kstrittm

I'm new to Regent, so pardon the "newbie" questions...

Is the steam sauna on deck 6 free or do you need to pay to use it?  Also, is it two separate rooms (steam room and dry sauna) or just one?

Thanks so much!

All,

Forgive me in advance if this topic has been asked and answered repeatedly.  I've been scanning the forum and haven't seen anything similar...

I'm taking (fingers crossed) my first cruise with Regent in June.  I have taken dozens of cruises on Princess and HAL, primarily.  Both of those lines have evenings designated as formal dining.  Lots of folks dress to the 9's, and I have no problem with that.  I, on the other hand, don't enjoy dressing up.  I don't dress like a slob, but after decades of wearing business suits and skirts, I no longer own any or want to own any.  I don't own cocktail dresses, either.  I simply enjoy just wearing slacks or capris.  Please don't judge.

On formal evenings with Princess and HAL, specific clothing is required for entrance to the dining rooms.  Most maitre ds allow slight straying from the requirements (for example, women can wear slacks and a blouse and still get in).  I'm wondering if Regent has something similar.  And, if they do, are they typically on set dates?  For example, with Princess you knew exactly which nights would be formal because they are always those nights (i.e., 2 formal nights with the first at sea day and then night 7). 

 I'm preparing to make reservations for specialty dining, so the information will be helpful in my planning.

Thanks so much!

1 minute ago, CJcruzer said:

from my experience of our April 11 Westerdam Japan sailing, which was cancelled Feb 20th- our cancelled cruise remained on our Mariner account for wuite somet8me.

 

At that time, refunds were processed very quickly, but don’t forget, there were only March 2 sailings, April 2 sail8ngs - to cancel and refund.   

 

Perhaps a month later we received our future cruise credit details via our TA - and I verified that it had been calculated properly.Shortly after, the booking disappeared from our Mariner account.  

 

It appears HAL keeps the booking recorded against your Mariner account until all refunds/future credits have been calculated and customer notified.   However, as more sailings have been cancelled - the process time for all this is now taking longer.  Don’t be surprised if your HAL cancelled cruise appears on r3cord for quite some time.

 

IF you cancel a cruise on your own (which I have cancelled our January 2021 cruise as it was a lengthy one) - that came off my Mariner account quickly.  However, still awaiting. deposit refund (30-60 days quoted from cancellation date of April 29).

 

Also to repeat, I was told that for HAL cancelled cruises, refunds/FCC’s will be processed by sail date.  Any other cancellations (cruise, excursions, wine packages,  specialty dining etc) should be slotted in to be refunded according to the date you personally cancelled that item.   

 

Carol

 

 

HAL does not keep the booking online...  I canceled 3 cruises in March, and my HAL account shows all are gone.  Of course, I have not received any of the deposits!  

Wow, I guess I've been bamboozled...  I use Vacations To Go.  I canceled my 3 cruises (2 HAL, 1 RSSC) in March and haven't seen a penny for the deposits or the insurance payments.  My cruise counselor tells me to be patient.  I tried to escalate to her boss, but it looks like he was laid off.  They don't provide a replacement name; only a toll-free phone number that rings off the hook.

Anybody have any suggestions on my next move?  Should I write to Allan Fox (president of VTG)? 

Thanks in advance...

It must be accurate - I've been waiting weeks for refunds on 2 trips with HAL and 1 on Regent...  I am told that patience is a virtue; guess I'm not virtuous!!  LOL...  

Thank you all for your input.  I have decided to cancel the trip and let things settle out to see if I should re-book.  Your advice, as always, was much appreciated...

All,

Apologies up front for bringing up such a negative topic, but I have a cruise scheduled for January, 2021, and I am wondering if I should cancel to get my deposit back.  Do you all think that CCL (and HAL in particular) will make it through this crisis?  My thought is that I can most likely re-book if they do make it; and it might be best to get my deposit back rather than lose it in the event of bankruptcy.

What are your thoughts on the solvency of CCL Corporation?

Thanks in advance... and, again, sorry to be such a “Debbie Downer”!

Dunno exactly what the surgery is, but I had heel surgery once and - at worst, you will be in a boot.  I went all over the place in that darned thing - didn't keep me from doing anything.  So, I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think you should consider canceling because you could be immobile.  I think you will be fine with the boot on (if that is indeed the case).  It looks kind of wonky, but if that doesn't concern you, you'll be fine!

I agree - the draft beer selection is poor.  In my experience, I've always seen Heineken.  On Alaska trips, they offer Alaskan Amber.  Otherwise, it's usually Newcastle Brown Ale.  Another negative is that only a few bars offer draft beer!

