IST-DXB Cruise reroute...

It's all Greek to me. :)

What should Regent's ownership do if, as we all hope and pray for, peace and calm returns to Israel before the end of October? Regent's missive that announced the change in Voyager's (and separately for O's Marina) stated that they are prepared to return to Haifa. But the Voyager itinerary would not be to the original itinerary that had been in place for more than 10 months! The further revised itinerary would include EIGHT port changes from the original that people contracted for. A cynic might suggest that the prospective revision is a drastic attempt to add passengers to a cruise that is relatively empty (by Regent standards) even after reducing BC upgrades by $400 p.p. and cabin prices by about 12% (for a G). My suggestion to Regent is stay with the present revised itinerary and state the soon so we all can on with finalizing our planning for an enjoyable adventure.

... A cynic might suggest that the prospective revision is a drastic attempt to add passengers to a cruise that is relatively empty (by Regent standards) even after reducing BC upgrades by $400 p.p. and cabin prices by about 12% (for a G)...

Curious as to the $400 BC upgrade quote. Is that a European quote? The US Regent page still says $999 which for us is a BARGAIN. Also the cabin quote (G) appears to be the same as when we booked this cruise about 2 months ago (before the rockets started flying).

And how empty is the cabin? I would think most people committed to this cruise several months ago. That said, I doubt they had many late takers at all when the rockets started up.

Personally I see no hope that the cruise will be revised again to stop in Israel. Departure is now only 2.5 months away. Does anyone really believe Gaza won't fire some more off in this remaining time to sailing? Even the threat must make the company that insures Regent quake in their boots.

...Ouzo is the "national drink" of Greece. In Turkey the similar drink is raki. :) :)

I used to travel a lot to Greece and thought retsina was their national drink. A hint of gasoline in every bottle. As for raki, same thing. That said, about a year ago we did a 20 day Turkey tour and toward the end, I was slugging the raki down like a native.

...As for the concern of another poster about one beer or drink per passenger for a meal on an excursion, as I remember this has always been the case. If you want another one, you just order and pay for it. I've never thought this to be a big deal.

I was the poster that made the comment and I guess I shouldn't have. The comment was NOT about some day excursion, but about an overnight ($600 p.p.) tour. Since the alcohol flows freely on the ship, I thought it strange the tour only allowed one bottle of beer. And if I decided to have 5 more bottles, I really could care less that I would have to pay for the overage.

What should Regent's ownership do if, as we all hope and pray for, peace and calm returns to Israel before the end of October? Regent's missive that announced the change in Voyager's (and separately for O's Marina) stated that they are prepared to return to Haifa. But the Voyager itinerary would not be to the original itinerary that had been in place for more than 10 months! The further revised itinerary would include EIGHT port changes from the original that people contracted for. A cynic might suggest that the prospective revision is a drastic attempt to add passengers to a cruise that is relatively empty (by Regent standards) even after reducing BC upgrades by $400 p.p. and cabin prices by about 12% (for a G). My suggestion to Regent is stay with the present revised itinerary and state the soon so we all can on with finalizing our planning for an enjoyable adventure.

I am not familiar with the term "BC upgrades". Kindly explain what you are referring to. Thanks:-)

I am not familiar with the term "BC upgrades". Kindly explain what you are referring to. Thanks:-)

Probably should let "DeepFreeze" chime in, but I assumed he meant BC (Business Class). I'm more interested in what market he's referring to. In the US, the BC is still $999 and a bargain at that price.

I like the new routing with Luxor added after some further thought. IF Regent punts again and adds 2 days in Israel, that's fine with me also. That said, I'll take the 2 days in Luxor with 1 less day in Israel EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

I seriously doubt Regent will take a chance on stopping in Israel anytime soon (certainly while this cruise in operating in the current schedule time frame). Does anyone really think the Gaza Sound and Light show is anywhere near ending?

Seriously???

Let me explain:

I also like the present itinerary with Haifa dropped and Antalya, Limossol, and Luxor added. We'll go to see Israel later on a land tour and do it justice.

When I booked last September in the U.S., the cost of upgrading to Business Class air was $1400 per person per flight for Istanbul and/or Dubai; I opted to use frequent flier tickets. Regent subsequently reduced the air upgrade to $999; I could have taken that deal but decided not to.

When I booked last September in the U.S., the cost of a G cabin was $1500 per person higher. Recently, Regent reduced the prices and offered us Either an upgrade to a B cabin or On Board Credits of $3000; we took the OBCs. We love our Deck 7, mid-ship locations on the Voyager.

About a month ago, Regent removed the ability to determine cabin availability via their web site. At that time. at least 6 Deck 7, mid-ship cabins near mine were un- booked. Thus my conclusion about an "empty" ship.

Again, I am happy with the present revised itinerary. My angst and confusion is about the proposed revision. I could go into detail about the pros (yes, there are a few) and the cons of that prospective revision but for now I'' just ask: "Would you want to now go on a luxury cruise to northern Egypt, especially when any peace accord there will probably open the Egypt/Gaza corridor?

DeepFreeze63: Thanks so much for the explanation. It seems that Regent does find innovative ways of filling ships. The offer you received is very interesting. I had not heard of that offer previously.

