papaflamingo

If you're "dreading the transfer from the hotel to the ship" why not simply set up private transfer?

EVERY cruise line does this. And why would the corporation accept a portion of the risk that a port may cancel, or you might get sick, or there will be a terrorist event, all events beyond the cruise line's responsibility? That's what Travel Insurance is for... to mitigate the risk.

What was the $ 2K+ charge for? That makes no sense to me. Once you've made final payment that's it. Unless you add something to the cruise that increases the cost there are no other charges. And I've never heard of being charged additional for not showing up or cancelling last minute. We had to cancel this cruise a couple weeks ago (we were to start in Athens) due to me catching Covid. Regent simply cancelled the cruise and are refunding me the port fees and taxes. The rest I claim against my insurance policy. And our cancellation actually came the morning we were to fly to Athens to board the ship. So did they tell you what the $2K+ was for?

Georgia Peaches... I assume you'll be flying out of Atlanta, we do too. ALWAYS deviate your flights! You can deviate at 210 days before departure of your cruise. The cost is $175 per person deviation fee (non refundable) and then any up charged depending on the flights you select. When you contact Regent Air (or have your TA do it), have as many itineraries available as back ups. It's getting harder and harder to get good flights in Business Class as. the airlines are shorthanded and operating full. So the most desirable flights will likely cost extra. It's up to you if you think that extra is worth it. My latest experience, just a few weeks ago, was excellent. We are going Hong Kong to Tokyo in Feb. I didn't want the Delta flight to Hong Kong as it changes to KAL in Inchon, Korea. So I found a United flight via San Francisco. I was able to book it with NO up charge. and I was able to get the non stop on Delta from Tokyo to Atlanta with about $1000 up charge per person. They discussed alternatives with me and I could have done Japan Airlines with a domestic connection on JetBlue so I opted for the non stop. But by the end of the conversation I had both flights arranged and seat selected. As for domestic flights I always book my own as they are in coach. You have to pay for luggage and if you want to go early you have the $175 deviation fee. So with the allowance from Regent plus the $175 (we always deviate to go a day or more early), plus the cost of luggage, it really isn't all that much more to just buy a First Class ticket. One other comment. You can use Regent Air both ways or just one way if you like. We took the credit to Montreal last year and booked our own flight up, but used Regent Air back from London at the end of the cruise. Hope this helps. Sorry if I got a bit long winded.

Unless they had "cancel for any reason" the Insurance won't pay as the cruise didn't cancel. It just ended up with a new itinerary.

Actually, I didn't think the credits were reasonable until I compared the cost of Business Class Air on Royal Caribbean to Asia and back. And it was about $500 per person more TOTAL than the Air Credit on Regent for our Asia cruise. The cruise we're going on is Hong Kong to Tokyo, and the Royal Caribbean cruise I looked at was Singapore to Tokyo, so that could explain the $500 difference, so actually they do seem to give a reasonable air credit. Additionally the credit for a hotel room is, I believe, $150 per person so $300 per couple which seems pretty fair for a hotel room.

Yes... I agree. But doesn't that contradict your earlier comment that if they stop offering these things it would "bring a significant reduction in fares?"

You have the option of turning down the hotel and getting a credit if the hotel is not to your liking.

Actually Regent Air has contract rates on only certain flights and seats. Unfortunately they are bound by those contract rates. If they can get you to the cruise via there contract then that's what they're going to do. I know this is a very unique situation, but we always deviate our flights and sometimes pay an additional up charge in order to get flights I prefer. But I have also run into times when they simply can't offer flights at all, not even with an up charge. So it would appear that is the situation you have run into, that they can get you and your friends to Istanbul via contract flights, so that's what they're going to do.

Did your Travel Insurance reimburse you for expenses incurred for the 3 day delay getting home?

Just for the record, I wasn't excusing any rudeness, I was simply pointing out that at some point an agent, who has remarkably limited authority and information, is the butt of everyone's frustration. Might have been less "rude" had she not been called a liar.

