Old vs New Regent Pricing......

[comettgirl]

I have read on more then one thread that in the recent past, Regent has had a price increase. For those of you who have been around awhile and traveled Regent before and after the increase, how much of an increase was it? 5%, 10%? Do you think the increase was directly related to going all inclusive? or were they due? Did they offer the 2 for 1 before the increase? Looking at the 2 for 1 prices do they compare to the prices before the increase?

Thanks in advance....

[Jimpeyton]

I have read on more then one thread that in the recent past, Regent has had a price increase. For those of you who have been around awhile and traveled Regent before and after the increase, how much of an increase was it? 5%, 10%? Do you think the increase was directly related to going all inclusive? or were they due? Did they offer the 2 for 1 before the increase? Looking at the 2 for 1 prices do they compare to the prices before the increase?

Thanks in advance....
What do you mean 2 for 1? Where on Regents site do you find these deals?

Thanks

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, they have offered two-for-ones on certain cruises at least since 2004, when I took a Diamond cruise at that rate. Both my last year's and this year's Caribbean cruises are 2-fers. I have seen no 2-fers in Europe lately at all, but then the cruise industry has recovered strength since the early part of the decade. Oh, and they didn't used to often include airfare in their European cruises, which they seem to do now.

[Iamboatman]

Even according to Mark Conroy, Regent's president, the prices are up about 15% since going liquor-inclusive. (Regent is not all inclusive as, for example, it does not provide Seabourn-type complimentary excursions, charges for caviar, etc.)

What I found shocking is that Regent is now - again by Mark Conroy's statement - at or sometimes more expensive than Seabourn...and it is in practice a less luxurious product; not a bad product, just not in the same league.


The Navigator is also more expensive than 2 weeks on Seabourn in a comparable cabin over essentially the same period, though the difference is significant, but not nearly to the same extent.

As for "2 for 1" pricing and "free air", be careful and consider the net prices as many times (and on most cruise lines) it is really a marketing thing more than a cost savings.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, I guess in the luxury segment, you can charge what the traffic will bear. If they price themselves too high, they we'll see more sales close to the sailing dates, and then perhaps their early discounts will go down in subsequent years. It's getting too rich for my blood, for sure. We're booked in December on Voyager, and it's a great deal, but after that, who knows (we have a booking on the PG December 2008, but that's very tentative--if we do the cruise it may very well be our Regent swansong.)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

The key is to book early. Last December, we did a week in the Carribbean (with Wandra!) in a balcony room for less than $2000 (approx) on Navigator. In this case our TA was offered a block of cabins that hadn't sold. But the fare before hand was pretty reasonable. We're on the Grand Crossing this year, but the Crossing's 8 days on Voyager is $2200.00 and the full crossing for 16 days is $5000. approximiately. Those are some pretty good per diems. We also did Panama Canal on a 2-for-1 in 2003. Again, the early bird fare. They offer limited cabins on special like that and then decrease the percentage off until they reach a certain capacity.

Like the stock market, you've gotta keep your eye on things, have the right broker (agent) and know the market. But I am with Wandra, without most of those specials in the future, my travel budget is limited - I work to travel and I do look for value and luxury. I compared a Baltics Cruise with the Baltics on Oceania and booked with Oceania. Two weeks in a Concierge is the same price as one week on Regent. Those itineraries rarely go on sale. No, Oceania is not quite the same class as Regent, but, perfectly acceptable - we like it alot.

[Iamboatman]

Yes, November and December is "value season" in the Caribbean and not only for Regent. People are thinking Thanksgiving with the family and then Christmas holidays, so the demand on either side is a bit soft and the pricing pretty aggressive. Not so in the higher demand seasons.

[comettgirl]

This is our first Regent Cruise, we are not novices, this will be our 36th cruise.. We are Elite on Princess and have saled a number of other lines. We booked a Caribbean Saling for December 2008. We also find that the weeks after Thanksgiving are some of least expensive and less crowded for the entire year! We took advantage of the 2 for 1 price, which we found on the Regent Site, but the Price ($2,695) is still more then 2X what we will normally pay for a mini suite on Princess. Yes, I think the Regent Experience will be far above that of Princess, but pricey any way you look at it. I looked at Seaborn, Crystal and Silversea, but they the timing wasn't right.

