Mariner Questions

[Carol From California]

We are booked on Septmeber 5 Mariner, Istanbul - Athens. We booked our air independently. What time do they allow passengers to begin embarkation? Does anyone know the name of the cruise terminal where the ship will be? Also, The Regent website is showing that all categories are open (except one) and three categories are showing Guaranty. Is there any way to know exactly how many cabins are actually available? Is a travel agent able to access this information or does only Regent know this information? I am just curious to know how full the ship is at this point, 8 weeks prior. Regent seems very secretive about this information when I asked. The countdown begins and getting excited! :)

 

This will be our second time on the Mariner (Alaska, August 09), but last time we booked air through Mariner so the transfers were included.

[ridojar]

Carol

Go to the Regent website and book your port tour and dining reservations asap. Otherwise you may be disappointed.

[Carol From California]

ridojar...I already have my dining reservations and all my excursions are booked. I took care of these the day they were available to book.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I would imagine the ship will be fairly full. You can find out by going thru the lengthy online booking process on their website, but you'd have to do it for each category, and I believe they don't show all the cabins available.

 

You could ask you TA if you have one. Do you have a guarantee?

 

Sorry, I don't remember the name of the port. You can probably google it. It's somewhat north of the north side of the Golden Horn, i.e., on the modern side.

 

Oh, I found it: Turkey Tom says: Most cruise ships dock in Istanbul at the Karaköy Yolcu Salonu (YOHL-joo sah-loh-noo, "Passenger Terminal"; 12 on map) in Karaköy (Galata), at the southern tip of Beyoğlu, in the shadow of Galata Tower, right where the Golden Horn flows into the Bosphorus (http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com)

[Carol From California]

Wendy,

I was wondering if a travel agent can "see" the actual remaining cabins. I am booked in a H Guaranty. We were originally booked in a G Guaranty but when I saw the H open I switched it. Saved $800 by doing that. We were in a H Cabin last year (Mainer) and it was perfectly fine.

 

As for the "port" name in Istanbul, I am sure that info will be with the travel documents and the hotel can arrage a transfer for us.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well I don't know if TA's can "see" them on the website, but they can certainly find out what they are. That's what my TA said at one point at least.

 

Are you going to have to some precruise time in Istanbul?

[RachelG]

If you ask your taxi driver to take you to the cruise ship terminal, he will know what you mean. When you get there, you should be able to see Mariner easily. Istanbul is a very easy port to embark from.

You should be able to board anytime after 12 noon. Your cabin won't be ready, but you can eat lunch and relax, make spa appts, etc.

[Carol From California]

Wendy, Yes we will be in Istanbul for 2 days prior to the cruise. Looking forward to it.

[zaby]

Carol,

Have a great time ... We were also on the Mariner last yr on the Alaskan cruise in Sept and we’re booked on the Sept 22 cruise out of Istanbul and we also have some precruise time.

 

Have a great trip!!!:D

[jtrading]

We are booked on Septmeber 5 Mariner, Istanbul - Athens. We booked our air independently. What time do they allow passengers to begin embarkation? Does anyone know the name of the cruise terminal where the ship will be? Also, The Regent website is showing that all categories are open (except one) and three categories are showing Guaranty. Is there any way to know exactly how many cabins are actually available? Is a travel agent able to access this information or does only Regent know this information? I am just curious to know how full the ship is at this point, 8 weeks prior. Regent seems very secretive about this information when I asked. The countdown begins and getting excited! :)

 

This will be our second time on the Mariner (Alaska, August 09), but last time we booked air through Mariner so the transfers were included.

Carol, would like to message with you. We are on board for seven seas mariner Oct 9

Rome to Instanbul- We are flying to Rome on Oct 6 to be on our own for a couple of days. The travel agent told us we had to have Regents book our travel, as well as hotels

in Rome. They are very expensive, and not many options. Since this is our first cruise

on Regents, would like to message with a more experienced traveler!

[jtrading]

Carol

Go to the Regent website and book your port tour and dining reservations asap. Otherwise you may be disappointed.

