Boatmans Lady

I think you should nitpick till the cows come home!!!

I certainly would not take the word of one poster to make your decision. Regent cruises are expensive and you should make sure you are getting what you want wether it be an included excursion or otherwise.

Take your time and do some research, it will benefit you in the long run.

 

Pam.

Thank you Pam. Like you, we are in the UK and very quickly found our that things can be very different to what happens in the US.

Research has been my friend, but occasionally, I am stumped.

Asked Regent the other day about our flights home, which I was impressed when we were notified of the 11 months out, unlike what the American posters say about flights being notified much nearer the departure date, but I digress. We are routed on two flights, with two different carriers, one with an unlimited by weight, cabin bag, the other with 10kgs. My question was, will the allowance be honoured by both airlines. In short, after some digging by the Regent agent, the answer was no, so we will have to check one bag in at an extra cost. Simple you think, no, I can't just check the bag for that leg, it has to be for both legs, so costing twice as much.

I'm still working on that part ;)

Since we are counting, I counted our next two cruises.

 

Our November cruise has 42 included excursions and 5 Regent Choice excursions.

 

Our February cruise has 50 included excursions and 16 Regent Choice excursions

 

It does vary by port and I was likely incorrect when I posted that 90% were included but the point that I disagreed with is that more and more excursions are becoming Regent Choice excursions. Regent is adding more and new excursions and some of them are certainly Regent Choice but we have never had difficulty finding included excursions. Our dilemma has been finding Regent Choice excursions because that is our preference.

Please don't think I was nit picking, as I wasn't. I was genuinely curious to what the mix was on our cruise.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, that the mix of included and choice excursions is wrong in some ports, as we have one that the upcost tours outweigh the included ones and another that only has a couple of choice ones.

Also when I rang to be wait listed, the operator tried to sell me a Regent Choice excursion, that was almost identical to the included one. I politely declined her offer and asked to be wait listed.

While Regent is touted as all inclusive, it is not completely inclusive. For instance it seems more and more excursions are extra cost with fewer included and even with the included excursions, there are times when they fill up and you don't get your choice. You can waitlist but, not guaranteed you will get your chosen included excursion.

I strongly disagree that there has been an increase on the number of Regent excursions that cost money. In fact, on two of our upcoming cruises, it was difficult to find a Regent Choice excursion (the ones that have a cost associated with it). I would say that 90% of excursions on Regent are included (or as they say "free").

Out of curiosity I have just added up our excursion choices for our cruise as we haven't long reserved ours.

Regent Included Excursions = 32

Regent Choice Excursions =27

Two ports have more Choice excursions than Included ones and one port we are there two days, but as the choice of excursions are the same, with the exception of of two evening ones [one included, one choice] I have only counted it once.

We have booked 5 included tours, one choice on and have wait listed three included ones. One port we will book our own tour as Regent offer nothing to Pearl Harbour, Whether this is because the Arizona Memorial is indefinitely closed I don't know, but happy to do our own thing and overall we are happy with the choices of included and choice tours.

Papaflamingo, Portalan & Wes,

 

We've identified this issue applies to guests booked on combo voyages, and expect the fix to be completed by the first week of August. In the interim, any dining or shore ex additions/changes for guests booked exclusively on combo voyages will need to be called in to our Reservations team until the update is completed. We apologize for this inconvenience.

We had this problem on the 8th when our excursions went live. Clicked on booked cruises and we had no booked cruise. Re input out reservation number and name, to get the message, no bookings found.

As the 8th was a Sunday, we were unable to call until Monday, as Regent UK aren't open on a Sunday.

Luckily, later on, I was able to access my cruise, but some tours were already full. We are now wait listed for them, so fingers crossed.

May I be so bold to suggest, that if this is going to be ongoing till August, that you put an announcement on your opening web page informing your clients to ring.

Sounds a good option, but we don't dock until early in the morning of disembarkation day.

We have a similar situation coming home from Tahiti [flight 23.35 to LA] and have been told that we will be informed by Regent once on the cruise of any arrangements made for our departure day.

When I asked a similar question, it was a real mixed bag of answers. We would be happy with a hotel on the beach, with secure luggage storage, even if it was shared facilities, but we are wondering if it is best just to hire a car for the day?

