goldenrod

As far as we know, from talking to a couple who were on the excursion while we were bobbing in the tender at the dock, awaiting our clearance at Cap-aux-Meules. They claimed it was an SB excursion, in fact they kept going on about that fact. There was a morning excursion and an afternoon one. Don't know anything further on that.

Question do Seaborne fares include tours and air and are the TVs interactive on demand programming?

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Question does Seaborne fares include tours and air and do they have interactive tv’s

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Does Seaborne include tours and air in its fare? Do they have butlers?

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We will be on the Viking Star New Years Eve what type of celebration can we expect?

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I will say for what I consider a mass market line Celebrity is good but we only like the Solstice class ships

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Completely agree!

We have been on Celebrity 5 times and on Regent 5 times the best way for me to compare the differences is Celebrity is like driving a Ford Focus and Regent is like a Lexus LS 460

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For the past several years we have only cruised on Oceania and have been very happy until our most recent cruise where we experienced several issues with an Owner's Suite on one of the R ships which is motivating us to look at other cruise lines.

 

 

 

We are considering a 2020 Iceland & Norway cruise on Regent Explorer but have some questions about the all-inclusive packages and would appreciate any feedback you can give us.

 

 

 

First--we always take a credit for our air as we like to fly first class with non-stop flights when possible. With Regent, they offer business class air included. What has been your experience with the airlines they use and whether they use non-stops flights?

 

 

 

Second-Alcohol included--does Regent offer a good selection of quality wines and spirits?

 

 

 

Third-We never take ship excursions. Instead I plan and organize small group tours for 6-8 persons and use CC roll calls to find fellow cruisers to join us. There are many obvious benefits to the small group tours but it also has given us the opportunity to easily meet and socialize with some wonderful people and make new friends on each cruise. That always makes the cruise so much more enjoyable for us. Regent tours are included in the package--how many people are typically in the tours? Are they big buses or smaller group tours? How would you describe the quality and variety of the tours offered?

 

 

 

Apologize for all the questions and appreciate any input. Just trying to decide if Regent will be a good fit for us.

Hi the only issue we have with owners Suites is we can’t afford them LOL! Or cruise budget for the year is around 60 k for two cruises. We usually use our miles to book first or business, we take private small group tours we do thru CC, the liquor and wine selections are quite good but I suggest you bring a spare liver if you have one. I’m sure you will be very pleased with Regent. The service and food are outstanding and the Explorer is wonderful!

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Echo Poss, interesting topic, thanks for asking rcandkc.

 

Believe Regent TA's (not going to comment on Regent TA's who are members

of the Seven Seas Council Members) get between 15-17% commission from Regent.

 

So, you can determine for yourselves, how generous (or not) your TA is w/regards

to rebates/discounts. chuckw has good points to consider in his post above as well.

Our TA is giving us a 11.3 percent rebate on our cruise fare of $38,700 .

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My DH insists on having a butler when we cruise, so we usually take a penthouse suite. Some are better than others.

On the Explorer, although they are narrow, there are two separate rooms, with two TVs and a small dining area. The closet is on the small side, but large enough for us. The bathroom has no tub, but has a huge shower. The balcony is a good size. We like this one the best.

On the Navigator, the penthouse is the same size as the categories below it. One room with a sitting area.

On the Mariner, the living area is large, but again, really one big room. This is our second favorite.

On the Voyager, penthouses vary in shape but size is similar to categories below.

Although we stayed once in the Superior Suite on the Explorer, and it is the the largest of its category amongst the other ships, we still opt for penthouse category. Yes, it has a unique shape, with bed facing the water, but the door is placed on a side so you really don’t see outside that well. The bath is great for a standard cabin.

We did go “overboard” once, and stayed in the Explorer Suite. It was a very special occasion, but anything above penthouse category is very expensive and not really in our cruising budget.

That’s how I see it!

Sheila

Thanks for your feedback on the Penthouse Suite on Explorer, we also like having a butler if possible also like having the two rooms with separate TV’s as we have different sleeping habits.

