Bumped from Shore Excursion

[Bfson]

Our cruise leaves in a week from Rome. Got an e mail TODAY telling us one of the shore excursions was over booked and we had been bumped. Huh? We signed up months ago and they just figured it out now?

[jhp]

Were you waitlisted before? What was the excursion? Starting point would be your TA.

[cruiseluv]

Woa, that's not good. First time I ever hear something like that! as jhp suggests, get your TA involved.

[wapato2]

I'm on the same Cruise. Would you be so kind as to tell me the Tour in question?

Many thanks

[baychilla]

I'm on the same Cruise. Would you be so kind as to tell me the Tour in question?

Many thanks

Ditto.

[ededmd]

Woa, that's not good. First time I ever hear something like that! as jhp suggests, get your TA involved.

The same thing happened to us summer 2010 for our Ketchikan excursion. Had been CONFIRMED for weeks-months then noticed status was changed to WAITLISTED.

As it turned out for us it didn't matter as we privately booked a fishing expedition for that port, but had we not, I agree it would have been a big deal and completely unacceptable.

[RachelG]

Wow, I have never had this happen when we were confirmed for an excursion. I would be calling my travel agent (well, emailing actually) immediately to find out what is going on. I could understand if something happened to cause the excursion to be cancelled altogether, but otherwise why would they book more people than they could accomodate.

[mushroom]

OK, Now I'm worried. Do they ever cancel the pre-cruise tours? We've signed up for the Denali pre-cruise program and have purchased airline tickets based on this schedule. This is an expensive pre-cruise and I expect that most people do not go through the cruise line, but opt to do Denali in a more reasonable and cost-effective way. If our pre-cruise trip through Regent were to be suddenly cancelled, I would be extremely unhappy...especially if I did not have enough time to make other arrangements. Anyone have experience with the pre-cruise "cancellations"?

[Dreps]

I just got off the phone with Regent because I noticed that the status of our excursions had changed for an upcoming cruise. In fact, one of the excursions for which we were wait-listed was was no longere shown at all, and we were now booked for two excursions at the same time. Of course, I think that I should have been notified by Regent.

So I called to see what the story was and rearranged our excursions even though the Web site showed that one of them was sold out. While I use our terrific TA and her agency for everything under the sun, I think that if you see something amiss with the excursions, it is best to speak directly with Regent. They are usually pretty good at straightening out excursion-related problems to your satisfaction.

The moral of the story is to recheck your booked excursions every so often, especially if you are wait-listed for any.

[janisegn]

the advice given by Dreps is spot on - our excursions were booked well in advance of our past January cruise, and i signed on one day about a month before to double check, and we were not booked for anything - i re-booked, and all was fine (luckily) -

[Bfson]

The shore excursion they dumped us off of was "MARSEILLE HIGHLIGHTS & CASSIS" We had booked it back in January.

Here is what my TA had to say when I asked for more details: "They overbooked this excursion on every sailing that it was offered. I think that they changed vendors and couldn't accommodate the amount of people they
had sign up. The last people to sign up were the ones that they bumped from the excursion."

[cruiseluv]

I just got off the phone with Regent because I noticed that the status of our excursions had changed for an upcoming cruise. In fact, one of the excursions for which we were wait-listed was was no longere shown at all, and we were now booked for two excursions at the same time. Of course, I think that I should have been notified by Regent.

So I called to see what the story was and rearranged our excursions even though the Web site showed that one of them was sold out. While I use our terrific TA and her agency for everything under the sun, I think that if you see something amiss with the excursions, it is best to speak directly with Regent. They are usually pretty good at straightening out excursion-related problems to your satisfaction.

The moral of the story is to recheck your booked excursions every so often, especially if you are wait-listed for any.


My husband just alerted me to your post as we're are in your same cruise (I assume this is for the London to Montecarlo Voyager). They also have us in two tours at the same time (You would think their computer programs would have some automatic control that prevented this). One of these is the visit to St Emillion Village which they use to offer the second day in Bordeaux and now only offer on the first day. I'm also not happy that now the excursion to San Sebastian is now in the afternoon rather than early in the morning, as we were planning to stay there and return to the ship on our own. I might now consider taking the morning excursion as well. What a mess!

I'll have to call tomorrow after I review this more carefully. I agree, there should be some sort of email from Regent.

[lrmorris]

Has anyone ever been offered an excursion (a paid one) at 3:30PM when the ship supposedly sails at 4PM. We scheduled two excursions in Juneau in September...one "free" and a Seaplane adventure. Our TA called and they said they would either hold the ship or adjust the time. That was all they said. Because there are quite a few ships in port that day, we are very concerned that we may not be able to do the seaplane...which is one of the only things we absolutely wanted to do. Any suggestions? Thanks, Linda & Larry

[cruiseluv]

The shore excursion they dumped us off of was "MARSEILLE HIGHLIGHTS & CASSIS" We had booked it back in January.

Here is what my TA had to say when I asked for more details: "They overbooked this excursion on every sailing that it was offered. I think that they changed vendors and couldn't accommodate the amount of people they
had sign up. The last people to sign up were the ones that they bumped from the excursion."

How swell of them! Our cruise also stops in Marseille and as of now we are "booked" (wonder if it'll remain) on this excursion. I'll have to keep an eye on it.

[tallship]

Just to clarify that the comments on this thread that troubled me were about admin ppl at Regent/Oceania - we do not know how the excursion got bungled but the negative tone about the head of the excursion dept is troubling to me. My excursions last year on Mariner were messed up, it bothered me but Regent fixed them onboard

I hope the same strategy will work for others

Perhaps teaming up with other cruisers and arranging a private tour may work for the original poster since this was an extra paid excursion anyway

[blue whale]

BFSON's post really upsets me. We are booked on the SA cruise for the winter of 2012—70 plus nights. We have done this cruise a couple of times, and decided to do it again with Regent because of the shore excursion policy. How awful if we do not get to see what we wanted to see! We would have been better taking another line and just paying for the tours as we went along.

[wapato2]

I'm on the same Cruise as BFSON's. I checked my bookings today, and everything is OK. Who knows what happened, but it is a shocker!
Good luck BFSON, hopefuly something can be done between now and the tour date.

[macappin]

We are booked on Voyager from Sagafa to Barcelona on 12th November. Booking for tours opened last weekend but by Sunday many of the tours were fully booked. I have my doubts that so many cruisers were that quick of the mark so Regents offers of free excursions are some what limited.

[mrlevin]

We are booked on Voyager from Sagafa to Barcelona on 12th November. Booking for tours opened last weekend but by Sunday many of the tours were fully booked. I have my doubts that so many cruisers were that quick of the mark so Regents offers of free excursions are some what limited.

Did you waitlist for tours you wanted? If so, let us know when your waitlists clear.

[rarin2go]

On day one of internet bookings, one extra cost excursion we wanted was waitlisted. Then we were notified that space was available and we booked and paid. On board, we were then notified 3 days before that the excursion was cancelled due to insufficient numbers! Destinations staff had no explanation for what had happened to all those whose early bookings had lead to the supposed waitlist!

Currently on board Mariner

[tallship]

We are booked on Voyager from Sagafa to Barcelona on 12th November. Booking for tours opened last weekend but by Sunday many of the tours were fully booked. I have my doubts that so many cruisers were that quick of the mark so Regents offers of free excursions are some what limited.

Just wait till the Concierge Program kicks in and then try booking those free excursions

[MightyQuinn]

... So I called to see what the story was and rearranged our excursions even though the Web site showed that one of them was sold out. While I use our terrific TA and her agency for everything under the sun, I think that if you see something amiss with the excursions, it is best to speak directly with Regent. They are usually pretty good at straightening out excursion-related problems to your satisfaction.

The moral of the story is to recheck your booked excursions every so often, especially if you are wait-listed for any.Thank you Dreps. Good advice to stay on top of your booked excursions and to follow-up directly with Regent should (when) things go awry. The included shore excursions are the only aspect that gives me pause as a newbie to Regent.

[jhp]

Mighty Quinn, I may be putting myself out on a limb, but I think you will be fine from my experience after many cruises on Regent! I have a cruise in October (one that is full, possibly oversold), and first time I tried to book cruises first week available, some were on waitlist, but I have since been cleared for all of them! It would be pretty stupid of Regent to dissapoint cruisers this way, as most of us go to see the sights! Please post when you are cleared!

Out of all of my cruises with Regent/Radisson, only one was ever canceled due to non-interest, the Sydney Bridge climb in Australia. I guess the demographics on a WC were not with me!