I sure would like to see HAL open brew pubs that have at least a few craft beers on tap!

Uber and Lyft may indeed be less expensive, but I don't feel safe using them.  The drivers are not bonded - they only have to show a valid drivers' license and proof that their auto is insured (don't even have to have medical coverage for victims in case of an accident).  I've seen too many of these drivers lost and confused (looking at their phones while driving).  I'm not saying that shuttle drivers are better behind the wheel, but at least their company will cover insurance issues.  Lyft and Uber deny all plausibility and will not get involved in the event of an accident.

I was surprised to see Super Shuttle as well.  The driver said he's heard rumors that they may shut down, but he hasn't heard anything official yet.

All,

I just got off the Sky Princess (7 day western Caribbean).  I read this forum often, and I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about this trip.  I'm an Elite, but this was my first Medallion trip.  Let's just say my expectations were not high because of the comments many folks have made.  I am here to say that I think they've worked out most of the kinks on this ship.  Even some of the staff shared with me that there were some rather large hiccups at first.  But I was sooooo dang impressed.  It may rank up there as one of my favorite cruises (even though it was so short).

The food was the best I've ever had on Princess.  I love the chef on this ship.  He is German, and his recipes were creative and tasty.  A great find for Princess, in my mind.

My cabin was the all-time best; R730 (S3 Owners Suite) with the largest balcony imaginable.

I found the service to be impeccable, and naturally, the ship was in perfect condition.

So, my advice is to go into your cruise with an open mind - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with Sky Princess.

Caveat emptor, y'all!  Quite a few folks on this board recommended Jayride for a transfer from MIA airport to a hotel in Fort Lauderdale near the Cruise Port.  I checked them out online; reviews were fairly good; prices were in range.  So I booked with them.  They sub-contracted my ride to LAX Ride (I guess they act as a broker).  So far, so good.  Right?

I texted as I left my home airport, and they confirmed that all was good and I should simply text when I landed in Miami.

Long story short, they stiffed me.  Yes, I stupidly pre-paid.  Their customer service was horrendous - they basically ignored my texts and would periodically text to say they were trying to locate a driver.  After almost 2 hours, I took a Super Shuttle (with no issues, by the way)!

Jayride never did communicate with me, but the Super Shuttle driver said that drivers hate one-way trips to Fort Lauderdale.  They can't pick up fares in FLL (a different company has that contract), so they have to drive back to Miami without picking up another fare.  So (just a guess), Jayride probably couldn't find anybody to take the trip (even though they had booked it).  

I will report them to the BBB, and I'll tell people not to use them.  It was really bad.  I'm a very positive person, but I'm extremely disappointed in their customer service.  I caution you all to use this vendor at your own risk.

Thanks...

I was in assigned seating, and I received the Club Orange menu there.  It's up to you whether you want the assigned table or to go to Club Orange when you are ready to eat.  Pros and cons to both, I reckon...

Thanks for the good replies..

One thought, though - a poster above said that people who pay more should tip more.  I'll buy that for the cabin stewards (larger cabin and more to clean).  However, it doesn't sit well with me when it comes to the others.  Regardless of what cabin I am in, that drink is the same (cost, size, time to make, etc.).  So is the meal that is ordered.  Also just my opinion...

Up front disclaimer:  this post is NOT about whether to tip or not; it's not even about whether to leave assigned gratuities "as is" or remove and tip separately...

I am American, and I tip.  There you have it; plain and simple.  I figure if I can afford to take a cruise, I can reward those who support me in my happiness.  I don't want this post to turn into an argument about that concept.

My question for folks who tip extra is how much you give to the various personnel at the end of a cruise.  I will be doing 24 days later this year, and I'm trying to calculate how much to take.  Here are the folks that I typically tip, and I would appreciate your thoughts...

Cabin Stewards (primary and assistant)

Wait staff (I have assigned seating, so primary and assistant)

Wine Sommelier

Maitre de (if I use; nothing if not)

Neptune Lounge staff (I stay in a suite)

Favorite bartender (I usually find a bar that I like and frequent it most often); and do you tip upfront and/or at the end of the cruise?

Thanks in advance for your helpful advice. 

Is there any way to know if Princess has mailed your medallions?  I'm "Ocean Ready" and I leave in a couple of weeks.  When should I expect to receive them?  Who should I contact if I do not receive them?

All,

Thanks in advance for answering these questions, but I'm a newbie when it comes to the beverage packages...

