papaflamingo

Did you ask for a lounger when on board? Wondering because we are in an F-1 in Feb.

I was on Navigator for 40 nights last year. Loved the ship and cruise, but we also upgraded (Deluxe E) to get forward on the ship. Navigator does noticeably vibrate in the stern. You are making a good choice.

If you read MY post you'll see I didn't comment on you "criticizing" Regent, I said you shouldn't accuse them of committing a crime. And I did "bother" to read your post. You said " Regent have been very devious and, I suspect, mis-selling the cruise." CLEARLY stating that they are purposefully committing fraud. I don't care if you criticize, go for it. But to actually accuse anyone of purposefully committing a crime is uncalled for. So if you are going to challenge me to "read your post," perhaps you should be sure to read MY post. Perhaps you found my comment "If you were offered a full refund, why are you making both an issue of the itinerary change and a baseless accusation? What more, than a full refund, do you want." Maybe... but still wondering... if you get a full refund, why are you complaining? They changed the itinerary,. you were able to cancel for a full refund... what's the problem?

You really believe that Regent changed their policy simply to "irritate the customer?" 🤣 Perhaps it had more to do with the fact that people would book cruises years out then when final payment came about they'd cancel. Meantime the cruise was waitlisted and the best cabins were held out of inventory for a year or more. Maybe they figured that by charging $100 non refundable non FCC that people would only book cruises that they fully intended to sail on. I don't know... just a thought.

My point, the accusation of "bait and switch" is constantly made on these boards. That is blatantly illegal in the U.S. and I find it very irresponsible to accuse anyone of committing a crime with nothing more than your "suspicion." There are lots of reasons that cruise lines EVERY cruise line, changes their itineraries, especially so far in advance. If you were offered a full refund, why are you making both an issue of the itinerary change and a baseless accusation? What more, than a full refund, do you want? By the way, if you had brought legal action in the U.S. you would have wasted your money. You accept, by contract, the right of a cruise line to make itinerary changes. This is also standard across the industry.

1. What I meant was it's a standard fee industry wide with few exceptions (actually quite low in the industry). 2. Have you contacted your TA to see if he or she can work with Regent to transfer your deposit, including the $100, to a new cruise? Often they can be "convinced" by a good TA. 3. Everyone better get used to the fact that itineraries change all the time for many reasons on EVERY cruise line, especially in these times of potential world upheaval and record weather events. So if someone isn't willing to accept this, maybe cruising isn't the right vacation, or make sure to get "cancel for any reason" travel insurance.

That's a very serious charge and would certainly lead to some serious legal action in the U.S. if it can be proven. Can you back this up or are you just throwing it out there?

That's a standard administrative fee to cancel a cruise prior to final payment. From the Regent website: "For cancellations made from the date of deposit to 121 days prior to cruise sail date, an administrative fee of $100 per person for suite categories MS-H will apply."

I believe that Regent charges exactly what it pays for any airline seat. So if they can get it for contract rate, no up charge. If they can get it for contract rate plus $1000 then there's a $1000 up charge. I can't imagine they'll "eat" the $1000 because a TA wants them to. On the other hand, a TA might be more than willing to pay the up charge for the right customer.

My solution, rather than stay away from warm weather cruises, is to spend quality time on my balcony with a bourbon and book...oh yeah and a lot of "studying the inside of my eyelids."😎

Not on Mariner in Dec. that I saw nor Navigator last year.

We always get our TA to authorize us to talk directly to Regent Air, but I think that's no longer necessary and someone either on here or Facebook said the same. So I believe we can just call as we wish.

I had a bottle on our Dec. 2 Mariner cruise and it was no "mini." A liter bottle and it was well used. 🥃😎

I have found that the cost on line is the HIGHEST cost you'd pay. We've done 3 Regent cruises, cancelled off a 4th for Covid, and have 4 more booked, so booked a total of 8 cruises EVERYONE came in a bit cheaper than I expected from on line cost due to various discounts that will be applied. So what I do is find a cruise I'd like to do, and contact my TA to put a "7 day hold" on the cruise. That way I know the actual cost including any discounts for the loyalty program or b2b cruises, any OBC that is applicable, and lock in both the rate and cabin choice. If I choose not to do the cruise I can simply let the hold expire or email my TA and let her know. Also if you are within the shore excursion selection date, you can enter the booking number and look at available excursions. You can't book them until the deposit is paid, but at least you'll have an idea what excursions are still available. Bottom line, your "starting point" is the published price on the website which does include the advertised discounted rate. Your rate will possibly go down from there depending on the discount program.

La Veranda and the Pool Grill are basically "serve yourself buffets." Since they offer "made to order" options, how would you suggest they get those items to you? The only other option would be to stand in line waiting for your order to come out like other cruise line buffets.. I'd much rather give them my table number and sit at the table and enjoy coffee or wine (at lunch) than stand in line. Plus it has the advantage of having a table and drinks ordered before you get your food so you don't have to wander around with a plate of food looking for seats. If you want full service, Compass Rose is open. Always good to have options.