[wapato2]

I agree Tallship!!

[MightyQuinn]

Mighty Quinn, I may be putting myself out on a limb, but I think you will be fine from my experience after many cruises on Regent! I have a cruise in October (one that is full, possibly oversold), and first time I tried to book cruises first week available, some were on waitlist, but I have since been cleared for all of them! It would be pretty stupid of Regent to dissapoint cruisers this way, as most of us go to see the sights! Please post when you are cleared!

Out of all of my cruises with Regent/Radisson, only one was ever canceled due to non-interest, the Sydney Bridge climb in Australia. I guess the demographics on a WC were not with me!Thanks jhp. Your experience with Regent excursions is reassuring, particularly with your waitlisted tours being cleared. This is new territory for me and I'm trying to get informed about how the system works. Excursions for our cruise aren't available yet. I hope we will be successful in getting most of our preferred tours and I will certainly post my experience once they open for booking.

Now as for that Sydney Bridge Climb, if we had been on that WC, you would have had company on the excursion!

[pacheco18]

MY 2 cents. After reading this thread I am doubly overjoyed that I cancelled my Regent cruise. What is being described here is not my definition of luxury. Not only will you be traveling in large groups on busses and going where the ship wants to take you, but you have to hassle even to get a tour you want. And the concierge class fiasco hasn't even kicked in yet!!!~!

I think I will find it far more luxurious on O or, yes, even Celebrity, paying for my de minimis alcohol consumption, and having private guides pick me at every port and take me and the 4 or other 6 people I choose to tour with exactly where I want to go.

[Island Cruiser]

It is my impression that the problem with Destination Services predates the current Destination Services executive. Our first cruise with Regent (then Radisson) was in 2003. We were absolutely delighted with our experience but noticed then if there was a weak spot anywhere on the ship it was the Travel Desk. I remember standing behind a couple who asked the clerk at the Travel Desk if their would be taxi service at our next port stop, a perfectly predictable question for someone trying to decide whether to book a shore tour or go ashore independently. The clerk's answer, a very indifferent "I don't know." His body language said "I don't know and I couldn't care less." Although the couple didn't say anything, it was clear they were quite annoyed by the brush off. Since then, we have observed substandard behavior at the tour desk regularly. It seems to be an occupational hazard on a Regent ship. No improvement over the years.

[rallydave]

It is my impression that the problem with Destination Services predates the current Destination Services executive. Our first cruise with Regent (then Radisson) was in 2003. We were absolutely delighted with our experience but noticed then if there was a weak spot anywhere on the ship it was the Travel Desk. I remember standing behind a couple who asked the clerk at the Travel Desk if their would be taxi service at our next port stop, a perfectly predictable question for someone trying to decide whether to book a shore tour or go ashore independently. The clerk's answer, a very indifferent "I don't know." His body language said "I don't know and I couldn't care less." Although the couple didn't say anything, it was clear they were quite annoyed by the brush off. Since then, we have observed substandard behavior at the tour desk regularly. It seems to be an occupational hazard on a Regent ship. No improvement over the years.

Thanks Island Cruiser for adding to these unfortunate occurrences. While he may not have been the cause of all these unfortunate foul ups, he certainly has been there long enough to do absolutely nothing to improve the department other than getting himself promoted.

So, we can't blame him for making the destinations organization the disaster it is but, we certainly blame him for continuing the disastrous results of this department that could be one that improves regent's bottom line and failing to listen and act to solve at least some of the complaints that I am sure come into regent on a minute by minute basis.

The brush off you described is almost identical to that which we received on the navigator last year while the brush off from the home office is more subtle; they simply fail to respond at all. Giving regent one more chance next March only because it will be a TA with limited places for destinations to screw up and the new concierge program which will certainly limit the availability of excursions to passengers who don't pony up the big bucks immediately after we disembark. Maybe the limitation is a good thing as some people won't see the miserable performance of destinations.

[Travelcat2]

MY 2 cents. After reading this thread I am doubly overjoyed that I cancelled my Regent cruise. What is being described here is not my definition of luxury. Not only will you be traveling in large groups on busses and going where the ship wants to take you, but you have to hassle even to get a tour you want. And the concierge class fiasco hasn't even kicked in yet!!!~!

I think I will find it far more luxurious on O or, yes, even Celebrity, paying for my de minimis alcohol consumption, and having private guides pick me at every port and take me and the 4 or other 6 people I choose to tour with exactly where I want to go.

Hi Laraine: Your 2 cents is worth a lot! There are too many threads about problems with Regent excursions to believe that problems do not exist. Before we cancelled our November 20th cruise (booked another Regent cruise), we were going to book an excursion with a limit of 20 people. We are currently onboard the Silver Whisper and were going to get up at 2:30 a.m. to book this tour.

Those that have not had difficulty are fortunate. It is sad for people who spend thousands of dollars to book a cruise and run into difficulties either booking an excursion or on the excursion. I would expect the worst and be happy if you are able to get on the waitlisted tours (and that you are not on one where 5 buses show up at the same time at the same place. . . . all Regent buses).

[jhp]

pacheco, if you noticed above, two of the most vociferous complainers on many of the boards lately have just posted above separately that they are continuing to sail on Regent.
I think it is unfortunate, but your choice entirely, that you have canceled your cruise without ever having given the larger ships a chance to decide for yourself.

[tallship]

pacheco, if you noticed above, two of the most vociferous complainers on many of the boards lately have just posted above separately that they are continuing to sail on Regent.
I think it is unfortunate, but your choice entirely, that you have canceled your cruise without ever having given the larger ships a chance to decide for yourself.

Interesting, isn't it - I was surprised by that as well

I actually continue to believe that Regent is a very good line that is trying to maximize two, oftentimes competing objectives - quality and profits

Laraine - do give Regent another chance

[pacheco18]

I am not inclined to sail Regent unless there are big changes with respect to shore excursions. We like private excursions and never do large group ship tours. I was willing to give Regent a chance and do the ship tours, but the change in policy was a deal breaker for me. Now I am hearing that even under the old policy there are problems booking preferred excursions. If I am going to "suffer" through the large group excursions AND get leftovers I cannot see how Regent is a good fit for us. If Regent changes its policy, I might reconsider.

As I said before, we are not drinkers so I am not moved by the included alcohol. I get gratuities on O from my TA and a huge OBC on Celebrity from my TA. I would really have to see some benefit to sailing Regent for us before I book again. I keep an open mind and I monitor the Regent boards for up to date information.

Right now my dance card is pretty full.

[jhp]

I think you shoud do just want you want pacheo, but you will still never really "know" if Regent fills your bill unless you try it, your choice. I'm a long time Regent cruiser, and when I am onboard with others I know in advance, often get independent (paid) excursions together. Harder now to get them agree yes, as they are already paid. Price is worth it to me occassionally, but certainly not always depending on the port. Never did a "part free/part paid/private" analysis on Regent. For me, depends on the cruise and where I am. In the end, I am more happy if I've arranged some tours on my own, some on the ship, and some just wandering around a town where I've already been....

[xrvlcruiser]

regarding the tours specifically, I was on the Mariner this winter and took a number of tours. Most were just fine with uncrowded buses, decent guides and interesting stops. Were they all wonderful? No but the same thing was true when I paid for tours on Regent and other lines.

Also, I booked the tours early on - when they were available for booking - and to the best of my knowledge, none were canceled.

I am not discussing how the Tour office/department is managed, just that the tours themselves around South America were fine.

[Travelcat2]

pacheco, if you noticed above, two of the most vociferous complainers on many of the boards lately have just posted above separately that they are continuing to sail on Regent.
I think it is unfortunate, but your choice entirely, that you have canceled your cruise without ever having given the larger ships a chance to decide for yourself.

JHP: Where is it written on this planet that one has to like Regent excursions to sail on Regent? Would really like an answer to this question. I am currently sailing on Silversea and do not care for their excursions either. It seems as if some people like Regent excursions because they are free. IMO, if you want free excursions, the value you receive is what you pay for.

JHP: You made a comment regarding "pacheco" not experiencing Regent's "larger ships". Which ships are you referring to?

I have been in communication with "pacheco" and admire the thought process that she went through prior to making the decision to cancel her Regent cruise. Bottom line. . . . again. . . . . you get what you pay for. Nothing is "free"

[rallydave]

JHP: Where is it written on this planet that one has to like Regent excursions to sail on Regent? Would really like an answer to this question. I am currently sailing on Silversea and do not care for their excursions either. It seems as if some people like Regent excursions because they are free. IMO, if you want free excursions, the value you receive is what you pay for.



