The New Definition of Ultra-Luxury Cruising

From unlimited shore excursions and Michelin-inspired dining to premium drinks, butler service and spacious suites, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® is redefining what all-inclusive, ultra-luxury really means.

For today’s affluent travellers, true luxury is no longer measured by extravagant extras or lavish upgrades.

Instead, it is about effortless experiences, exceptional service and the freedom to simply enjoy the journey without constantly reaching for your wallet and having to unpack more than once.

That philosophy sits at the heart of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, whose invitation to “Cruise in All-Inclusive, Unrivalled Luxury™” has redefined what all-inclusive travel can be.

Unlike many cruise holidays where additional charges can quickly add up, Regent includes almost every aspect of the journey in the upfront fare.

Everything from unlimited shore excursions, speciality dining, premium wines, spirits, craft cocktails and speciality coffees to spa access, WiFi, gratuities, valet laundry and 24-hour in-suite dining is all part of the all-inclusive experience.

The result is a holiday where guests can focus entirely on exploring the world rather than managing a travel budget.

Luxury without compromise

Regent’s approach extends well beyond what is included.

Its fleet of intimate ships, ranging from 244 to 411 suites, offers one of the industry’s highest crew-to-guest ratios and some of the most spacious accommodation at sea.

Almost every suite features a private balcony, allowing guests to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views throughout their voyage.

From personalised butler service in Penthouse Suites and above to elegant public lounges, fine art collections and world-class wellness facilities, every detail has been designed to create a relaxed yet refined onboard atmosphere.

Every destination becomes part of the journey

For many travellers, the highlight of any cruise is discovering new destinations, and Regent has built its reputation around making those experiences as immersive as possible.

Guests can choose from thousands of included shore excursions across more than 550 destinations worldwide, ranging from cultural tours and culinary experiences to visits to iconic landmarks and hidden local gems.

Many itineraries also feature extended stays in port, allowing travellers more time to experience each destination at their own pace.

Select voyages can also be paired with exclusively curated pre-cruise land programmes, including experiences aboard the world-renowned Rocky Mountaineer™ in Canada or luxury hotel stays throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Dining takes centre stage

Cuisine has become one of the defining features of luxury travel, and Regent places dining at the centre of the guest experience.

Guests can choose from multiple speciality restaurants, enjoy carefully selected wines from their dedicated sommeliers, order in-suite dining around the clock or participate in onboard culinary classes inspired by the destinations they visit.

Several ships also feature dedicated Culinary Arts Kitchens, where guests can immerse themselves in hands-on cooking classes inspired by the destinations they visit.

Led by expert chefs, the highly personalised experiences range from mastering French classics to learning the art of Argentine grilling, while exploring the stories, traditions and local ingredients behind each cuisine.

Guests leave not only with new culinary skills, but with recipes they can recreate long after returning home

A seamless way to see the world

As more Australians seek meaningful travel experiences over material possessions, the appeal of an ultra-luxury cruise lies in its simplicity.

Instead of unpacking at every destination or worrying about hidden costs, guests enjoy the convenience of settling into one elegant suite while waking up somewhere new each day.

It is this combination of generous inclusions, personalised service and carefully curated experiences that has helped Regent Seven Seas Cruises build a loyal following among discerning travellers looking for an effortless way to explore the world.

For more information, call 1300 455 200, visit RSSC.com or request a complimentary brochure at RSSC.com/order-brochure.

Kuala Lumpur will welcome a significant new luxury address this month when Waldorf Astoria opens its first hotel in Malaysia.

Scheduled to receive its first guests on 30 October, Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is an all-suite hotel occupying a reimagined address in the capital’s Golden Triangle district.

Its position at 73 Jalan Raja Chulan places it close to Bukit Bintang, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Twin Towers. For international visitors, that means many of the city’s principal shopping, dining and business destinations will be within easy reach.

The property will contain 268 suites, with even its entry accommodation conceived on a scale more readily associated with serviced residences.

One-bedroom suites begin at approximately 80sqm, providing separate living and sleeping areas suitable for both short visits and extended stays. At the top of the collection is the 745sqm Waldorf Astoria Suite, which will rank among Kuala Lumpur’s largest hotel accommodations.

Floor-to-ceiling windows will bring the city into the rooms, while the interiors combine generous living spaces, subdued textures and a contemporary interpretation of Malaysian design.

The all-suite model is an important distinction. Luxury city hotels increasingly compete not only on service and location but on the amount of private space they give guests. For travellers accustomed to villas, residences and apartment-style accommodation, a conventional hotel room can feel restrictive regardless of how beautifully it is finished.

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is responding with rooms intended to function as private urban retreats rather than simply places to sleep.

The hotel’s approach to service will be shaped around what it calls Layan Tetamu, a reinterpretation of the Malaysian tradition of welcoming and caring for guests. Hilton describes the philosophy as sincere, intuitive and highly personalised.

Food and beverage will be central to the hotel’s ambitions to become a destination for Kuala Lumpur residents as well as international guests.

The dining program includes collaborations with Garima Arora and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Arora became the first Indian woman to receive a Michelin star and is known for using modern techniques to explore ingredients and culinary traditions from across Asia. Vongerichten oversees an international collection of restaurants and is recognised for combining French technique with influences drawn from Asia and other parts of the world.

One of the hotel’s principal venues will be JG KL by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The wider collection will encompass formal destination restaurants and more intimate social spaces, each intended to have its own identity rather than operate as a generic hotel outlet.

Wellness will be anchored by the Waldorf Astoria Spa and a separate wellness centre. The announced program includes personalised rituals, advanced treatments and facilities dedicated to exercise and recovery.

An outdoor swimming pool provides another retreat from the surrounding city, while the hotel will include event spaces designed for weddings, celebrations and major social occasions.

The result is intended to be more than a base for tourists. By combining large suites, restaurants led by internationally recognised chefs, wellness facilities and event venues, Waldorf Astoria is positioning the hotel as part of Kuala Lumpur’s social and dining landscape.

The opening also highlights the growing depth of luxury hospitality in the Malaysian capital.

Kuala Lumpur has traditionally provided compelling value compared with cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Room sizes are often more generous, while dining, spa treatments and private transport can remain comparatively accessible to Australian travellers.

The arrival of Waldorf Astoria adds another top-tier international brand to that equation. It also brings the brand’s residential style of hospitality to a city well positioned for stopovers, business trips and longer Southeast Asian itineraries.

Reservations are already open. The introductory Waldorf Astoria Indulgence Escape includes breakfast and 15,000 Hilton Honors points for members booking a minimum stay of two nights.

As with any newly opened hotel, early guests should confirm which restaurants, treatments and facilities will be operating during their stay. Major luxury properties often open in stages, with parts of the dining or wellness program introduced over the months that follow.

If the experience matches the scale of its suites and the strength of its culinary partnerships, Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur could establish itself quickly as one of the city’s most important luxury hotels.

Hotel summary

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

Opening: 30 October 2026

Address: 73 Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Accommodation: 268 suites

Suite sizes: From approximately 80sqm

Largest accommodation: The 745sqm Waldorf Astoria Suite

Dining collaborators: Garima Arora and Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Facilities: Waldorf Astoria Spa, wellness centre, outdoor pool, restaurants and event spaces

Opening offer: Breakfast and 15,000 Hilton Honors points for qualifying two-night stays