Our first cruise on 7 seas mariner on Oct 9- Rome to Instanbul- Does our travel agent

take care of dinners, etc., or as you say do we do that-- If we should, please provide

details.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Carol, would like to message with you. We are on board for seven seas mariner Oct 9

Rome to Instanbul- We are flying to Rome on Oct 6 to be on our own for a couple of days. The travel agent told us we had to have Regents book our travel, as well as hotels

in Rome. They are very expensive, and not many options. Since this is our first cruise

on Regents, would like to message with a more experienced traveler!

 

Your travel agent told you that you *must* book this? They are dead wrong. No reason why you should not book your own hotels. You give up free transfers to the ship, but a cab is a small expense compared to the outrageous prices for the pre-cruise hotel packages. Sorry, but it sounds like you have a very bad TA.

 

The air itself, if booked by Regent, is often a good value, and certainly is easy to do, but not the hotels.

 

Edited to add that flying a couple of days early is fine too, Regent will do this, but you must pay a $100 pp deviation fee for this. But you then have the right to talk to them about what flights they are going to put you on, so you have some say in it. Still lots cheaper than the pre-cruise packages.

[PaulaJK]

jtrading

 

I realize that you addressed your questins to Carol but perhaps these answers will help and others will add their knowledge.

 

1.Regent does offer a booking service that includes air and hotels. Since you are going into Rome a few days ahead of time you may have to pay a 'deviation fee' of about $100. The airfare may or may not be included in the price of your cruise ticket. Regent may or may not be offering an optional upgrade to business class air for a fee. Some of these options depend on your specific cruise so you need to study the web site or brochure plus consult with your travel agent. Please note that Regent will then determine the airline [it contracts with some] and the routing if you decide to use their air. Usually folks are pleased with the choices.

 

2.IF you book Regent's hotel then Regent will transfer you from the hotel to the port on the day of embarkation. The hotels offered by the cruise lines, including Regent, are almost always high end and priced more expensively than you could book them independently [easily done through a web service]. If you book your own hotel you may have to arrange it on your own.

 

3.You DO NOT have to book through the cruise line. You are entitled to book on your own. Perhaps your agent meant that you had to book through Regent in order to obtain free/included air or that you had to book their hotel to get included transfers. Lots of members of this forum choose to book independently either using points from airline programs for the air or book more modest hotels and arrange their transfers.

 

Perhaps you should speak w. your TA and clarify these options until you feel secure about your choices. Paula

[PaulaJK]

Sorry, I forgot to address 'dinners'.

 

The main dining room [Compass Rose] is open seating. Go any time during the opening hours, by yourselves or with others...no reservations needed.

 

The alternate dining venues, Prime 7 & Signatures, are by reservation. I have forgotten the date for advance booking via the web, but you can

make reservations for these alternate restaurants in advance of your cruise. You may make one reservation for each restaurant. You need to have your booking # handy when you do this.

 

On the same date that reservations open, you can book any tours you are interested in.

[jtrading]

Thank you- My husband booked with a AAA travel agent, and did question her about

making out own flight reservations and hotels. She said that was not possible, that we

had to do everything with Regents- Then we had to provide full payment for tour before

they told us what flights we were booked on, what hotels they booked, etc.

 

So, We will review this again! My thanks to you.l

[RachelG]

The travel agent is just flat out wrong. You can book your own hotels and air--we always do.

Regent will give you an air credit for the air portion of the fare if you do your own booking. It is usually $1000 for European trips.

I really think you need to find a travel agent more familiar with Regent.

[rallydave]

Thank you- My husband booked with a AAA travel agent, and did question her about

making out own flight reservations and hotels. She said that was not possible, that we

had to do everything with Regents- Then we had to provide full payment for tour before

they told us what flights we were booked on, what hotels they booked, etc.

 

So, We will review this again! My thanks to you.l

 

Sound like your AAA TA is really xxx. Seems like he or she is just trying to up the value of your booking so their commission is higher. Hope your TA is giving you some type of rebate, On Boad Credit, etc. Their commission on your trip is in four figures at least and they should do something for you financially. There are many TA's who give something back to their customer. We can't recommend specific TA's here but, check around and you'll find a good one.

