msicmn11

We have a similar issue with a Grandeur cruise in Oct 2024. We started looking in Nov. but some ports had nothing available and some excursions had no waitlists. I am actually surprised, as a frequent cruiser, that Regent allows booking of excursions so far in advance. You often can't book hotels or airline flights a year in advance. Since we all are paying for the inclusion of excursions( and yes, there are some excursions for an additional fee) as part of our fare (a hefty fare I might add) we should be able to have more options a year out. Maybe Regent should only offer excursions a few months closer to a cruise date. I don't want to wait until we are onboard and hope for a waitlisted spot. We shouldn't have to. If there are no available tickets it is usually too late to plan a tour with a third party. Having most excursions unavailable or waitlisted a year in advance is inexcusable. Frustrating.

COVID is still here and surging with these new variants that elude our vaccines to some degree. Now the cruise lines are loosening restrictions for everyone when it makes no health and safety sense, especially for an older demographic, except for their bottom line. Back in January we took a Carribean cruise on Riviera and felt very safe because indoor masking was required and we all had to be vaccinated and tested. It seemed safer then unshore. Now that bubble has turned 180 degrees. Unvaxed are allowed, masking is optional and testing in not required. Our entire group of 4 passengers on a July Alaska cruise on Celebrity contracted COVID bad, because a couple thousand passengers were unmasked and we were all healthy, fully vaxed and boosted. We masked in all public areas (except dining and bars of course) and we still got it. We, and I am sure many more, paid the price. Reality check- We can now contract covid and bring it onboard or contract it onboard and we may not be symptomatic at first and spread it to those around us, especially if you are not wearing a mask. I know people hate masks, but they are the best line of defense to protect ourselves and those around us. Longer cruises are the hardest if you get sick and have to quarantine or have to leave the ship. Not a fun vacation. Please everyone use some common sense and help protect yourselves and those around you by masking-up. Thanks