Regent should now include drinks on board

[petlover]

Good points made. When looking at the price increases (UGH) I'm taking into consideration some nice perks such as open bars, free internet, free laundry and pressing service which does help ease my pain! I'm still anxious to find out what type of spa perks there will be?.....their current prices are OUTRAGEOUS so I'm not expecting much!!

[Dolebludger]

You know, Carol and I cruised RSSC so much in '02, '03, and '04 that our friends were making fun of us! I told them that I had found a value that was too good to last forever, and we wanted to take advantage of it while it lasted. I wish I hadn't been right.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[jhp]

Richard, since you seem to like to look "into" things, I suggest you do a search of comparable cruises on SS and RSSC for 2007 and see what you come up with. I did that a while ago, and posted it. RSSC won out every time by a lot of money (and free airfare), but I stand to be corrected! A search of my previous posts only brings up stuff on Crystal!!! Never cruised crystal, but perhaps I was on that board a few times. Lets see if RSSSC/Regent are really priced in SS/SB league as SS brings out their deals closer to the cruise. I think I did determine that SB, with no balconies, had real deals. But I require a balcony. So lets compare apples to apples. Balcony prices only.

[Dolebludger]

jhp:

 

I think you hit the nail on the head by saying "SS brings out their specials closer to sailing date." As RSSC brings out its specials earlier (like now) for '07, no doubt RSSC will be less costly at this time for an '07 cruise. As SS rolls out its specials later, who knows? I know there are some for whom SB's "French Balconies" just won't do. Others feel the fact that SB has much smaller ships more than offsets for this. Personally, I don't know what my personal tastes would be on this as I've never cruised SB. But I do know that SB is rated at least as highly as RSSC by companies who do that sort of thing, and therefore I regard SB as a competitor of RSSC.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Iamboatman]

Richard,

 

Having sailed both SB and RSSC on multiple occassions, I can tell you from personal experience that the experiences are quite different. Each line has its own style (though RSSC is apparently presently redefining its). Those who sail SS say it tends to be more Italian-style (which is by design) and that the service is more standoffish or formal. SB tends to be more "American" in style and service and the staff is more interactive. Both have more formal evenings (and more of them) than RSSC.

 

You are correct that many feel because of the intimate size of the SB ships and the limited number of passengers even for that size, the balconies are not as critical. For some the coffee or cocktail in one's bathrobe is, however, very important.

 

One thing that RSSC has over SB is capacity. I know for this summer it is virtually impossible to find a suite on an SB sailing in the Med and the Baltics it is very difficult.

 

There is, however, some cross-over. I literally have a client on an SB cruise right now that emailed me from the ship to book an RSSC cruise departing shortly after he returns. The reason: Pricepoint and availability. Interestingly, the liquor policy was not a concern at all!

[blackbird71]

Richard,

 

I literally have a client on an SB cruise right now that emailed me from the ship to book an RSSC cruise departing shortly after he returns. The reason: Pricepoint and availability. Interestingly, the liquor policy was not a concern at all!

 

As a very light drinker the liquor policy means nothing to me. My bar bill on the 12 day Mariner cruise was ZERO.

 

And while the service on the Mariner was good, their home office sucks. One minor example, I did not know until I got my docs what hotel they were going to overnight me in Miami for my Mariner cruise. OTOH, within 7 days of booking my Dec SS cruise, I got a note from SS with the name of the Miami hotel they plan to overnight me in.

 

It is been over a year since my Mariner cruise so things may have changed, but SS My Voyages has a online form to fill out with things like what type of pillows you want in your suite, and a space to fill in the stocking of your mini-bar/refrig.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Actually, BlackBird, there is a guest information form that you fill out requesting your preferences. Your TA should have provided to you ahead of your cruise. It has places for pillow and drink preferences and many other items that will make the ship to your liking. You can also fill it out on line as well and if you don't fill it out you get their standard items. We've never been disappointed. Also, we've always asked ahead when we've had a forced overnight where we'd be put up and our TA has provided that information for us as early as we've booked. Maybe the TA you use is not familiar with the availability of what information is available to you for RSSC

[Dolebludger]

Well, I don't want to make too much of the "open bar issue" either, except to say that there was a MASSIVE thread on this board about it 2 - 3 years ago, where it seemed fairly well agreed that RSSC's present "semi all inclusive" system tended to negate socialization in the lounges -- especially before dinner -- that was present on SS and SB. Oh, sure, one could drink the same quantity (or more) from the included mini bar on one's balcony or from the drinks included at the dinner table, but it was the socialization --- not the booze quantity --- that was missing.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[blackbird71]

Maybe the TA you use is not familiar with the availability of what information is available to you for RSSC

All I know is what was online a year ago with RSSC and what I can do online today with SS..

