Trunkabella

Irishwitchy, it’s testing us, too. We tested positive for COVID, so we’re confined to our cabin until we test negative (hopefully Melbourne). We are being well taken care of, but it seems like this trip was not meant to be for us. On the positive side, our missing suitcase was delivered today!

We’re on Explorer and so upset by the itinerary changes. So far, we have missed Bay of Isles and Napier. Going forward, we will miss the fiords and Tasmania. They have given us $500 pp shipboard credit and 30% FCC. I don’t feel that Regent has been transparent about his situation. At various times, the divers have had to suspend operations because of sunset, so they obviously were not finished with their work. But miraculously, the next morning the ship is cleared for all of New Zealand. But, wait, no - they won’t clear us for one of the highlights of cruising New Zealand, the fiords. And we’re missing Tasmania. I think that the on board staff has done the best that they could to salvage this cruise, but the reality is that Regent wasn’t ready to comply with the NZ requirements for this cruise, yet they still let all of us travel long distances to sit on a ship and go to places (Gisborne and Timaru) that are of little interest. Shipboard credits for below average boutiques and overpriced spa treatments and FCCs for a cruise line that you cannot trust do little to assuage disappointment. We are Regent Gold and were big Regent fans. We are totally rethinking this…..

I agree that $250 is generous. But we didn’t fly halfway around the world to sit on a ship when we should be seeing New Zealand. Cruise ships miss ports all of the time for a variety of reasons - most out of their control and I would not seek compensation in those instances. The question is whether Regent is providing the proper oversight for the cleaning. I haven’t heard of any other line that needed three cleanings to get it right. Are there others?

The letter came and gave us another $250 pp shipboard credit. Regent sells itself as “all-inclusive”, so shipboard credits are not of much value to me. We felt that the first $250 pp was generous, but we’re not happy about missing Napier and don’t feel that another shipboard credit compensates for the miss.

When you say thousands more, are you pricing out two one-way tickets or an open jaw?

GaCruiser - so awful that your trip has been such a bust. If you find the time, can you please update us when you have more information? Thanks.

We are scheduled to board in Auckland on 1/12. I wouldn’t travel half way around the works to experience Regent’s hotel facilities. They need to up the compensation. I am concerned bout whether the ship will be able to dock in Auckland on time and whether Regent’s communication with those of us on the next cruise will be timely.

I’ve read on social media that Explorer is missing stops in New Zealand and Australia due to fungus on her hull. Can anyone currently on Explorer explain what is happening and when the situation is expected to be remediated? Thanks.

Our only experience with this is pre-COVID. We were able to keep the same room and get the better deal if our suite category still had availability. If the suite category was sold out, no deal. Our TA handled getting us the better deal with Regent.

We had a similar experience on American. It is because they consider flights to/from Hawaii to be domestic flights, therefore, your ticket does not qualify for lounge access.

It should be spelled out at the bottom of your confirmation. I have a business class flight booked on United for October and my confirmation indicates 2 70 lb bags. Is it possible that this may vary based on the booking class? Did you book directly with United or is it cruise line air?