We are only doing the first leg and I too had to call and get wait listed for some tours.

I do appreciate that it might be different for us i the UK, but I was told how many people were ahead of us on each tour and that if sufficient numbers were wait listed for a particular Regent would look at adding another coach/boat on, subject to availability.

We are going to forget about it till nearer the time and if still not cleared the wait list, we will look into doing any tour we feel we can't miss independently.

Well' date=' it tough being patient. I'd rather be excited. Have called twice - never got a real answer re: how far down the wait list are we? and now I'm starting to think that we are "out of luck"

Terry[/quote']

 

I had to ring Regent and wait list for three tours and had the added bonus of our tours coming available on a Sunday and Regent don't open on a Sunday in the UK.

Anyway, what I wanted to say was I was told exactly how many people were wait listed above us and that we were now numbers 9 & 10 on one tour, so if there was availability, Regent would probably put another tour on.

 

Fingers crossed that you get on the tours you want. I have already looked at the possibility of doing two of our tours independently.

We have two future cruises with Regent. Both were shown on 'Booked Cruises', but the back-to-back disappeared last week. Regent UK refered this to their office in the States and I received a reply that there was a problem or glitch with showing back-toback cruises but this wild be remedies by the end of July. So let us be patient.

Funny bit is, if it hadn't been our excursion booking day, I probably wouldn't have even noticed and it wouldn't have been a problem.

Fantastic photos and loving your little insights into a first cruise with Regent. Only another 5 months, three weeks..................... for us

My booked cruises also disappeared earler today. They are showing again on the website so it was just a glitch. Just try to access your cruise again and you should be successful.

Thank you, we were watching a film, so sat up till about 01.30 and still nothing, but was all showing when I awoke this morning at 08.45

Two of the tours we wanted are full, so I will ring Monday and asked to be wait listed, but was happy to find that we could do a couple of tours in some of the ports.

Boatmans Lady ,

I think I have read similar posts from people in this situation. I cant be sure , but feel it was due to web site issues? Hopefully someone else will chime in with more accurate information. If you are still in this situation on Monday I would suggest contacting your TA and they can contact Regent to clarify? Jean.

Thank you Jean. I have sat up to do our excursions as they go live today, but looks like I will have to wait till Monday and cross my fingers that we still get what we would like. Sans

It gets worse, Regent in the UK is closed on Sundays!!

Just tried to log onto our forthcoming cruise and there is no booked cruises showing.

This has been showing quite happily for over a year now.

Have tried inputting our cruise details and then get a message, saying that their are no bookings under that reference or name!!

A little confused now, so wondering if this is a normal glitch with Regent or if we do have a problem.

Think I will be on the phone come the morning

Wonderful Photo's and that sunset is a beaut.

Thank you for posting and taking us along with you.

Another first time Regent cruiser here but alas not till the new year, so will be very interested in your musings and photo's.

Your Belgium Chocolates bring back happy memories of many work trips to Belgium.

Fantastic reports as needed. Have enjoyed reading along.

Wonderful photo's and loving all the little facts peppered throughout your report.

I'm another one salivating over your lobster tempura photo. Can see i'm going to have hard choices over food on our cruise!!

Have two fantastic cruises and like you, I'm looking forward to our first cruise on Regent, but still have another 6 months to wait.

Just in loving your report and photo's. and you have certainly pique'd my interest in visiting Copenhagen .

Wow! Only 50 U.S. pounds (Or, 50.706317 pounds, for those among us who are a bit more "exacting"). That's not much of an allowance. Particularly for a multi-week overseas trip. I assume that's one checked bag per person? I think I've had hard-sided suitcases in the past that weighed nearly half that before I ever started filling them! One of the several advantages to flying international Business/Class is the much more generous (included) luggage allowance, multiple "free" checked bags plus carry-on. Of course, the added fare is kind of a "bummer". :(

 

I Hope (and am sure) that you'll have a great trip, though! It's really nice to know that OBC's can be used towards "Regent Laundry". Regards

We are business class on United but still only the one bag. Couldn't get business class on the Tahiti leg and we are still waiting on an answer if they will honour the generous hand luggage allowance instead of the 10kgs they allow. We will manage as I intend to order all my toiletries to be collected airside, so that will lose about 20lbs!!haha

I have done 14 days on 10kgs of luggage before, so can pack very cannily.