 

As for my former TA/Used Car sales person, who knows what she knows. And who knows who DROPPED the ball on her used car promise. :mad: I had booked cruises before with her mother, the owner of the TA shop out of Miami. But the mother retired and the daughter took over. My Amazon cruise was the my first booking with her. When I was booking the cruise, the daughter out of no where said, "The RSSC Rep and my mother are good personal friends, and my mother said the RSSC Rep told her, she was going to line up something Special for you". While I was well informed about the RSSC product on the ship and could not think of anything "Special" that could be provided, I had wild dreams that maybe the RSSC Rep could swing one of the Business Class seats on the 5 hour charter down to Manaus. But no luck. Even once on the plane, I saw there was open Business class seats I was a little down over the used car saleperson promise. In the end, the TA lost all future business from me over her failure to follow up on the promise she made to me. If I was taking a wild guess, the RSSC Rep probably thought she had a commitment from the home office and they dropped the ball.

 

So I have one that turns into two :eek: new bookings now. When I was ready to book a new cruise, I looked around for a brick and mortar TA in Tampa and now am very happy with the services of my TA. :)

[blackbird71]

negate socialization in the lounges -- especially before dinner -- that was present on SS and SB.

 

Thanks,

Richard

I am not a bar person but..

 

I saw it two places, first like you pointed out with the empty bar off the main restaurant on the Mariner before and during the dinner hour. And second up at the pool bar. I always have my sit by the pool and drink a Pina Colada on every cruise except the Mariner. The couple times I went up there to try to get one, ALL I SAW the bar staff serving were beers. No mixed drinks. Who knows if they ever made any tiny umbrella drinks. :eek:

 

So boozer Blackbird with the ZERO Bar tab on the Mariner will be having not one but two mixed drinks on the Whisper. The SS forum members tell me the pool bar mades not only a great Pina Colada but a great Bloody Mary.... I will have to try one of each. :D

[Iamboatman]

I don't think it is necessarily the paying thing that keeps people out of the lounges pre-dinner, or at least I would hope not. On literally ever other line I cruise on - inclusive or not - there is a much more lively pre-dinner atmosphere than on RSSC. It just seems the RSSC clientele overall just don't do that.

 

For me, drink or no drink it is nice to chat and meet other people. And no matter how willing one is to break that mold, you need someone else of interest to do it with!

 

BTW, there also is no rule that you can't take a drink out of your suite into a lounge so you can socialize if you don't want to spend the few dollars.

[jhp]

When I was on a leg of the World Cruise (all-inclusive) the Voyager Lounge was PACKED before dinner and after dinner. Of course, these people get to know each other in time. The same was the case on my one SS cruise. We shall see what happens when the changever occurs.

[Leejnd4]

I don't think it is necessarily the paying thing that keeps people out of the lounges pre-dinner, or at least I would hope not. On literally ever other line I cruise on - inclusive or not - there is a much more lively pre-dinner atmosphere than on RSSC. It just seems the RSSC clientele overall just don't do that.

I'm not so sure that's an accurate generalization about RSSC passengers. Granted, I only have one RSSC cruise under my belt (so far), but I can tell you that on my cruise we had plenty of action in the bars pre-and post-dinner. Certainly, all the folks that I was hanging out with were there! Of course, we were quite the convivial group. But beyond that, many of my friends who HAVE cruised RSSC regularly report lots of great fun both in the lounges.

 

I think a lot has to do with the itinerary as well...certain itineraries tend to draw a more lively, active crowd, while others draw folks who tend to be more sedate.

 

As for whether or not having open bar will increase the action in the bars pre and post dinner, I look forward to checking that out for myself! I for one enjoy socializing in this way. I sure wouldn't want RSSC to become known as "party ships" a la Carnival or certain RCI cruises, but I don't think Regent draws that kind of passenger anyway, open bar or not.

 

LeeAnne

[Dolebludger]

Well, back to the topic, all I basically know is that we have cruised RSSC 77 nights in the past four years (most earlier in this period when better deals could be had). 70 of those nights were with RSSC's traditional "semi inclusive" policy. Bars, show lounges, and pool areas were really pretty dead. 7 of those nights were on a special Diamond/Caribbean cruise that was open bar. There, bars, show lounges, and pool areas were lively. And there was less drinking observed at the dinner table --- not only by me but by others too. Others have reported this same effect of open bar on RSSC's other open bar cruises in the past, and on SS and SB.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Iamboatman]

I have 21 days on RSSC and also noticed an overall lack of socialization.

 

One one week there was a smaller group who use a well known TA (who was also there) and they had their good times...in their group (nothing wrong with that!). However other than that small group, in 21 days on three cruises it was pretty darn quiet, as well.

 

I have been fortunate enough to meet some very nice people on RSSC; but usually wind up socializing with them during the day or over dinner.

 

There's nothing wrong with it; it is just different.

[blackbird71]

Dolebludger

 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next year. While SS is having a number of sales and I have book two of them, they are also upping the single sup, and that effects me. OTOH, RSSC is upping all fares but their single sup is still good.

[blackbird71]

 

I have been fortunate enough to meet some very nice people on RSSC; but usually wind up socializing with them during the day or over dinner.

