1st time on Regent - Cabin status?

[gresham]

We are sailing SF to AK on 5/1. Periodically I'll look at our booking to see the status of various levels of cabins. We are in 'H' class & was stunned to see how the price has increased since we booked last year. Category H shows 'guaranteed', G "available", F "guaranteed", E,C,D,B,A "available", NS, GS, MS "wait list". My question is: given the 'guaranteed' categories vs "available", I would assume some folks must be upgraded to the E,C,D,B,A levels in order to accomodate everyone who has paid a fare. Is that right? Only 93 days to go. I'm very excited about my first all-inclusive cruise.

[Travelcat2]

Many times in this situation, Regent offers guests an upgrade for a reduced cost. It's a little tricky on the Navigator since the penthouse suites are no larger than lower categories.

Have a wonderful cruise. We have done that itinerary twice and loved it:)

[Hambagahle]

As I understand it, if you accept a "Guaranteed" level of suite (no "cabins" on Regent, only suites!) then if the level you have paid for is not available you are put in whatever IS available. What I do not know is whether this could be below the level of what you paid for - I do not think so. So yes, an upgrade in this circumstance is likely...

As far as I know from people who have had "guaranteed" boolings you may not find out until the day you sail which is in fact the suite you have been assigned to...

[cruiseej]

Just adding to note that while the guarnatee may sound like it has only upsides -- you're guaranteed to get the level you book or higher -- the potential downside is you may get assigned a suite location which is less desirable albeit in a higher category level. For instance, some people prefer suites closer to midship because forward and back motion of the ship in rolling seas can be less pronounced than far forward or far aft. Also, Voyager and Navigator have some issues with vibration that can sometimes be felt in some of the aft cabins. Or being on the deck immediately below the pool deck or La Verandah restaurant, you can get some noise in the morning as chairs are rearranged and moved on deck. None of these are fatal flaws, and some people don't even notice them, but some people find them annoying and try to avoid them. If you're on an H guarantee, you could find yourself upgraded to an E suite, but in one of those locations that some people try to avoid. When you book a specific suite number, you're guaranteed you have that suite. In a few cases, Regent may contact you shortly before the cruise about an upgrade (usually a paid upgrade, occasionally not) to a high-level suite, but you're under no obligation to take it if you find you'd be moved to a higher-but-less-desirable location.

-- Eric (who has never been upgraded ;))

[gresham]

Thanks for the info. We have a confirmed "suite"........519. I was just curious

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We're also on this cruise. Final payment coming in a day or two, so it's real! Have you joined the roll call? It's here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1396639

I noticed the availability too. I suspect they might be offering upgrades at some point (usually just a couple of weeks or so before sailing.) I don't think I'd pay for an upgrade to a higher suite simply because it has a butler--they'd have to give it to us, and even then I would be careful about upgrading to an aft suite, because of vibrations at the back of the ship.

[gresham]

Hi Wendy. I think I was the second person to get on the roll call. I don't want
a butler, however it may be nice to have a balcony, but I'm not going to pay for it. We don't spend a lot of time in our suite anyway.