While tc and I often disagree on various subjects, believe we are in full and total agreement on the regent shore excursion issue as well as concierage. Wasn't going to reply to the attack on tc and myself but, need to back up tc on this subject.

In addition, when I stated that I was giving regent one more try, I gave the reasons and they don't change my firm belief that destinations needs a complete facelift and that the concierge program in regards to advance reservations for excursions is severly flawed.

To reiterate, we are going on the March Mariner TA which is just before concierage kicks in, there are only a few days with excursions to be concerned with, the price for this particular cruise is extremely reasonable, we haven't previously been to any of the ports and my DW and I really will need some time to relax by next March and the many sea days are just what we will need. regent, with the exception of destinations is an excellent cruise line as long as one can find reasonable pricing which is becoming easier and easier as the regent bargains continue to show up based on recent e-mails. Don't know if this is as a result ofr concierage, destinations issues, the economy or what but, would be a fool to not take advantage of them as long as they continue until the new concierage program kicks in. Remember, we still have no confirmation from regent that the reported seven seas gold and above will be eligible for concierage status.

Our going on this cruise does not in one bit change my beliefs about regent, the direction they are going, and that this will be our last regent cruise pending needed changes.

[rarin2go]

We are just back from the Mariner cruise from Venice to Monte Carlo. Overall we enjoyed it very much & will post a generally positive review elsewhere but the one area which disappointed was the shore excursions. We have never previously taken an organised/package holiday, preferring to make all arrangements ourselves and travelling independently. Perhaps rather naively, we expected the luxury cruise experience would provide (necessarily more organised) excursions of a luxury standard. Unfortunately, it did not.

Of the included excursions, many involved travelling on a large and almost full bus with limited legroom. The roads were often very narrow with sharp chicanes and some passengers experienced motion sickness. Where the destination was small, eg an olive oil mill or winery, it was crowded. In larger places, eg museums, we were often following even larger groups and having to wait until the next room in the predetermined sequence was vacated. Of those tours which included meals, the timing was clearly dictated by the need to fit in with other groups rather than our wishes: a wine-tasting with local food for 'lunch' at 10am on one; a seafood and pasta 'lunch' at 5.30pm on another! The quality of the guides was variable - only one or two were really good speakers.

Others we spoke to made similar criticisms of the included excursions but some were very pleased with those they paid extra for. Interestingly, when looking for a non-bus excursion we were actually warned off a particular boat trip by a member of destinations staff as 'not worth the bother' and were grateful for that advice when others reported back that it was indeed very poor.

We had opted to pay for two excursions but cannot comment on either. One was cancelled allegedly due to lack of numbers although it was waitlisted shortly after online booking opened which seemed strange. The other we cancelled as by then we had become tired of the excursion experience and did not want to face a 9 hour repetition.

Perhaps our expectations were too high or simply unrealistic because of our lack of experience but we must agree with those who feel that this is by far the weakest aspect of the Regent product.

[cwn]

We are just back from the Mariner cruise from Venice to Monte Carlo. Overall we enjoyed it very much........Perhaps rather naively, we expected the luxury cruise experience would provide (necessarily more organised) excursions of a luxury standard. Unfortunately, it did not.
Of the included excursions, many involved travelling on a large and almost full bus with limited legroom..........The quality of the guides was variable - only one or two were really good speakers...................
Perhaps our expectations were too high or simply unrealistic because of our lack of experience but we must agree with those who feel that this is by far the weakest aspect of the Regent product.

This is the exact experience that we had on our first Mariner cruise around South America this year. The shore excurssion department however blamed the poor quality of the tours and buses on the fact that services were not as nice in the South American ports as in European ports....!

We also had at least two of our booked tours canceled, the sunset harbor ride in Cartagena and a visit to a Silversmith in San Telmo, Buenos Aires and the waitlisted tour in St Thomas never cleared.

We mostly do our own arrangements in cruise ports, but have done ship tours...I really expected Regent to have the quality of tours we experienced on Seabourn...half full bus, good guide, working around crowds at sites and lunch just for our group.

There is no doubt the Mariner is a nice ship with good service, but we don't care for the "free excurssions" which on the cruises we are looking at are not really free.....nor as good as they should be on a "luxury" cruise line.

We may cruise with Regent again, just not on a port intensive cruise where the price is padded for the free excurssions.

[jhp]

In the end, I am more happy if I've arranged some tours on my own, some on the ship, and some just wandering around a town where I've already been....

I am not at all for "included" excursions, as I said way up on this thread, never have been, but excursions are not an issue exclusive to Regent, as all ships have them! I am sorry for rarintogo's experience, but really, as he/she said, first experience on an organized tour/cruise. Maybe first cruise, who knows. Just the way it is, group land tour or cruise. Regent can't ask for more leg room on a coach in a certain city. For me, I am really tiring of coach tours, especially when in a more "exotic" location, or somewhere I know the countryside interesting, try to book something on my own. Always have actually. For many of Regent's passengers, it is just not worth the effort to take the time to book independently. Most are repeat cruisers anyway, and know the drill. Bottom line, rareintogo, I think if you cruise on any other line, you are going to find the same, albeit, maybe 10-12 less people on a bus, if this makes a difference to you because you are paying for it, not included.

What you have to decide is whether the whole package is worth it. Excursions included, or some you might want to pay to do independently instead, and how it comes out in the end. Up to you to decide, and that will be the best for you!

Fact is, if you are on a ship and do a ship's tour, you are going to have to line up somewhere. And you will likely be on a coach :(, and if a van, then you are lucky! For me, I will continue with Regent, and continue to take the trouble to book on my own when it suits me, now more often than before.

[rarin2go]

I really expected Regent to have the quality of tours we experienced on Seabourn...half full bus, good guide, working around crowds at sites and lunch just for our group.....
We may cruise with Regent again, just not on a port intensive cruise where the price is padded for the free excursions.

This is also the conclusion we came to but we will be looking very closely at Seabourn. Experienced cruisers (one with over 600 days on Regent) we spoke to onboard rated Seabourn as superior nowadays.

[Responder]

I really wonder where this is going....

We have been cruising for around 45 years and have done extensive land only tours in various parts of the world and have experienced both included and paid excursions with all of them.

Some of you seem to think there is or should be a finite way to offer or conduct tours. There will never be a way to please everyone with excursions...included or not.
We have been on many paid excursions where we asked for our money back...that's how bad they were.


In many cities we have toured, the busses are primitive and the cities are poor along with roads that are undersized and not in great shape. What would you propose to do to work around these conditions? We tried private cars and still ran up against it.

We were in China a few times and on the way to visit the wall, the traffic was so horrendous, the tour company had to provide a police escort in order for us to even get there and back. Last year on Regents Black Sea cruise, there was some sort of political meeting in Istanbul and along with the size of some of the roads, it was a tough afternoon to get around with the excursion. Was this Regent's fault. In this case, someone who missed that excursion was actually the winner.

Reading the CC posts, with the exception of the few prolific posters who constantly complain about excursions, I have trouble calculating a mass exodus from Regent due to poor excursions. This is just my observation.
Name one...any cruise line or tour company that can please every single person every time in every respect, and if you can, remember, this is just your personal observation and doesn't represent a scientific analysis.

Not everyone can be first in line and even with a private tour, only so many people can proceed down the gangway at one time. After sailing on many other lines, I find the Regent way quite good. I get a number and when it's called I get on the bus....no standing in line...no waiting in the sun or rain..and I have a guaranteed seat. So what if there is an excursion that I have to miss...perhaps someone else will miss an excursion that I got.
Life is too short to worry about that.

You may now fire up your flamethrowers....

[Travelcat2]

Regent would win the prize (luxury ship category) for the longest lines to disembark the ship. Hoarding everyone in the theater to wait the disembarkment announcement, IMO, is the cause of it. While we are not taking an excursion on our current cruise, we took a SS excursion last November. Passengers walk off of the ship, are directed to the person who will check you off the list and point you to the bus. Very efficient and a minimum of waiting.

[OrpingtonT]

Regent would win the prize (luxury ship category) for the longest lines to disembark the ship. Hoarding everyone in the theater to wait the disembarkment announcement, IMO, is the cause of it

I have never been hoarded into the theatre. My own experience is that we find a seat in any public space (coffee corner is a favourite) and wait until our colour tag is called. I agree that there is then sometimes a dash for the gangway but we, by necessity, take our time and get off in a sane, civilised way.

