papaflamingo

I wont' dare speak for others, but for me and many others who have posted, Regent passengers care more about respect for other Regent, the crew members (who are forced to confront passengers), and fellow passengers, rather than being entitled and selfish and more than happy to put hard working crew members in a position of having to correct them at possible risk of anger and complaints. Maybe...JUST MAYBE... if everyone abided by the easy and flexible rules (yes including no smoking on balconies and no lounge hogging) then we wouldn't be having these discussions and the crew wouldn't be put in an uncomfortable situations. 😏

Personal opinion.... the only difference between Concierge and the basic cabin on Voyager is location and perks. The best bet is to add up the value of the perks, and see if it's worth the extra $1000 pp. You can get a pretty nice hotel and a very nice limo to the port for much less than $2000. The biggest perk for Concierge is that you can select shore excursions and specialty dining early. That is very important to some and not so much for others. If shore excursions are "make it or break it" for you then by all means it might warrant the extra $2000. As for the in suite coffee maker, it's espresso pods. But the Coffee Connection is a great place to relax early for me while my wife sleeps in, and they have a 24 hour machine. Also remember you have free room service and can always order coffee to your room. So that may or may not factor in. My best advice is consider the "value" of the perks along with the location and decide if they're worth it to you. We have never thought so, but our first cruise was in a Penthouse on Mariner (extremely large cabin upgrade) for 40 nights so we became Silver on day one and have always had early reservations. So it never made sense to upgrade for us.

Yes and no. We were on Explorer from Feb. 15-Mar. 6 and found service, food, shore excursions, etc. exceptional! But we thought it was a bit more of a "struggle" when we were on Mariner in Dec. 2023 and Grandeur in Jan. 2024. So yes, it's the "new normal" in that so many NEW crew positions are being created industry wide (Royal Caribbean added 2350 new crew members for Icon of the Seas alone), and supplies and supply chains are "challenging." Add into that the fact that many tour companies worldwide folded during Covid, and the cruise lines have to make up for BILLIONS in losses due to the Covid shutdown, and yup.... "new normal." But as I said, our recent cruise on Explorer was 180 out of yours. We thought it was as good or better than our cruise in 2018 (and we thought that was as great as anything possible) so could be a crew change or leadership change (or both) that has introduced new crew members that just aren't up to speed yet. My best advice, bring it to the attention of the supervisors and give them a chance to rectify what they can.

Hope this helps... 1. When you book you can choose with or without air. Unless you KNOW you don't want air, better to go "with" air and you can cancel the air portion for a credit up to (I think) 60 days prior to sailing. 2. The EARLIEST you can contact Custom Air is 210 days prior to sailing. When you call them you give them your requested flights. Regent gets a deeply discounted rate in their contract rates. What you need to look for is flights that have 2 fares, refundable and non-refundable. Those are more likely to have contract rates. However that's just a "wag," doesn't always work that way. But by comparing fares from different airlines, and different routes on the same airline, you will have a feel what might have contract rates. Example, if you see a non-stop for $5000 and a one stop for $4000 it's most likely that one stop will be the flight with no up charge. You can request the non stop and may be able to get it for an additional charge, I've been quoted up to $1500 per person (and I know others have been quoted higher). Then it's up to you if you want to pay the additional. May be worth it to you, may not. Your choice. And the more options you can present them the more likely you'll find something acceptable to you. Also don't hesitate to ask the agent for flights that may have no up charge. I did that coming home on my last cruise, I could get the non stop for an additional $1000 per person or go through Boston and fly JetBlue in coach for the second leg for no up charge. For me it was worth the extra $1000 pp to fly non stop. The $175 pp is only charged IF you accept a deviation. If you don't, you only pay a single $75. Both fees are non-refundable. Hope this helps answer your questions. Remember, if you book with air, Regent will assign flights about 60-75 days out. So if you don't find any to deviate, then no problem, just accept their assigned flights, and remember after they assign them you can call and try to change if they're unreasonable in your view. I always deviate internationally because we go a few days early and usually stay a couple days after the cruise. I am retired airlines and I know all the pitfalls of getting to a cruise, so I leave nothing to chance. Plus if I'm going to fly somewhere for a cruise, I want to spend some time in the ports to tour. For Domestic flights I take the credit and book my own. Domestic is generally Economy. So when you add the credit plus $175 deviation fee, plus Baggage Fees, you can come close to paying for a First Class ticket, especially for me since we get a 25% employee discount.