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The PH suites are almost our least favorite on Explorer (besides for their tiny suites that I believe are "G" and "H" category that should be for singes). The main reason we do not care for the PH suites on Mariner is that there is no bathtub which my DH enjoys very much. Second is the tiny closet. We really like the Concierge and Seven Seas suites on Explorer (and of course the Grand and Master suites).

 

If not having a bathtub is not a big deal for you, go for it!

 

While Mariner is our 3rd favorite ship, their PH suites are our favorite of any Regent ship.[/Q]

 

 

 

Thanks for your feedback we rarely use a bathtub. But you did say the closest was small on Marina is it also small on Explorer?

 

 

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Service and food should be the same with the exception of Pacific Rim which is only on Explorer. Also, if Sunday is a sea day on Explorer, they put on a fabulous brunch in CR - not to b missed. Lastly, you can have lunch in Prime 7 or Chartreuse on Explorer. They alternate days but are both open on sea days. CR is closed.

 

 

 

With the exception of "G" or "H" suites which are tiny, the equivalent (F1, F2 and Concierge suites) on Explorer is so much better than the equivalent suites on Mariner (and they are larger). Explorer's bathrooms are lovely - lots of storage space - a nice size shower AND bathtub and two sinks.

 

 

 

Explorer is our favorite ship - hope that you enjoy every minute of your cruise.

Hi Travelcat2 what is your opinion of the Penthouse Suite on the Explorer? Can’t wait for the Sunday brunch on our Sunday Sea day!

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Booked another Regent cruise. Currently onboard the Mariner, gave it some thought, did a quick price comparison with a similar cruise line, and finally saw the onboard Cruise Consultant this morning.

I got the same cabin I’m currently occupying, which has turned out to be perfect for me in terms of location.

 

I have 15 months to prepare. Should be enough time. [emoji901][emoji3]

 

 

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Happy for you being able take such a long cruise. We are retired but have 12 rentals and can’t be gone that long. We did just book a 22 day on Explorer. I know you booked on the ship so don’t know what kind of deal they gave you but on the one we just booked we were able to find an agent who is giving us a $4400 Rebate which is a 11.3 percent discount from a direct booking with Regent, I’m sure you might be able to do the same with a little research.

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How was the hospital in Lima?

The hospital in Lima was technically well equipped with all modern up to date equipment the worst part was very few of the staff spoke any English including the doctors if it weren’t for the translation app in my iPhone it would have been a nightmare.

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There are some cruise lines like luxury all inclusive Regent that don’t allow agents to discount fares but some agents will give rebates after the cruise our fare on the cruise I booked is $38700 the agency is giving us a $4400 rebate after the cruise that works out to 11.3 percent that’s why I spend the time finding the best deal! And don’t book directly with the cruise line.

 

 

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Also there’s a website I can’t name because of cruise critics rules where you post the cruise your interested in and agents from all over the country will bid on it we have used it many times and gotten some great deals. I’m sure can find it with a little effort and google

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I book online thru an online travel agency of a big warehouse club. If the offering isn't on their website I book direct and move it online.

 

 

 

For a $4212 net cruise I get back 2% as an executive member ($84.24, 3% from the associated CC $126.36 (vs 2% if I book with Royal) and $330 cash back card after I complete the cruise so $540.60 back on a 4212 cruise plus 10% off excursions through their site. It took maybe 30 minutes to save 540.60 or a little under 13%.. I pay the cruise off this year and apply the $540 to the excursions.

 

 

 

There are other OL travel agents that pre book rooms and offer lower net cost deals, especially if you can leave close to the sailing.

 

 

 

The OL travel agency I used is based in the US and the call center is in the US.

 

 

 

In the 70's and 80's I would go into the Amex office on th way home and get brochures and then book a vacation deal. After a few trips I just called the same woman and she knew what I liked.

 

 

 

Now I am in control either way.

