papaflamingo

Hmm...... tempting but would probably get me into "cruise critic jail." 🤣

We will be doing this in a couple of weeks. We are 2 couples and we have early booking, they don't. So to make sure I fully understand, you suggest we book for 2 then when they become eligible we change it to a booking with sharing and add their reservation? Can the change be done on line or do we need to call Regent to change like shore excursions? Thanks.

I think it actually opens at midnight of the check in date. Since you aren't competing with anyone for anything then no reason to worry. Just check in when you're ready.

We booked an Open Booking and used it for the Grand Cruise in 2025. Our entire deposit for both of us is only $4,000 ($2,000 each). MUCH cheaper than the normal deposit. THAT is one of the HUGE advantages of on board bookings.

I've had fun with my pic of the pull handle too. It's "a thing." 🤣 But we really enjoyed Bloody Mary's on our stop in Bora Bora in 2018.

Not to worry, I'm married, I'm used to being contradicted. 🤣 Seriously, you bring up a very good point. I just looked at our cruise in 2 months in the Caribbean and there are also a lot of excursions available. I think that must have to do with the fact that there are so m any cruises to the Caribbean that there are many, many excursion options and companies. 😎 .

The amount that Regent offers off a future cruise can often more than cover any cancellation fees. When we changed our cruise, we were driving, so no problem there and the hotel was cancellable. Of course I NEVER prepay anything I don't have to just for some "odd" circumstance like this. The one thing was my Insurance. I was able to call the company and even though only 4 days before the cruise, the company allowed me, for a few hundred dollars, to switch the dates of the cruise and continue the coverage. So I still came out WAY ahead cash wise. One more comment about air fare. We alway book as far out as possible. So almost every flight we've had for the last couple of years have had some minor schedule change after booking. Because of that it always gives us the option of changing or cancelling the flight. That seems to be happening more and more and really is good deal for passengers as it gives a sort of "automatic out" if there is a change in the cruise or vacation.

It's going to be tough booking only a few months out as people book excursions up to a year out and dining up to 90 days out. However just a few comments. For dining, Compass Rose and Sette Mari (the Italian restaurant) are no reservable. So depending on ship you're looking at one - three specialty restaurants that are reservable, and depending on the length of the cruise you could probably get in at some point by trying once on board. Now, for Shore Excursions. They often come open last minute as people change their minds. But one thing you can do is put a 5 day hold (was 7 but the other day I only got 5 days) on the cruise. That will hold the price and cabin and allow you to decide. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY it will give you a booking number and you can enter into your "my account" section under "booked cruises" and since both excursion and dining booking are open you can go and see what's available for booking. It won't let you actually select them but will show what shore excursions are available and what dining reservations might be available, then you can decide if you want to book the cruise or not. If so, simply pay the deposit (or full amount if that close to sailing) then go back and make your choices. If you feel you don't want to book you can cancel or simply let the "hold" drop.

This isn' t all that new. We had Navigator booked last March for 10 nights in the Caribbean in a Deluxe Verandah. We were on an airline rate (very unusual for Regent), so deeply discounted. Four days before the cruise we got a similar email offer. If we pushed to Nov. or Dec. they would switch us to Mariner, upgrade us to a Penthouse (HUGE upgrade considering it's Navigator to Mariner and Verandah to Penthouse), and give us 20% refund. We had a pipe freeze at Christmas and were in the middle of our re-construction so this was a major "win" for us! As Pcadad says it's all about the money. They have our money for over a year as it turns out, because part of this is the "final payment" date is the ORIGINAL cruise, not the upcoming one. So we can't just cancel. PLUS they get the cost from whomever takes the cruise. Like everything in any business, if you really want to know why....follow the money.

There is a pretty good episode on the show Mighty Cruise Ships from Season one on the Paul Gaugin if you can find it via on demand. Also there used to be a show called Dream Cruises (if you can find that). They also did an episode on the Paul Gaughin as well as Windstar. They'll give you a pretty good idea of the cruises. Although they are a number of years old, it's a place to start and they are pretty good shows.

I'm sure part of the problem is that the shows are at 9:30 so everyone tends to reserve early enough to get to the show. So 8 pm being available is, unfortunately, what's left often. But once on board, if you want to try and move it, give it a shot. Nothing to lose in asking. And you can always show up early and see if a table has opened unexpectedly and if so get in a bit earlier. Have a fun cruise!

