papaflamingo

We are on the Grand Cruise and they notified us about the final segment change on Apr. 17 so only about 3 weeks ago. I keep watching the cruise for shore excursions and post cruise excursions but...no joy. Anyway, called Regent last week and they weren't sure when they'd be posted, but my guess is, at least the shore excursions, will be available May 16, one year prior to the final segment. As to pre and post excursions, my guess is they'll be similar to the re-directed World Cruise, as well as other cruises that go to Cape Town. But rest assured, they'll be posted at some point. Our plan is to pick excursions based on what they show in each port (when you select the port) and have 2-3 choices prioritized so when they are ready for selection we'll be ready to select. We are also going to do some sort of Safari in Cape Town after the cruise. There are many...many options and they're mindboggling. So we are researching them and will compare to whatever Regent offers based on what they offered on other cruises, then decide.

If possible don't "buy" foreign currency but wait to get it from an ATM when you arrive. Much better exchange rate. However in Europe you can pretty much tip in U.S. dollars or in Euros, your discretion. For other purchases almost everywhere accepts credit cards. We just did an Asian cruise and you can get great info by simply googling "tipping in (whatever country)." If you are spending a few days in the departure or arrival port you might want local currency. But if you're only in port for a day or so and only going to go on Regent tours, just tip in either dollars or Euros if you have them. Normally there's no need to get a local currency. Here is a pretty good link to tipping etiquette in Turkey. Note is says that tips in U.S. dollars or Euros, is certainly accepted. https://turkeytravelplanner.com/details/money/tipping.html

So you're saying the flight is still there but your reservation disappeared from the airline's website? What airline?

It's really a function of how the airlines tickets the flight. And as wcsdkqh said if the same airline that usually happens. But if you go on to any website and look at a Business Class ticket from Ft. Myers to Rome, the airlines will consider it "business class" from start to finish even though it is really a first class seat on one leg of the trip. In fact, many European airlines have "business class" from the U.S. to Europe then continuing on to the final destination. BUT the "business class" for a European leg often is simply the middle seat blocked out on a single class plane. The U.S. carriers don't do that. If you book business class on a U.S carrier all the way through it'll be first class domestic and business class internationally.

For clarity, it's always said "restricted business" (at least it has since 2018). That is more of a term regarding the fact that it's a very discounted ticket. However the service difference between "restricted business" and "business" is airline dependent. For U.S. airlines, (well for United and Delta) at this point there is no real difference. You still get your pick of seats when it's booked (a great reason to deviate 210 days out), you can change your seats dependent on availability, and get full access to the lounges, full baggage allowance, etc. Qatar changed to offering "business lite" around 2021 and part of the reduced fare offer is no access to their lounges and no advanced seat selection. This is available on the Qatar website, so it behooves someone to check it out before accepting bookings on any airlines. Again... a good reason to deviate 210 days out.

Correct. But that's my point. Delta enforces the Pilot uniform because it impacts business...i.e. how the passenger feels. In fact when I was flying actively they did a study regarding the double breasted coat and the pilot's hat. They found that the double breasted coat, because it basically has to be buttoned, and the wearing of the hat created a higher level of passenger confidence rather than the other option. So it stayed. No joke...they really did the study and those were the conclusions. So... according to Delta, "dress" does make a difference. Anyway, probably beat this "dead horse" enough. 😎

Actually we don't disagree on this. I completely agree it falls on Regent, particularly supervisors. I just don't like labelling people. Well I do...but only to my wife....who usually tells me to "zip it." 😜

Yes, the U.S. Coast Guard can detail the safety concerns. This might help. https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/OCSNCOE/Casualty-Information/Safety-Alerts/CG-SA-11-15.pdf?ver=4PLf75tU9nV6eG5ioI0MWg%3D%3D

I know this has probably been mentioned, but there are no Formal Optional nights on cruise segments of less than 16 nights, on any Regent ship.

I've seen Regent enforce the dress code. And I agree they should enforce ALL rules, including the dreaded lounge chair hogging. I'm not a "pick and choose" type, I don't pick lounge chair hogging to enforce and ignore dress codes. But as a reasonable adult I also don't believe people should put an employee in the extremely awkward position of having to admonish and "explain" to them the published rules. And honestly, the term "dress police" is insulting, Just like someone who points out to someone that smoking on the balcony is forbidden isn't the "smoking police." And they aren't "self appointed," they're actually backed by the Dress Code.

Perhaps not. I am a retired pilot. My flying skills are my flying skills, whether I show up in my double breasted "Navy" style uniform complete with 4 stripes and Captain's hat, neatly shaved and hair (what's left of it), and well groomed. OR I show up in flip flops, t-shirt (wife beater type) with some "message" on it, soccer shorts, 5 day old beard and disheveled hair that hasn't been combed or cut in months or more. I'm still the same pilot. Question is, will YOU get on my airplane? And if you say I won't matter to you, I'm throwing up the B.S. Flag! Of course it matters. The way people appear, including grooming and dress, makes a definite impression on others. It's simply a fact of our society. Also,,, and no one seems to mention this, A lot of people feel "I paid for this cruise, I should be able to dress as I wish." Well, I ALSO paid for the cruise, and I paid for it with full expectation of experiencing the cruise Regent advertises. So, just like I should have equal rights to a deck chair, no smoking in public areas or balconies, expect excellent service, cleanliness of spaces, shore excursions, food, and drink, I also have an expectation of decorum and ambiance. That includes the PUBLISHED dress code. I paid just as much with the "promise" that people will be dressed to a certain level after 6 pm. This is CLEAR (no confusion on my part anyway) and part of the "experience" I chose and paid for. So, doesn't matter why I care, what matters is this is part of why I chose Regent.

Thanks... yes I'm keeping an eye on it. Nothing posted yet, but they just changed the itinerary. I figure the shore excursions, etc. will finally become available when at the year mark of the segment, but who knows (it's coming up in a few weeks). But I'm definitely watching for an overland or post cruise excursion like yours. 😎

Yes. On your FINAL CRUISE VACATION SUMMARY it will denote the Formal Optional nights with an "F". As others have said, some dress up to the level of Formal and some don't. Just depends on the passengers and, it seems, itinerary. If a Caribbean cruise, probably less formal than a Northern European cruise (only my observations). But dress as you wish. On our Navigator cruise in 2022 there were men in tuxes, kilts, suits, sport coats with ties, sport coats without ties, and those dressed as any other day. We were in the North Atlantic, so cold weather. There seemed to be more in at least a sport coat. But dress as you wish. Also if there is no Formal Optional night, there will be a "Captain's Reception" night. People tend to dress better that night too. Not formal, but often coat and tie. Again....strictly YOUR choice.

Regent contracts for deeply discounted fares. Since Covid, the airlines are understaffed and oversold. So contract fares are very hard to find, especially in Business Class. The only way to get those fares is to fly on the less desirable itineraries. So it isn't actually Regent "making it bad," it's simply a function of economics 101... high demand, low supply equals high prices.

Sorry to jump in. If you phoned Custom Air with your requests, you can ask them if they have any "no additional cost" options available. I have done that within the last year and found the agents extremely helpful. It could be there just isn't any available on the day you want to fly. Regent contract air has been severely limited by the airlines since Covid. The airlines are experiencing a shortage of crews and aircraft and extremely high passenger loads. So they price accordingly. Their Business Class flights are their "bread and butter" so they are reluctant to discount the desirable routes. So Regent has to struggle to find flights with contract rates.