[rallydave]

I have never been hoarded into the theatre. My own experience is that we find a seat in any public space (coffee corner is a favourite) and wait until our colour tag is called. I agree that there is then sometimes a dash for the gangway but we, by necessity, take our time and get off in a sane, civilised way.

Agree with you Tom, the boarding process for excursions isn't a big deal. What some of the posters are missing in this discussion is that paying for the regent excursions is mandatory for all passengers. Some of us don't have as much money as others to allow us to pay twice for excursions which we will do if we choose to book private excursions.

regent includes excursions in the amount one pays them and because of that requirement, regent must do a better job than those who sell optional excurisons. Agree with Responder about the many differences in excursions and the you can't please all of the people all of the time comment. Having said that, it appears that regent is unable to please even most of the people most of the time for excursions that are inclusive. By offering inclusive excursions, it is regent's obligation to satisfy the vast majority of their customers. By including excursions in the fare, regent does have an advantage over most of the other cruise lines in that they know that most of the passengers will take their excursions and they have the prior income from all the passengers paying for excursions whether or not they take the excursions so that they can staff their destinations department, both home office and on board with sufficient and knowledgeable staff to provide passengers the expected produce, at least most of the time. They should have enough staff to promptly communicate changes to the affected passengers.

There is no excuse for many of the reported issues and the perceived lack of improvement over the past few years. The dollars come in whether or not regent spends them with their tour operators. Many of us expect regent to do better. Realize that excursions are a profit center, especially for regent which doesn't make money on booze, bingo, and many of the other places mainstream cruise lines profit and a profit is fine, just provide the acceptable services that we are paying good money for.

[Travelcat2]

Hope that people who are reading this thread understand that the experiences we write about are our personal experiences. While many people have not experienced lines to get off of the ship that are so long they extend upstairs, we not only have experienced this, but have photographs.

Some posters like to argue with our experiences and opinions and it is their right to do so. Quite honestly, I do not understand this way of thinking. If I went to a restaurant, arrived a half an hour early and ended up with mediocre food. . . . no one would argue the point. :rolleyes:

[OrpingtonT]

Hope that people who are reading this thread understand that the experiences we write about are our personal experiences.

I feel sure they do.


While many people have not experienced lines to get off of the ship that are so long they extend upstairs, we not only have experienced this, but have photographs.

There are lines as you say, and photos are not needed. I was making the point that I have never been "herded into the theatre" and I am not aware that Regent hve insisted upon this.

Some posters like to argue with our experiences and opinions and it is their right to do so. Quite honestly, I do not understand this way of thinking. If I went to a restaurant, arrived a half an hour early and ended up with mediocre food. . . . no one would argue the point. :rolleyes:

To argue with this just proves your point, I suppose, but when someone reads a restaurant review and their expeience is different, they often will write in and say so. Not a bad thing?

[wristband]

Oh dear, if one is "herded" into the theatre for an excursion start how does one ascertain the precise departure procedure for that particular excursion if they are situated in the coffee salon? A guest directly above proclaims that is their shrewd strategy to avoid "herding."

Such a strategy intrigues me. Thus, if guests were to proceed to do same, would that not disrupt proper administration of excursion ingress and egress and thereby considerably delay the departure time for those enjoying a mocha cappucino?

[Travelcat2]

To argue with this just proves your point, I suppose, but when someone reads a restaurant review and their expeience is different, they often will write in and say so. Not a bad thing?

I definitely was not aiming my response towards you. You do give opinions without stating that the reader should not believe what others are saying. Stating experiences and even a little debating can be fun and informative. I could state why I think there were lines on our January cruise -- even though two gangways were open. However, someone would just tell me that it never happened.

When I suggest (to Regent via this board) the efficient way that Silversea handles shore excursions. . . . it is only that. . . a suggestion that works well for Silversea.

As a side note. . . if I am allowed to interject this off topic comment without starting an eruption. . . . there appears to be no smoking in the suites on SS. Balconies were already banned. An article posted in their daily publication outlined areas where you can smoke. They did not include suites or "The Bar" which had the same smoking policy as Stars on the Navigator and Mariner and the Voyager Lounge on the Voyager.

[OrpingtonT]

Oh dear, if one is "herded" into the theatre for an excursion start how does one ascertain the precise departure procedure for that particular excursion if they are situated in the coffee salon? A guest directly above proclaims that is their shrewd strategy to avoid "herding."

Such a strategy intrigues me. Thus, if guests were to proceed to do same, would that not disrupt proper administration of excursion ingress and egress and thereby considerably delay the departure time for those enjoying a mocha cappucino?

I suspect you misunderstand. The suggested "herding" related to disembarkation, not excursions. We do gather in the theatre at the appropriate time for excursions.

[Responder]

Hope that people who are reading this thread understand that the experiences we write about are our personal experiences. While many people have not experienced lines to get off of the ship that are so long they extend upstairs, we not only have experienced this, but have photographs.

Some posters like to argue with our experiences and opinions and it is their right to do so. Quite honestly, I do not understand this way of thinking. If I went to a restaurant, arrived a half an hour early and ended up with mediocre food. . . . no one would argue the point. :rolleyes:

I have discovered that the earlier you arrive, within reason, at the theatre to claim a number, the earlier your number will be called for that particular excursion.
Because the theatre is so large and the seats comfortable, I don't see a problem.

Further, If I arrived at the gathering point for my excursion half an hour early, would that guarantee me a good or bad excursion, or with your analogy, a mediocre excursion?:)

And, as always, not everyone can be first in line regardless of priorities or status.

[cwn]

I have discovered that the earlier you arrive, within reason, at the theatre to claim a number, the earlier your number will be called for that particular excursion.
Because the theatre is so large and the seats comfortable, I don't see a problem...........

And, as always, not everyone can be first in line regardless of priorities or status.

The problem with having to pick up tickets for the tours in the theater is that many times the pick up time will be something like tour #1 - 9AM; Tour #2 - 9:10AM; Tour #3 - 9:20AM and so on. At times, when many on the ship were doing tours, there would be a long line out the door of the theater just to pick up the ticket. Of course, then you had to sit down and wait until they started calling your ticket numbers. There was just a lot of hurry up and wait involved in the way Regent handles this.

Granted there were days when the tour starting times were really spread out during the day and/or not many were doing tours. You could just breeze right in get your ticket and soon head to the bus. There were lots of cattle call days, too and that soured things for us.

If, like on every other cruise line we have ever been on, you have your tour tickets waiting for you in your cabin when you board or are given them when you book at the desk after boarding, then on tour day you just report to the bus with your tour name and number posted in the window at the time stated on the ticket and get on the bus....no waiting in line for a ticket and then waiting to be call to go to the bus.

The problem is Regent has to have some way to fill the buses that they have reserved based on the reservations. On the free tours there are always no shows and there seemed to always be people waiting to see if there would be room on a sold out tour. The central meeting place was solution to even out the bus numbers and see if there was room for the people waiting.

[Responder]

The problem with having to pick up tickets for the tours in the theater is that many times the pick up time will be something like tour #1 - 9AM; Tour #2 - 9:10AM; Tour #3 - 9:20AM and so on. At times, when many on the ship were doing tours, there would be a long line out the door of the theater just to pick up the ticket. Of course, then you had to sit down and wait until they started calling your ticket numbers. There was just a lot of hurry up and wait involved in the way Regent handles this.

Granted there were days when the tour starting times were really spread out during the day and/or not many were doing tours. You could just breeze right in get your ticket and soon head to the bus. There were lots of cattle call days, too and that soured things for us.

If, like on every other cruise line we have ever been on, you have your tour tickets waiting for you in your cabin when you board or are given them when you book at the desk after boarding, then on tour day you just report to the bus with your tour name and number posted in the window at the time stated on the ticket and get on the bus....no waiting in line for a ticket and then waiting to be call to go to the bus.

The problem is Regent has to have some way to fill the buses that they have reserved based on the reservations. On the free tours there are always no shows and there seemed to always be people waiting to see if there would be room on a sold out tour. The central meeting place was solution to even out the bus numbers and see if there was room for the people waiting.

You make some good points, but if I were the person waiting to see if I could get on a bus that had some space, maybe I wouldn't feel about it as you do.

Instead of affixing all the blame on Regent, how about considering those who booked excursions and didn't cancel or show up.
I don't care where in the world you might be, there are numbers of those kinds of people around.

If people cared more and perhaps behaved in a more civilized manner, the ticket routine you mentioned earlier would work just fine. But because of un-caring people, Regent has to do it the way they do.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

We are all adults. I got out of grade school too many years ago to wait in line to get on a bus. That is not luxurious. I think the system is flawed.

