Deal alert: Major cruise line offers $1,000 ship credits to boost bookings
It looks like Regent Seven Seas Cruises is ready to play "Let's Make a Deal" with three soon-to-depart sailings that haven't sold out.
The Miami-based luxury line has launched a very short-term but enticing promotion that will give cruise fans who book one of the three voyages a massive $1,000-per-cabin credit to use during the trips.
In addition, Regent is doubling the savings that higher-tier members of its Seven Seas Society loyalty program will get when booking one of the sailings. Diamond- and Commodore-tier members of the Seven Seas Society normally get 5% and 10% off the cost of a cruise, respectively.
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The line is also throwing in double loyalty night points toward Seven Seas Society status for anyone booking one of the trips.
Most passengers on Regent sailings normally earn 1 loyalty night point for every night they sail. Solo passengers (who pay higher per-person rates) earn 2 loyalty night points for every night they sail. However, for the current promotion, passengers will earn twice that amount.
In a final perk, the line will give customers who book one of the sailings a free Briggs & Riley carry-on luggage piece that it values at $700. Cruisers will receive one such luggage piece per cabin.
The Double the Joy offer, as the line is calling the promotion, is available for bookings made by Jan. 6 on the following three sailings:
- Caribbean Coast and Ancient Ruins: The seven-night voyage departs from Miami on March 6. The round-trip sailing on Seven Seas Navigator brings stops at Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Fares start at $5,099 per person before any Seven Seas Society savings.
- Casa Rosada to Sugarloaf: The 10-night voyage departs from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 5. The one-way sailing to Rio de Janeiro on Seven Seas Voyager brings calls at Montevideo, Uruguay, and Brazil’s Rio Grande, Porto Belo, Santos, Ilha Grande and Buzios, and an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro. Fares start at $12,899 per person before any Seven Seas Society savings.
- Bermudian Traditions and Celebrations: The 14-night voyage departs from Miami on April 5. The one-way, transatlantic sailing to Barcelona brings visits to Bermuda, as well as the Azores, Portugal, and Cadiz, Spain. Fares start at $8,699 before any Seven Seas Society savings.
While high, Regent's base rates include not just accommodations and meals on ships but unlimited shore excursions, transfers between airport and ship, round-trip airfare, business-class airfare on international flights, valet laundry service, Wi-Fi and gratuities.
Regent passengers staying in Concierge-level and above suites also get a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay included in their fare.
Related: TPG's ultimate guide to picking a cruise line
The fares are among the most all-inclusive in the cruise business.
The new promotion is the second major offer Regent has made in recent weeks to boost last-minute bookings on its ships. In November, the line announced it would offer free land tours worth thousands of dollars to customers who booked select Europe sailings in 2023. That offer is still available.
One caveat with the new offer: It is "capacity-controlled" and may be withdrawn at any time, according to the line.
Many cruise lines have struggled to get occupancies on ships back to normal levels since they restarted operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of discounting fares, some have been offering "value-add" freebies to customers, including onboard credits, free shore tours and other free perks, such as drinks packages, Wi-Fi packages and gratuities.
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There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
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- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees