Greyhound Crazy

I almost dread the answer to this question, but how difficult is it to switch the staterooms into which we've been booked? I use a Travel Agent, and when he booked our rooms back in March of 2021 he booked us in the rooms suggested by the MSC booking agent. When I looked up the rooms on a deck plan, they turned out to be Accessible staterooms. Every time we made an inquiry, they told us they were not accessible so there was no need to change them. In September when we finally received our booking confirmation (which said Accessible Stateroom right on it), and my TA called MSC and said they needed to switch them, they even sent him an email to send to us, showing the staterooms on their deck plan, with the rooms circled, and the message said "No H on rooms, so these are regular balcony staterooms, please forward to your client. There is no need to switch staterooms." I have this email from MSC printed out even, in case they questioned our need for accessible rooms when we arrive at port (I stress about all kinds of things). 

First, I have no idea what deck plan they were looking at all those months. 

Second, I have no idea why they refuse to switch the staterooms even at my TA's request. He has never had difficulty doing this with any other cruise line. 

Even though we are now past final payment, I asked him to try and switch the rooms one more time. This time, they told him yes, the rooms we have booked are indeed H rooms, we should have known this all along and done this sooner (as if I haven't been trying). They said they won't change our staterooms now without completely re-booking, but in any event rebooking is moot, because there are no balcony staterooms available, period, so we will have to stay with the rooms assigned to us. 
 

He has spoken to 4 different people today, who have told him the same thing, and they refused to let him speak to their one-up, but said he could email reservations. He has no confidence he'll receive a response. 

I have done several mock bookings, though, and there seem to be more than enough balcony staterooms available with my chosen package and selected experience. I even called the number on the website to ask if there were any available and she said there were still many to choose from. 

I'm frustrated and confused, my TA is angry, frustrated and confused and more than a little upset that they seem to give different information to TAs than consumers, and I still don't think it's right that we're in accessible staterooms when we don't need accessible staterooms. I want the experience I want, and I want someone who needs those rooms to have the experience they want. 
 

Just how difficult is it to fix this? Does anyone know? In my head it really shouldn't be this hard. If I can't get it done the right way, can I get it done on the ship? I don't need the guilt. 

More than likely you will only be allowed entry if on a ship-curated shore excursion. 

Thank you so much, everyone! This is very helpful!

Hello!

With Regent, is it possible to book one's next cruise while on board? Is there any real advantage in doing so? I'm just wondering...

Thank you very much!

2 minutes ago, Evilmuffin said:

I live in Ontario as well.   When I booked my first dose in May, the system automatically gave a date in August that I could have the second dose.   Obviously I’m way over the 42 day period.   It wasn’t until end of July that I could move the date up earlier and even at that it was only to 01 Aug.   I never considered this 28 to 42 days apart issue.   I assumed the system knew what it was doing when it booked me in August.  And now I’m hearing news of a 3rd one (booster).   It sucks that no one seems to be on the same page with regards to vaccines.     

It's really frustrating, isn't it. I'm only 7 days past the 42 day window, and I'm thinking it's highly unlikely we'll be able to get a third shot any time soon. 

@whippet0I figured it was either dogs, or perhaps those marshmallow cookies. I love whippets; we have two greyhounds, a big boy from West Virginia and a tiny girl from Ireland many people assume is a whippet. 🙂 

20 minutes ago, whippet0 said:

My wife and I have had two doses of the Pfizer covid-19 vaccine but they are more than 42 days apart (Mine is 46 days apart and my wife's is 60 days apart). The Pfizer guidelines state that the two doses must be between 28 and 42 days apart. Does this mean my vaccation will not be recognized by the CDC?

 

We live in Ontario and that was the absolute earliest possible time we could get our second dose. I'm wondering if this means we will no longer be able to take a cruise.  😞

 

I have wondered the same thing. If they only look at your second vaccination certificate, it won't matter - but I have no idea what vaccination documents are required (or if it varies by cruise line). 

Completely off topic, do you have whippets? 

Thank you!

Thanks... Looking specifically at the new itineraries just released for 2023-24, from April through December 2023 - and I only see 4 between April 2023 and December 2023. I was a little surprised to see no cruises closer to the holidays - from what I see the December 2023 cruise departs on December 2 and is 10 nights, and then nothing again until February 9 2024. I just wondered if more itineraries are ever announced or if this would be it (and was kind of hoping there might be something added in between Dec 2 and Feb 9). Of course it's not the end of the world either way. Just curiosity.

Does anyone know if any itineraries will be added? I know some cruise lines release what they have but sometimes more are added - I don't know what Regent's practice is. There don't seem to be many Caribbean itineraries in 2023 (unless I'm missing some)... I know that the latter half of 2024 is not represented yet of course. 

Well thank you all very much! Hubby and I are relieved we do not have to buy a new tux - and he's quite happy he doesn't need to bring a suit. He's okay with dress pants, collared shirts and sometimes a sport coat but he makes the most horrid faces at the word "tie". I think we definitely have a suitable wardrobe for elegant casual (what a relief). 🙂

Hello! I know some cruise lines have tuxedo rental on board; does Regent? Or would my husband be fine with a formal suit on a Caribbean itinerary? I know the website says a dark suit is fine for men's evening attire but what do men actually wear? His tux is starting to look a little battered. He would wear it anyway but thankfully he has me and I won't let him LOL. Thanks!