I'm with you! The only "mixer" necessary is ice and maybe a drop of water to open up the liquor. And that ONLY If the liquor calls for it! Cheers!! Bourbon on the Rocks for me! 🥃😎

Just a comment.... don't let something this little leave you with a "bad impression." We have around 40 cruises so far, only 2 (although very long ones) on Regent. Regent by FAR out performs EVERY cruise line experience we've had. And there is always a "glitch" or two on EVERY cruise we have been on. So if you sweat the small stuff, you'll find that all you see is the small stuff and won't enjoy your cruise. Specialty Dining and Shore Excursion priority is one of the few things that Regent can offer on board for higher suites and higher levels of the loyalty program. So they do. Everything else is all inclusive for EVERY suite. But keep this in mind.... people cancel all the time so reservations may come open. Be willing to share a table. Be flexible on your time and day. Keep checking back. And when you get on board, go the restaurant and see if you can get in. People in certain suites get guaranteed tables any night they want in any restaurant so they must keep certain tables open and those, if not used, will be available. So you have a very good chance of getting into the restaurant, possibly more than once. So keep the broad perspective. See the "forest," not just the "trees."

You bring up an excellent point, the laws of the land you are touring. We were in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2017 with a group of 10 of us on a Baltic Cruise (different cruise line). We set up a private tour (which was amazing) but one of our group had difficulties walking. When we went to Peterhof we had quite a long walk to see the Palace from the parking lot. He initially wanted to stay on the bus, but it was illegal in Russia. So he had to make the hike then sit at the coat check area so he would be in the company of staff the whole time. He opted out of day 2 of the tour. So checking the laws of the country visiting is an excellent idea.

Corporate decisions are made at the corporate level for whatever reasons the decision makers decide. What "other layers of corporate decisions" are you referring to? It seems to me that you are suggesting some sort of "corporate conspiracy." I don't know of any corporation that publicly posts its reasoning for policy decisions. In my experience other cruise lines actually offer OBC as incentives to book either early or on cruises that aren't selling well, and as part of their loyalty programs, just like Regent does. No real mystery there.

I certainly can't speak for your personal situation, but depending on the tour description, I've often found that the activity level is a bit exaggerated. Having said that, I would definitely consider it like you have. But depending on the tour description, don't worry about being the "entitled selfish one." You have every right to be on the tour too. If the tour is a lot of walking (assuming that's a problem for you) then sure, you probably should cancel. But if it's a tour where there is an option to not walk, i.e. stay at the bus, then by all means go on it and let the complainers pound sand.

Don't know if the UK has different rules, but you also get a much reduce deposit. So... yes... But it seems incorrect that the cruise is so much lower priced at your TA rather than on board unless your TA is offering a huge discount. Also you can always cancel and rebook a different cruise if you want if you book on board. One more thing you can get an "open booking" (I believe) on board that gives you a certain time to book a cruise (I believe book within a year) and you still get the on board perks and the reduced deposit. Again... I am speaking as a U.S. resident so don't know if it is different for UK residents.

It isn't all that complicated. If you find a cruise on another cruise line that has the itinerary you want at a price you'd rather pay, be it because of OBC or whatever, then book it.

Question... does Oceana have included shore excursions and laundry?

If you're talking about adding wifi it will give you the option when you log in (I think). There aren't a lot of other add ons really to talk about. But if you look at the FAQ's on the website and the Terms and Conditions you will get most of the info you want. https://www.rssc.com/frequently-asked-questions

deleted

I don't disagree with you at all. Not being there I have no idea how the medicine was identified or comments overheard. So I figured I'd pass on how I read comment and point out that the way I read it, the crew was not talking in the hallway, but likely, as you said, not in the cabin but giving instructions and delivering medicine at the door.

Probably more port specific than anything else. Like I said, could be lack of interest or lack of availability of tour operators. Again... keep checking back, I've seen them add tours departing later.

Actually if you read pappy's post it doesn't say anything about the crew discussing anything. He stated that he walked by the cabin near his and "they were delivering meds specific to COVID and telling the person to stay isolated for the remainder of the trip." It indicates they were giving meds and instructions to the passenger in his or her cabin. No where does he indicate the crew was discussing it in the hallway.

Not odd at all. Generally the excursions go off when the ship first docks. Often they'll have other options on the short ones, but you have to consider the possibility that the demand for your excursion didn't warrant a second session or the tour companies are also booked with other ships in port. Who knows? But keep an eye on it. Often, as interest improves (or whatever reason), they'll add a later excursion that you might want to jump on. It's happened to us before. So keep checking back on your account.