nights, calling at Nagasaki and Busan, South Korea before returning to Tokyo on October 22.

October is a quiet window for both regions. Vietnam and Malaysia are entering the dry season. Japan is one month before peak fall foliage — the crowds haven't arrived yet, but the temperatures are already ideal for walking.

What Actually Comes With the Fare

Regent's all-inclusive covers things that cruise lines normally charge for separately.

Unlimited shore excursions — not one per port, not a credit, but all of them, from all 4,500 options across the fleet. In Japan, that means full-day temple tours, bullet train excursions to Kyoto, private tea ceremony experiences. All included.

All premium drinks, all day. Not the house wine. Not beer at dinner. Premium spirits, Champagne, cocktails, fresh juice, specialty coffee. In-suite minibar stocked and replenished daily.

Gratuities, Wi-Fi, every specialty restaurant onboard (the French-inspired Chartreuse, Prime 7 steakhouse, Pan-Asian Pacific Rim — no cover charges, no reservations fees). 24-hour room service. Laundry.

For Concierge Suite guests and above, add a complimentary pre-cruise luxury hotel night, breakfast, and transfers.

Here's the part nobody talks about: the math only works if you actually use it. Guests who take excursions at every port and order drinks freely recoup the all-inclusive premium quickly. Guests who skip shore tours and drink sparingly are subsidizing everyone else. Regent is, structurally, a great deal for travelers who want to do everything.

What the Fare Does Not Cover

Flights. The base all-inclusive fare covers everything that happens on the ship and at the ports. Roundtrip airfare from Singapore or Hong Kong is not included in the standard fare — that requires either booking Regent's Ultimate All-Inclusive tier, or arranging flights separately through Regent's Air Concierge Program.

This is worth being clear about. The cruise line's promotional email from this week implies otherwise. The base fare does not include flights for most Asian-market guests.

Your Day in Ho Chi Minh City

You get off the ship at 8am. The guide is already there — included in your fare, confirmed before departure. You spend the morning at the Reunification Palace, then the Ben Thanh Market, then a lunch at a restaurant that doesn't appear on any tourist map because your guide eats here himself.

Back on the ship by 3pm. The pool deck is nearly empty. You order a gin and tonic from the bar without thinking about whether it costs anything. It doesn't. You watch the city recede.

That is the version of Vietnam that this fare buys.

The Numbers

Regent doesn't publish per-night pricing. Fares on comparable 10-night Asia sailings start around $6,500–$9,500 per person in a Deluxe Veranda Suite, varying by departure date and suite category. At 10 nights, that's roughly $650–$950 per person per night.

With the Exotics Edition discount (up to 40%), the effective range narrows.

For comparison: a 10-night stay at a Four Seasons or Aman property in Vietnam and Malaysia — without the ship, without the transportation between cities, without the excursions, without the drinks, and with nightly gratuities on top — runs considerably more.

Compare both itineraries at GoCruiseTravel.com to see what's available by date and suite category.

The Exotics Edition offer ends April 30. That's Thursday. The sailings aren't going anywhere — the discount is.