poss Posted July 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 10, 2017 I have a "hold" on the Mariner cruise, Oct. 27: Montreal-Miami. Not sure I'll book since I don't like cold weather or rough water, and there's a fair chance there'd be both. I was drawn by the nice-sounding July 4 offer. But one of the come-ons is that there's a 3 category suite upgrade. One gets a concierge E for what H regularly costs. Other than the free pre-cruise hotel (which would save around $200), I don't see any benefit; in fact I see a disadvantage. We always choose a cabin on the lowest deck mid-ship. With the bump to Concierge, we're obliged to be on deck 8. I guess the movement of the ship isn't going to be all that different one deck above our usual choice, but still-- I just can't see any great advantage of concierge. Is there something I'm not understanding? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted July 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 10, 2017 No, however I will say it was cold. We did that trip a few years ago and it was cold. But still enjoyable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted July 10, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 10, 2017 You could likely get a mid-ship suite rather than one that is aft or forward. Assume that you already can make dining and and excursion reservations early due to your Seven Seas Society status. There is a 5% discount on shore excursions, you'll have a cashmere blanket in case you're cold and want to it on the balcony and the Illy espresso maker. I am not a fan of the Concierge program, however, since all of the lower category suites are identical on the Voyager and Mariner, they had difficulty booking what is now "Concierge" level suites. Passengers new to Regent or those that have not attained a level where they receive early reservations and 15 minutes of included ship-too-shore phone time find this level a benefit. It seems that the bottom line is that you will have a better suite location! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeepFreeze63 Posted July 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 10, 2017 I have a "hold" on the Mariner cruise, Oct. 27: Montreal-Miami. Not sure I'll book since I don't like cold weather or rough water, and there's a fair chance there'd be both. I was drawn by the nice-sounding July 4 offer. But one of the come-ons is that there's a 3 category suite upgrade. One gets a concierge E for what H regularly costs. Other than the free pre-cruise hotel (which would save around $200), I don't see any benefit; in fact I see a disadvantage. We always choose a cabin on the lowest deck mid-ship. With the bump to Concierge, we're obliged to be on deck 8. I guess the movement of the ship isn't going to be all that different one deck above our usual choice, but still-- I just can't see any great advantage of concierge. Is there something I'm not understanding? Thanks! We are Deck 7, G-Cabins, mid-ship fans for the Mariner. Only potential advantage I can see for the Concierge Class on the Mariner is get to the embarkation port a day, early plus avoid the air deviation fee, get the transport to the hotel and ship as well as hotel room and breakfast. However, the offer would be very attractive to us for cruises on the Explorer. The above perks plus a super verandah - wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallship Posted July 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 10, 2017 My understanding was that you receive the cabin upgrade but not the hotel nor the transfers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted July 11, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 11, 2017 If you are Gold or above; absolutely no reason to ever book a concierge; they are designed for newbies only; that is why it takes so long to sell them and why we have been given concierge on a number of occasions when we booked an H guarantee. The three cabin upgrade only made sense on Navigator (to book an H and get an E) or Mariner (to book an F and get a B Penthouse) otherwise the sale did not make any sense. I guess you could have booked an Explorer Cat H and gotten an F2 which is also decent. Otherwise, not much difference. We did take advantage of sale and moved to mid-ship concierge but not getting any of the concierge pre-cruise benefits. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenrod Posted July 11, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The statement that concierge are designed for newbies only is silly! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted July 11, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The statement that concierge are designed for newbies only is silly! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Not really, almost all the benefits available for concierge are already available to Gold and Platinum get 10% versus 5% off land programs and regent choice excursions. If you want a blanket and coffee pot and tote bag; go and pay the extra amount. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted July 11, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I much appreciate the feedback. Tc: We're not interested in the cashmere blanket or the Illy, but like the idea of binocs. Not sure what you mean by our having a better suite location with Concierge. Like DeepFreeze, we are fans of deck 7, mid-ship on Mariner. With the "upgrade" we're obliged to be on deck 8. That's not an improvement in our view. I guess that the 5% discount on shore excursions might save a little money. Marc and tallship: I double-checked with Regent reservations (who are nothing if not fallible), and they (2 different reps) insisted that concierge pre-cruise benefits are absolutely included in that July 4 deal. I wonder why you were told something different. Anyway, when I first saw the ad for the promotion, it seemed like quite the deal. Now it seems like small potatoes. I suspect we'll pass, especially since we're not much interested in the ports after Maine. (Know them all pretty well.) Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenrod Posted July 11, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted July 11, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I would just look at the cabin offered and see if it suits--is it convenient to various parts of the ship. We were on deck 8 on Mariner last winter and rarely felt any motion there at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishwitchy Posted July 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Here are my two sense/cents, I have an upcoming cruise on the Mariner that seems to be selling slowly, I booked the concierge, for four reasons: getting priority reservations, the hotel the night before is included, I get a discount on the better wines (which my husband and I will probably order quite a bit of), and the silly idea that if someone is going to score an upgrade to a PH suite, being the next category down would seem to me, to be a logically person to upgrade;p I'm not gold, because we don't cruise that often, but that could change since I just retired! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted July 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 11, 2017 The statement that concierge are designed for newbies only is silly! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Agree with you. The one thing I would say is that, on Explorer, the lowest two categories of suites are suited to people that are used to very small suites on other cruise lines. Most (certainly not all) Regent regulars would not book those suites unless they were staying in them on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mailman055 Posted July 14, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 14, 2017 getting priority reservations, the hotel the night before is included, I get a discount on the better wines (which my husband and I will probably order quite a bit of), and the silly idea that if someone is going to score an upgrade to a PH suite, being the next category down would seem to me, to be a logically person to upgrade This is it EXACTLY. Having done the Mariner recently, there really is not any other reason to book concierge if these items are not important to you. Priority reservations are pretty golden, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted July 14, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted July 14, 2017 These upgrades to Penthouse that you speak of: These would be paid upgrades, yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishwitchy Posted July 14, 2017 #16 Share Posted July 14, 2017 I can't answer the upgrade question (I'm sure others can speak to their experience) and it may cost money, but the current cost difference between the suites is more than I want to spend. However, I can always look at an offer and decline it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted July 14, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 14, 2017 This is it EXACTLY. Having done the Mariner recently, there really is not any other reason to book concierge if these items are not important to you. Priority reservations are pretty golden, however. Michael, based on SSS status, you already get same "priority reservation" benefits that go to Concierge cabins. Nice to see you back on the boards; hadn't seen you around for a while. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted July 14, 2017 #18 Share Posted July 14, 2017 These upgrades to Penthouse that you speak of: These would be paid upgrades, yes? Almost positive that any upgrades would be "upsells". Depending on the ship, I would turn down an upsell to a PH suite unless it was really inexpensive. Mailman055 - agree with you about priority reservations and the pre-cruise night at a hotel. The hotel itself is worth about $300 (at least that is what you get as a credit on most sailings if you opt out) and the priority reservations are priceless if you have your heart set on a particular specialty restaurant on a particular evening (like a birthday or anniversary celebration) or if there is a "limited" excursion that you want to make sure that you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted July 14, 2017 #19 Share Posted July 14, 2017 These upgrades to Penthouse that you speak of: These would be paid upgrades, yes? Yes unless you just booked a GTY Concierge in which case you might get lucky :D ............. but probably unlikely An upgrade/upsell to a PH on Mariner would be very agreeable since they are about 50% larger than Concierge and Veranda suites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda VH Posted July 15, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 15, 2017 We use the Concierge cabins for the 10% discount to wine at dinner. On Explorer they have some really nice wine and we end up using our OBC's that way. We had to be waitlisted on our Sept.22 cruise on her and scored an F1 but we are waitlisted for concierge for the stated reason as the cabins are identical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted July 15, 2017 #21 Share Posted July 15, 2017 We use the Concierge cabins for the 10% discount to wine at dinner. On Explorer they have some really nice wine and we end up using our OBC's that way. We had to be waitlisted on our Sept.22 cruise on her and scored an F1 but we are waitlisted for concierge for the stated reason as the cabins are identical Good deal! Assuming you are on the 12 day sailing it is only a $400 per person difference between F1 and E so just purchasing $8,000 of wine makes that a good deal! If you are on the 22 day sailing; only $600 per person difference so just $12,000 dollars of wine; easy to do in 22 days. Bon Voyage!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPR Posted July 15, 2017 #22 Share Posted July 15, 2017 (edited) Marq, ROTFL! (I suppose they could get a bottle of Penfolds Grange or a similarly ridiculously priced wine each day or two, thereby saving 10% on wine with 300% markup...) Edited July 15, 2017 by JPR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted July 15, 2017 Author #23 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Ok, I get it. Thanks to responders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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