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Concierge class - is it worth it?


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Hello fellow cruisers! Can anybody advise please whether there is any advantage of booking a concierge cabin on Voyager? From what I understand, the difference with a veranda is a one night hotel plus transfers and the ability to book excursions earlier. Now, the difference in costs for the two of us between veranda and the CC is USD 2,300 which seems a bit excessive for a hotel and a transfer [emoji4] hence the question is - is it worth it paying this extra for the option to book excursions early, in which case they are no longer free excursions (practically). Apologies - an accountant deep inside me is scratching her head!

 

 

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In my opinion, no, you also get a blanket, an expresso machine, and binoculars. The room is the same size. Booking the hotel directly and taking a cab or a car service to the port is still more economical.

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In my opinion, no, you also get a blanket, an expresso machine, and binoculars. The room is the same size. Booking the hotel directly and taking a cab or a car service to the port is still more economical.

 

 

 

Thank you- that’s what I thought, however there is a view discussed here that people miss out on excursions if they are not part of the initial group who can make bookings. This is our first cruise with Regent - hence the question

 

 

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For $2300 you could book private excursions! Even on out first Regent cruise, we were able to book our top choices. If you are waitlisted, they tend to clear.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for confirming my “gut” feeling! [emoji253]

 

 

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To each his/her own opinion. This is mine. We have booked this higher level for the past-several years on several Regent ships. Next will be on Navigator, June 3rd from L.A. via Panama Canal to NYC.

 

Peace of mind, as we always arrive at city of ship departure at-least one day, and depending, several days before boarding the ship. Our experience has always been being placed in a top hotel (some might push-back on this aspect, but this has been our history). My wife and I do not expect hotel management/staff to strew rose petals in our path. Just--a comfortable room; great breakfast, and expeditious transfer to the ship on boarding day. On about half of these occasions, we were given no-additional cost upgrades to a hotel suite. Lots of space to spread out those suitcases.

 

We often do independent air on one, or both ends of a cruise. So, it may be necessary to arrange an independent transfer. That does not detract from a decision to "upgrade".

 

Take the above for what it is worth. It is worth it to us to invest in this Regent option, as we have done so on Explorer, Navigator, and Voyager cruises.

 

Best.

 

GOARMY!

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To each his/her own opinion. This is mine. We have booked this higher level for the past-several years on several Regent ships. Next will be on Navigator, June 3rd from L.A. via Panama Canal to NYC.

 

 

 

Peace of mind, as we always arrive at city of ship departure at-least one day, and depending, several days before boarding the ship. Our experience has always been being placed in a top hotel (some might push-back on this aspect, but this has been our history). My wife and I do not expect hotel management/staff to strew rose petals in our path. Just--a comfortable room; great breakfast, and expeditious transfer to the ship on boarding day. On about half of these occasions, we were given no-additional cost upgrades to a hotel suite. Lots of space to spread out those suitcases.

 

 

 

We often do independent air on one, or both ends of a cruise. So, it may be necessary to arrange an independent transfer. That does not detract from a decision to "upgrade".

 

 

 

Take the above for what it is worth. It is worth it to us to invest in this Regent option, as we have done so on Explorer, Navigator, and Voyager cruises.

 

 

 

Best.

 

 

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

Thank you, appreciate your input even though I am starting to wayward again [emoji4]

 

 

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Hello fellow cruisers! Can anybody advise please whether there is any advantage of booking a concierge cabin on Voyager? From what I understand, the difference with a veranda is a one night hotel plus transfers and the ability to book excursions earlier. Now, the difference in costs for the two of us between veranda and the CC is USD 2,300 which seems a bit excessive for a hotel and a transfer [emoji4] hence the question is - is it worth it paying this extra for the option to book excursions early, in which case they are no longer free excursions (practically). Apologies - an accountant deep inside me is scratching her head!

 

 

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My answer in general for us would be a definite MAYBE! We live in U.S. and pay the U.S. market's rate. You have a different situation.

 

I have taken 12 Regent cruises and gotten Concierge cabins 5 times (3 were on Explorer because I love the location of Cabin 609 and its large verandah). On the Explorer, the differential between my preferred cabins (F1 and E) was about $400 p.p.

 

On the Voyager, I took an E cabin twice. I was using Regent Air; the port was far from the airport; I only wanted to arrive 1 day before embarkation. Concierge got us a nice hotel, trouble-free transfers and I avoided the air deviation fees. Now that we are Platinum, none of our next 4 cruises (Voyager and Mariner) are in Concierge.

