My First Regent Seven Seas Alaska Cruise: Honest Review of Seven Seas Explorer 2026
Juneau PortRegent Seven Seas Cruises Cruise LineKetchikan PortSkagway PortSeven Seas Explorer Cruise Ship
Join me for the third and final video in my Regent Seven Seas Alaska review series as I share the complete onboard experience from our June 2026 voyage aboard the Seven Seas Explorer. This was our first Regent cruise, our first trip to Alaska, and a celebration of my wife Tami’s and my 46th wedding anniversary. I explain how I won an upgrade bid from a Penthouse Suite to Grand Suite 901, evaluate embarkation, personalized service, dining, spa treatments, excursions, and provide a detailed tour of our extraordinary forward-facing suite. You will also hear the unfiltered side of our journey—including a canceled helicopter excursion, Tami becoming seriously ill, our experience with the ship’s medical center, the importance of travel insurance, and how Regent’s leadership, crew, and butler responded. I paid for this cruise myself and received no compensation for this review. After 40 years of international business travel, more than 5 million Delta miles, 3,500-plus Marriott nights, and 46-plus cruises, my goal is to provide the honest, balanced information I wish had been available before selecting a new cruise brand. Have a Question for Gary: Gary.Tilkin@GaryTilkin.com Want to go to Gary's YouTube Channel: GaryTilkinReal Need A GREAT Travel Agent Consider, Maxim Travel: Click the link, answer the three questions on the right side, tell Mr. Brian Rowe, the President of Maxim Travel what you are interested in below the questions. He or a member of his team will contact you very quickly. This will support and help my channel. The link is: https://maxim.travel/influencers/garytilkin/ Want the Playlist of other Cruise Reviews & Comparisons on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5___wLdY-Isq4pUJ3TF8QdnDoCPlT0Gn&si=uOw8j-e8rTSsww5m Want the Playlist for other Regent Seven Seas Videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5___wLdY-Iu0W9AahcfxrT9RyUiXub7q&si=VMl1-lrZmMvKpa4_ Want the website for booking a Regent Seven Seas Cruise: https://www.rssc.com/ Want to order Sterling Pacific Luggage: https://sterlingpacific.com/collections/all-models Video Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction: My First Regent Seven Seas Alaska Cruise 01:08 – My Travel Background and Review Philosophy 04:00 – Regent Upgrade Bid Strategy 05:25 – Winning Grand Suite 901 Just 14 Days Before Sailing 07:18 – Compass Rose and the Anchorage Hilton 10:01 – Arriving at the Port and Private Check-In 12:13 – Regent’s Grand Suite Welcome and Butler Escort 13:05 – First Impressions of Grand Suite 901 14:07 – Butler Orientation, Amenities and Specialty Dining Access 15:19 – Delayed Luggage and My Embarkation Rating 16:01 – Regent’s Personalized Service and All-Inclusive Value 19:19 – Day 2: Hubbard Glacier and Realistic Expectations 21:52 – Our First Sea-Day Spa Experience 23:28 – Prime 7 Steakhouse Review 25:59 – How to Receive Great Service on Any Cruise 27:30 – Day 3: Fin Island Lodge and Wildlife Quest 30:50 – Dinner with the Captain in Compass Rose 32:19 – Day 4: Our 46th Anniversary in Skagway 32:28 – VIP White Pass Railway Excursion 33:31 – Local Red Alaskan King Crab Lunch 35:03 – Chartreuse and Our Anniversary Celebration 36:29 – Juneau: Canceled Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour 37:05 – Shopping, Puzzles and Making the Most of a Changed Plan 38:06 – Mid-Cruise Impressions and Regent’s Overall Value 39:53 – Complete Tour of Grand Suite 901 44:07 – Day 6: Tami Becomes Seriously Ill 45:25 – Regent Seven Seas Explorer Ship Hospital Experience 46:22 – Why Travel Insurance Is Essential 48:27 – Missed Ketchikan Excursion and Regent’s Response 49:47 – How Regent’s General Manager and Crew Made a Difference 52:20 – Social Media, Brand Loyalty and Unkind Online Behavior 56:06 – Recovering in the Grand Suite 57:06 – Honest Assessment of the Food, Ship and Accommodations 58:08 – Would I Cruise Regent Seven Seas Again? 58:44 – Final Verdict and Closing Thoughts 59:14 – Questions, Comments and What You Want Covered Next Hashtags: #regentsevenseas #RegentSevenSeasCruises #SevenSeasExplorer #AlaskaCruise #LuxuryCruise #UltraLuxuryCruise #CruiseReview #LuxuryTravel #CruiseTips #CruisePlanning #FirstTimeCruiser #AlaskaTravel #CruiseCritic #TravelTips #GaryTilkinReal