rallydave

40 minutes ago, Texas Duck said:

Hello from the Texas Hill Country.  I have some questions about booking airfare with Regent (or not) BUT firstly I cannot figure out if I can have  the most recent postings come up first instead of last.  I hope my question is clear - any suggestions?

Simply look at the posts which have how long ago the post was made which will tell you the order 

as far as air it is automatically included with regent. If you don’t want regent air you will get fare credit and then your responsibility. 

Well you probably need to fly a day earlier in the 19th arrive London 20th travel to Portsmouth on 21st and board 22nd 

May be too late to deviate as that starts 210 days prior to embarkation  generally if available and you fly on same airline you get first class domestically but again may be too late. 
 

suggest you pay the $75 to talk to regent sir and see what they can do for you as pretty sure would cost you more than the regent sir credit. Likely best to deviate and pay what you likely will for this deviation and hope for first domestically or perhaps drive to Seattle a regent gateway and fly to London non stop. Not too long a drive to Seatsc. 

7 minutes ago, TheShag said:

On the same topic of stopovers, a general question on Regent Air Dept's 'policy/guidelines' for minimum stopover times? When returning to the USA from a foreign country, will they accommodate a reasonable/minimum stopover time in order to clear Customs before another connecting flight[s] to my final destination? Just looking to get myself ready for the discussion with Air Dept. for a flight back to USA from NZ in January. I am seeing less expensive flights but with 50 minute stopover at LAX, SFO, ORD, etc. Do I have to prepare to argue with them [if even fruitful] that these timings are not reasonable? Appreciate the help as this is our first RSSC cruiase!

FYI each airport has minimum connect times which depends on international vs domestic and regent has to comply with those times or tickets cannot be issued. It is those times you need to look at snd if uncomfortable request a longer connect time flight. 
 

minimum connect times don’t always work depending on no flight delays. It is not regent connect times that are based on specific airport times to worry about 

24 minutes ago, SWFLAOK said:

25 minutes ago, SWFLAOK said:

On the future cruise, we will be looking at options other than taking the Regent air, especially after reading on this forum that Regent doesn't help with rebooking if their booked flights don't work out during your cruise.

 

Since I am the one talking about Regent responsibility, I need to clarify what you wrote.   I did NOT state that Regent doesn't help, I will repeat, Regent is not required to help but, it has been reported that they do help at times.  Huge difference in meaning.

That said, I was using cruise air on my last cruise, not included but, one where they do state they will help with any flight i.  issues.  Well my flight from Reykjavik  back home was cancelled before leaving the ship. Still went to the airport as knew  the airline would rebook me back home.  Got in the check-in line and the agent found I had been rebooked thru Frankfort and in Business all the way

Put us on a bus back to downtown Reykjavek for a private room for the day, 2 dmeals and a tzxi bac to the airport at 8:30 for my flight east to go west.  No matter who books a flight the airline is ultimately responsible for getting you to your destination and phoning the cruise line is simply adding another group into the complexity  IMHO better to go direct to who can make the change happen.

Since the EU has strong consumer protecting and with Iceland a Schengen country and subject to EU laws, I ended up with $500 travel plus $655 check for my delay   FYI this was United who flew me home on Lufthansa 

1 hour ago, TheShag said:

I have noticed a lot of references to using Kayak. In the past, ITA Matrix was suggested. When using ITA, i see a more fulsome [but less desirable] selection of available flights. I am looking to go RSW-SYD on 15/12/24 and returning AKL-RSW on 3/1/25. As I do my homework in anticipation for the 210 booking date, is it wrong to only use Kayak? Thanks folks.

Actually ita matrix shows all possible connections so is quite voluminous  you can limit times on the page before you searcc. Kayak and other third parties are limited in the number of flights available o

9 hours ago, Shoreviewgirl said:

So, are you saying, Regent isn’t responsible for helping us if a flight they booked for us is delayed and we miss the embarkation? I thought that was one of the main reasons we would use them.

That’s exactly what I am saying based on their written terms a conditions. I will repeat there have been reports that regent has helped people in the past but remember cruise critic is not a very representative group of cruise passengers maybe 10% so not a good sampling 

hoping regent will help but no guarantee like many people  believe. 
 

also have had reports from people with airline probkk k end while traveling at airports who only phone regent for flight help and sometimes no answer or help 

The first thing to do with airline issues is to phone the airline while getting in the line at customer service to get your flights fixed. The airline is responsible and knows this  contacting regent simply delays the fix as they have to go thru the airline as well. With time differences regent may not be available.  God luck your flights are in time 

30 minutes ago, Oregonangelwings said:

Is there anyone on here, who went ahead and waited for Regent to do the air at 75 days, and were happy with the results? Just curious. Do they really make it so bad that people regretted having Regent choose the flights? Also, if Regent flies people in the morning of the cruise,and one of the flights is late, does Regent take the responsibility of getting the people to the ship?

As fo missing the ship flying in day of embarkation. Per the terms and conditions regent is not responsible for issues with third parties that regent had booked and airlines are third parties 

that said regent in the past has hrlpdd with third party issues so the answer is wish ways but legally they don’t have to help. 

