Carlson Companies merges Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises under Regent banner

Carlson Companies, one of the world’s leading hospitality, travel and marketing companies, is to merge Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises under its global Regent banner.

The new global Regent brand will encompass Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, which will change its name to Regent Seven Seas Cruises with immediate effect, reflecting its alignment with Regent Hotels.

The re-branding of the cruise line – which has earned a well-deserved reputation for distinguished luxury cruising since its inception in 1992 – also signals the continued upgrading of amenities throughout the fleet. Regent Hotels, with its growing portfolio of luxury properties around the world, was acquired by the Carlson Companies in 1997.

“We’re delighted to unveil our exciting new vision for – in fact, our ongoing commitment to – luxury under the global Regent brand,” said Marilyn Carlson Nelson chairman and CEO of Carlson.

Ms Nelson added, “We’ve achieved a lasting reputation for luxury with Radisson Seven Seas, whose ships are consistently ranked in the very top tier of the world’s best ships by authorities on luxury travel and by our own guests, who are experts in their own right. Having earned their praise, we feel the time is right to align our renowned vessels with our Regent International Hotels, which are universally acclaimed for ultra luxury.”

An Integrated Regent Experience, From Ship to Shore

“By aligning our ships and hotels, we’re able to create a seamless integration of ship-to-shore experiences, giving our guests such options as pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in Regent Hotels around the world and special benefits across brands to reward their loyalty,” Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and CEO of Carlson Cruises Worldwide said.

“We’re excited to open up this new horizon of personalized luxury. In providing our guests with the settings and the means to explore and experience the world’s destinations their own way, we’re engaging more deeply in one of the most vibrant segments in hospitality and travel. We’re committed globally to the ultra luxury segment as potentially one of the most rewarding opportunities for growth,” he added.

Witzel also noted that brand governance for Regent will operate out of the existing cruise company headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The management team – supported by Carlson headquarters in Minneapolis – will work in tandem with Carlson’s partners in the global theater.

Personalized Luxury Rooted In Asia

With its ownership of the Regent hotel brand since 1997, Carlson is expanding the luxury brand all over the world. With eight properties now in the Regent portfolio – from the Regent Beverly Wilshire in the U.S. to the new Regent in Shanghai – nine additional Regent properties are in development around the world, including South Beach, Bal Harbour, Winter Park, Boston, Beijing, Bangkok, Ningbo, Kuwait and Budapest.

Regent traces its history to Asia, with the brand’s original flagship property in Hong Kong earning global acclaim for its personal touch and unmatched standards of luxury and service in the finest traditions of Asian hospitality.

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