Glad you have started your trip in great form.

Is Clive going to be onboard for the round the world in January as I have only heard good things about him.

Look forward to reading more.

Don't forget that OBC/SBC can be used for laundry too.

This is great news as we are only being allowed one case of 23kgs for a 25 day cruise with United from Heathrow and with Air Tahiti and United home to Heathrow, and being asked for an extra $600 for two extra cases is too much in our minds. Canny packing ahead.

I second Commodore 2010 suggestion!

We have cruised to Honolulu 3 times and flown once. We have gone to the Pearl Harbor Museum three times and to the Battleship Missouri once. We either rented a self drive car, a car and driver or took a taxi, doing our own tour, really no need for a guide since you speak English. There is a city bus stop at the port, with a bus that has a stop at Pearl Harbor, so that is another option.

 

Definitely go to both Pearl Harbor and then over to the Missouri if time allows...they are across the Harbor from each other and the Missouri is close to the Arizona Memorial. On one of our trips, the boats were not running as the water was too choppy due to wind, but it was still a great trip as there is a lot to see and you can see the Memorial from the land.

 

We were there in Jan '18 on the Navigator, but did something else.

 

Below is a copy of the tour that was offered by Regent then. Now the boat trip is just a ride out to and around the Arizona...but that would till be very moving especially if it is your first time.

 

Pearl Harbor & City Highlights ~5 ½ hours

Relive moments in history with a visit to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial during this tour that concludes with a view of the city's most notable landmarks.

Traveling by coach from the pier, you will first visit the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center where you will view a film that depicts the events of the 1941 attack. Afterwards, board a Navy launch for the short ride to the Memorial itself, where you'll disembark for an unforgettable and thoroughly moving experience. ( My comment-This will be whatever boat ride is being offered in Jan if the Arizona is still closed.)

 

Your tour continues with a drive through the Punchbowl Crater where you can experience the serenity of the Punchbowl National Cemetery, viewing from your coach the "Courts of the Missing," the chapel and detailed mosaic maps of the Pacific theaters in action in World War II and Korea.

 

From Pearl Harbor, you will have a guided drive through Honolulu City’s highlights. See Aloha Stadium, the downtown district, Chinatown, the Kawaiahao Church, the City Hall, the State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion and Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Continue on for a drive through of Punchbowl, home to a National Cemetery honoring the fallen of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

 

Following your city tour, your coach will return you back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Please note: This tour includes approximately 2 hours of easy walking/standing. The tour is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, are able to make their own way on and off the coach and have a companion to assist them. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Light-weight, casual clothing; sun caps; sunglasses; sunscreen and flat comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Swim suits and tank tops are not permitted on the Arizona Memorial. No bags are allowed within the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. The "No Bag Policy" requires that all bags larger than a hand held radio; approximately 1-1/2 x 2-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches will be directed to the paid storage facility (an additional charge not included in price of tour). Camera (digital & video) without carry case, medication case (prescription only) and bottled water are permitted.

 

USS Missouri

General Douglas MacArthur accepted the official surrender of Japan in September 1945 on board the USS Missouri, also affectionately known as the "Mighty Mo". The ship has been magnificently restored and remains in Pearl Harbor.

 

You will be in awe with the history steeped upon this mightiest of battleships. Even younger generations will be impressed by the sheer size and capabilities of this vessel. It seems that virtually everyone's personal history is touched in some way, by the significance of this vessel.

 

The Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum that offers visitors a glimpse of the past and the experience of being aboard a ship that is alive with history as well as modern technology. The Missouri educates and entertains with exhibits, memorabilia and activities that give you a sense of what life at sea was like aboard the world's last and most celebrated battleship.

 

A mere ship-length away from the Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo dazzles visitors from around the world with her sheer size, impact, and influence, creating strong sentiments and eliciting feelings of nostalgia.

Thank you. Will hang fire and see if Regent do add any tours, if not seems as though it is easy to do ourselves and still well worth going and I will have a happy DH.

We are yet to sail, but that will be rectified in January, which is eagerly being counted down to.