AMHuntFerry

It looks like you are fairly new to the CC forums so I'll provide some info on how to use the (not terribly friendly) search-system. For this question, I suggest going to the search box in the upper right (assuming you're on a computer browser), type "regent" in the search-box and make sure to use the pull-down menu to choose "This Forum" instead of "This Topic"; click on the search-icon. On the next page below the search box (where it still says "regent"), click on "regent in content titles only" so that all of the time regent is mentioned are eliminated. This will leave you with more than enough opinions on the subject. 😉

This is probably the end of the "season" for each ship, and the next itinerary will be a repositioning cruise. I think it's typical that O would not stretch the next season over two brochure releases.

The SM package only covers wine/beer by the glass from the regular (not specialty) drink menu during lunch/dinner. You can pay for other drinks with alcohol (or Lyre no-alcohol spirits). The upgraded drink package ($30 per person per day) covers all of the drinks from the regular drink menu (but typically not from specialty menus).

$12-14 by the glass + 20% gratuity. If you booked after September 1st, you have the SM package which includes wine during lunch and dinner (so no charge). If you are OLife or purchasing outside of meals, then this is the price...UNLESS it is during happy hour (before dinner and after the show) when it is 2 for 1, or during the captain's/repeaters'/first-timers' parties when they are complimentary.

Wrong topic somehow

There used to be a 15% savings on wine bottles with a package (along with 20% of La Reserve dinners) that was a drink package perk, but my last cruise was right before SM started so I don't know if it's still there. Maybe someone has a current Beverage Brochure and can check.

I'm a horrible shopper and had no idea what this meant so had to google. But then I've never heard of most of the chefs in this topic, so maybe I'm just plain ignorant. 😁

(one caveat)...unless those two drinks tend to be during happy hours or the Captain's/Repeaters' parties, then it's not a good deal.

I would just add that the FCC is fully refundable (must be requested within the one year deadline though), whereas the onboard booking has a $150 per person penalty if cancelled (moving once does not incur the penalty).

I once asked my dad if he had a tie. He said that he kept one in a drawer at work in case there were Japanese or Saudi visitors (he was in management at HP 50s to 90s). He wore one to my wedding so I guess he approved 😉

Do you have an opinion about B&R's soft-side/fabric vs. hard-side plastic luggage for checked baggage?

I think everyone has reservation access at the same time. The problem is, there doesn't seem to be a pattern as to when the class reservations show up as available online. The general advice seems to be to check regularly in your account. They are not with shore excursions but a different tab...someone will chime in with which tab since I can't remember.

There is everyone from carry-on-only (us except for cruises) to Paris-Hilton-luggage-quantity on this site. I know you've chosen size, but if you haven't purchased yet, I have been eyeing a Brigg's and Riley bag lately that is a rolling duffle. I also looked at the hard sided 28" trunk (~ 10 liters more), but I leaned toward the rolling duffle since it will fit under the bed to use for either clothes headed for the laundry, or rarely used (or "out of season") items. I was getting ready to buy, but there is now a 20% off sale on one line of their more traditional compression luggage, so now I'm waffling (I'm the slowest shopper ever!). Anyhoo, if underbed storage is appealing and you go with the trunk, you could always pack some fabric underbed storage bags. Enjoy your cruise!

The few times I've checked International PE flights recently, the PE-to-Economy difference is much (+ another much) bigger than a year or two ago (and $500 would be a bargain, at least for the itineraries I look at). You have a fantastic deal.

I added the NOT (not specifically for you) because, for whatever reason, when SM came out at the same time as quarterly possible-price changes, some insisted on comparing sale prices to current prices to determine how much SM was "costing" them...didn't make fiscal sense, but math is hard.

I will speculate that it is the lack of steerage cabins on Vista...that's where all the cool kids hang out. 😉

None of the "free hotel" cruises are on my wish list, but I spot checked a few against regular prices in a January brochure (NOT 40% off sale prices that ended in Feb or March), and they align with your observation...between $200 to $300 more per person. I have not looked at cruises that don't have the hotel perk, but I suspect others have also gone up a similar amount but do not have a hotel...the cruise I have booked in a couple of months has been on sale for many months (so no January "regular price" to compare) and it is now $200 more than the 2024-sailings (original price) brochure.

Me neither...I heard a name dropper once which was amusing since I was just eavesdropping (hard not to when you're 3 feet away and the speaker is, ahem, a bit loud).

I think there may be some new additions to the OClub discount list, but that may be me not paying attention. I don't remember Alaska 2025 being there before (but I'm stayed up super late last night so have more brain fog than usual). There is also a $499 premium flight upgrade, but I don't monitor that for additions since I prefer DIY flights (ditto regarding solo fares).

I would have messed with them by having the bus driver move the bus out of sight, then run over to the late-ones saying, "OMG, the bus left without us!" 😄 OK, I probably would have only thought of it later, and I wouldn't have the courage/slightly-mean-streak to actually do it (although my spouse probably would...such a joker).

They have GF offerings either readily available or on request (e.g., not on the tea cart, but over in the prep area). If you have something like celiac, you should let O know more than 60 days ahead since they will need to be more careful with all of the food prep. If you are sensitive, then you probably don't need to let them know ahead of time.

If the embarkation time on your itinerary says 8 am, then O's plan is probably to have everyone disembark between 8 and 9 am. However, you may be able to get off earlier, but you will not know until it happens since it depends on how smoothly the process goes. There is always the chance that disembarkation is delayed.

We had no problems with Wifi calling/texting using a pay-as-you-go phone that uses the Verizon network via Regatta's Wifi last September (and before).

Here's a little experiment if you need to fill some idle time 😉 I thought I noticed that the TP in the public bathrooms was a better quality than in our cabin (which was not quite as bad as Brazilian crepe paper), but I didn't take the time to do a thorough side-by-side analysis. I've also wondered if the TP is better in the high-level suites.

Nope, not gonna bite...hang around for a while and you too shall see 😉