If you got tickets and met off the ship like before the free excursions were introduced and the call time were 9am the excursion should leave within 10 minutes of that time. Perhaps they should revise the policy to charge people a fee for booking without showing up instead of holding 30 - 40 adults hostage to a system that detracts from luxury.

[cwn]

You make some good points, but if I were the person waiting to see if I could get on a bus that had some space, maybe I wouldn't feel about it as you do.

Instead of affixing all the blame on Regent, how about considering those who booked excursions and didn't cancel or show up.
I don't care where in the world you might be, there are numbers of those kinds of people around.

If people cared more and perhaps behaved in a more civilized manner, the ticket routine you mentioned earlier would work just fine. But because of un-caring people, Regent has to do it the way they do.


We wouldn't/didn't wait in line to see if we could get on a tour. The ones we were wait lisited for and weren't cleared before the day of the tour, we skipped. We will not waste our short time in a port to see if something would work out....we just planned something on our own.

I feel it really is Regent's fault, since they have been doing this "free" thing long enough to know that where will be no shows, actually they should have known this would happen before they ever started the program. As you say, "there are numbers of those kinds of people around"! If they charged the no shows a cancelation fee that might help solve some of the problem, but maybe not.

The tours Regent is offerring are the same tours at about the cost that are offerred by the other cruise lines. Regent is paying the first $100-$130 of the tour. Why not just give OBC and let the passenger use it for things he/she really wants to do...spa, tours, internet or high end wines. That would certainly be more appealing to us! Guess I can always dream!

[cwn]

We are all adults. I got out of grade school too many years ago to wait in line to get on a bus. That is not luxurious. I think the system is flawed.

If you got tickets and met off the ship like before the free excursions were introduced and the call time were 9am the excursion should leave within 10 minutes of that time. Perhaps they should revise the policy to charge people a fee for booking without showing up instead of holding 30 - 40 adults hostage to a system that detracts from luxury.

Amen!!! I feel exactly the same way! The only time we should have to meet in the theater is when we have to tender. That way everyone on a tour gets on the same tender.

[MightyQuinn]

We wouldn't/didn't wait in line to see if we could get on a tour. The ones we were wait lisited for and weren't cleared before the day of the tour, we skipped. We will not waste our short time in a port to see if something would work out....we just planned something on our own.Cwn, I'd appreciate if you could elaborate. How many tours were you waitlisted on? How many of those didn't clear before you boarded? And how many ports did you have to skip a tour? We just booked our first Regent cruise and I'm trying to get a sense of the magnitude of the shore excursion problem. We also wouldn't want to spend time hanging around in hope of getting on a tour. Thanks!

[Travelcat2]

;)Clarification of my post:

Orpington: I was posting about disembarkation to proceed to your bus. There is no reason to keep people in the theater when they can go out at their leisure (prior to departure time) and board the bus. Regent tends to call 2-3 tour numbers at a time to leave the ship and proceed to their bus. This could mean up to 100 people at a time.

Responder: Getting into the theater early to receive your ticket number has nothing to do with when you will be called. For instance, everyone on bus/tour #5 will be called at the same time, regardless of when you arrive in the theater. In fact, you could be first in the theater and last on to the bus (if you get caught in the line).

cwn: You get it (could that be because you were on the same ship as we were when the long lines (up the stairways) occurred;)

Truly hope everyone gets the excursions they want and that they meet your expectations.

[Responder]

;)Clarification of my post:



Responder: Getting into the theater early to receive your ticket number has nothing to do with when you will be called. For instance, everyone on bus/tour #5 will be called at the same time, regardless of when you arrive in the theater. In fact, you could be first in the theater and last on to the bus (if you get caught in the line).


What I am saying is that when you enter the theatre to pick up the number for your tour, if there is more than one bus for a tour, which in most cases there is, the first ones in get the lower numbers that are usually called first.

And again....someone has to be first and someone has to be last on the bus...how can it be any other way? I typically see that they call the numbers in groups and check with their 2way communications to pace the departure so as not to crowd the gangway.

Seems fair to me....

[cwn]

What I am saying is that when you enter the theatre to pick up the number for your tour, if there is more than one bus for a tour, which in most cases there is, the first ones in get the lower numbers that are usually called first.

And again....someone has to be first and someone has to be last on the bus...how can it be any other way? I typically see that they call the numbers in groups and check with their 2way communications to pace the departure so as not to crowd the gangway.

Seems fair to me....


You are right in that if there are more than say three buses for a given tour, if you are early, you get say bus #1. If you are on time you may get Bus #4 or #5 and they do seem to call the buses 2 or 3 at a time. Problem is, that there are usually more than one tour with several buses leaving at close to the same time so the line forms, both getting tickets and getting to the gangway when several bus numbers are called at once.

None of this is about being first. I don't care if I am first on bus #1 or last on bus #6, I hate the line up of up to 40 people per bus times 6 bues or 240 people lined up waiting to get tour tickets in the theater. Then there is the mad dash on the stairs to get to the gang way. But maybe we are just odd. We hate crowds and this is nothing but a receipe for crowds specially in popular ports and popular tours, not our idea of a luxury experience.

Apparently many like this way of doing, but on the luxury lines with their luxury prices, I don't want to have to line up! If Iam going to have to deal with lines, I will either pay alot less and travel on one of the mass market lines or look at the other luxury lines.

[cwn]

Cwn, I'd appreciate if you could elaborate. How many tours were you waitlisted on?

At one point we were wait lisited for 8 or maybe 9 tours. About half cleared shortly before boarding or once on the ship.

How many of those didn't clear before you boarded? And how many ports did you have to skip a tour?

Three tours were canceled and there was nothing else open that appealed to us so we did something on our own, shore tour or taxi. Two of the tours waitlisited didn't clear so again we did our on thing in those ports also.

We just booked our first Regent cruise and I'm trying to get a sense of the magnitude of the shore excursion problem. We also wouldn't want to spend time hanging around in hope of getting on a tour. Thanks!

We liked the Mariner over all, nice staff, good food and service, but we really didn't care for the included tour program. We normally don't do more than maybe one or two ship's tours on a cruise of two to three weeks. We like to do our own thing..rent a car for a day or get a private tour or just grab a taxi. We had been to South America before and knew we really wanted some kind of guided tour in most ports, so Regents free tour program appealled to us. But in reality, many of the tours were marginal to just OK.

The extra cost ones were much better over all. We got very tired of the "getting started line up" day after day and the crowded buses, to the point that we canceled some of our tours toward the end of the cruise and just did things on our own using private drivers and taxis, in effect paying twice for the tour. Our choice, of course, but it is making us think long and hard about another Regent cruise. We have sailed on Seabourn and have booked our next cruise on the Sojourn.

Hope this helps.

[PaulaJK]

Just my opinion.......
--Since unlimited tours are now included in your fare, if you are booking within a reasonable time frame, there should be a ticket for you. I do not believe that Regent always adds extra vehicles,etc or else there wouldn;t be so much chatter about waiting for cancellations.
--The OP spoke of being bumped. This in inexcusable...period
--Yes, the theater gets crowded [because tours are mostly scheduled in the same time frame] and yes, lines often form to exit the theater/ship. I've been around the elevators, but never up the stairs...just random luck I suspect.
--I really don't understand people who 'won't mind' if they don't get on a
tour that they wanted [& paid for] any more than I would understand someone's arriving at the diningroom to be told no dinner for them, also part of their fare.
--There have always been some issues w. Regent's excursion dept, sometimes more, sometimes fewer. I'm not even counting the people who never will be satisfied by anything!
--I don't know whether these issues have gotten better or worse because this whole tour issue has been sufficiently disenchanting that I am taking a year or two off from Regent.
--I don't imagine Regent will cry because they are trying to attract more people w. this all inclusive bid. Neither the tours nor assigned hotels are designed for the independent style traveler.
--That said, many people will appreciate the convenience.........so happy sailing.

Let's not lose track of the OP who was reporting being bumped. Hopefully we will hear from him while he is on board.

[jhp]

cwn, based on your comments, I think you should do exactly that, book Seabourn, since you apparently are not pleased with Regent. That way you will get another perspective. Not trying to be a "smartass" here, but just know that the current policy on Seabourn is that as soon as you book an excursion, you are charged to your credit card in advance of the cruise. This woud not bother me as much as being charged for an independent tour that I booked on the internet with an unknown company, but still.....they need to get rid of this

Editing in response to PaulaJK. Yes, sadly the OP has never brought us up to date, I have posted my experience with waitlists, but most of this thread is nothing but another one to gripe about excursion "policies" and what is wrong, and no way to fix it that is feasible.

