ddsun1

Papa,

Appreciate your response.  Grandeur is truly a beautiful ship!

We are reticent about approaching our neighbors 'face-to-face' - the reason?  While relaxing at the pool, a fellow cruiser next to us was loudly video chatting.  Very nicely, we requested just a little less loudness. Surprisingly, she complained about us (asking for her not to be so loud) to her video chat mates.  So, this approach was not successful!

Currently sailing Grandeur, Penthouse, deck nine.  From our living area (and some from our bedroom), we can hear entire conversations from the F1 suite next to us.  Have been aboard all Regent ships, except Navigator, never have we experienced this on Regent's four other ships.  As we schedule busy days, of course, presumed our suite would be quiet and relaxing upon our return.  Unfortunately, the folks in the suite next to us are always there and we easily hear all conversations.  Our solution is to turn up the calming music of the bridge cam.  Although this is most likely a result of the ship's build, and we have heard about this 'insulation' situation, management claims there have not been complaints...

17 hours ago, snorkle lover said:

Looking at a cruise in SA in March 2025 on the Splendor. The cruise Includes a three day land trip  prior to the cruise or post cruise. The pre cruise is three nights in Buenos Aires and post cruise is three nights in Rio. The pre cruise in Buenos Aires sounds a bit more interesting but not a game changer. We have never been to SA nor have we ever done included land tours. So looking for some thoughts. 

Hi Snorkle Lover,

We are booked 3/3/25 - Splendor, Buenos Aires to Rio.  Very excited for this trip as we also have not visited SA.  Except for Regent included land tour last year, 'Pre - Vibrant Tokyo' - we arrange all our land tours, pre and post (sailing Regent since 2012).

For SA, we thought it better to go with Regent, pre and post.  Purchased 'Pre - Iguazu Falls 2025' and have included 'Post - A Passion for Rio'.  So looking forward to this cruise and the before and after land tours.

Hope to meet you on-board Splendor!

First, Flossie - Registering at Visit Japan Web was not mandatory approximately four weeks ago and now is.

Also, the Visit Japan Site is very difficult, even for those adept and requires time.

Ping - totally agree.  If one has the first two vaccinations and one booster, with approved proof, all is clear to board the flight.  If one has the first two vaccinations and not one booster, required is proof of a negative Covid RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to the flight and proof for the first two vaccinations.  Additionally, all must test 72 hours prior to boarding Explorer. 

Also, before flying into Japan, now required to register at Visit Japan Web; was not mandatory prior to yesterday.

Safe travels!

Pingpong,

Your comments above more than caused me to realize the possible 'what ifs' now involved.  As a result and front of mind - what happens if the test result is positive, prior to the Regent three day land tour of Tokyo and following, the fourteen day cruise?  I have not received any information regarding same.

Yes, I did call Regent two days ago and they will not be testing for the Explorer cruise embarking March 14th; it is the responsibility of the cruiser(s).

Thanks for this, Scott. 

See you onboard Explorer!

My husband and I will be on Explorer, 3/14 - 28 2023, Tokyo - Tokyo.  We will arrive one day prior to the three day pre-cruise land program, "Vibrant Tokyo."  In order to be cleared for this through Japan, we must be (at least) double vaxxed and single boosted; if not, a Covid PCR or Antigen test 72 hours prior to our flight landing, correct?

Additionally, we must take a Covid PCR or Antigen test 72 hours prior to boarding Explorer?

Thanks!

Looking forward to our Splendor cruise this August, London to Reykjavik.  Booked our own air:  United Newark to London, return Reykjavik to Newark.  Just received an email from United that the Reykjavik - Newark flight has changed to Reykjavik - Chicago and Chicago - Newark.  We wanted nonstop flights only.

Has anyone flown Icelandair?  If so, any comments?

Our last two Explorer cruises - muster stations were Coffee Connection and Meridian Lounge.

Susie,

Kindly edit under 'Notes' - Cancelled dispute on 6/11/20, not 9/11/20.

Thanks!

5 hours ago, SusieQft said:

Why did you do this?  Did Regent tell you that they would issue the refund only if you cancelled the dispute?  Or did they threaten some sort of retaliation?

Retired TA told us that Regent (contacted TA) could not credit our cards for refund as disputes were filed. TA advised to cancel disputes, furnish documentation, and then, Regent would refund.

We did not perceive any sort of threat or retaliation.

On 5/10/2020 at 9:29 AM, ddsun1 said:

Scheduled sail date - 04/01/2020 - Splendor, Miami - NYC

Regent cancelled cruise and excursions - 03/13/2020

Request for refund submitted via TA - 03/16/2020

No refund of 05/10/2020

 

Thank you for this, Susie!

On 6/2/2020 at 10:58 AM, ddsun1 said:

Following my post above, my husband and I spoke to our financial advisor.  He advised to immediately file a credit card dispute.  Initial deposit (06/2018) on my husband's Chase card and paid excursions (08/2019)/final deposit (11/2019) on my Bank of America card.  Our advisor had two concerns.  First, the news of NCL's stock plunging and possible bankruptcy (the two billion in funding was a relief).  Second, the builder of our new home abruptly left our project declaring personal and business bankruptcies, leaving us to complete the build as general contractors and to undertake his contractual financial responsibilities (equal to three Regent cruises)!  

 

Chase and Bank of America temporarily credited both of our cards, May 19th.  Both credit card companies have sixty (60) days to resolve with Regent.

 

Thank you again, Susie, and best wishes to all Regent cruisers!  We were so much looking to our cruise aboard Splendor!