How can I tell online if I have the Beverage Package?  Is there a place under one of the tabs to show it?  I'm in my booking summary, but I don't see any reference to it.

Do I need to do anything special to "activate" the package once onboard?  I'll be sailing on the Sky Princess next month, and I seriously doubt they'll put a paper button on my medallion!  LOL...  they used to put them on the room card key.  

And, finally, one last question that is asked over and over but I can't find the details - what is the price limit?  Is it drinks under $12?  

As always - I do appreciate the assistance...

I hear you and am also curious!  I've been checking the HAL website almost every day...  my spouse currently has us booked on a Regent cruise for Summer 2021, and I am hoping (make that praying) that HAL comes out with an itinerary that will be as good so I can save a ton of money and cancel the other!!!

Also:

- breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill (except on the 2 ships with dedicated Club Orange restaurants)

- mimosas with breakfast

- an extra entree on the dinner menu each night

- if you choose not to use the concierge in the Neptune Lounge, there is a dedicated line down at the pursers desk

- Corsage (sp?) for first formal night for ladies

- Canapes - don't recall, but I think daily; I also recall chocolate truffles but don't know if only suites got those

- Somebody may have mentioned the free bottle of champagne upon boarding

I guess everybody is different, and you'll need to decide what matters to you...

I find the aft suites to be considerably smaller than the side suites.  For a 7 day trip, it wasn't too much of a hassle.  But, my next trip is 24 days (and very port intensive) so I changed to a side suite.

The aft wraparound is wonderful for glacier viewing, so I highly recommend for an Alaska trip (or Panama Canal).  On other trips, I'm almost inclined to recommend the side cabins.

But, again, it is strictly a personal opinion (and we all have one!).

Thanks so much for answering these unique questions!  We all have our priorities, and mine happens to be draft beer.  LOL.  I see Heineken handles on some of your bar photos, but I can't figure out what the other tap beer is.  Would you mind checking when you are out and about?  And, if it isn't too much hassle, which bars have beer on tap?

I realize this has been asked before, and I know that people have replied that the itineraries should be out by now.  But, has anybody heard an "official" or "semi-official" word from a TA or HAL employee as to when these trips will be released?

Thanks so much!

Good morning, all -

I just got off the NA in a Neptune Suite, and here is what I observed with Club Orange:

-  We still had breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill.  There is a sign outside the main dining room for Club Orange Priority Seating.  I believe Club Orange guests were provided priority seating at breakfast and dinner.

-  I was in fixed seating on the upper deck of the dining room, so I did not take advantage of the priority seating.  I can only report that I never saw a line downstairs at the CO sign, and I did observe people sitting at tables for 2 and 4.  Perhaps they were CO; not sure.

-  The CO menu has one additional entree each evening.  Otherwise, it matches the regular menu

-  We didn’t tender, so I can’t comment on priority for CO members there

-  No spiffy CO bag was found; just the same blue bag as other guests

-  The only other change I noticed was that there is a CO priority line at Guest Services

-  In summary; Club Orange seemed to be a non-event for my specific itinerary and dining experience

So sorry to stir this hornet's nest, but I do have a question or I guess a required clarification...

Am I correct in stating that HAL has rescinded the earlier announcements to turn sections of the main dining room into "Club Orange" in those ships lacking the separate facility?  From what I read earlier, this was to be done on a rolling basis over a few months and before the end of this year.

I'm interested because I'm heading out on the Nieuw Amsterdam September 14 (in a Neptune Suite).  

Thanks and sorry to beat this dead horse!

I've sailed in suites on both the Royal class Princess ships and on HAL.  In my opinion, the room size is a tad larger on the Regal.  Additionally, the "bedroom" can be closed off with a curtain from the "living room".  In my case, with insomnia, that is a huge benefit.  There are also TVs in both rooms.

The balconies on HAL are larger than Regal.

The Concierge Lounge/Neptune Lounge are comparable, but Princess never offers the Honor bar with alcohol (if that is important to you).  The lounge on Princess is open 24 hours a day, whereas the Neptune Lounges are only open set hours.  If you want early morning coffee, Princess wins that battle!

I assume Club Class dining is comparable to Club Orange dining, but I haven't been on HAL since that was implemented (will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in a couple of weeks, though).

I may be wrong on this, but I think Princess only offers dry cleaning, whereas HAL offers laundry and dry cleaning.  Somebody else can pipe in here.

I enjoy the free mini-bar set-up on Princess.  HAL does provide a welcome bottle of champagne, though!

I'm sure there are more differences - these are just a few off the top of my head.