When you call Custom Air to discuss Air Deviation, there is an initial $75 charge to "talk" to Regent Air. This was instituted a year or so ago because with all the airline changes after Covid the Air Dept. was getting crushed with people looking to possibly deviate. So they instituted a $75 fee to inquire. If you agree on a Deviation the $75 fee is rolled into one of the $175 pp Deviation Fees. So the phone call becomes "free" when you choose to deviate. What they do is charge your credit card when agree to the call, then when you agree to a flight they charge you $100 and your travel companion $175. All these fees are non-refundable, but it sure has sped up the Deviation process.

We also thought Grandeur's Compass Rose was very loud. You could be right about the curved "posts." Addition the windows have flat glass coverings for the "twilight" effect where in other ships they have curtains. Curtains definitely help absorb sound, I imagine the glass covers on Grandeur "bounce" the sound right back into the dining area. Have to admit, I thought that part was not a good design feature, not only the sound issue, but I like having the windows to look out during the day.

It's not just you, especially when getting a sip of water and the bus hits a bump (don't ask me how I know that)! 😱

I think you're misunderstanding. Regent books U.S. passengers in Restricted Business Class when flying intercontinental not just the "over water" leg. So you will be booked Business Class from your departure to your final destination. The only exception is if there is no first or business offered, i.e. JetBlue in the U.S., and many European airlines "first class" is simply the middle seat being blocked out when flying intra-Europe. If you fly domestic or to Canada then it'll be coach not First Class (unless they're doing a promotional special). I am retired airline. We get a 25% (or more sometimes) employee discount on any flight with my former airlines. Except for our next cruise (my airline is offering introductory flights on this new route, so deeply discounted) I have been unable to come closer than additional $1000 per person compared to the Regent rate. So I have always booked via Regent Air. I highly recommend you choose to use Custom Air and deviate early. You can book your flight as early as 210 days prior to the cruise. You can basically choose your own airline and itinerary and if Regent has Contract Rates on that flight you can book it with NO up charge. If they don't, there's a good chance the upcharge plus the Regent credit will still be less than what you can book it for yourself. There is a $175 per person non-refundable Deviation fee and a $75 fee (not pp) to call Custom Air, but the $75 is "rolled" into one of the $175 fees if you book Custom Air. Anyway, what I do is research my flight options on the airlines I want to fly, come up with as many options as I can and prioritize them. Then when I call Regent Air I can start with my first choice and if unavailable or has an up charge I can ask about my second, third, etc. They are extremely helpful and will offer alternatives if you ask. Once booked, you can, at least on U.S. airlines, manage your reservation as if it's yours (changes seats, etc.). Plus you know your flights 210 days out. Well worth the deviation.

Thanks! Will have to give it a try next time! 😎

I would expect it's very likely that overland programs will be offered. We're doing the Grand Cruise next year and the Taj Mahal is an offered overland program out of Kochi (Cochin), India to rejoin the ship in Mumbai. It's not cheap ($4099 per person) but it's offered. There are also other overland programs offered including Luxor which we chose to do. So I expect those will be added down the road.

We were on Grandeur in Jan. and our friend had the crispy escargot in Chartreuse and didn't like them. I will say up front, he's not an "adventurous eater" and broke them open and ate the snail alone. I'm pretty sure that added to his "dislike." But after your comment and that of others, I'm now intrigued and I think next time I get a chance I will likely try them. But can you describe how they're prepared? Like... what's the "crispy" part, or any sauces, etc. Sorry, I know it's a bit of a weird question.

We are booked on the Grand Cruise from Auckland to Athens (maybe) Mar. 2025. We just booked the cruise before from Papeete to Auckland. The ship gets in the night before the Grand cruisers board, so we spend a night in Auckland on board. Does anyone know if it's possible for us to attend the Grand Cruise dinner the night before? Also I seem to have heard that they will generally do a Grand Cruise event (like brunch or something) on board early in the cruise. Any one have any info? Thanks

I think that was simply a function of your cabin steward. The cabin stewards have certain work hours that include off time during the afternoon. So I've found when I put laundry out after 9 am and it comes back the next day, it often is when they come to do turn down service. I simply plan for that event. Not sure why you had a two day wait. We've been on 4 different ships and never had that long of a wait. I'm guessing it was an oversight.

Not sure what you mean by "strictly." Yes you only get ONE free log in if in a suite below Concierge. However you can log off of one device ...say your cell phone.... and log in with another device....say your iPad. So you can only use ONE device at a time, but it can be any device. Just log out on one and log in on another.