51 minutes ago, edgee said:

Booked Splendor March of 2025 Rio to Lisbon. Regent Air allowance is $4300 pp. Live near JFK, so when Business Class NS JFK to RIO became available for just $2100 pp, I booked it paying just $100 per person extra to make it refundable. I am finding, however, that the LIS to New York fares for March are extremely high unless I book TAP (about $2100 pp) which has an iffy reputation. Questions:

1. How does Regent calculate the portion of air allowance for return home if you choose to do the outbound portion of air on your own? Do they give me air credit for half the $4300 which is $2150 and then book the return portion under their portion?

2. Does anyone know if Regent is likely to put us on TAP under a contract they may have with that airline. (Airfares for Delta and United are $4000 or more one way.)

Thanks for any advice.

 

Ed

First of all it is not an air allowance it is what they will credit you if yo decline their flights. Since that credit is the same where ever you live in the US they may pay more or lesss for your flights and no way to determine that. A regent secret

as far as splitting your flights payin for one and regent for the other with your itinerary may be equal amount or may not. Only way to find out is to ask your TA TO CHECK WITH REGENT 

HOPE THIS HELPS O

26 minutes ago, Oregonangelwings said:

I have another question for all you experienced Regent cruisers. Our Sept. Cruise departs from Southampton. Does Regent contract with any airlines in and out of Southampton? Or only in and out of London? It would be much easier to fly into Southampton, if we are to deviate the air. We are flying in and out of Portland, OR. Thank you so much.  You are so knowledgeable!

Nobody knows who regent contracts with and never will. A closely held secret. 
 

as to flying into Southampton likely any airlines on that route are short flight from UK and perhaps EU. Nothing long haul from the states 

Kayak or any of the third party travel company are the last place to look for flights.  ITSMATRIX is the best place. Has almost all airlines except the high discount who regent doesn’t use

thid site is used by airlines and travel agents with lots of options.  Can’t book here but does tell you the booking code and all info to use for booking direct yourself or thru your ta 

a significant potential booking thru third parties lik kayak is any flight issues you mostly cannot fix with airline but have to live with third party you booked thru and most have poor customer service with long waits. 
 

good luck 

20 minutes ago, DaveFr said:

The Venture is not a Regent ship. Totally irrelevant. 
 

Dave

21 minutes ago, DaveFr said:

The Venture is not a Regent ship. Totally irrelevant. 
 

Dave

Thanks, got my boards mixed up, thought I was on the Seabourn board

10 hours ago, Lady Meer said:

kjbacon - when you get onboard, check your tour tickets! On our W Africa cruise last year all of our tours had a time change. Some were 30 to 60 mins different but 2 were changed from afternoon to morning - one to 6.30 am 😡.

 

Tour tickets???  I was on venture almost a year ago and no tickets. Had to use the app and the expedition team who managed all excursions simply checked us off lists on clip boards 

4 hours ago, wcsdkqh said:

Regent will give you a “no additional cost option” 75 days prior to embarkation.

Not really any options. It will be your assigned flights. You can still deviate or take the credit and book yourself bug available flights and pricing could be a problem that late in the process. 

19 minutes ago, alexandria said:

You are assuming that a passenger making their own flight arrangements book non-refundable fares and that they lack comprehensive travel insurance.

 

Flight Ease is not responsible to get you to the next port unless yoes ur flight is delayed or canceled in which case they will rebook you on a flight to your next port of call.  A good comprehensive travel insurance policy provides the same protection.

Yes on non-refundable fares.  Fully refundable fares are significantly more than refundable or Flight Ease fares and cannot believe anyone doing the comparison will pay the significant larger amount.

Flight Ease is responsible if flight is delayed plus they are responsible if the itinerary is changed and/or the starting and/or ending ports are changed or dates change.  Sincerely doubt any travel insurance will reimburse for the costs to meet the ship in another port but, even if they will, that would be an after cruise exercise and the passenger would need to make his or her own arrangements and payments to get to the next port.  With flight ease a phone call to them will make and pay for the arrangements to get to the ship if possible.

And if there are insurance policies with that feature, bet the price of the insurance would be exorbitant.  In any case there is more to figuring out how to book your air than the actual flights costs.  YMMV 

On 3/4/2024 at 4:52 AM, alexandria said:

However, as far as pricing, I still recommend checking pricing on your desired flights booking direct before booking via Flight Ease.  When we booked our upcoming sailing on the Quest, we found that business class airfare booked on Flight Ease for our desired flights was significantly more than booked direct.  I just checked again and the pricing today for our round-trip flights booking on Flight Ease would be $4,100 pp where the same exact flights, dates, routings and class would be just $2,450 pp if booked direct.  In fairness, they do have other flights for our sailing that are less expensive booked via Flight Ease than if booked direct but those have more stops and are on less desirable aircraft for business class than those we selected. 