[Iamboatman]

Even with the Princess elite benefits, I am certain you will find your Regent experience far superior from your accommodations to your food to the service. At the low season pricing I think the price difference, especially considering the liquor and relentless (my opinion) extra charges on Princess will probably net out about the same price overall.

[Judyumcer@aol.com]

We sailed the Med from Barcelona to Istanbul on OCEANIA. It is a wonderful cruise line. The ship is absolutely beautiful with the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in on a cruise line. The food is excellent as well. This will be our 3rd cruise with Regent but unless some wonderful deals come along we will probably go back to Oceania. Judy

[Travelcat2]

Even according to Mark Conroy, Regent's president, the prices are up about 15% since going liquor-inclusive. (Regent is not all inclusive as, for example, it does not provide Seabourn-type complimentary excursions, charges for caviar, etc.)

What I found shocking is that Regent is now - again by Mark Conroy's statement - at or sometimes more expensive than Seabourn...and it is in practice a less luxurious product; not a bad product, just not in the same league.

I am hosting a March 15, 2008 Ensemble cruise on the Azamara Quest and the other day priced out an oceanview on it versus an oceanview on the Regent Navigator. (Quest is Acapulco to Miami cruising Central America on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts and the Panama Canal and Navigator is a fairly standard Caribbean cruise.) The Navigator priced out virtually double the price (over $5,000 more expensive) for a 14 day cruise. Yes, the Navigator has a larger cabin and liquor is included, but is it worth double the price for a less exotic itinerary????

The Navigator is also more expensive than 2 weeks on Seabourn in a comparable cabin over essentially the same period, though the difference is significant, but not nearly to the same extent.

As for "2 for 1" pricing and "free air", be careful and consider the net prices as many times (and on most cruise lines) it is really a marketing thing more than a cost savings.

I just spent way too many hours looking for replacement cruise after our May 19, 2008 Voyager cruise was cancelled. My search included Seabourn, Silversea and Regent. While I could find a few cruises that were less than Regent, they were few and far between. We found one Silversea sailing that appeared reasonable -- until I learned what it would cost to fly home (not only in dollars -- but in time -- 29 hours). I'd be interested to know if you were pricing Seabourn for next year and, if so, which cruises. As you said about cruises that are not all-inclusive but half the price . . . is it really worth it to pay more for Seabourn for the few extra perks they have?

I'm sure you are aware that, in 2008, if you book an "included airfare cruise" cruise on Regent, Penthouse "B" or above, you receive "Business Class" airfare (I calculated this out -- if you booked the same cruise 2 categories lower and upgraded your airfare to "Business Class" it would actually cost a "tiny" bit more.)

We ended up booking a cruise in October, 2008 -- similiar to the one that was cancelled. This left a "hole" earlier in the year so we also booked the San Francisco to Vancouver (includes Alaska) in May, 2008.

Quick note about rising costs -- I'm assume the incredibly high airfares have to do with fuel costs. . . we are booked on British Air later this month in Economy Plus -- we wanted Business Class but were not willing to pay $5,500 per person more to do so. Including airfare in a cruise, at least for us, is a great thing!

[Iamboatman]

I do not think the business class upgrades are really worth it. If I am traveling on business that needs me functioning when I hit the ground, that is one thing, but I am perfectly happy to sit in coach and save many thousands of dollars; as are most of my clients.

When pricing cruises I think it makes the most sense to price it with the air and then with the air credit as usually the air credit is larger than the cost of the ticket (not always, but usually).

BTW the cost of business class is up because it can be. It has nothing to do with fuel costs. Supply and demand.

[BILLP1]

We feel that we got our money's worth and have booked again. No one we met on board felt that they paid too much for the cruise. It was nice sailing with people who were happy all week and not bit--ing all cruise.

If you do feel that it is over priced then enjoy another cruise line and have a relaxing cruise instead of spending the time on Regent not feeling that you are getting what you paid for.

[Jimpeyton]

"I'm sure you are aware that, in 2008, if you book an "included airfare cruise" cruise on Regent, Penthouse "B" or above, you receive "Business Class" airfare (I calculated this out -- if you booked the same cruise 2 categories lower and upgraded your airfare to "Business Class" it would actually cost a "tiny" bit more.)"

I booked 2 segments on Regents South America cruise, Ft. Laud to Buenos Aires, (31 days) in a Horizon Suite. This cruise starts Jan. 08. Are you saying that they are offering free Business class? Or is it just for selected cruises? This was not a discounted cruise as far as I could see.

