New to Regent

[sassycruiseher]

We (group of 6) are looking forward to our first Regent cruise in August. We'd like to have the tour desk on the ship arrange some private tours. Is

there a $100 charge to make such arrangements? Our previous cruises have been on Silversea and there was no charge for arranging private tours.

[bigdougw3999]

Will be on voyager on aug 18 with my parents. we will be in cabin 657.

[Iamboatman]

It is never a good idea to post your cabin number on a public message board.

[jc4uk]

Allright! Big party in 657! Booze is on you! LOL

[joannapvb]

We always post our cabin number - what should we nervous about?...I can care less if people know what cabin I have on a cruise - sounds ridiculous to me -

[ridojar]

I concur wholeheartedly with you. What's the problem?

[ChatKat in Ca.]

On the Regent ships, I have no problem posting my cabin number. On a line like RSSC, as a rule, the passengers rarely are a problem.

 

On the larger mass market ships, I would be more hesitant, since there are more people, lots more drinking and less sociable behavior - a different mindset.

 

Since the doors are left open during cabin cleaning and what have you, it's possible that there might be sticky fingers from other passengers who know what you've brought aboard during a time when the room is being cleaned.

[joannapvb]

We are talking Regent right? I have never done a mega nor do I plan to do one - so original poster what's wrong with posting cabin #'s on Regent???

[Iamboatman]

I am glad that you all think that only nice people cruise on Regent, but that unfortunately isn't the case. Bad people cruise across all lines and economies.

 

There have been instances, including on Radisson/Regent, where cabin information has been used to harrass, bother and even intimidate passengers. There have also been instances where charges have wound up on cabin accounts.

 

Not posting cabin numbers is a common warning on many of these forums. It is not an affront to Regent or any known poster here. (Any idea how many lurk and don't post? There are far more than actually post regularly.)

[RachelG]

Nobody has answered this poor lady's question! Back on track, the only time I have had Regent book a shore excursion for us was on the Diamond, and they didn't charge extra--but that was a couple of years ago.

I am usually pretty independent and arrange things ahead of time myself because I like to have my plans firm ahead of time.

[sassycruiseher]

I know the Travel Concierge charges $100 to arrange excursions prior to the cruise, but those seem to be more elaborate arrangements. We simply

want to hire a private version of the shore excursions and wondered if the ship's tour desk also charges $100 to make those arrangements.

[bigdougw3999]

ok wont post it again on cruise critic . The reason I thought it would be safe no one has put on other that they were sailing this sailing. would love it if someone frome cruise critic member was so maybe we could have a drink together. plus with regent all inclusive there are only a few things that could be charged to romm.

[MamaQuack]

I frequently post cabin #'s on Regent cruises. And just so you know, on our March 30 sailing the cabin door was NOT left open during cleaning. And, our stewardess would probably have clocked any intruder with her vac or scrub brush!!!

 

As for private tours, we did none on this cruise but did 2 several years ago in the British Isles and there was no charge.

[Travelcat2]

I would never post our suite number on an open forum such as this (agree with you Eric) -- on our cruise earlier this month I received about 3 crank calls in the middle of the night (no clue who from). It just isn't a good idea to post "too much" information (just my opinion).

 

Also agree that private tours booked on your own are the best. We've booked our own excursions in St. Petersburg, Belize, Cozumel, etc. and are already looking into private tours for our cruise next year (Greece, Monte Carlo, Italy and Turkey on the Voyager). Do some research on the web -- check out some reviews -- also check the "Ports" section of Cruise Critic. Not only have the prices been very competitive, we establish somewhat of a relationship with the tour company prior meeting our tour guide.

[BILLP1]

I will be in cabin 863 next April 7 on the Mariner if anyone cares....

[JDRMYS]

I would never post our suite number on an open forum such as this (agree with you Eric) -- on our cruise earlier this month I received about 3 crank calls in the middle of the night (no clue who from). It just isn't a good idea to post "too much" information (just my opinion).

 

also agree that private tours booked on your own are the best. We've booked our own excursions in St. Petersburg, Belize, Cozumel, etc. and are already looking into private tours for our cruise next year (Greece, Monte Carlo, Italy and Turkey on the Voyager). Do some research on the web -- check out some reviews -- also check the "Ports" section of Cruise Critic. Not only have the prices been very competitive, we establish somewhat of a relationship with the tour company prior meeting our tour guide.

 

I must disagree with Travelcat2 on one point: Booking your own excursions. If the on board staff doesn't know exactly where you are and how to get in touch with you, they can't really help you if you are late getting back to the ship. The ship will probably sail without you and you will have to pay your way to the next port.

 

A couple of years ago we were on an excursion with a total of 5 passengers that included 2 airplane flights. Since RSSC had arranged this excursion, they knew how to keep in touch with the guide and the guide knew how to get in touch with the ship. This was fortunate since each of the 2 flights was delayed by several hours. When we got back to the port of embarkation, there was the Navigator, still at the dock (for which RSSC undoubtedly had to pay a substantial sum) waiting for us. The Captain had postponed the sailing for approximately 4 hours to make sure that we were not left behind. If we had made our own arrangements, I am sure that we would have been left at the dock!

 

Since then, we always stick to the ship's packaged shore excursions or arrange private excursions through the Shore Excursion Office. It may cost more but the difference is far less than the cost of lodging and transport to the next port.

[HAL2]

I will be in cabin 863 next April 7 on the Mariner if anyone cares....

 

My wife and I are sailing for the first time on Regent and it's on April 7th- Mariner. We don't know which room yet because we have booked a guarantee.

 

Yep, one never knows who is lurking and reading these boards...:)

 

Best Regards,

Hal in Ohio

[Travelcat2]

I must disagree with Travelcat2 on one point: Booking your own excursions. If the on board staff doesn't know exactly where you are and how to get in touch with you, they can't really help you if you are late getting back to the ship. The ship will probably sail without you and you will have to pay your way to the next port.

 

A couple of years ago we were on an excursion with a total of 5 passengers that included 2 airplane flights. Since RSSC had arranged this excursion, they knew how to keep in touch with the guide and the guide knew how to get in touch with the ship. This was fortunate since each of the 2 flights was delayed by several hours. When we got back to the port of embarkation, there was the Navigator, still at the dock (for which RSSC undoubtedly had to pay a substantial sum) waiting for us. The Captain had postponed the sailing for approximately 4 hours to make sure that we were not left behind. If we had made our own arrangements, I am sure that we would have been left at the dock!

 

Since then, we always stick to the ship's packaged shore excursions or arrange private excursions through the Shore Excursion Office. It may cost more but the difference is far less than the cost of lodging and transport to the next port.

 

I agree that excursions that travel very far from where you are docked and are full day excursions should probably be booked through Regent to avoid the above scenario On the other hand, earlier this month, we booked an excursion through Regent in Key West -- 107 Carnival passengers and 7 Regent passengers were on one caramaran. After 3 hours of beer guzzling, yelling, screaming and drunk people running around, I doubt if I'll book Regent for 1/2 day excursions in the future.

 

In places like St. Petersburg where you are docked for 3 nights, the choices for excursions are easier. The ones we took were not cheaper -- just less people and, in our opinion, better. For instance, passengers from the Regent tour lined up with about 30 bus loads of people to get into a palace (not exaggerating numbers) while the private tours have a special entrance where they can bypass the lines.

 

Perhaps there are just times where Regent tours make more sense and others when private tours work. We love Regent -- remember, though, that like the shops and casino on board the ships, these people are not "Regent" employees.:)