[rallydave]

I have posted my experience with waitlists, but most of this thread is nothing but another one to gripe about excursion "policies" and what is wrong, and no way to fix it that is feasible.

Of course there are feasible fixes and they are relatively simple. regent needs to make wholesale changes in the management, staffing and policies in destinations. Failing that, regent needs to eliminate included excursions and either reduce fares or provide a relatively large OBC that the passengers can use as they see fit and not as regent sees fit. Simple and viable solutions.

[jhp]

Rallyave, I do appreciate all of your posts. But since that one fateful excursion back when you had a Beijing excursion to The Great Wall that went bad, honestly, you have never been the same. I will allow your privilege to keep up your self-described "bitterness" about this event. But really, we've all had disappointments on cruises. Lord knows I've had mine, including canceled cruises and getting on in Athens only to be canceled entirely after boarding. Time to move on to another line, maybe, and see the other side of the fence and report about that. I doubt Regent is going to change to the way you want , as apparently their all inclusive working for them (even though I am not a fan of included excursions)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Hey Olivia - you get the award for most disappointments and still remaining a stalwart fan. Starting with the Alaska Cruise with the Coast Guard Rescue (and their failure to provide me with more than Bread for lunch) to the Cruise from Athens that went no where.

All that said, there are many things that go wrong, but, after a few major upsets, where do we draw the line?

I like one thing above: As a loyal passenger who hates the included excursions, doesn't it make sense to let us choose what we want to do while on vacation? Just give me a credit and give me a luxury choice of what to do with it. i'd rather take excursions on a small scale of my own choosing.

[Responder]

Is there really anyone posting here who thinks that nothing can or ever will go wrong?

Thus far I've been fortunate to have had a reasonably long tenure on this earth and have had many experiences with life.

It just seems to me that many of you really do expect a class system where nothing can go wrong and if it does, should not affect or inconvenience you at all.

Folks...this is life...and if you discover a Shangri-la or cruise line where everything always works to everyone's satisfaction, please share with us. :D

[mrlevin]

We are all adults. I got out of grade school too many years ago to wait in line to get on a bus. That is not luxurious. I think the system is flawed.

If you got tickets and met off the ship like before the free excursions were introduced and the call time were 9am the excursion should leave within 10 minutes of that time. Perhaps they should revise the policy to charge people a fee for booking without showing up instead of holding 30 - 40 adults hostage to a system that detracts from luxury.

Kathy, you have never cruised with "excursions included." For your cruise this coming November, are you on waitlist for some excursions or were all you wanted available when you booked? I am trying to figure out the basis of your extreme dislike of something you have not experienced.

[rallydave]

Rallyave, I do appreciate all of your posts. But since that one fateful excursion back when you had a Beijing excursion to The Great Wall that went bad, honestly, you have never been the same. I will allow your privilege to keep up your self-described "bitterness" about this event. But really, we've all had disappointments on cruises. Lord knows I've had mine, including canceled cruises and getting on in Athens only to be canceled entirely after boarding. Time to move on to another line, maybe, and see the other side of the fence and report about that. I doubt Regent is going to change to the way you want , as apparently their all inclusive working for them (even though I am not a fan of included excursions)

I really do appreciate your posts as well and understand and agree with your above comments. I am pretty much over the Beijing thing and thought my previous post was a good step in that direction. Have tried hard recently to avoid the extreme negativity I have posted with in the past and meant the last poste to be a positive solve the issue rather than a rant without any solution as you said.

Do know that regent does read these posts and has a corporate position that they feel is correct for them no matter what we write here but, sometimes if they see a better solution posted they might just change directions and I meant my last post in a positive manner.

I will continue to post here and will try to be more positive now and in the future and help others with what knowledge I have. As many have stated, this issue has been beaten to death and hopefully improve so that the many positives of regent are enjoyed by all.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

... I am trying to figure out the basis of your extreme dislike of something you have not experienced.

Perhaps it's because she's never really liked the ships' excursions in years prior to the all-inclusive change. I happen to know that Kathy likes private excursions, shared with friends or like-minded cruisers. So having them included doesn't really change that. And the management of excursions hasn't changed that much either, except in a few well-documented ways (bigger groups, more people to manage.)

And as somebody who has now experienced the included excursions on two cruises, I would agree with that assessment. I don't mind ship's excursions most of the time, in fact, but I want the option, so that if I am cruising with friends, or going to a destination where there are lots of independent opportunities, we can roll our own.

(Sorry Kathy, I don't mean to speak for you.)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Kathy, you have never cruised with "excursions included." For your cruise this coming November, are you on waitlist for some excursions or were all you wanted available when you booked? I am trying to figure out the basis of your extreme dislike of something you have not experienced.

Oceania...same procedure....no reason for it. And regardless of where it is - not waiting in line like on Princess or Celebrity...is why many of us sail Regent.

Wendy - you are correct - we've had this discussion and cruised together three times with mostly private excursions.

[Travelcat2]

This thread is getting strange "cwn", IMO no one should tell you to go back to another cruise line. You enjoyed many aspects of Regent (details on their excellent blog that is available to anyone who wants to know more about their experience.

Kathy: You don't know anything!!!!! (JK :D). Having said that, you have more knowledge than many on this subject (you are so well connected:-) Everyone's opinion should be respected. . . . .

Now, I'll get back to reviewing private tours for our next Regent cruise. Will use Regent tours with a cost (cost to be paid with OBC). The free excursion just isn't for us. People saving seats on the bus. . . . removing handicapped signs. I've seen to much to take the free excursions seriously.

[mrlevin]

Perhaps it's because she's never really liked the ships' excursions in years prior to the all-inclusive change. I happen to know that Kathy likes private excursions, shared with friends or like-minded cruisers. So having them included doesn't really change that. And the management of excursions hasn't changed that much either, except in a few well-documented ways (bigger groups, more people to manage.)

And as somebody who has now experienced the included excursions on two cruises, I would agree with that assessment. I don't mind ship's excursions most of the time, in fact, but I want the option, so that if I am cruising with friends, or going to a destination where there are lots of independent opportunities, we can roll our own.

(Sorry Kathy, I don't mean to speak for you.)

Wendy, well said. So far (since excursions were added), I have sailed to places wherein I could easily take advantage of free excursions. So, for me, the price increase has been a lot less than the value of the excursions I have taken. At some point that might not be the case and I would like the lower price instead.

I think we should separate discussion from inclusion of excursions from how they are run. I, and a number of others, have said we liked the system of meeting in theater while others do not like it. Totally different topic than whether excursions are included.

As for telling people to switch lines, hey, if they want to keep hitting their head against the wall, fine with me. ;)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

You're right, Marc. But there is some linearity/continuity. The main thing that changed with excursion inclusion was the volume of pax to be processed, and the size of the groups. In the "old days" (e.g. my 2004 Diamond Black Sea trip), you just walked off the ship, looked for the sign for your excursion, handed them your paper tickets, and got on a bus. When the bus was (half) full, it left. I liked that. But for many trips, I do like the convenience of not having to research private excursions, I admit. I was "getting into" the "concierge" excursions in 2007, paying extra for smaller groups, and that's what I find myself doing now.

(Altho this is all fairly moot for me, just one planned cruise, just over 11 months away, and for Alaska, glad they are "free".)

[mrlevin]

In the old system, the buses weren't level loaded. They would let more people get on bus that necesary (for example, if 150 pax in five busses (that hold 45) Regent would plan on 30 per bus). We realised that if we just went to the last bus to leave, we could have our "private group" and a lot more room. :D

Threre are always ways to game the system for our own advantage. Right now, I am loving the fact that TC and others are paying higher fares to subsidize me. On Canada in the fall, we have 12 excursions in ten ports. Difference between retail and actual cost is around $1400 per person (IIRC). With base fare (own air) of only $5600 and net fare (after OBC, onborard, and kickback) of around $4450; that equates to $3050 for 15 nights or $200 per day. I can drink more than $200 per day. :)

Thank you all for continuing to subsidize my vacations. If you want to move on to another line that is not all inclusive, I totally understand.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I don't particularly like "gaming" systems.

And I'm not sure how everybody here is helping subsidize your vacations. I'm not getting it. I'm not avoiding Regent, not yet.

[mrlevin]

I don't particularly like "gaming" systems.

And I'm not sure how everybody here is helping subsidize your vacations. I'm not getting it. I'm not avoiding Regent, not yet.