Comparing Seabourn to Regent, it just seems like Regent overall has more to offer. Bigger cabins with balconies, more dining options, younger crowd etc.. Seabourn has very small ships, appears more stuffy and formal with an older clientele. Is this correct? I have never sailed Seabourn and do not want to count them out as they have some comparable prices and excellent itineraries. Is it true that all the shore excursions are included in the fare price on Seabourn?

Thanks

[Travelcat2]

"I'm sure you are aware that, in 2008, if you book an "included airfare cruise" cruise on Regent, Penthouse "B" or above, you receive "Business Class" airfare (I calculated this out -- if you booked the same cruise 2 categories lower and upgraded your airfare to "Business Class" it would actually cost a "tiny" bit more.)"

I booked 2 segments on Regents South America cruise, Ft. Laud to Buenos Aires, (31 days) in a Horizon Suite. This cruise starts Jan. 08. Are you saying that they are offering free Business class? Or is it just for selected cruises? This was not a discounted cruise as far as I could see.

Comparing Seabourn to Regent, it just seems like Regent overall has more to offer. Bigger cabins with balconies, more dining options, younger crowd etc.. Seabourn has very small ships, appears more stuffy and formal with an older clientele. Is this correct? I have never sailed Seabourn and do not want to count them out as they have some comparable prices and excellent itineraries. Is it true that all the shore excursions are included in the fare price on Seabourn?

Thanks


Unfortunately, most of the "airfare included" sailings are to Europe on the Voyager or Navigator. It does not look like the January 2008 sailings on the Mariner have been discounted. In terms of airfare, I found that, for departures in Ft. Lauderdale (returning to Ft. Lauderdale), I can find airfares at half the price as Regent (this is a small city -- easy to get to the port, hotels, etc). However, when you look at one-way fares to just about anywhere, you do need a TA to figure it out.

I have not been on Seabourn (yet) but hear that they include some shore excursions. The downside for us is lack of balcony (one of their new ships will be ready in mid-2009 and will have balconies).

In terms of "Business Class" -- I agree with Boatman, but, still am willing to pay a bit more for comfort -- don't want to arrive on a ship and sleep away the first day.

Hope you have a great cruise!

[Iamboatman]

Seabourn is focused on service, service, service and food. Because of the intimate size of the ships, the main activity is social interaction and, therefore, it is anything but "stuffy". The suites themselves are comparable, but there are only true balconies in the uppermost suites and French balconies in the "balcony suites". Because of their smaller size they visit ports and do things (like transit the Corinth Canal rather than just visiting it) that other ships just can't do.

There are also multiple dining venues aside from the main restaurant. There is the Veranda which transforms into "2" in the evenings; the Sky Grill (more informal outdoor dining on select evenings); an evening outdoor buffet dinner on select evenings; and the very popular option of having private dining in your suite off the main restaurant menu - served course by course.

On every cruise there is an included "Seabourn Experience" which is a high quality and unique excursion. There are also such things as "Shopping with the Chef" where you literally assist the chef in the local markets picking out something new or unusual which will be placed on the menu that evening. (On Ensemble or Virtuoso sailings there is an additional complimentary excursion for those guests booking with an Ensemble or Virtuoso travel agent.)

The new ship, Seabourn Odyssey is scheduled to have its maiden voyage at the end of June 2009 with a second ship to be finished in 2010. They will a majority of balcony suites and, due to their size, more facilities.

On the other topic, business air: I almost always spend a day or two prior to the cruise in or near the port of embarkation. So regardless of whether I fly coach or business I am well rested when I get to the ship. (And let's face it sleep in a hotel is much more restful than even the best sleeper seat at 30,000 feet.) For the many thousands of dollars (or miles) I think it is for most (not all) a better way to approach cruising...if the issue is the cost of the cruise.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, I know what you mean about coach versus business class air travel. But, if and when I can afford it, I will travel business for long trips. We did it last year to Europe for our Voyager cruise, and it made all the difference in the world, and made the whole trip even more special.

[Mrs. Howell]

Does anyone have any pics of the refurbished suites (cat E) on the Navigator?

Also, I've read a lot on the site about the in-suite bar set up. Is it only for cat B and higher?

Thanks
MH

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'm 6'4"....