Thank you everyone for the information and suggestions. Your help was invaluable. We really were torn between the Navigator and the Splendor, and I am sure we would have been thrilled with either, but we opted for the Splendor. We have booked a PH-B, Dec 3 2022.  We really are excited, even if it's more than a year away. I have learned from experience time flies really really quickly and in no time I will be wondering how I'm going to get all the pre-travel checklist things done because I will inevitably have not given myself nearly enough time to do it. 🙂

Thank you so much for all your help. This information is invaluable and will be so helpful - we still have not made a decision but we're closer, thanks to you.

One more question - for what exactly does one use a butler? What do they do for you? Having never had one, it's hard for us know whether we would enjoy having one...

Thanks again!

Hello Everyone! Happy New Year!

We are trying to plan our first Regent cruise for 2022. We have cruised with primarily with Celebrity (when it's the two of us), or Royal and MSC when the kids come with us... We've decided that after a year of all our vacations being cancelled and perhaps another year ahead of many of our vacations being cancelled, we should treat ourselves. 

I haven't had a chance to go through all the posts yet, so I hope I'm not bothering anyone with too many newbie questions... I can always figure out how the airfare works and things like that later (we prefer to fly Air Canada, Air Transat or Westjet from Toronto to Florida and can always find great rates when booking our own flights so maybe their airfare isn't even necessary) - and we do have a good TA so these things can always be his problem to sort out instead of mine.

Until we retire (5 more years, just 5...so close...), we can only take enough time off to cruise in November/December. I have found two Caribbean itineraries that I like - and until we retire, I refuse to vacation somewhere cold in November/December so I think we will pick one of these. They are similar itineraries, both go to places we like, so one is no more or less appealing than the other. But, one is on the Splendor, and the other on the Navigator. 
 

I have absolutely no idea how to choose between the two and could use a little help. 

With the 2 for 1 fare, on the Navigator we could afford Concierge or Penthouse. (I don't really know how the category upgrade works so I'm not considering that in my stateroom selection).  On the Splendor, it looks like a comparable fare puts us in a Superior or Concierge. Until our kids are out of University a named suite is not going to happen, unless the kids really really irritate me and I book while annoyed.

How important are those Concierge level amenities that look appealing on paper but maybe don't make much difference in reality? Having never had a butler, how important would a butler be to our overall experience on Regent? Should we base our decision on class of stateroom (ie, penthouse on Navigator wins), or ship (Splendor is newer)? We do like some evening activities, we like good food, good service, comfort... We're not really prone to being seasick but how disruptive is the vibration on Navigator? 

I'm just curious what people who know Regent would suggest if they had to choose - Concierge or Penthouse on Navigator, or Superior or Concierge on Splendor? Does one ship appeal more than the other, or does the stateroom choice make the difference?

Thank you very much for your opinions/advise/suggestions.....
 

I am very sad to read this. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends; I wish them strength, comfort and peace. Marilyn will be missed by many, and remembered fondly. May her memory be eternal.

Yes, you will be able to purchase a digital photo package separately. We get the unlimited digital photo package every year. There is also a 12 photo package. You can purchase in advance or on the ship.

Absolutely love the ballet, as does my family. We'd be there in a heartbeat.

Welcome, Host Joe!

I am very sorry to hear this. Walt will indeed by missed by many. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be eternal.

Agreed. It's heartbreaking to see.

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

If you ask me, and no one did, this thread is discriminatory to small dogs.  Most seem to support service dogs, which is great, and assume any small dog is a fluffy pet. You're probably correct most of the time.

 

But, some folks have big dogs which can easily pass as working dogs. 

 

FWIW, an allergy is an alergy.

Agreed.

At the post-secondary institution where I work, we have a few students who have small dogs as service dogs. Not emotional support dogs, but legitimate service dogs. One is a seizure alert dog. I don't think it is fair to assume all small dogs are fluffy pets. One also can't say that there is no time where a legitimate service dog would not be in its owners lap or with another person. The one student doesn't have the use of arms or legs, and is in a motorized wheelchair. His small dog is on a leash that clips to his belt and sits in his lap, especially inside the building where halls are so crowded there is fear of the dog being trampled. Outside the dog will walk alongside the chair. On occasion the student's human EA will hold the leash and give the potty command to the dog (it all depends on how crowded the quad is). This does not negate the dog's legitimate purpose. The seizure alert dog is a very well behaved small dog, quiet and serious. I do not know if this person would ever want to take a cruise, but if he did (and good for him if he did, cruising is such a lovely time) he'd need to bring his dog and would be well within his right to do so. Further, I imagine in crowded areas he might have the dog on his lap, or in the care of a support person at times. And this would not negate the dog's legitimate purpose either.
 

My small dogs are terrors. They are well educated, thanks to training courses, but use their powers for evil instead of good. My big dogs are clever yet clumsy oafs. I love them all regardless, they do make me happy, and I miss them horribly when I'm away from them, but I'd be the first person jumping overboard the ship if I had to bring them with me. There is a world of difference between a service dog and non-service dogs (or disservice dogs, as mine would have to be called). But I don't think you can so easily say small dogs cannot be service dogs, or say that legitimate service dogs are never on their owners' laps or in the care of someone else.

We also have enjoyed your reviews, and enjoyed the stories you have shared. We are so very sorry for your tremendous loss; please accept our heartfelt condolences. Carm and I wish you and your family strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time. 

I think my daughter (12) and I will be going on the catamaran, whereas my husband wants to go to Brandon’s Beach. Although, the thought of just relaxing with no one around sounds like heaven!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Doesn't it just! :)

I have spoken with Captain Eddie and he says if you experience difficulty contacting CR through the website you can message them on facebook or email them directly at info@coolrunningsbarbados.com. I'm happy to answer any questions if you have any. The truth is, you really can't go wrong with any catamaran in Barbados :)