Wendy The Wanderer

Nerves of steel indeed. Along about 2015 I thought that I would have been way ahead if I hadn't bought cancellation insurance for our cruises since 2000. By then, we were too old and decrepit to risk it. As they say, hindsight is 20-20. Made it out alive so far, only one cruise without insurance, no cancellations for cause, so no experience with the process, fortunately.

In our experience, tables for 6 are quite common. It's our favourite size, if we are in the mood to share. Small enough to have conversations around the table, large enough group not to feel trapped with another couple with whom you're incompatible.

Hmm, well I wonder what people are saying. I haven't been on Voyager for quite a awhile, but she was always a lovely ship. The only thing I would say is that there's a vibration aft, so some say to avoid aft cabins, especially on lower decks. But this is similar to Navigator.

If you have an H GTY, you might get an upgrade. No, I haven't seen those (smaller) cabins myself, but they are probably about the same size as a standard balcony cabin on Azamara. Outside of your (very nice) small cabin, Splendor is a simply glorious ship. Wonderful service, great food, bars everywhere, what's not to like? We did do one Azamara trip and really enjoyed it, mainly because of the friendly attitude onboard (andwe did it in a Club Continent Suite, but saw the standard balcony cabin and thought it was adequate. I think you'll be happy with Regent.

I agree that's a bummer. Doesn't sound like a good business decision. I realize they don't want people booking these big cruises on a whim, but still, making it transferrable once would still make it much more palatable.

Well, when you say "same cabin category", that doesn't tell the whole tale I think. Look at the square footage of the cabins, and the layouts. I just looked at a Concierge Veranda on Vista and it looks tiny by comparison with the standard cabin on, say, Splendor. No walk-in closet either.

Commiserations, everyone. Our sole Azamara cruise was in 2016 and we were just talking about how it might be nice to try another one, since Regent seems to be pricing itself out of our budget. Oh well, sure not going book any time soon.

I have been curious about this too. Flying from Tampa, we'd have to connect through either Charlotte or Miami. One hour from Tampa, four hours from Miami, and the aggravation of Miami airport. Six to nine hours overall if we're lucky.

Our TA always does it in reverse--books us on cruise only, and then we can add the air later if we wish. It makes the deposit a bit smaller that way. We have used Regent Air, and have rolled our own. By all means use points or miles if you have lots and you can find the flights you need. Always deviate and fly in the day before the cruise. The times we have used Regent Air is when we could not find a Business fare comparable to what they could offer (deviation fees included)--they can often do much better than paying those fares. But if I have the points, I will use them.

Our waitlist deposit was $1000 I believe.

We waitlisted for our Splendor cruise this past January. We waitlisted in June and cleared and booked in July. Paying the deposit allows you to book up to three categories. We jumped on the first category that came, but presumably if you didn't like the first cabin that came up, you could decline it and still be on the waitlist. Perhaps someone can confirm that.

Kathy, I'm betting you'd love Splendor (and therefore probably Grandeur.) When did you last sail Mariner? We were on her in 2017 and she was in fine shape then.

For real?

Why the heck would they start a voyage in Mauritius?

In the tropics, yes absolutely. Then again, somewhere cooler, the sunny loungers might suddenly be at a premium.

I like being mid-ship and low. So 755 would be my choice, plus it's near an elevator. Both cabins are shower instead of bath. Of course, if you're young and agile, you might choose a bath/shower combo and leave the shower-only cabins for us old fogeys for whom the bathtub is a showstopper. 🙂

Was a little disappointed with Chartreuse, but could have just been what I chose. Had a nice lunch there one day. Also disappointed in Sette Mare, not in the food so much as disarray among the staff, and an appetizer/salad spread that was pretty lame. Main dishes were great.

It would be tight. Any way you can change your flight to the next day and just spend the day in Vancouver?

I agree Richard. We're avoiding flying completely, perhaps for good. Might consider Alaska which would be a flight across Canada from Toronto. Luckily we winter in Florida, which means we can drive to Miami for a cruise (which we did in January--Splendor is amazing), or take a train to Montreal for a leaf-peeper cruise (which we've done in the past.) You're kind of stuck being in the middle of Colorado.

They did last summer when we were booked in the Baltic. TA consulted us about changed several times including day changes. We ended up cancelling so don't know how it would have played out.

I wish!

I was going to make that point myself. They are run off their feet usually. That being said, the OP should arrange to meet their steward and straighten out expectations on both sides.

That's definitely part of it. I noticed many more 2-tops on Splendor this January. We did manage to share several evenings, but often they couldn't form a table so we took the table for two

It's definitely a thing on Regent. I'm surprised that the maitre'd reacted like that.

That's been my experience too.