 

 

I really enjoy the open seating meals and my favorite ppl from my RSSC cruise was two ladies from the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and that I had dinner with two nights. But like I have pointed out I am not a bar person, and while I knew these two ladies were going to the casino after dinner, my suite with it's veranda was more important to me. :)

 

Not every meal but a couple I pop out to the lounge just off the main dinning room for a cigarette, and normally it was just a couple smokers out there from the restaurant. In my case, what I do on a ship probably will not effected by the open bar other than maybe getting an tiny umbrella drink :D

[Dolebludger]

Yes, "single supplement" can change the whole comparative fare equation! One other aspect of this topic is that (strangely) fares on the PG have not risen as much as those on other RSSC ships in recent years. If '07 schedules and fares (which have yet to be published) aren't much higher than those for '06, and if the PG too is open bar (as expected) it will be one of the best bargains on the sea --- for couples and singles alike!

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Wendy The Wanderer]

No one who knows me would call me a party animal, but I do enjoy meeting new people, and having a good time. I also like that pina colada by the pool, and look forward to not signing a chit for it, although that doesn't deter me from having it!

 

Pre-dinner cocktail parties I can take or leave--depends on the cruise--I usually want to put my feet up after an excursion day, and then "primp". Pre-dinner gatherings on the Diamond we went to a few times, and they were very nice, albeit subdued. We met some nice people on that cruise. But also valued our alone-time, which is one of the reasons we like to cruise.

 

(Just let me say as an aside that this ad hominem stuff disgusts me--let's talk about travel, okay?? Oh, and by the way, just to be clear, the term "party animal" in my books is not a perjorative.)

[petlover]

Now this was an interesting thread to wake up to this morning......I had to laugh at being called a "Party Animal".....?? I guess it is all relative. I do consider myself social so if that makes me a PA...so be it. I am so happy that I've had the opportunity to meet and/or cruise with so many of you! :)

 

A bit off topic here but.......as others have mentioned, on the WC, the Voyager Lounge was jumping most every night!! On our recent Mariner SA trip, STARS lounge was pretty dead most nights EXCEPT when there was a theme night going and then things were very lively. The staff on the Mariner had several of these theme nights where STARS was decorated and the theme was promoted in Passages and over the PA system. One difference on our SA trip is that my husband and I knew a LOT of people. I believe that out of all the "Los Marineros" (this is what they called those of us who were on for the full 62 circumnavigation of SA) there were about 80 of us that had ALSO been on the full 2005 WC and this doesn't count all the familiar faces of segment friends we already knew!! It was like old home week for us so from day one, this made a big difference. It was as if we were cruising with a large group of friends so we always had parties and activities going. If you are traveling with a small (or large) group of friends you already have your built-in social schedule going! The length of the cruise also makes a big difference. The longer the cruise, the more nights there are to dine with and meet new friends. For those of you that make new friends on a one week cruise....multiply that 10 fold if you should take a 2 month cruise!

LOL....you too can be a "Party Animal" . Guess I have a reputation to uphold now! :D

[blackbird71]

LOL....you too can be a "Party Animal" . Guess I have a reputation to uphold now! :D

 

Petlover..... I missed reading most of your SA cruise, last I read you had just left the Amazon. Hope you enjoyed it.

 

Were drinks included with this years SA cruise? They were not last year.

 

IMHO, RSSC missed a good marketing point with the new perts for past passengers they came out in ~ Jan. They could have comped drinks for people say over 24 days knowing that they planned to include them in 2007. Just IMHO...

[Dolebludger]

Boatman:

 

Just to clear up one item here. On "open bar" cruises, there will of course be lounge socialization before dinner (and after). On "ala carte" cruises, there will be such socialization as well. But with the "old" RSSC semi-inclusive formula, a certain mentality seems to set in amoung the guests. That mentality is "why should I go to a lounge and pay for drinks at 6:00 PM when I can get them for free at the dinner table in about an hour?" It's my theory that this is why so many report vacant lounges in the past on RSSC.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Iamboatman]

Probably true. I just know they we enjoy sitting an having a drink in a comfortable chair and without a table (and the structure that sort of goes with it). I don't know what causes the phenomenon; I just know that many of us see it.

[blackbird71]

Probably true. I just know they we enjoy sitting an having a drink in a comfortable chair and without a table (and the structure that sort of goes with it). I don't know what causes the phenomenon; I just know that many of us see it.

 

That does sound much more comfortable. Plus once you seat down in the restaurant, the meal has begun. I know when I traveled with my mother and sister we got into the habit of hitting the piano bar (on whatever ship we were on) for a before dinner drink. But on fixed seating ships, you still ended up clock watching.

 

Well I start my Silverseas cruise in a couple days, and one night I will check out "The Bar". ;). It is just down the hall from my suite.....

[Dolebludger]

It IS more comfortable to have pre and post dinner drinks in a lounge rather than at the dinner table. That's one reason why RSSC's going "open bar" is a good thing. Fearless prediction: Open bar won't increases "free" alcohol consumption much, if at all. Rather, the place where the "free" alcohol is consumed will merely shift from the dining table to the lounges.

 

Thanks,

Richard