This is an incredibly unusual situation for all. So I certainly wouldn't feel responsible or be embarrassed about recommending Regent. For me, I would have worked directly with my TA since that's what her job is and let her work it out. I won't say much about the agent's attitude other than to say I was a Coast Guard Pilot and Senior Duty Officer and a 29 year Airline Captain. I dealt many times with upset, angry, and distraught people all during very high stress times, be it searching for their loved ones lost at sea or dealing with delays and cancellations with the airlines. I often had to use the same line "we are doing all we can." And you know what? We WERE doing all we could. So when someone comes back with "I disagree," it's only natural to yell "GODDDDD." I just managed to not let anyone hear me yell it. 😎 Anyway, I agree, given how you feel, you are probably well advised to cancel your future cruises and sail on a different line. I wish you luck and happy cruising on Silversea or whatever line you choose.

Ok...that's what discussion is about... differing opinions.

Honestly, I think you expect way too much. When this happened the cruise that was affected was a week away. It takes time to evaluate the situation, gather all the information, look at options, and come up with a plan. The fact that the weekend phone agents weren't "read in" on what upper management was considering is not surprising at all. You really think that a major decision like this should be made in the first 36 hours without complete information, without time to consider alternatives, without exploring the actual ability to put alternative in place?

Consider away. Of course it would help if you actually KNEW the source though instead of jumping to random conclusions. 🤣

That is a ridiculous analogy. Again, we have done 84 days on Regent, just cancelled a 22 night cruise for Covid, and have 5 more booked and I have NEVER had a problem getting shore excursions. And the only "limitation" is the departure time of the ship and/or the "closeness" of the tours. So in my experience they are actually delivering on their promises. In other words, the "favorite chicken dish" is always available.

At the time I commented no official decision had been posted. All I was suggesting was that instead of the first reaction being the "I'll never sail Regent again" line, that everyone actually WAIT until an official decision was made. Now that that decision is made, I hope you find a cruise line that will offer you a full refund when a port gets cancelled. I'm pretty sure that is not going to be the case though. In the meantime, I highly suggest you take out cruise insurance with the "cancel for any reason" benefit. Even cruise insurance won't pay out for full cancellation in this case. If cruise insurance, the vehicle used to protect you against unexpected events, won't pay out, why are you mad at Regent? They didn't start the war. Why aren't you mad at your cruise insurance company? Remember, YOU agreed to that pesky cruise contract..

How would you suggest they market their product? We have 5 cruises booked through 2025 and there are excursions offered in each port and there is no limit on how many we can book. So apparently there are "free unlimited shore excursions."

Y'all need to chill out and let this run its course. Regent apparently has only said they're cancelling Israeli ports...... for NOW. And already people are lining up on here to crucify Regent for not giving them full refunds because Israel was cancelled? Really? Did you read the cruise contract when you agreed to go on the cruise? But more importantly, why don't you just let the "dust" settle and see what happens. Who knows, Regent might offer some cancellation benefit... or not. But before y'all get worked into a "gee I'll never cruise Regent again" frenzy, at least let them make the decision. By the way, is Oceania or Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, etc. offering full refunds? Anyone know the answer to that?

I see that. I thought you were referring to Regent's policy. That's the link I posted. 😎

Here is a link to the cancellation schedule for Regent. For 14 nights or less, depending on cabin category, you're looking at risking $100 per person until Final Payment at 120 days prior to the cruise. AND I believe that $100 is usable for Future Cruise Credit if you book within a year. https://www.rssc.com/frequently-asked-questions/general-reservations-questions

Yup...pretty much. 🤣

I feel your "pain." My wife is always kicking me too. Difference is, I rarely know WHY she kicks me. 🤣

We were supposed to board Voyager in Athens this past Tues. I caught Covid on the day we were to fly to Athens. We, obviously, cancelled (yes I have insurance) and have already booked a similar cruise for 2025. Maybe I was luckier than I thought.

Thanks.... whew... looks like it might be complicated. Maybe it'll be an opportunity for a "romantic dinner for two" for my wife and I. 🤣 Thanks again... I'll give your suggestions a try and see how they work out. 😎