There are some cruise lines like luxury all inclusive Regent that don’t allow agents to discount fares but some agents will give rebates after the cruise our fare on the cruise I booked is $38700 the agency is giving us a $4400 rebate after the cruise that works out to 11.3 percent that’s why I spend the time finding the best deal! And don’t book directly with the cruise line.

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I'm glad it works for you. I don't like paying for suites or see value in it. You have to spend a lot to save a lot in this case. I would venture to say I save more than you simply by spending less. I also have no interest in certain airline cards. But that's not really the point. You hopefully see value in what you are doing. I'm very familiar with points and get about $50,000/year in cash back and point value between a few cards. However, getting $100 OBC or whatever an agent can offer me on my fares is not worth the extra phone call or hassle if I do need to change something and they are unavailable.

Ok, guess you like flying Coach to Europe, Asia, or Australia and I find those who can’t afford a Suite always say it’s not worth it. I can get around in a Ford Focus but I’ll keep driving my Lexus, no matter the cost same thing with cruises or flying first or Business class. And to get 50k back on your credit cards you would have to change over 2.5 million in charges.

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You are correct. And in fact, embracing the internet seems to imply booking yourself online much more so than the antiquated 3rd party travel agent. We did the travel agent once, never again. For a little OBC or whatever... no way. You lose control of your booking, you can't do anything, can't call Royal yourself, etc. I don't get the benefit at all.

I guess some people like giving money away we always look for the best deal. The cruise we booked this week we are getting a $4400 discount from the cruise line booking price. On a cruise last year we each received 90,000 bonus air miles each if you bought the from the airline they are .025 each mile that works out to $4500. In all our years of cruising since 1971 we have never had any agency problems and have saved a fortune over booking directly with the cruise lines just in the last two years it’s just short of $10,000.

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We don’t like beaches period we both grew up in Miami not our thing black sand is worse. If we go someplace we have not been and going to the beach is not seeing the county

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Thanks— I’ll consider that. I don’t have the clout/status you have (my first Regent cruise, not a high Suite category), so I’m not sure it wouldn’t be a waste of time.

 

But the thought of having to endure 68 days of “table for one” dining on the 2020 Grand Cape Horn Adventure (plus 131 days if I go forward with booking the 2020 World Cruise) is just too depressing. I’m no social butterfly, but sharing a meal onboard with other guests is one of my favorite parts of cruising.

 

You just start to using deodorant! LOL

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Hi Travelcat2 I made a posting today about finding an agent who rebates, we have booked a 22 day cruise on Explorer for December 17 2019 we booked a Penthouse Suite the fare around 38,700 for both. I found an agent that will rebate $4400 do you think I can do better? If yes I’ll keep looking

Thanks for your input

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I will just say this there are travel agents that discount Regent much more than others Regent I strict on fare price cutting but the one I use rebates us after the cruise and it’s substantial !

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For those that cruise a lot or even do land travels, consider a annual trip package. We are both mid 60's and cost 320 dollars for the whole year.

 

 

 

I do not us insuremytrip as they are just too expensive. Google more options, under annual pass.

 

 

 

They copy a lot of my credit card amenities, but do get the medical excavation part when on the open waters.

This is something you may not be aware of this past December we were on a Princess South American 21 day cruise I had to be taken off the ship in Lima Peru as I was having shortness of breath the ship doctor said I needed to see a Cardiologist make a long story short ended up having a heart stint I had no health coverage (I thought) well not true if you have a Medicare supplement through AARP it has $50k coverage for medical emergencies out of the country it paid my $22K at 80% and my credit card paid $5K for trip interruption

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What is the daily cost of the drink package per person?

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Wife and I don’t mind sitting with others at breakfast and lunch but like a table for two at dinner unless we a cruising with friends. We dine late eight or later, when we do eat with strangers like most we avoid controversial subjects but will not keep still if provoked by others stupidity.

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We are in a Penthouse Jr suite the mini bar is stocked daily with liquor but with what and how much?

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