A Grand Prix Weekend with Aston Martin and Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Cruising and Formula One might seem worlds apart, but they actually go hand-in-hand when it comes to creating unforgettable experiences and a cruise getaway is an excellent way of attending a Grand Prix race weekend during a Formula One season. Much like there’s nothing quite like island-hopping in the Caribbean or sailing through the stunning Mediterranean on a cruise ship, nothing beats being trackside during a Grand Prix race weekend; even First Practice on Friday is a thrilling experience!
With a Formula One Cruise Package, you can make sure you’re there for all the on-track action during a Formula One race weekend without needing to worry about your travel, accommodation, or any of the other stresses that come with a getaway of this nature. That, and you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible sailing to some of the most stunning destinations in the part of the world where the Formula One race weekend is taking place. We know that sounds pretty amazing, but what is attending a Formula One race weekend actually like?
During the 2024 Formula One season, Iglu Cruise cruise travel expert Cate (and her Formula One fan husband Chris) had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the thrilling British Grand Prix at Silverstone as a VIP guest with Aston Martin. Winning a Regent Seven Seas Cruises competition, who recently partnered with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, Cate and her husband spent three days enjoying the incredible Paddock Club experience at Silverstone – while also having the chance to enjoy the hospitality at the Aston Martin team lounge, explore the pit lane, and sit in the Aston Martin garage during sessions.
If you’re interested in F1 Grand Prix Cruises, keep reading for more about her incredible experience during the 2024 British Grand Prix; that, and some tips and tricks you’re going to want to keep in mind if you’re thinking about attending a Formula One race weekend yourself!
An Incredible Experience for Fans New and Old
My husband, Chris, has always been a Formula One fan. Myself, on the other hand, am quite new to the sport. He introduced me to F1 when we met, and honestly at first I didn’t get it. However, as I kept watching and I kept meeting people who were passionate about Formula One, I started to understand. Over the last couple of years, we both really got into it; the circuits, the drivers, and the drama were all just fantastic to follow as a fan.
When I saw the news that Regent Seven Seas had partnered with Aston Martin, I thought that it was a great fit; it’s a partnership between two powerhouse companies who share a similar vision and an exciting opportunity for both. Then, when I saw Regent Seven Seas’ competition to win Silverstone Paddock Club tickets, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to combine two of my (new) favourite things: cruising and Formula One.
I honestly didn’t think that I would be in for a chance of winning, but when Sarah Jones and Paul Beale from Regent Seven Seas contacted me to tell me I had won, I couldn’t believe it!
Paul let me know that myself and a guest had won three day passes to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone – and who else would I take but my husband! From start to finish, the experience was incredible, and I am so grateful to Paul and Regent Seven Seas for the opportunity to realise one of the best things I have done in my life so far.
We had VIP tickets for the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Grand Prix. We were part of the Paddock Club, which had its own lounge area for guests to enjoy, but we were also invited to the Aston Martin Lounge. We felt so spoiled! Nothing was too much of an ask. While there, we had an amazing array of food alongside incredible views of Practice, Qualifying, the race on Sunday, and the driver and team interviews! We even had some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to visit the pit lane, pit wall, and the Aston Martin garage to see the cars up close!
Day One - Free Practice 1 & Free Practice 2
Day One was a blur. It was Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 on Friday, so it was the best time to get used to our surroundings and see what we needed to do and where to go. Luckily, the Paddock Club and Aston Martin Lounge were both really easy to locate and once we walked into the inner circle of the track, we found them straight away.
First, we checked out the Paddock Club, which had its own bar area, food stalls, and live music. All of this was included for us, and we just couldn’t believe it. With Friday being a day of practice sessions, it was a bit emptier than the rest of the weekend, but this was the perfect opportunity to take photos and get a feel for the race weekend. We had some pizza, tacos, and one of the best crepes I’ve ever had!
We then walked into the Aston Martin Lounge area, meeting with the Aston Martin team and having a nosy around the lounge space. With Silverstone being Aston Martin’s home Grand Prix, the team’s factory is only around the corner, their team lounge was the largest and it was stunning. Each day there were new events featuring Aston Martin’s sponsors – Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Hugo Boss, Jo Malone, and more – with activities to take part in and prizes to win.
Once we were settled, we made our way to the viewing platform. We had a direct view of the start-finish straight and above the pit garages for each team. It was amazing, and honestly the best place to view the race start, the pit stops, and some incredible overtaking spots.
We then met up with our Aston Martin representative, who took us into the Aston Martin garage and on a pit lane tour. We had the chance to see the cars up-close, walk down the pit lane to see all the other teams, and get never-before-seen views from parts of the track. We even got to sit in on some practice sessions, listening to the team radios while looking at the live practice data. I’ll never get over hearing Fernando Alonso’s voice in my ears whilst he was driving and talking to his engineers!
Day Two - Free Practice 3 & Qualifying
Day Two was similar to Day One, but there was also Qualifying! We were able to watch the driver interviews from the Aston Martin Lounge – with Fernando Alonso about ten feet away from us at times – which shielded us from the rain. The rain was a huge factor throughout the race weekend, with rain always bringing drama to a Formula One session; it was brilliant to see the drivers react to the changing conditions and showcase the incredible speed of their cars, even in a downpour!