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Agree with DeepFreeze. Just as with Regent's air, you need to do the calculation each time. In some cases, the hotel night and transfer give a better deal than you could do on your own. In some cases, not so much.

 

Note that concierge level offers 10% discount on premium alcohol and 5% discount on pay-extra excursions. If you are going to be doing a lot of these, you'll want to factor the discounts into the calculus as well. It won't amount to a lot, unless you order a high-end wine with dinner every night, but it could push the needle past the "worth it" point if it's close. Note that the wine pairing luncheon is eligible for the 10% discount.

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We did book a concierge cabin for our last cruise, but the price difference wasn't $2300, which would have made me to question it also. However, if it is a long cruise or leaving from an expensive part of the world, it may be worth it.

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Sometimes it depends on the port, what kind of hotels that are available, how far from the port are you and what hotel is on offer from Regent. We'll be sailing on another line in the fall and even with purchase of transfers (airport to hotel and hotel to ship), a "good" hotel", breakfast, etc. it was worth the extra for us, to do the ship's overnight package. Also depends upon dollar rate exchange.

Either option is fine as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. Do some research, then you can make a good decision.

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To summarise, with Concierge Suites on Voyager you would receive the following additional perks over a basic F, G or H cabin:

  • One night pre-cruise hotel incl breakfast
  • Wi-Fi allows four 4 log-ins/4 devices
  • 15 mins ship to shore phone time
  • Earlier booking of excursions and dining (most useful if it is a short, popular cruise)
  • 10% discount on premium liquor
  • 5% discount on paid excursions
  • Binoculars, Espresso machine & cashmere blankets in suite
  • Complementary Tote bag

In addition you would also have the choice of some very well positioned suites centrally located on decks 8 & 9.

All the suites H to D on Voyager are the same spacious size and layout. Personally, however, I would not book an H or an aft G because of the vibration that can be experienced at the rear of Voyager (some people find this more annoying than others).

 

We find a forward located G or an F usually offers us the best value ..................... but we already receive many of the listed perks because of our SSS status.

 

Hope this, and the other responses help you to decide.

Whatever suite you choose, I am sure you will not be disappointed. I hope you have an excellent cruise.

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We booked Concierge on our last Regent cruise but not the one before...as others have said, it varies based on itinerary so you really need to do the cost analysis each time. Sometimes it’s worth the additional money, sometimes not.

 

Of course, there are some folks on here who wouldn’t book Concierge if it was even $20 more since they like doing everything themselves...and there are others who’ll pony up the extra $$ just to let Regent handle it. There’s no right answer. :D

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I still look at concierge suites, but have not booked one yet. In addition to the extra cost, what I see is a suite higher up which can mean more movement for those of us subject to motion sickness.

 

You can book a suite on deck 7 that is well positioned and do not need to go to higher decks. Just be aware that, as has been mentioned, there can be a vibration in an aft suite and forward suites (on just about any ship) feel the motion of the ocean more.

 

In terms of the TS (Kiwifromkiev) there is an additional question that comes to mind. Since they are in NZ, air is not included so I wonder if Regent tries to get people from that part of world to arrive the day of embarkation (as they do for passengers that are not in concierge suites). For instance, if we did not have Seven Seas Society status and were in a "H" suite, the only way we would get transportation to the ship is if we booked a concierge suite. Just something to consider.

Note: As of next week when we board the Voyager, we will have been in every type of suite - forward and aft - top decks and lower decks. IOO (in our opinion), midship on deck 8 is about the most stable in rough seas (although there is likely nothing wrong with deck 7).

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Just my opinion, I'd always go with the highest level cabin/suite that you can afford and enjoy the cruise.

 

Agree but keep in mind that categories "H", "G", "F", "E", "D" and "C" are identical on the Voyager (the the PH suites are only 50 feet larger) so location is a big factor when the suites are the same.

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Just my opinion, I'd always go with the highest level cabin/suite that you can afford and enjoy the cruise.

 

 

 

I agree with you, however in this case the higher level cabin does not provide too many insensitives - you would not pay 10% extra in a high end restaurant for the same meal served by the same waiter on the same tableware but with an additional vedge on a side? [emoji4] I am just trying to work out whether this higher level is actually worth the extra for us.