Life is one big game. ;)

Everybody is not subsidizing my vacation; only those that won't take free excursions (e.g., TravelCat3) and those that don't take advantage of other inclusions. I totally understand those that move on to Oceania or Crystal because they don't feel they get their money's worth; it makes sense to me. I have sailed with Frank and Kathy three times; I understand why they like Oceania and Princess; nothing wrong.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Life is one big game. ;)

Everybody is not subsidizing my vacation; only those that won't take free excursions (e.g., TravelCat3) and those that don't take advantage of other inclusions. I totally understand those that move on to Oceania or Crystal because they don't feel they get their money's worth; it makes sense to me. I have sailed with Frank and Kathy three times; I understand why they like Oceania and Princess; nothing wrong.

Okay, now I get it. But around these parts, not many will do that, i.e. subsidize you. Rather they will flee. To the other luxury lines, or Oceania, Azamara.

[mrlevin]

Okay, now I get it. But around these parts, not many will do that, i.e. subsidize you. Rather they will flee. To the other luxury lines, or Oceania, Azamara.

I agree; until we reach an equilibrium. Hopefully, that equilibrium will settle at a price point near or lower than the current price point and will still include alcohol.

I actually find Azamara an interesting choice; more so than Oceania. I like their liquor package. ;) If we end up with more time than money and are looking to step down a notch, Azamara could be a good choice. Until then, Regent is definitely our line of choice.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Actually, I don't like Princess. I like one cruise itinerary that Princess does that no one else does from Los Angeles to Vancouver where we don't take any excursions and are in ports all day that are walkable.

I like Oceania on Concierge level where I am not paying for shore excursions I don't want to take that are now marketed as free but they're not.

I will probably try Azamara, Seaborne or Silversea next, otherwise, we are thinking that we are going to start booking mostly Tauck Tours, which have great itineries and we like tremendously.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Actually, I don't like Princess. I like one cruise itinerary that Princess does that no one else does from Los Angeles to Vancouver where we don't take any excursions and are in ports all day that are walkable.

I like Oceania on Concierge level where I am not paying for shore excursions I don't want to take that are now marketed as free but they're not.

I will probably try Azamara, Seaborne or Silversea next, otherwise, we are thinking that we are going to start booking mostly Tauck Tours, which have great itineraries and we like tremendously.

[baychilla]

Oh hi, Im on this segment (review will be up after Im off, but the key words are so far sadly: blatantly obvious cost cutting - Regent seems to be catering to new upgraders from top tier high end lines while working hard to alienate past lux cruisers). While I can't verify the OPs situation one way or the other, it does look like they've added another version of his tour (so being offered twice as an excursion rather than once). Weather so far has been awesome.:cool:

[wristband]

I am thrilled to now learn one is allowed copious amounts of alcohol when touring on an all-inclusive excursion.

Earlier here on this very thread, I was informed one may await an invitation to board the tour vehicle whilst resting comfortably in the coffee lounge. But now I understand there shall be alcohol available - for free! - on the jitney. Most excellent news for the upcoming excursions I recently enrolled.

As I do not wish to imbibe and drive, to imbibe and tour is an immensely attractive option - more so, if the jitney hs a dreadfully long drive. One here noted she will visit El-Hambra which is a long distrance from Cadiz. That lengthy journey shall surely be made more pleasurable with ready access to cocktails and liquor refreshments aboard the jitney.

[DaveFr]

Oh hi, Im on this segment (review will be up after Im off, but the key words are so far sadly: blatantly obvious cost cutting - Regent seems to be catering to new upgraders from top tier high end lines while working hard to alienate past lux cruisers).
baychilla,

Please don't leave us hanging. A few sentences explaining your statements above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dave

[Paint Horse]

Rallyave, I do appreciate all of your posts. But since that one fateful excursion back when you had a Beijing excursion to The Great Wall that went bad, honestly, you have never been the same. I will allow your privilege to keep up your self-described "bitterness" about this event. But really, we've all had disappointments on cruises. Lord knows I've had mine, including canceled cruises and getting on in Athens only to be canceled entirely after boarding. Time to move on to another line, maybe, and see the other side of the fence and report about that. I doubt Regent is going to change to the way you want , as apparently their all inclusive working for them (even though I am not a fan of included excursions)

Very well said.

[Travelcat2]

I am thrilled to now learn one is allowed copious amounts of alcohol when touring on an all-inclusive excursion.

.

Unfortunately, this has not been our experience. We were able to get more than one drink on a "paid" excursion. Also received one or two beers (per stop) on an Ale Tour in Alaska. Regent excursions do not include a truly open bar.

Rallydave: While we seldom agree, you have always had the right to your opinion. I enjoy debating issues with you. . . . but, would never suggest you do not have the right to state your feelings. There are some here from another board who feel differently. That is their right as well. Hope you continue to post (and sail) Regent.

[MightyQuinn]

Hope this helps. I appreciate your detailed reply, cwn. It helps a lot! Thank you.

We prefer to make our own tour arrangements in port, but we also take ship tours on occasion. In our experience, shore excursions is often the weakest link on a cruise, whether in the destinations staff or in the actual excursions. But we’ve not encountered a problem with the planning and organization of tours. Waitlists, stand-bys and cancellations have been the exception rather than the norm. I would have expected at least the same from Regent.

So I’m trying to set my expectations at the appropriate level. I do not expect that we’ll be able to get our first choice excursions in every port. Nor do I expect that we’ll be on the first bus/boat/jeep every time. Nor do I expect to have a superb guide for every excursion. But I do expect Regent to manage the included excursions so that I can maximize my limited time in port. Which to me means no time lost in stand-bys, short-notice cancellations and bumping. I realize this is more difficult to do when excursions are at no additional cost, but I do expect Regent to figure it out.

[cwn]

I appreciate your detailed reply, cwn. It helps a lot! Thank you..........

Thanks. I am glad our experience was of some help in your planning. Sounds like you have a good idea of what to expect.

Some tours/days were great and everything went wonderfully well, but then there were some tours/days that were real bombs, not what we were expecting on a line like Regent. Our problem, I guess, was we had set too our expectations too high....were expecting tours like the one we had on Seabourn....didn't allow for the bombs.

Over the past 25+ years we have taken only one or two ship's tours on each cruise, and then they were usually to do something unique other wise electing to do our own thing in most ports. It is different to do a ship's tour in each port, which we will not do again.

[cruiseluv]

I am thrilled to now learn one is allowed copious amounts of alcohol when touring on an all-inclusive excursion.

Earlier here on this very thread, I was informed one may await an invitation to board the tour vehicle whilst resting comfortably in the coffee lounge. But now I understand there shall be alcohol available - for free! - on the jitney. Most excellent news for the upcoming excursions I recently enrolled.

As I do not wish to imbibe and drive, to imbibe and tour is an immensely attractive option - more so, if the jitney hs a dreadfully long drive. One here noted she will visit El-Hambra which is a long distrance from Cadiz. That lengthy journey shall surely be made more pleasurable with ready access to cocktails and liquor refreshments aboard the jitney.

Wow, that must be a new thing. Maybe now that they offer all you can drink excursions people will be so wasted they will not find anything to complain about.

"El-Hambra"??? LOL, I have seen many misspelled versions of this site but this one is the most creative so far. "El-Hambre" would have been even funnier.

[cwn]

cwn, based on your comments, I think you should do exactly that, book Seabourn, since you apparently are not pleased with Regent. That way you will get another perspective. Not trying to be a "smartass" here, but just know that the current policy on Seabourn is that as soon as you book an excursion, you are charged to your credit card in advance of the cruise. This woud not bother me as much as being charged for an independent tour that I booked on the internet with an unknown company, but still.....they need to get rid of this........

Since you may not have read all my posts.....Just to clarify....I feel we do have other perspectives since we have sailed on Silver Seas, Seabourn and Regent plus a number of other cruise lines. We do have a 33 day BtoB cruise booked on Seabourn for next year...it will be our third with Seabourn. Also, I do know that if you book a tour before boarding you have to pay for it. This is recently new to Seabourn, but not to other cruise lines we sail on. We are doing a HAL 14 day Alaska round trip from Seattle this summer and have booked and paid for 2 tours even before we paid for the cruise. It really isn't a big deal...we can cancel the tours and get our money back.

Having now tried it, we do not like the included tour program on Regent, but I never said that we would never cruise on Regent again...I have said we will shop an itinerary we want and go with the best overall deal. Regent, over all, does provide a good cruise experience, just not better than anyone else, in our opinion.