I never said "a dress code has a lot to do with good taste," or anything to do with "good taste" for that matter. The "reasons behind these policies" aren't all that difficult to understand. They are selling a "total experience." That "experience" includes a defined decorum on board. That defined decorum includes a specific dress code. Just like the up scale restaurant that requires men wear sports coats. What I don't understand is why grown adults have so much problem simply abiding by the rules they agree to when they accept the cruise contract. And I certainly don't see this as "the world is falling apart," in fact I'd be fine if they change the dress code. I like the idea of shorts after 6 pm, especially in the Caribbean. But until they do, I will follow the dress code because.....I'm a grown adult and I know what I agreed to when I accepted the cruise contract.

I'm sure you probably looked into this, but just in case.. if your sons have to cancel for work reasons, there are (or at least used to be) insurance policies that covered a work situation. If you haven't checked the policy, and they're cancelling for work, you might be able to file a claim.

We were on Grandeur in Jan. and Explorer on Feb-Mar. Our experience was the same as1982CruiseStart. BOTH were open on Sea Days and I think they alternated on shore days but can't really confirm that part as we only used the Pool Grill on shore days. But definitely BOTH Prime 7 and Chartreuse were open on sea days on both ships.

Interesting question. We were on Grandeur in an F-2 Superior suite in Jan. Seems the only way to split the bed is to move each bed to the sidewall and put the night stands side by side in between. But that would put the plugs away from the night stands (they are low on the wall as I remember. Not sure if they have sockets in between the beds, but I wouldn't expect it. Sorry it doesn't help.

My two cents.... "why do people care what other people wear?" Doesn't matter. When we book Regent we pay to have a total experience. Part of that is the decorum around the ship. The "promised" experience and decorum includes the dress code. The Dress Code is very specific for both day and night If you don't want to follow the dress code, find a cruise line that is more in sync with your desired vacation experience. That's it. Doesn't matter why I care or even IF I care, what matters is it's Regent's ship and as such it's their right to make whatever rules they want. When you agree to cruise with them you agree to abide by the rules. So be an adult and abide by the rules. Not that hard folks. 😏

The G7 FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTERS’ MEETING is being held in Capri Apr.17-19.

The poster who stated this is from San Diego, so the UK policy isn't applicable to his comment. But why, at least in the U.S., would anyone pay to have the flight ticketed early? What benefit? I'm not really trying to be argumentative, but it seems that people could be led to believe that if they book 210 days out with Custom Air then they are on the hook for the cost of air. That is simply not the case. I was unaware that there was even an option to have Regent pay for the tickets early. Anyway, sorry if my comments ruffled any feathers, that was not my intent. So I'll simply back out now.

Fair enough.

I know you're in the UK so it may be different, but how does claiming on this cruise affect further premiums? I've bought travel insurance for 40 or so cruises and have made claims. My premiums have always been based on age, cost, and area of travel. NEVER has any insurance company asked not known about a previous claim. Is it different in the UK?

Here is the published Dress Code from the website. It states "no jeans after 6 pm." You can do what you want, but it's a pretty casual dress code. Why not just adhere to it? "Attire ranges from Casual to Formal Optional. Casual wear consists of resort-style outfits; some examples are jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Casual wear is appropriate for daytime both on board or ashore. Casual wear is not appropriate after 6:00 PM. On the night prior to disembarkation, guests may need to pack their luggage early due to morning flights the next day. With this in mind, on the last night of every voyage, we will relax the dress code for dinner to Casual. Otherwise, the recommended onboard dress in the evenings is Elegant Casual. Dinner dress for ladies includes a skirt, or slacks with a blouse or sweater, a pant suit or dress; slacks and a collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Casual wear is not to be worn at dinner. Ties are not required. On sailings of 16 nights or more, Formal and Semi-Formal attire is optional on two of the evenings. On the two Formal Optional evenings, guests are welcome to dress as per the elegant Casual dress code or opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with tie for gentlemen."

Well, I'm no lawyer, but pretty sure Regent has at least one that helped right the Cruise Contract and I'm more confident than not that if I was to take Regent to court for violating the contract I'd pretty much lose. As for the amount enough to cover an equivalent room? Actually that hasn't been my experience. Now I can't speak for every port or hotel, but the times we've opted out we have done equally well getting a room and generally we upgrade (probably using the "extra" for transportation to cover it). But that's just my experience. One more thing. You actually DON'T know how much Regent pays per hotel room. So to say that the hotel costs "a lot more than the credit that was given." I bet in reality it doesn't. The credit is $300 per couple and I can get a room for about the same, I bet Regent can get it for even less. Anyway, kind of a moot point. It is what it is. I don't necessarily disagree with you that it doesn't cover the cost we incur when you figure hotel plus transportation, but I do dislike anyone saying something like it's a "breach of contract" which has particular legal ramifications. Everyone seems to like to throw those terms out, that or "bait and switch" and both carry severe legal penalties. Anyway.... probably beat this one to death. Happy cruising.