Will Regent become a two class cruise line?

[Hambagahle]

Jacky - I really do think this is a marketing thing, "window dressing" existing programmes if you like to seem more important. Anyone who then reads "class" into it needs to think why s/he is doing that!!

 

Silversea had priority boarding for some time, at an extra cost of $100 per person. They dropped it. I do not know why. But if all priority boarding means is that you go to a different desk, or do not have to wait so long to check in - and not that you cannot get on till 10 minutes before sailing (sorry, I am joking!!) then what difference does it make? Nothing has been specified as of yet and perhaps these conversations will make Regent think a little more about possible implications as seen by some people...

[LindaM]

I may be stupid, but I really do not see how this "new" Concierge class" is different from what is happening now... it just formalizes things, with the exception perhaps of early boarding... but note, Regent does not in this announcement define what "early boarding " is. (11.30 instead of noon? Noon instead of 12.30?? you cannot board the ship before the departing passengers have left it!)

 

People who choose Butler suites - and obviously pay more for them - have always been able to get a second restaurant reservation, on a space available basis, by asking their Butler once onboard. AND SSS members, until quite recently, were also supposed to have "Priority restaurant reservations" once they got to Gold Level. This sort of evaporated...

 

Getting binocluars - how is this different from getting an iPod when you have a Butler suite now?

 

Regent is NOT - as far as I can read anyway - suggesting something similar to the different dining rooms that Cunard has, depending on what you pay for your suite. And what is wrong for getting a better suite, with some additional perks attached, if you pay more? We have sailed in "normal" suites and "Butler" suites. And we have met, and soclialised with, people in suites in a lower category than the one we were curerntly occupying, and with those in much higher catgories. I do not see how this new "Concierge Class" will change anything... it is "Butler suite" revisted, and as such, in my book, a marketing tool... Perhaps "Concierge" sounds a bit more exotic than "Butler"!!

 

Oh! And in re-reading the original post I see that a "complimentary Regent tote bag" will be offered as well... OK - on many cruises - around Latin America, World Cruises etc - Regent has long offered a special jacket or something similar to those who book the entire cruise.

 

Why on earth get all "class conscious" about this - it doesn't merit it, IMO!! The silly person who suggested that he or she "bow" to someone going to a suite on Deck 11 is far more "class conscious" than Regent!

 

You have a LOT of common sense!! This is our first cruise on Regent and have more experience on HAL. The people who book the Prinsendam suites have special perks, including their own lounge. We have made friends with those people and never once felt inferior to them. Since I am a retired teacher, my husband and I will probably have the lowest income on the ship. There is no way anyone will make me feel inferior, just because their cabin category includes more perks. As long as we don't have to wear identification saying we are not in the exclusive category, I don't think we are going to notice any difference. (That was a joke....)

[smilingcruiser]

I totally agree with what was written by Hambagahle - none of this is new at all. The only thing that would upset me would be if the concierge service and "perks" were to replace our SSS benefits - the unlimited free internet and few hours of telephone time.

[tallship]

.....It makes me wonder why they feel it necessary to make such deep discounts.

 

Perhaps because they are not charging the customer back for overpriced excursions, hotels, etc.

[tallship]

Nothing has been specified as of yet ...

 

But the changes have been specified as in the OP's post

[rallydave]

Perhaps because they are not charging the customer back for overpriced excursions, hotels, etc.

 

Discounts are very subjective. They can be anything the seller chooses them to be. Anyone on this board ever pay the listed retail price for a cruise? I highly doubt it. Even up until the embarkation date, the discounts remain.

 

If I had to guess about pricing, the lowest discount price is determined first, not the imaginary retail price. Selling all the cabins/suites at this price will allow the cruise line to make a profit. Then they figure out a number for the retail price that looks good and shows a significant discount for the real price. As the suites fill up, they can increase the price as long as people are still willing to pay the prices but, they never get up to the imaginary retail prices.

 

This is common to all cruise lines and psychological to make people feel they are getting a good deal.

[Responder]

Just a thought..

 

If the stated small percentage of Cruise Critic posters are responsible for causing Regent to alter some of their all inclusive policies and constantly finding them not to be favorable for that stated percentage, then take a look at the new Crystal policies that just changed.

 

Why do you think they would choose to go all inclusive if only a small or whatever percentage of customers didn't want it?