When we were sailing from Istanbul to Dubai (3 years ago I think), the itinerary changed at the last minute due to a rocket that went into the waters at the port of Ashdod. We had been scheduled to spend two nights in Ashdod and one in Haifa. The switch was a simple one -- the ship docked in Haifa for three nights. It seems to me that this type of thing could happen - with or without a peace treaty as it has been going on for as long as I can remember.

Despite changes, etc. I hope all of you have a great cruise!

When I booked last September in the U.S., the cost of upgrading to Business Class air was $1400 per person per flight for Istanbul and/or Dubai; I opted to use frequent flier tickets. Regent subsequently reduced the air upgrade to $999; I could have taken that deal but decided not to.

I believe far out bookings ALWAYS cost more. If you look at next year's cruise, the BC upgrade is $1499 p.p. And the cost of cabins are quite a bit higher also. Perhaps by this time next year, the prices will be reduced to what today's quotes are. As a rule, I don't think any cruise company guarantees to reduce early sales to current prices. If they do, I would certainly like to know which cruise lines offer that service.

I'm curious as to your decision to use frequent flyer miles since coach airfare is part of the basic cruise price. What did Regent reduce the price by when you elected not to use their airfare deal (coach travel)?

We purchased our tickets to this cruise BEFORE the rockets started flying. However, it was 12 days after the 3 Israeli boys were kidnapped on June 12th. Who would have predicted that incident would have snowballed into what happened afterwards. Since we purchased our tickets, AFAIK, there have been no price reductions on the Regent website below what we paid.

Personally I would have taken the upgrade from a G to B cabin in lieu of the $3k OBC. What can you buy onboard that will burn up $3K? Well, you could put a pretty good dent in it if the Luxor overnight deal is still available when we depart Istanbul. I was told OBC could NOT be used for excursions until the ship departed.

See you onboard, we're also on 7 midship.

StarFlyr: I elected to use my FF miles as I had some that might expire on me and I knew that we were going to "deviate on both ends of the cruise. Regent gave me a credit of $1000 p.p. for not using Regent Air and I avoided the $300 p.p. deviation fee. I also got First Class going which we hadn't done in about 20 years! United would have charged me about $200 to reinstall the FF miles, so I didn't later take the nice Regent Air deal at $999 p.p. (plus give Regent back the regular air) credit.

I had a senior moment and forgot what ship I was writing about - we are in Cabin 646 on the Voyager, not on Deck 7. It's Deck 7 on the Mariner that we enjoy.

With tongue in cheek, I can truthfully say that I hope we have trouble spending the OBCs. Medical expenses on our last three cruises ranged from $1500 to $5500. Getting old is...

..With tongue in cheek, I can truthfully say that I hope we have trouble spending the OBCs. Medical expenses on our last three cruises ranged from $1500 to $5500. Getting old is...

I certainly hope you get to spend the OBCs on non medical expenses. We may be right above you so we'll try to be quiet for those early morning bathroom trots.:D

I certainly hope you get to spend the OBCs on non medical expenses. We may be right above you so we'll try to be quiet for those early morning bathroom trots.:D

Last year I bought grandchildren solar powered watches with OBC!

Just to get back to the topic on the original post...... I have to give credit where credit is due and Regent have now made the two cultural trips at Luxor free - result!! Well done Regent for listening to customer concerns.

So pleased to hear that. Happy for you. We did Luxor in 2011 and enjoyed it. The coach trip to get there was long, but the overnight at the hotel helped and it was an amazing hotel. Hope that's what you have. Had to get used to the guard out front and the metal detector, etc. But it was well worth it. The coaches caravaned. from the ship to Luxor. The tombs etc. were amazing. Just know that you will have a number of children trying to sell you items. The escort took care of talking to the children and emphasized that we should not buy from them because they should be in school instead of out selling.

We had an excellent guide who was willing to talk about the political situation, as elections were going on and she was one who was a "modern" Egyptians.

It was out first Regent cruise and we were so happy that we will be taking our 3rd this February. Enjoy your voyage.

Just to get back to the topic on the original post...... I have to give credit where credit is due and Regent have now made the two cultural trips at Luxor free - result!! Well done Regent for listening to customer concerns.

I am so glad to hear this! Thought it would work out this way, actually. There are a lot of details to be sorted out one by one when an itinerary is changed like yours was.

As I expected June 6 Baltic cruise cancelled. Now around British Isles. Conflicted about this change although understandable given situation in Russia.

As I expected June 6 Baltic cruise cancelled. Now around British Isles. Conflicted about this change although understandable given situation in Russia.

I am a little confused by your post. The June 6th cruise is still going to Russia and the normal Baltic ports. Was it scheduled to go to the Black Sea?

I am a little confused by your post. The June 6th cruise is still going to Russia and the normal Baltic ports. Was it scheduled to go to the Black Sea?

As mentioned in earlier post, the 6 June cruise is around the British Isles, not Baltic: http://www.rssc.com/cruises/VOY150606/summary/default.aspx

The subsequent cruise is the standard Copenhagen to Stockholm Baltic cruise.