You are missing at least 2 positives using Flight Ease vs booking direct with the airlines.  First your airline bookings are likely non-refundable from day one while with flight ease fully refundable until final payment plus and a big plus in these days of itinerary changes plus with flight ease Seabourn has to make the required flight changes at no cost to you while with the non0refundable flights booked direct, those changes come out of your pocket.

Also with flight ease if you somehow miss your cruise, flight ease is responsible  to get you to the next port while with the airlines that is your issue and out of pocket.

Not only the initial price that makes the right decision.

1 hour ago, FL Wolfpacker said:

Just received my flights for our July 1st sailing from Rome.  I contacted the air desk at the 210 day out time period and was told the best they could do was a deviation with 2 stops (flying out of Ft Myers, FL) with short connection times and +$2K pp charge.  I decided to wait and see what they would come up with at the 75 day time period.

Without a deviation fee they scheduled a one stop flight (thru Frankfurt) on the way out and a one stop thru Newark on the return (and both have very good layover times).  The flights are operated by Discover Airlines so that may present some issues but I am very surprised/pleased otherwise.

 

Discover is a low cost airline with very few aircraft do you risk gettin on your cruise before departure as no deviation means arrival on day ship departs.  Any delay leaving no other way to get to ship. Return likely transfer to jet blue coach in New York 

not the best flights by far and remember Regent though they might help with flight issues are not responsible to take care of travel delays. 
 

good luck as you will need it. 

16 minutes ago, caviargal said:

There does not appear to be a caviar consensus on this thread.

We were in a PH on Navigator - never able to get caviar and we missed the Sunday brunch.  Very disappointing as their competition offers it always and generously.

You must have missed the Sunday brunch is only on the big ships only on sea days and does not akwats. Never in navigator 

18 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

Perhaps, but they say no. Regardless, Regent isn't a Travel Agent per se.  If they don't have contract rates then they are simply booking a flight for you, as a Travel Agent will.  So why would it be surprising to find that they add a surcharge to do your TA's job?  Regent is, after all, a "for profit" company. 

Not trying to be argumentative, so I apologize if my comment comes across as such.  Just an honest opinion. 

In addition you have to remember that the cruise fares that include the sir are identical no matter your home airport and not based on your particular home airport. 
 

Thus regent as you stated a for profit company has to calculate the cost of the included air based on some average of air fares for the entire US and likely a contingency to ensure the make a profit and not lose profits should the passenger bookings not match their estimates. 
 

win some lose some and sure the included fares are high enough to make a profit 

and remember the credit is identical no mater your home airport so it may or may not cover your self booking. 
 

also doubt the credit is the identical amount added to the cruise fare again to ensure profits. 

3 minutes ago, Eric Meyer said:

Is this kind of under the table? When we were onboard last year when I asked the suite steward he gave us a caviar menu but the choices were high end and over $100.

I was strictly talking about the included caviar. Didn’t know there were other types you could pay for. 
 

don’t know what you are asking about under the table. We only get the included and anyone can get it anytime freely and openly. Several parties during last cruise for everyone. 

12 minutes ago, Eric Meyer said:

Anyone have a copy (or know where to find one) of the brochure Regent gives you to order caviar in the room. I assumed that it would be available since Regent is such an exclusive and inclusive venue. Sunday brunch is about the last place that I would want caviar. Seems very picayune to have to pay retail for it on an expensive cruise. 

No brochure or anything in writing. Simply ask you waiter bar tender pool attendant etc and the caviar will be there shortly. 

23 minutes ago, bitob said:

When flight was booked I was able to add my ff number 

Really doubt a booking made before the process change will confirm whether or not ff points are given for regrnt booked AA flights. 
 

Generally points changes are effective for bookings made after the effective date of the change so until new bookings are made and flights taken the effect of this change will not be fully known. 

3 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

Papaflamingo, just a question. On your flight, I understand that economy on Jet Blue is not what most of us Regent cruisers would like. But in addition, would you have to claim and recheck your luggage when you changed from JAL to Jet blue in Boston? We find that to be true often when connections involve an airline change, and that is a “deal breaker” for us. 

As was stated earlier and I will clarify. For international flights into the US that fo not have you go thru immigration in a foreign country like Canada Ireland Aruba etc no matter the incoming airline or the connecting flight ALL luggage is removed from the plane and ALL passengers go thru immigration and ALL luggage goes thru customs. 
 

No difference same airline or different airline. This is different for many foreign countries where bags are checked to and picked up at final destination. 

Close enough for government work.  Always a few outliers

Yes papa the difference is the air credit. But because it is the same in all your examples it is the same no matter where you live and f  oh r sure sir fares vary for sure depending on your home airport. 
 

IMHO obviously the air credit is not necesrry what regent pays for your flights and likely less. We don’t ever know exactly what regent pays for air. In some cases people can fly in the credit and others can’t. 
 

thanks for agreeing and proving my hypothesis. 

Just a reminder for all; all port assignments are subject to change up until just before docking.  It is up to the Harbor Master to determine which berth any ship will be docking at and sometimes things change at the last minute so no cruise line including Seabourn is able to confirm docking location up front.  Yet they give you where the ship is scheduled but, that is no always where the ship will end up.