 

And, if you've already booked with these clowns, you can change your booking to a new TA. There are threads on here that explain how or ask and we'll be glad to advise you.

 

Hope you have a great cruise.

[cruiseluv]

Carol, would like to message with you. We are on board for seven seas mariner Oct 9

Rome to Instanbul- We are flying to Rome on Oct 6 to be on our own for a couple of days. The travel agent told us we had to have Regents book our travel, as well as hotels

in Rome. They are very expensive, and not many options. Since this is our first cruise

on Regents, would like to message with a more experienced traveler!

 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something , but I believe your TA gave you inaccurate information. You don't "have to have" Regent book your hotels or airfare. As a matter of fact most times it is not cost effective to do so. Hotels offered by Regent are priced outrageously. In Rome you could do much better on your own.

[cruiseluv]

Thank you- My husband booked with a AAA travel agent, and did question her about

making out own flight reservations and hotels. She said that was not possible, that we

had to do everything with Regents- Then we had to provide full payment for tour before

they told us what flights we were booked on, what hotels they booked, etc.

 

So, We will review this again! My thanks to you.l

 

Sorry , but if I were you I would get a new TA pronto. Either she is totally incompetent or she is sterring you wrong on purpose so her commission is higher. Either case, not a good scenario.

 

You should go to Regent's website, create an account , and verify that your reservation is in order. You can book your excursions I believe 120 days prior and alternative restaurants 75 days prior.

[zaby]

Jtrading

 

I agree with all these posts that your TA is wrong. We are on the Sept 22 cruise from Istanbul and we end in Rome on Oct 9 and we’re going to stay two days. We’re also looking for a good Rome hotel.

 

Let me know what you find our and I’ll do the same. Here’s my email sggiordano@gmail.com

[traveller333]

jtrading, I'm sorry you got such bad information from the AAA TA. Please transfer booking to a luxury cruise specialist TA who knows their stuff. I suspect your husband felt the need to go into an agency near where you live and that is not necessary. Everything can be done via emails, Fed Ex, phone so go with a specialist.

 

You do have a wonderful itinerary.

[texascruiser66]

We have used Hilton Honors points and Priority Club (Intercontinental ) points to book luxury hotels in Rome, Athens, and Istanbul. In fact, we stayed at the Rome Cavaleri Hilton using Honors points and had a huge room overlooking the city. If you don't have enough miles, you can transfer airline miles to Hilton Honors or American Express Rewards points for Priority Club points. It is easy to do and saves a ton of money for really great hotels.

[HNI]

Carol, would like to message with you. We are on board for seven seas mariner Oct 9

Rome to Instanbul- We are flying to Rome on Oct 6 to be on our own for a couple of days. The travel agent told us we had to have Regents book our travel, as well as hotels

in Rome. They are very expensive, and not many options. Since this is our first cruise

on Regents, would like to message with a more experienced traveler!

My cruise is far in the future: Nov. 20, 2011, Rome to Ft.Lauderdale. I reviewed the Regents brochure and page 189 indicates a "pre and post cruise simplicity hotel program." It describes the Hilton Garden Inn at the Rome airport for "only" 2 nights for $349. The fine print indicates this is the per person rate. I ran the Hilton web site which indicates you can rent the room on your own for $232 per night for both persons. A saving of $100+ per night. I contacted my travel agent who indicated the hotels by the airport are nowhere near the attractions. She would find me one near the city at comparable rates if not lower. So find it yourself or have your travel agent do a better job. Regent wants a premium price which you can avoid.

[eliana]

Can anyone explain why on deck seven of the Marinercategory H suites are nearer the centre than categoryG, yet H cost less.

 

Also,are any particular suites (categories D to H) to be preferred.

[piri]

I have also wondered the same thing because they are more mid-ship than G. Perhaps because they are close to the Casino although I am sure there would never be a noise issue. There really are no bad cabins on the Mariner. I have sailed on her for around forty days and would always try and book H cat. I love being close to the water.

 

Unfortunately H is usually first to sell. Good luck with your cabin choice and happy sailing. You will love the Mariner.