[2old4this]

Pay more and get more. I like faster boarding and easier access to my favorite dining spots even when it means more outlay. Pile on the benefits such as free internet, laundry, and whatever, for they make my sea travel all the more enjoyable. I don't see it as a class thing at all. It is purely a money thing with me. Like others have said earlier in this interesting discussion, ". . .once in the hallway, we are all the same." No one knows the size of my bank account or the number outside my cabin. Only I know that I bought all the advantages that come with paying the higher fee. I love Regent and my favorite ship, Mariner, for many reasons. Regent will have to start making some truly classic mistakes before anything like this little 2012 policy change will drive me to another cruise line. Jack

[mariners]

Hambagahle, I am sure that there are many people who feel as you do and Regent will continue to be a good fit. For us, we have not closed the door on Regent but time will tell as to what cruise line we will choose for future cruises. This year, because of many different factors, we will be sailing on Seabourn and Crystal. We are well aware that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. However, Regent is making choices that make it less likely that it will be the cruise line that we book in the future. Concierge class denotes a hierarchy onboard that has never been promoted by Regent. We do believe that those who pay more get more already - butler, upgraded air, etc. Concierge class is a change in how Regent is treating cruisers, not just a marketing ploy. I am in total agreement with wripro and the analogy presented.

I am not trying to change Regent to be what I want, and know that what I want may no longer be Regent.

[Responder]

Hambagahle, I am sure that there are many people who feel as you do and Regent will continue to be a good fit. For us, we have not closed the door on Regent but time will tell as to what cruise line we will choose for future cruises. This year, because of many different factors, we will be sailing on Seabourn and Crystal. We are well aware that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. However, Regent is making choices that make it less likely that it will be the cruise line that we book in the future. Concierge class denotes a hierarchy onboard that has never been promoted by Regent. We do believe that those who pay more get more already - butler, upgraded air, etc. Concierge class is a change in how Regent is treating cruisers, not just a marketing ploy. I am in total agreement with wripro and the analogy presented.

I am not trying to change Regent to be what I want, and know that what I want may no longer be Regent.

 

This is the link to the new Crystal changes...is it that much different than Regent now has?

 

http://www.cruisereport.com/crNews.aspx?id=1490

[SanFranCruizer]

Well, I have already tried out Silversea and liked it. Now, I will add Crystal to the group. I don't think these changes suddenly demonize Regent, but it does change things. In fact, it seems more and more like something on Oceania. The one time I sailed Oceania, we met some folks and became friends with them. We asked them to join us for dinner in Polo. We had our butler set it up. When they arrived for dinner, they thanked us profusely and said that because they were in fill in the blank room, they only got one reservation. That completely grossed me out. That before they ever set foot on the cruiseship they knew they had lesser options just seemed gross. I have sailed in bigger suites on Regent and have a sailing coming up in a lower category suite. I don't care about that. But seeing it isn't easy to get additional reservations in the specialty restaurants as it is now on some sailings, what will it be like for folks who book cat H after this change? They are going on a luxury cruise but being treated as if they were on Oceania? Don't get me wrong, I liked Oceania quite a bit. But don't advertise a luxury cruise and then create a system where only some people get luxury by paying more. For that, one can sail Celebrity or Oceania. And it wouldn't cost as much as Regent to get those things at Celebrity or Oceania.

[hodoc]

I have been on several Seabourn cruises and felt that each passenger received the same special service. On a LUXURY cruise the price differences should affect the location and the size of your cabin not the service you recieve.

I recently cruised on Mariner and enjoyed the the trip. However,the service and the food in Prime 7 and Signatures was markedly superior to the other locations. In addition, Spa services on certain days were fully booked early in the cruise. Giving preferences in these areas to higher paying customers will change the quality of the cruise experience for the other passengers.This is not what what I want in a Luxury cruise.

[SanFranCruizer]

I have been on several Seabourn cruises and felt that each passenger received the same special service. On a LUXURY cruise the price differences should affect the location and the size of your cabin not the service you recieve.

I recently cruised on Mariner and enjoyed the the trip. However,the service and the food in Prime 7 and Signatures was markedly superior to the other locations. In addition, Spa services on certain days were fully booked early in the cruise. Giving preferences in these areas to higher paying customers will change the quality of the cruise experience for the other passengers.This is not what what I want in a Luxury cruise.

 

Yes. Exactly!

[room010]

Is getting priority treatment for boarding, a restaurant reservation or spa treatment really THAT important?? Do people really make a point of pointing out to others that they are in the Master Suite instead of Category D or vice versa? We just got back from the Voyager and it never occurred to us to ask what category of cabin our fellow passenger/friends were in and those who did brag about it weren't the kind of people we wanted to socialise with anyway. That kind of thing shouldn't matter, but if it does then who are the snobs? :rolleyes:

[Hambagahle]

If it matters to "them" then they are the snobs! If I felt that somehow I was less worthy as a person because I choose a certain grade of suite which was less expensive than another - then I would have a serious personality problem which I should deal with!!

 

On a recent cruise we met some delightful people and enjoyed their company. They never once mentioned which suite they had - except that one day they gave me the suite number so I could call and leave them a message... so I knew where they were. These are the kind of people I enjoy getting to know. No need to "put on side" as an old English expression has it. Be yourself. People like you or dislike you for what you are, not for the room you choose to sleep in!

[room010]

Exactly! I couldn't agree more.

[WesW]

+1 (well said) gerry.