Can't speak for Regent's website in Canada, but on the U.S. website it states : "Fares below reflect all Featured Special Offer savings. 2-for-1 All Inclusive Fares include flights, hotel and transfers, where applicable. 2-for-1 All Inclusive Cruise Fares include applicable credits for guests arranging their own flights, hotels and transfers." The offer may combinable with other discounts, so maybe what you are getting is the advertised discount along with other discounts.

Thanks.... I sort of thought that, but didn't actually know. Appreciate the info.

You only lost 2 ports as Puerto Vallarta was added along with an overnight in LA. Considering the political climate and crime threats in the ports lost, you wouldn't want to necessarily wander the port cities or go on any hikes by yourself. You might want to read the State Department Travel Advisories about the ports cancelled.

It's a violation of Cruise Critic rules to name Travel Agencies. Simply google "Regent Cruises" and a number of travel agency sites will pop up.

Yes. But you need to get your TA to authorize Regent to talk to you directly. I know in the past that was required, so I simply email my TA and have her notify them. Don't know if that's still required, but saves time if you simply have your TA contact Regent and authorize it before you call.

When you book the cruise you can either book it with air included or without. The price difference is shown on the website. So basically you tell your TA to book inclusive (with air, etc.). Then if you want to deviate, use Regent Air but pick your own flights, you can do that 210 days before the sailing date. That is when you'll be charged the $75 to talk to them. If you don't want to deviate, and just leave it up to Regent to pick your flights, as long as you booked the "inclusive" rate, you don't have to do anything and Regent will assign the flights about 75 days before the cruise. Personally I find it well worth paying the deviation fee ($175 pp) and getting my flights set up 210 days out. That way there are way more options and I can ask for any itinerary I want and if I can get it "free" great, if not then I can decide if any up charge is worth it, or if it's just not available I can find something else that the can give me. Keep in mind you can always cancel the flights up to a certain date with no penalty other than the $175 non refundable deviation fee. As for you or your TA arranging a deviation, that's up to you. I always call personally, and I have the airline website open to my requested flights so I can see real-time any options that I might need to consider and also have them immediately select seats (if the airline allows it). But it's just easier for me to talk directly to the Regent Air agent and discuss all my available options.

We're on that last Mariner cruise too. But we are starting in Barcelona, so we do 33 nights (hadn't heard of the loss of one day but figure we'll be ready to be done by then anyway)!!! 😱 We are also choosing it for the itinerary, fully realizing that Israel and Egypt may never happen. We were supposed to be on the Voyager cruise 2 months ago that lost Israel and Egypt to the Hamas attacks. "Luckily" I woke up on our flight to Athens day with Covid! Was able to claim full refund from our travel insurance so we booked in 2025 with hopes the area will be at some type of "peace."

I doubt they'll lose any cruisers because they're skipping Acapulco, which was destroyed in a hurricane last month, Nicaragua which has political unrest, and Cabo and Ensenada (being replaced by Puerto Vallarta). EVERY cruise Iine change itineraries. The "bucket list" items on this cruise is the Panama Canal and sailing on the brand new ship. We are on the return trip in less than 2 weeks. I hope they cancel those ports for us and add Puerto Vallarta and give US the $500 OBC and 20% FCC! After all, if you see Puerto Vallarta then you've seen Cabo and Ensenada. Not much difference. I would love 20% FCC though!

I haven't sailed Grandeur yet (sail in less that 2 weeks) but we've done Mariner twice and Navigator once. There is rarely a wait for table in Compass Rose, usually Sette Mari fills up quickly. But if you plan to eat around 7-7:30 then shouldn't be too much of a problem. Simply look at the line and if no one is in it go and eat. If there's a long line, go grab a drink. If you are willing to share a table then you have a better chance of immediate seating. But we found that on the night of the Captain's Reception everyone heads to dining immediately after. So either go a bit early or plan to have a drink or two. When you do let them know that you're ready to eat, if they can't seat you immediately simply head to the bar and they'll come get you (at least on Navigator and Mariner).

Regent has contract rates that are deeply discounted with many (most) airlines. Usually these contract rates are not the most desirable routes, but sometimes they are. In your case the best thing for you to do is to use Regent Air and deviate (there is a $175 pp deviation fee). You can deviate 210 days out. Simply research your requested flights and call Regent Air and request them. The more options you have, the more likely you'll be able find acceptable flights. For a non stop it's very likely you'll have to pay an up charge, but not always. As for return flights from Madrid, not sure how Regent will handle that, but there will surely be an up charge if they'll book the flights for you. But you may have to find your way back to Barcelona since Madrid isn't a port city. But it's possible you can book it through Regent air so it's worth asking. You will have to pay $75 to talk to Regent Air, but if you accept a deviation the $75 will be rolled into one of the $175 pp deviation fees.