Over 60 guests onboard were from the UK and the Commonwealth, all of whom wanted to visit their homeland 'by sailing into each port of call and seeing places from the sea'.

'MY HOMECOMING CRUISE' - Captain John McNeill
John McNeill, Southampton resident, captained the ship into port as part of his 'Homecoming Cruise'.
"It was a fantastic surprise to have Ben Ainslie, to welcome me back. I am an enthusiastic dingy sailor myself and to have one of the World's best sailors greet me is a great honour. I would like to congratulate him on his fantastic achievements at the Beijing Olympics and look forward to showing him round the World's most luxurious cruise ship." said Captain, John McNeill, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
 
Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medallist adds "It was fantastic to welcome Captain McNeill back to his home port of Southampton. I was hugely impressed by the Regent Seven Seas Voyager and hope to one day travel on board as a guest."

Upon leaving Southampton, Voyager will sail to Monte Carlo from which she will cruise around the Mediterranean for the next few months before crossing the Atlantic to enjoy Christmas in the Caribbean. Early 2009 Voyager will embark on her epic 116 night World Cruise.

ULTRA LUXURY REGENT DOUBLES UK DEPARTURES IN 2009
Graham Sadler, Managing Director UK, Regent Seven Seas Cruises comments, "The number of UK guests on Regent ships has more than doubled in the last 3 years. The UK market is very important to us and due to the popularity of the 2008 Southampton cruises we have doubled the number of cruises to and from Southampton for 2009. In 2010 we also anticipate a series of UK to UK departures, which means Regent will be the ONLY ultra luxury cruise line offering ex UK cruises."

Regent is currently looking at building a new ship and is in talks with three ship yards. The new ship will offer even higher levels of luxury than our present fleet, with entry level suites 400 sq ft as standard. The ship should be available by late 2011.

* by Travel and Leisure magazine US