 

We cancelled both credit card disputes, June 11th.  Via our retired TA, documentation of same provided to Regent.  Regent credited both cards on June 19th for the full amount.  Good news; however still sad that we were not aboard Splendor for, what would have been, her fourth journey!

Thanks so much for all your work, Susie!

On 5/10/2020 at 9:29 AM, ddsun1 said:

Scheduled sail date - 04/01/2020 - Splendor, Miami - NYC

Regent cancelled cruise and excursions - 03/13/2020

Request for refund submitted via TA - 03/16/2020

No refund of 05/10/2020

 

Thank you for this, Susie!

Following my post above, my husband and I spoke to our financial advisor.  He advised to immediately file a credit card dispute.  Initial deposit (06/2018) on my husband's Chase card and paid excursions (08/2019)/final deposit (11/2019) on my Bank of America card.  Our advisor had two concerns.  First, the news of NCL's stock plunging and possible bankruptcy (the two billion in funding was a relief).  Second, the builder of our new home abruptly left our project declaring personal and business bankruptcies, leaving us to complete the build as general contractors and to undertake his contractual financial responsibilities (equal to three Regent cruises)!  

Chase and Bank of America temporarily credited both of our cards, May 19th.  Both credit card companies have sixty (60) days to resolve with Regent.

Thank you again, Susie, and best wishes to all Regent cruisers!  We were so much looking to our cruise aboard Splendor!

3 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Agree that the number of people on this thread that have not received funds yet is a small sample.  And, some folks feel that "Critic" means that they are suppose to complain (not true - as many know).   

 

It is interesting, but not surprising, that people calling in are far less agitated.  If people calling in were as upset as some posters, I feel badly for the Customer Service Reps. (and I generally have nothing good to say about them).  

I believe that CC serves many purposes, including, if appropriate, complaints.

43 minutes ago, SusieQft said:

ddsun1, I posted the answer to this last night, but apparently it has been deleted.  I had quoted a post that had quoted another post with a link to a TA, and I guess that is too close to the edge.  Although the link to the TA website was not included in my post, I did comment that I could not figure out how to do this there (or any other TA website that I have tried), as was claimed by the person who gave the link to the TA website.  It does seem a bit over and above for TA websites.  They often give the availability by category, but not by cabin.

 

I will post the answer to your question in a new post, just in case this one disappears also.

Thank you, much - Susie, for both answers!

17 hours ago, SusieQft said:

How do you check this?  I looked at the Regent website, and it shows only what categories are still available, guarantee only, or unavailable.  It does not show how many cabins are still open in each category, at least not without a lot of very laborious one cabin at a time searches.  If you just looked at the main information page about the itinerary, the "available" cabins could each have well over half booked already.  The Christmas cruise does have more "unavailable" categories than any of the other Nov/Dec Splendor cruises.

Susie,

Would you explain how to do the 'one cabin at a time' search?  I have tried on all our past Regent cruises and never figured this out!

Thank you!

Scheduled sail date - 04/01/2020 - Splendor, Miami - NYC

Regent cancelled cruise and excursions - 03/13/2020

Request for refund submitted via TA - 03/16/2020

No refund of 05/10/2020

Thank you for this, Susie!

23 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

I keep generalizing about Regent and don't think of the other ships.  I just know that Frank Del Rio has selected all of the artwork on Oceania's Riviera and Marina as well as on Regent's Splendor and Explorer.  There are some very expensive pieces on these ships.

 

This reminds me of Regent's beautiful new ships.  It appears (not a fact) that the more money was spent on the interior of Explorer than Splendor.  Have to leave - am taking notes from the FDR interview.

 

Just started a new thread with notes from the interview.  If there is any interests why I feel that less money was spent on Splendor - just ask.

Tc2,

Curious - referencing your comment "...less money was spent on Splendor..."?

Thanks!

In the interest of fairness, someone's age was 'criticized' and thus, seems both posts have been removed!  All of us are quickly on our way to getting older!

40 minutes ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

Exactly.
 

We had to cancel several hotels, tours, a rental car, train trips and flights for a March-April trip centered on the April 1 Splendor cruise. ALL were refunded or cancelled without penalty in a few days, EXCEPT Regent. I’ve read the various excuses/explanations about why Regent is taking so long but if Delta and Amtrak can do it with a phone call and a few days (Delta) or a few minutes (Amtrak) then I see no reason why Regent should take a few months. They know how much it is, to whom it belongs, and what card to refund it to. The only reason I can come up with is that they’re saving cash, hoping for a cash influx for new cruises and stretching out refunds for 90 days. 

Cruiser from Maine,

Exactly the same for us as we had planned several days in/around Miami with back to back tours, excursions, etc. prior to our April 1st Splendor cruise.  All refunded, including hotel and flight.  Waiting for our Regent refund as proof needed to submit to insurance company for refund (insurance company will not refund unless full refund amount shown on credit card statement).

6 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

My wife is from Jersey...but not Fort Lee so I guess it's cool.

Great to hear you're married to a Jersey girl - so cool; from another Jersey girl longing for a Regent cruise to a warm beach!

On 4/20/2020 at 7:09 PM, Travelcat2 said:

Also on another thread (think that we have too many threads on similar subjects), a TA reminded us that it is your TA that should make you aware of price drops.  This is what our TA does.  However, it is good that we now have a tool to look it up ourselves.

Some do not have a TA, and thus, seek answers here.

37 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

As a born, breed Jersey girl, I do so miss her. Jersey girl or not, Gilda is an honorary JG!!!

Agree, Mudhen - from one JG to another!