 

 

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Thank you all so much for your replies and opinions, I certainly take all these into consideration.! [emoji106]

 

This leaves me with one, perhaps the most important (for me) question- for a person (like us) who does not have an SSS status ( this will be our first RSS cruise ) and , let’s say, booked into a veranda suite - how likely that by the time that verandas can book excursions more popular ones will not be available as there are many people who will book well before? I understand that with such a difference in price (and the effect is much more for us as we are in NZD so it is currently close to 4K in our $) I can book a number of private excursions as someone logically noted. However, if we do need to pay for excursions (ie we may miss on a number/all of what we want) , I would rather pay extra for the higher class and get a few extra perks as well.

 

Our TA does not believe this is an issue but - and we’ve been with him for many years and he is excellent! - no TA in N Z is experienced enough with RSS - we are a very small market (the whole NZ is less than 5m population - guess how many travel high end lines?). Hence I am relying on my research and my trusted CC “advisors” ;)

 

 

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First, all suites on Voyager are technically veranda suites. I assume that you are referring to suites that are lower than the concierge level. You do bring up an excellent point about being able to book excursions and dining reservations sooner if you are in a concierge suite. Concierge suites and above can book excursions 240 days prior to the date of the sailing while lower levels book at 180 days prior. This definitely could create a wait-list situation (although most waitlists clear).

 

Dining reservations are also an issue. You could book at 75 days prior to the cruise while concierge suites can book at 90 days prior to the cruise. Most of the best dining times will have been taken and you could end up having to dine at a time that you would not prefer and might have to share a table (that may or may not be an issue).

 

So, in your case, my bottom line opinion is to book a concierge level suite.

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First, all suites on Voyager are technically veranda suites. I assume that you are referring to suites that are lower than the concierge level. You do bring up an excellent point about being able to book excursions and dining reservations sooner if you are in a concierge suite. Concierge suites and above can book excursions 240 days prior to the date of the sailing while lower levels book at 180 days prior. This definitely could create a wait-list situation (although most waitlists clear).

 

 

 

Dining reservations are also an issue. You could book at 75 days prior to the cruise while concierge suites can book at 90 days prior to the cruise. Most of the best dining times will have been taken and you could end up having to dine at a time that you would not prefer and might have to share a table (that may or may not be an issue).

 

 

 

So, in your case, my bottom line opinion is to book a concierge level suite.

 

 

 

Thank you [emoji4] just to confirm - restaurant bookings- is it for specialty restaurants only or MDR as well?

 

 

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Kiwifromkiev,

The availability of excursions and dining at the earlier and later booking times can be influenced by the popularity & length of cruise:

 

Excursions: You should have no problems apart from excursions which are unusually capacity limited (e.g. where the tour operator has a limited number of specialist vehicles) or in ports where tours are limited. As others have said, you may have to waitlist for some but these waitlists generally clear.

 

Dining: If you are on a short cruise, say 10 days or less, and have specific times in mind for a table for 2, then early booking is a must. If you are on a longer cruise, say 14 days or more, and are flexible, then there will be plenty of choice when booking at the later date.

 

Advance reservations are only for the speciality restaurants (Prime 7 and Chartreuse).

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Thank you [emoji4] just to confirm - restaurant bookings- is it for specialty restaurants only or MDR as well?

 

 

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Compass Rose (the MDR) and Sette Mari (which is called La Veranda during the day) do not require reservations.

 

In terms of getting additional reservations in Chartreuse or Prime 7, while you can likely can get additional reservations, in our experience, you have to take the time and table size that is available rather than the times you might prefer.

 

Excursions can be difficult. While you will likely clear the waitlist, this only means that Regent adds more buses. While this is fine for some people, we do not care to be part of a huge group on multiple buses going to the same places. Although the tour guides try not to have several buses arrive at the same place at the same time, they are not always successful. For this reason, we prefer Regent Choice excursions that you pay for. In some ports we book our own private or small group excursions .

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Compass Rose (the MDR) and Sette Mari (which is called La Veranda during the day) do not require reservations.

 

In terms of getting additional reservations in Chartreuse or Prime 7, while you can likely can get additional reservations, in our experience, you have to take the time and table size that is available rather than the times you might prefer.

 

Excursions can be difficult. While you will likely clear the waitlist, this only means that Regent adds more buses. While this is fine for some people, we do not care to be part of a huge group on multiple buses going to the same places. Although the tour guides try not to have several buses arrive at the same place at the same time, they are not always successful. For this reason, we prefer Regent Choice excursions that you pay for. In some ports we book our own private or small group excursions .

 

 

 

Thanks a lot, useful as always!

 

 

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