Regent Specific Shore Excursion Questions

[pappy1022]

We are going on the September 2023 British Isle cruise are I have a couple of general questions about Regent shore excursions. (1) If you take a Reagent shore excursion, for example to Edinburgh in the morning for 4 hours, can you remain in Edinburgh after the tour is done and wander around the shops and sites? If so, is there a shuttle Regent bus that goes between the tender and Edinburgh (or any other port) to the central part of a city/town on a routinely scheduled basis? (2) How does the guide communicate with the group, especially the larger groups? Do they provide headphones, communicate via personal devices, etc.? (3) What are the advantages of small group tours beyond the obvious that there are fewer people? (4) For the British Isles, are there any ports where a private tour (for us 3 couples) makes a lot more sense than a Regent tour? Splitting the cost of a private guide 3 ways starts to make private tours more competitive, price wise. (5) for tender ports, who gets priority tendering? Based on cabin class, Regent tour vs private tour, etc. (6) and lastly, what are a couple of your top do not miss sites in any of the following ports: Edinburg, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Ullapool, Killybegs, Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, Waterford, and St Peter Port. Thank you.

[daetchief]

10 minutes ago, pappy1022 said:

We are going on the September 2023 British Isle cruise are I have a couple of general questions about Regent shore excursions.

 

(1) If you take a Reagent shore excursion, for example to Edinburgh in the morning for 4 hours, can you remain in Edinburgh after the tour is done and wander around the shops and sites? If so, is there a shuttle Regent bus that goes between the tender and Edinburgh (or any other port) to the central part of a city/town on a routinely scheduled basis?

[There have been more than a few Regent Port-of-calls where there was a reciprocating van or mini-bus that departed the ship "Ex: On the Hour" and picked up for a return to the pier at a pre designated location in town "On the Half".  It was very dependent on the distances involved and the availability of a service provider in that port.]

 

(2) How does the guide communicate with the group, especially the larger groups? Do they provide headphones, communicate via personal devices, etc.?

[There is a Regent App for your iPhone or Android that you use your own headphones or earbuds.  I've only been on one Regent cruise post COVID and this system wasn't needed since we were inside busses for the main part of the tour.]

 

(3) What are the advantages of small group tours beyond the obvious that there are fewer people?

[The obvious stands.   But, there is no guarantee that your small group won't be in the presence of other larger groups.]

 

(4) For the British Isles, are there any ports where a private tour (for us 3 couples) makes a lot more sense than a Regent tour? Splitting the cost of a private guide 3 ways starts to make private tours more competitive, price wise.   [We'll leave this answer for the local SMEs]

 

(5) for tender ports, who gets priority tendering? Based on cabin class, Regent tour vs private tour, etc.     [All tours -generally- depart from the Constellation Theater.  It's based on departure time and no other criteria is used for boarding the tender or busses.]

 

(6) and lastly, what are a couple of your top do not miss sites in any of the following ports: Edinburg, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Ullapool, Killybegs, Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, Waterford, and St Peter Port. Thank you.    [We'll also leave this answer for the local SMEs]

 

We'll be on 'your' cruise in a couple of weeks.  Hopefully you'll get more good info from the panel.  We're really looking forward to our cruise.

[cwn]

On you #5 in tender ports….most Regent tours leave in a small window in the morning. When the tours are leaving the tour groups have priority in tender space the private groups or individuals.

[mj_holiday]

1.  Many times there will be shuttle service between a city and the ship.  Destination services should have the info.  Please, make sure you let the tour guide know when you are leaving the tour to go on your own.  Be mindful of the all aboard time.

3.  We have never been in a position to take a small group tour.  But, we have not felt crowded in the tours we have taken.

5.  Your excursion tickets will have the meeting time and place, this will also be in Passages the evening before the excursion.  So if you meet in the theater, they will have explicit instructions about exchanging your excursion ticket for a ticket for that tour.  (this lets them know how many people showed up).  They will call you tour when they are ready for you and they take into account the tender times.  It is usually very orderly.

For afternoon tours, I have seen the tour meet on shore.  But there will be instructions on your excursion tickets.

[Lonedaddy]

16 hours ago, pappy1022 said:

 

We just got back in May from a similar itinerary absolutely loved it and Regent.

 

(1) If you take a Reagent shore excursion, for example to Edinburgh in the morning for 4 hours, can you remain in Edinburgh after the tour is done and wander around the shops and sites? If so, is there a shuttle Regent bus that goes between the tender and Edinburgh (or any other port) to the central part of a city/town on a routinely scheduled basis?   There was a shuttle bus from town or you can take a taxi just tell the guide what you are doing.  It wasn't too far a walk from the castle and it was downhill It was our first regent tour and it was chaotic and rushed.  Definitely stay longer and linge in the castle and town.

 

(2) How does the guide communicate with the group, especially the larger groups? Do they provide headphones, communicate via personal devices, etc.?  You can use the regent app on the phone.  whether the guide is well versed in the use is another question.

 

(3) What are the advantages of small group tours beyond the obvious that there are fewer people? (4) For the British Isles, are there any ports where a private tour (for us 3 couples) makes a lot more sense than a Regent tour? Splitting the cost of a private guide 3 ways starts to make private tours more competitive, price wise.  Hearing the guide is much easier and you don't have to wait so long to get on and off the bus.   The private minivan would be a great option for you especially in a place like killybegs 

 

(5) for tender ports, who gets priority tendering? Based on cabin class, Regent tour vs private tour, etc.  If you book a regent private car you will get off early

 

(6) and lastly, what are a couple of your top do not miss sites in any of the following ports:

Edinburg, castle, shops royal yacht britannia

 

Invergordon, urqhardt castle and crower castle was a relaxed tour beautiful sights great guide was one of my favorite ports

 

Kirkwall, the tour to see the neolithic village ruins and the Stonehenge like formations was a nice tour though this would be a great stop for a private car to take you to these places at your own leisure 

 

Killybegs, we did the enya pub tour and drive beautiful sights along the atlantic road this also would be a great private ride day as you can customize to what you would like to see and where to stop

 

I looked up the itinerary and didn't see glasgow but dublin instead.    In Dublin Book of Kells was crowded but amazing to see.

 

Make sure to spend a few days in Copenhagen check out the copenhagen thread in the ports boards

 

Here is our British isle review on splendor from May this past year 

 

[Techno123]

As a UK local who went to Edinburgh 'on holiday' last year definitely Edinburgh Castle (try to be there for the gun salute check the website for timings). It is at the top end of the Royal mile so afterwards you can wander down and enjoy the shops. They are quite touristy but we enjoyed looking. 
if Harry Potter is your 'thing' there are quite a few sites to visit.

We really enjoyed the Royal Yacht Britannia which, depending where you dock, could be a short walk from the ship. Late lunch/afternoon tea was very enjoyable