Texasrocks

I certainly hope so as it will probably be 430 before we get there and get processed, but not sure luggage will be there before dinner

I was on one of those cruises missed the bay of islands, the fjords Tasmania, great ocean road and several others. Now this one, so basically 2 out of 3 of my regent cruises have been screwed up big. So through my eyes regent isn’t knocking it out of the park.

Made it to Ist friends arrived at hotel after 1am. We didn’t see anyone with a regent sign at airport had to call the emergency line and they took 10 minutes to give me another number to call. They have a hospitality room for us at hotel and 4 busses leave for port at 300 pm. Getting prepped for chaos ( regent couldn’t you check us in at the hotel at 1 and give us ship card? So when we arrived we could just go through security and get on board???? I also cringe at the thought of how shoreex for 5 new ports is going to be handled. If it is like the NZ port change disaster they best put up queue lines like Disneyworld. Trying to make the best of it but 25% FCC doesn’t cut it when you arrive the night before into a city with so many sights and you can’t even see them. I certainly would have preferred they overnight in Istanbul but that is now water under the bridge like the air disaster. I already cancelled three of our future cruises but kept one for using the FCC. Very disappointed how this was handled so poorly. I hope the execution onboard is better, but I fear the shore ex desk will be overwhelmed. The final test for regent is now how they handle the fallout of angry customers. and yes first world problems but there were fixable and in regents control how they chose to handle this. If they would have just called and allowed me to fly to IST on Wednesday as planned and let me pay for my Hotel and tours, I would have been a lot less dissatisfied, but alas there was no choice.

I wonder if dinner will be casual(shorts, jeans come as you are) the first night given they probably won't get all the luggage distributed until later.

Doesn't look like much to do in Bozcaada May as well be a sea day. Surprised they aren't trying to go Izmir for Ephesus

As a reminder this cruise was to be a 14 day from Israel to Venice and Regent made some BS story about Voyager needed dry dock in Rome. As it turns out voyager is sailing from Rome the next day ???? I don't think that any of the original ports are on this one maybe one.

Different department just like the regent air. guest service just tries to mop up the mess that air and shoreex makes. and right now none of them are doing a good job. Day 1 300 people lined up at the shoreex desk...just wait

15-Oct Istanbul, Turkey EMBARK 7:00PM 16-Oct Bozcaada, Turkey* 8:00AM* 6:00PM* 17-Oct Mykonos, Greece 8:00AM 6:00PM 18-Oct Athens (Piraeus), Greece 7:00AM 8:00PM 19-Oct Santorini, Greece 8:00AM 6:00PM 20-Oct Rhodes, Greece 7:00AM 4:00PM 21-Oct Chania/Souda, Greece 7:00AM 3:00PM 22-Oct Argostoli, Greece 8:30AM 4:00PM 23-Oct Messina, Italy 8:00AM 6:00PM 24-Oct Salerno, Italy 7:00AM 5:00PM 25 Oct Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 6:00AM DEBARK

Agree on the arrival but regent gave us no choice we were supposed to arrive 3 days early for the pre-cruise. But lack of communication on regents part put us in this situation. Up until a week ago these ports were fairly stable and safe. Riots or peaceful protests as some would refer to them as can break out anywhere.

might have overnight there

I imagine they must be making an special arrangement to bus people to the airport early. I don't think the race hits the area until the afternoon so the hopefully can get out.

I guess the found out about the bike race Dear Valued Guest and Travel Partner, We look forward to welcoming you aboard Seven Seas Voyager on Sunday, October 15, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. Please allow us to inform you of a change that may affect your plans on embarkation day. We have been advised that due to the International Turkey Cycling Tournament’s Final Stage, which has resulted in all the roads to/from the pier being closed to traffic, guests will not be able to embark Seven Seas Voyager until after 3.00pm. To make embarkation as smooth and comfortable as possible our teams have been working hard to make the following arrangements. · Pre-Cruise Hotel Guests - InterContinental Istanbul Guests staying at the InterContinental Istanbul, will be transferred directly to the ship in the afternoon. Hospitality accommodations have been arranged for guests to relax in after checking out of their rooms and will also receive breakfast and lunch. Further details about your transfers to the ship will be provided during the hospitality accommodations at the hotel. · Pre-Cruise Hotel Guests - Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul Guests staying at the Swissôtel the Bosphorus Istanbul, will be transferred directly to the ship in the afternoon. Hospitality accommodations has been arranged for guests to relax in after checking out of their rooms and will also receive breakfast and lunch. Further details about your transfers to the ship will be provided during the hospitality accommodations at the hotel. · Guests with a Regent Package Arriving in Istanbul on Embarkation Day Guests who have purchased a Regent package arriving in Istanbul on embarkation day will be transferred to the InterContinental Istanbul and will have access to hospitality accommodations prior to being transferred to the ship. · Guests with Independent Travel Arrangements on Embarkation Day Guests with independent travel arrangements are welcome to travel to the InterContinental Istanbul, arriving no later than 2.00pm, and will have access to the hospitality accommodations prior to being transferred to the ship. The full address of the InterContinental Istanbul is: Gümüşsuyu, Asker Ocağı Cd. No:1, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye Phone: +90 212 368 44 44 Turkey Visa Reminder Most nationalities (including U.S. and Canadian) will require a Turkish Electronic Visa (eVisa) prior to arrival. The eVisa can be secured by visiting https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. The completed visa should be printed and available to present upon arrival. Thank you very much for your understanding and for choosing Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Your Regent Seven Seas Cruises Team Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reservations Phone Numbers:

I suspect they will add 2-3 ports or 2 with overnight

I doubt they would go to malta since there will probable keep the crete onward schedule but I'm up for most anything

Be nice for us at least to have a stop in Athens, an overnight in crete would also be nice as there is a lot to see there.

good idea unfortunately not. Wish we would have an overnight in IST.

Yes regent might be able to work something out with the authorities but private transfer companies may not. The race starts in the morning but 130km IDK how long that takes to finish given the mountains. I tried to book a private morning tour and they said they can't do it due to closures. I guess we can walk from the swissotel to the palace across the street.

I was trying to book a tour on Sunday before embarking and the road main road that runs along the Bosphorus where Galatport is Closed due the professional bike race. I wonder is regent is aware of this and the impact of getting people to the airport and to the cruise ship.

FYI there are bicycle races in Istanbul on Sunday the 15th so the roads into the old town are closed. One day to tour there and can't see the sites.

Thanks great info. Sent email to all three and Ms. Teegen.

Anyone know Jennifer Teagans (sp) email? figured one last shot/plea for some sanity.

Regent air is just being lazy and stupid now. Trying to book our friends on the early BA to IST flight so they don't have a 7 hr connection. the early flight is only in economy which is fine as European business is just a coach seat with the middle open and they have seats. Regent air are saying the can't do that. Come on that is just extremely poor customer service, We don't know our hotel yet and if we are at the same one and if they are planning on transporting them at midnight.

Hiding

Agree. My TA working on this used to work at SS for Mrs. Conroy. So he has quite a bit of experience. He said when he had an issue with regent he could call Mark. He said while he sympathizes with the issue regent is dealing with, they have really dropped the ball. Just a simple call to him or me could have solved the issue. He is working his way up the supervisor chain now, but frankly time is running out.

the onboard experience was very good. the Pre-cruise customer experience is very poor may as well book carnival for that(sorry pcardad) Sad but I have seen that multiple time now. screw me once shame on you screw me twice shame on me, Not going to happen a third time.