Our time in the Aston Martin Lounge on Day Two was really fantastic. The food was incredible, you never had to worry about having a drink, and there was so much to do with the sponsors’ events. We even have a hand-drawn picture of us from an artist they had as a guest, which is such a special keepsake.
We also had a bit more time in the pit lane today, managing to get up close to all the action in the garage and spending a bit more time listening to the driver radio while watching the team’s analysts sort through the data and work out what would be the best move for the cars and the team. It was incredible!
Day Three - Grand Prix Race Day
Day Three was, of course, race day! We finally got a break in the weather, and even managed to get our sunnies out for it!
Again, we enjoyed a lot of the same incredible experiences, except the Aston Martin Lounge was much busier than before – as it was the final day of the race weekend. We met some incredible people from the sponsors here and managed to secure ourselves a front-row position on the viewing platform to watch the race. My husband, being an avid Lewis Hamilton fan for a long time, was ecstatic at the result of the race; it was a Hamilton home win at Silverstone!
Honestly, I could not have asked for more. The race, the company, and Lewis Hamilton win; it was all incredible. I still count myself so lucky to be a part of it and cannot thank Iglu Cruise, Regent Seven Seas, and Aston Martin enough
Tips & Tricks for Attending a Formula One Grand Prix
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Having never been to a Formula One race before, I had no idea just how intense the entire weekend would be. We were never short of food or drinks in the Paddock Club, so you don’t need to worry about that if you have tickets. However, there’s TONS of walking. It can be about a mile from the car park to the circuit at times, so wearing comfortable footwear or bringing a bag with a change of shoes is a must.
Watch the Weather
We were also blessed with rain the entire weekend, which is sarcasm at its finest! So, we actually both had a bag with some spare clothing and waterproofs with us in order to make it through each day. Whilst the lounges are inside and sheltered, you’ll spend a lot of your time without shelter from the rain; so, definitely make sure you’re aware of the weather forecast for each day!
Take Advantage of the Lounges
Make sure you’re taking advantage of the lounges you have access to when you’re there! All the different sponsors have games and activities there, so make sure you do the quizzes, spin the wheels, and chat with them all. It was something I was nervous about at first, but they were all incredible!
Also, go out and walk around the rest of the circuit if you can! It’s all included with the Paddock Club, so make sure you go to all the concerts, ride the Ferris Wheel, and take part in the panels with the drivers, team principals, and more.
Plan for Traffic
I also underestimated just how busy the circuit and the area around it would be. We managed to stay in Oxford, which is just a short drive away from Silverstone, but make sure you plan for traffic! It was all really well organised, but it just gets busier and busier as the weekend goes on. This isn’t likely to change anytime soon, either, with Formula One becoming more and more popular as a sport.
A Magical Weekend Everyone Should Experience
We had a magical weekend, and it was also my husband’s birthday celebration, so it was just perfect. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top this as a birthday gift! If you have the chance, go!
I would go to every race weekend if the experience was a tenth of what my experience at Silverstone was. We were incredibly well taken care of, and the Regent Seven Seas Cruises team were just fantastic. Aston Martin was brilliant, and they never had us missing anything. I just cannot believe I get to say that I was at Silverstone, saw Fernando Alonso and his car, and witnessed Lewis Hamilton with the British Grand Prix. Even though there was some classic British weather and it really chucked it down at points, it was worth it! I felt so special and made memories I’ll never forget. I’ve definitely got the Grand Prix bug now, and already want to get tickets for next year’s race!
Thank you, again, to Iglu Cruise for the fantastic opportunity to be involved with Regent Seven Seas; and, thank you to Regent Seven Seas for giving me one of the best weekends of my life! I also want to thank Aston Martin for taking care of us throughout the weekend, giving us some of the most incredible once-in-a-lifetime moments we will ever have.
Top Upcoming F1 Cruise Deals
Throughout 2025, there are 24 Formula One race weekends for you to visit; if you’d like to enjoy the action trackside, you’ll find a selection of the best upcoming Formula One cruise deals below:
- At the Heart of Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2025, Riviera Dreams & the Blessed Balearics (20 nights) - 13 May 2025, Explora II
- Duomo Domes to the Heart of Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2025 (13 nights) - 13 May 2025, Explora II
- At the Heart of Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2025 (5 nights) - 21 May 2025, Explora II
Check back soon for more information on upcoming sailings!
Book Your Next Adventure with Iglu Cruise Today
While a fantastic option, a Formula One race weekend isn’t the only incredible experience you can enjoy when you embark on a cruise adventure; with a variety of sensational Cruise & Stay packages available throughout the year, there’s always other options available. Alongside last-minute deals, short breaks, family cruises, and more, there really is something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to booking your next unforgettable holiday with Iglu Cruise.
If you’re having trouble deciding on where to go next, check out these recent blogs from the Iglu Cruise team; they might just help you pick your next getaway!