Since we have recently spent two and a half months on the Mariner, I feel I can offer my observations/experiences/opinions on things concerning the Mariner and Regent in general just like others on this board do.

[wristband]

Oh dear, you are sadly misinformed. The Nasrid muslim emirs built and named the main fort The Red One which, in Arabic, is El-Hamra. Might I refer you to the Washington Irving tales of same?

[baychilla]

baychilla,

Please don't leave us hanging. A few sentences explaining your statements above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dave

Sorry, for some reason we had spotty inet while docked in Barecelona:mad:.

To me the devil is in the details and that is where I'm noticing things somewhat askew from the old days of Radisson (or Crystal or Silversea). I feel that management is courting people from premium lines, which in and of itself is great. However I feel the experience they are offering isn't much better than a premium line and they seem to count on their new clientele not knowing any better.

Let's start with embarkation: The welcome aboard champagne is no more. It has been replaced with some sparkling varietal and the amount in the glass appears to be 1/3 than a normal pour.

The complimentary wines: Pour sizes are vastly different depending on the bartender and perhaps time of day. Further like on Silversea, obtaining a list of complimentary wines so that one may pick and choose is now nigh impossible. Quality wise it seems they are a mixed bag. I was talking to a group who had asked for Vodka for their and been given Absolut. They were never offered anything else and were a bit peeved when I informed them that both Belvedere and Grey Goose were available. The happy ending to that story was they were able to replace the inferior product with what t would have been had they been given a choice. Again to me, not being offered the whole picture and left with what is IMO an inferior product isn't luxury. (Yes I realize prior research or asking wouldve also obtained a similar outcome - perhaps my terrestrial wait staff spoil me by giving me all options :p)

Bartenders in the Compass Rose: If a bartender asks if you want wine and you answer in the negative, your wine glasses vanish as does the bartender. They don't ask if there is anything else youd rather drink, they just walk off. To me that is the antithesis of luxury. Thats a day one untrained server having a bad day.

Service in the Compass Rose: Slooow. Once upon a time the server:pax ratio was higher (luxury) now it isn't near what it used to be so there are noticeable hang ups in efficiency (Id argue below even premium). I think part of this problem may also stem from room service orders now coming out of the CR kitchen when once upon a time room service was its own thing. The menu options don't seem to be as extensive as they once were. Food quality for me at least is below Crystal but above Silversea. (Exception being high tea where Silversea seems to have far surpassed the competition).

Signatures: This is what really put the past and present into perspective. The menus in here harken back to the old Radisson, as thankfully does the attentive and efficient service. If I could dine in there every night you'd never catch me having dinner in the Compass Rose.

Overall the ships appears to be in fairly decent shape. The water for my tub seems a bit screwy. First time I went to use the tub the water came out brown. Then something was supposedly fixed and the water came out black. Yum.:D Soon however the water began to run clear. Thankfully the sink/shower never appeared to suffer from this affliction.

Aside from the above, it's been a fun cruise so far. The only truly low points were shore excursion related. One of which was tour company related (but mostly remedied) the other was a bad pax.

Looking forward to Prime 7 and perhaps signatures again. And terrible news, it looks like the weather is going to stay awesome.:cool:

[Responder]

No doubt you have some issues, but not everyone does or the ships would be sailing close to empty.

I don't think you can live in the past...our perceptions of the past and the changes in us as we grow older, distort this..for us, cruising is not a test to find deficiencies. I have enough of my own. :D

We were on the Navigator for 11 days this past March and couldn't ask for anything better, and we've been cruising for better than 45 years. Can't wait for our Venice-Ft Laud in November on the Mariner...our favorite.

In all the Regent sailings, I first got the wine pouring list from the Sommelier. In the event they ran out of a favorite, the Sommelier, knowing what I like, would move some over from the premium list.

[Travelcat2]

Some of us are not talking about last century, or even last year. I checked an excursion for our upcoming November cruise last week. This week it has increased $50/person (pretty gutsy for a cruise line with fair to good ratings on their excursions). We received real champagne (at our request) on Regent in January 2011. Let's not assume that posters are looking in the distant past when they speak of changes.
baychilla is factually correct when he/she stated that Regent is "courting people from premium lines". It is in black and white in their January brochure. In Regent's defense, all of the luxury lines have cut back in many ways. Only Regent, however, is initiating premium cruise line policies. I am currently on Silversea. They would rather sail 1/2 empty than do what Regent is doing (this cruise is 2/3 full). They have cut in other areas. . . . still getting real champagne. . . .no free excursions, smoked salmon sliced a bit thinner, wine pours are smaller (you still get as much as you want. . . . . the small pours seems to prevent waste).

IMO, it is better to acknowledge the changes rather than act as if what is occurring is normal for Regent.

[Responder]

Some of us are not talking about last century, or even last year. I checked an excursion for our upcoming November cruise last week. This week it has increased $50/person (pretty gutsy for a cruise line with fair to good ratings on their excursions). We received real champagne (at our request) on Regent in January 2011. Let's not assume that posters are looking in the distant past when they speak of changes.

Name anything that hasn't and won't have price increases as we go along. Have you looked at the cost of gas and groceries and even coffee lately?

baychilla is factually correct when he/she stated that Regent is "courting people from premium lines". It is in black and white in their January brochure. In Regent's defense, all of the luxury lines have cut back in many ways. Only Regent, however, is initiating premium cruise line policies. I am currently on Silversea. They would rather sail 1/2 empty than do what Regent is doing (this cruise is 2/3 full). They have cut in other areas. . . . still getting real champagne. . . .no free excursions, smoked salmon sliced a bit thinner, wine pours are smaller (you still get as much as you want. . . . . the small pours seems to prevent waste).

Do you factually know that Silversea would rather sail 1/2 empty? What are they doing that Regent isn't doing? I don't understand that remark..

IMO, it is better to acknowledge the changes rather than act as if what is occurring is normal for Regent.

What do you mean normal for Regent? I scan the Silversea board and find that not 100% of the customers are 100% satisfied.

[Travelcat2]

What do you mean normal for Regent? I scan the Silversea board and find that not 100% of the customers are 100% satisfied.


Think you need to be on board to make that assessment. I know of another board where the unwritten rule is not to say anything negative. Silversea is not perfect, nor is Regent. However, we are happy sailing on both cruise lines.

The comment about Silversea preferring to sailing 1/2 empty was from my TA. Sorry, according to CC rules, I cannot discuss this further.

Regent passengers are outspoken and honest (with a few exceptions). Silversea passengers, from what I am observing, are reserved and not apt to post their feelings on a public board. One couple stated that they left Silversea 4 years ago due to an unresolved issue. They are back (not noticed by Silversea) and note many items that are not what they used to be.

Responder: Not sure if you have children. . . . however, it is possible to dislike something your child is doing and still love your child. This can loosely be translated into what we feel about Regent. We abhor their new policy (Concierge) but love the product. And, as we have stated repeatedly, we are not affected by the new policy. I continue to wonder why some long term Regent cruisers do not seem to care about the hurdles that some new passengers will be facing next year.

[Responder]

Think you need to be on board to make that assessment. I know of another board where the unwritten rule is not to say anything negative. Silversea is not perfect, nor is Regent. However, we are happy sailing on both cruise lines.

That's funny...You keep telling us how many people are unhappy with Regent and yet you spew this to those who haven't been on board and ask them to make that assessment.

The comment about Silversea preferring to sailing 1/2 empty was from my TA. Sorry, according to CC rules, I cannot discuss this further.

More intrigue...

Regent passengers are outspoken and honest (with a few exceptions). Silversea passengers, from what I am observing, are reserved and not apt to post their feelings on a public board. One couple stated that they left Silversea 4 years ago due to an unresolved issue. They are back (not noticed by Silversea) and note many items that are not what they used to be.

How do you know who has and hasn't been honest...do you have a lie detector? Since I'm one who calls it like it is, I suppose I shouldn't sail on Silversea in case I have to express some dissatisfaction.

Responder: Not sure if you have children. . . . however, it is possible to dislike something your child is doing and still love your child. This can loosely be translated into what we feel about Regent. We abhor their new policy (Concierge) but love the product. And, as we have stated repeatedly, we are not affected by the new policy. I continue to wonder why some long term Regent cruisers do not seem to care about the hurdles that some new passengers will be facing next year.

Did we not mention this a few times before?
I personally think that those who can afford and have chosen Regent are intelligent enough to first sail and then decide whether or not they like it or not. If they read these boards as well as many others, the consensus seems to think Regent is a top rate luxury line. I don't need to be the point person for them.