[SanFranCruizer]

Yes, but I think some of you are missing the point. Right now, there is no noticeable class differences, for lack of a better phrase, on Regent. But if cat D and above can get priority specialty restaurant reservations making it more difficult for others to get them as opposed to first come first served, and if they can board earlier and book up spa treatments and other things, then those booking the lower categories are made to feel disadvantaged. That doesn't seem like luxury. That seems like premium mass market. Does it make a difference to me? No. It doesn't. But just because it doesn't affect me doesn't mean it is right or a good policy. Regent can do whatever it wants to do to make more money and fill categories D and E, but that doesn't mean everyone has to go along with it. As I said earlier, on other cruises you meet people and the "differences" are made into differences because of stuff like this. I like the way Regent is now in terms of everyone being made to feel as if they are receiving similar luxury outside of their room. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

SF, you have a good point about the D and E cabins. I hadn't thought about that. So it's only F, G and H that are going to be "steerage". Tough for Regent, because, as we all know, there's never been a good reason to book a standard cabin higher up than G, since all the amenities were identical. Sigh. I can just see the marketers who concocted the concierge scheme over at Oceania rejoicing over this change. Goodbye H guarantees, hello increased profits!

[Responder]

SF, you have a good point about the D and E cabins. I hadn't thought about that. So it's only F, G and H that are going to be "steerage". Tough for Regent, because, as we all know, there's never been a good reason to book a standard cabin higher up than G, since all the amenities were identical. Sigh. I can just see the marketers who concocted the concierge scheme over at Oceania rejoicing over this change. Goodbye H guarantees, hello increased profits!

 

This conversation is like sitting in a rocking chair...it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere..

 

What is all the anxiety about? Most all of this is marketing BS and it's amazing that intelligent and financially comfortable people get so serious about it. It seems like every word or inflection or proposed change is cause for a major uprising.

 

Be grateful we live in a country where we can afford to pick and choose such luxuries as cruising on luxury ships.

 

As another poster said....what in the world can be so earth-shaking as a SPA appointment or a dinner reservation? Do those of you who object actually use these issues as a reason to go or not. If these were the only reasons we would choose a ship or perhaps not even cruise, we would be in bad shape.

 

Even over the years with previous policies, did anyone have 100% ultimate satisfaction on a cruise where 100% of everything was rated at 100%. That's not what life should be about, but evidently is for those who subscribe to it.

 

When all is not perfect in your housing complex or with the restaurants you frequent or the movies you see, do you no longer go to any event, or do you simply chalk it up to another vicissitude of life?

[Goofyisme]

HI Goofy..nice to see u post here...

 

Speaking of Regent's competition, just in Crystal going all inclusive Spring 2012:

 

http://www.cruisereport.com/crNews.aspx?id=1490

 

Hi Wes hope you and Ida are doing well and enjoying floating on the seas. Still trying to figure out how to be retired but doing lots of interesting things.

Best wishes on all your future adventures.

[Travelcat2]

On the Navigator, it can be extremely difficult to get Prime 7 reservations on a 7 night cruise (almost all of Alaska cruises are 7 nights). While the soon to be steerage class will probably be able to get a reservation, it will be at a time that no one else wants and at a table for 6.

 

With the demise of Signatures (not sure when that will happen), everyone will be trying to book reservations at the new dining venue. We experienced this when Prime 7 was debuted. Again, steerage class wil have whatever is left over in terms of reservations.

 

There is one way to help the situation. Everyone who is Category E or higher could offer to share a table with a couple in Category F or lower. They can make priority reservations for the four of you. Then we could share our free internet time. Seriously, those of us who book higher suites are no better or worse than anyone else. In fact, people I know who book categories F & G are able to take more luxury cruises because they are not paying for a butler and a slightly larger cabin.

[Emdee]

TC2 I am one of those who take the G category and that is exactly it we travel 3 or four (sometimes 5) times a year while still working because we dont pay for the large suites. For us the ports are still the destination but if/when the cruise becomes the destination then we will consider the bigger suites. I could see it as more important on a TA cruise for example.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Just had a thought--do you think this new system will mean an end to boarding around noon, for we steerage types?

 

And in the other thread, Kathy mentions Gold status. I made two cruises ago. I sure hope they don't get rid of those perks, I like them (they are mostly "inside the cabin" perks, so don't have an effect on others.)

[DaveFr]

There is one way to help the situation. Everyone who is Category E or higher could offer to share a table with a couple in Category F or lower. They can make priority reservations for the four of you. Then we could share our free internet time. Seriously, those of us who book higher suites are no better or worse than anyone else. In fact, people I know who book categories F & G are able to take more luxury cruises because they are not paying for a butler and a slightly larger cabin.

Good idea but if Regent models it's priority reservation system on Oceania's system, your idea won't work. Oceania doesn't allow passengers with access to priority reservations to include non-priority reservation passengers in their advance reservations. See: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1327205&highlight=specialty.

 

Dave