pappy1022

Are you saying that any shipboard credit that my TA gives me is convertible to cash?

I was always under the impression that onboard credits needed to be used during the cruise or they were lost. I’ve picked up from this discussion board that there are also onboard credits that can be converted into cash. Other than the obvious, how are they different and how does a TA process these 2 different types of credits?

That’s why it is important to do your homework up front and see where the information takes you. I did that math and I’m my case it made sense to stay with the Regent arranged air. It was an easy decision based on what it would have cost me to make my own air arrangements, even with the air credit.

I would agree with papa and say that Regent is actually making it attractive to keep the included business class air at least in my recent experience. The $2,000+ they are offering to make your own air reservations won’t buy you a business class round trip air from the US to international destinations. Now if you can make air reservations with points it may make sense but for our upcoming cruise there was no way for me to come close to being able to make business class reservations for the amount of the credit. I suppose that each cruise is different but for me it was a no brainer to stay with Regent included airfare.

I had an equally great experience earlier this year working through my TA. The key is to do your homework beforehand to know what is commercially available and be ready to discuss options.

Interested in why a COVID test was required. I just looked up the Denmark requirements and there isn’t a requirement to have a negative COVID test to enter the country.

Found it and thank you for letting us know where we can find those settings.

Regent has a very good product and the onboard experience is a big reason we all choose them to cruise. However, it is painfully obvious that they dont put a lot of resources into technology. So instead of providing modern day marketing powered by technology, they fall back on the old paper/brochure mailing process. This may be what some of their customers prefer but if they are going to market to a diverse clientele, they need to look at different marketing channels. In todays environment people want choices in how they get their information and Regent needs to adapt. It’s obvious that cost cutting is a big priority for all cruise lines that are now hamstrung with paying off loans from the COVID years. Technology can bring huge cost savings opportunities.

Yes

That sounds better. Somehow you need to make sure people understand that they don’t get the included 1 night hotel stay if the book a concierge or higher class cabin and opt for the cruise only fare. I think that is vague and I would have assumed it was included when I chose the concierge suite.

Mike, I think all of these follow up questions from different people, indicate that there does need to be a better way of communicating the differences. I know Regent wants to keep the message simple but in this case in needs some depth in the details. I think I understand it now but it took some clarifications from you to get to that point.

I get plenty of these marketing brochures from several cruise lines and I admit, I do take a peak before tossing them in the garbage. For me, it doesn’t impact my cruise destination or cruise line selections because I have been on multiple cruises and I know where I want to explore next and I know what cruise lines I will travel on. I just go to the internet for my research and selection. The only time a brochure is worth it, is to communicate changes in the services provided, special offerings or the new options offered by the cruise provider. For example, Regent’s recent change in their cruise only option would be interesting to know about and I think brochures would be an effective way of communicating to the masses. I could do without the big and expensive color brochures because those get tossed quickly without much of a peak. Maybe they could coordinate their marketing campaigns and for existing customers where they have a valid email address, communicate changes and special offers that method. They could also allow the customer to select their preferred method of communications. Many customer facing companies do this. They do this but then they also send out mini brochures to say the same thing. It would be interesting to know how many people on this cruise board (a) like getting all of these brochures and (b) are influenced by these brochures to cruise on Regent. Maybe someone could set up a method on these boards to take a poll. My vote for (a) would be no and for (b) no.

It’s simple. Just list what’s included in the all inclusive option and then specifically list what’s excluded from this list in the cruise only option. Any other combination, talk to your TA or Regent to get your bottom line price.

On my outbound flight booked on British Airways, I had business class seats immediately assigned by Regent but I could only get them changed by working through my TA. On the inbound flight on Virgin Atlantic, I had business class seats assigned immediately by Regent but I could change them on the Virgin website. I did go through the deviation process so those arrangements were made 270 days out from the cruise. Not sure there is rhyme or reason as to when this works or doesn’t work.

Flossie, for my specific cruise that I have booked, Regent was offering $2,500 if I booked my own airfare. The closest I found online for booking business class air between my origin and international destination was $6,500 and when I looked up the actual flights I have booked through Regent it was over $10,000. I doubt if Regent has that significant of a discount on airfare.

So that begs another question ……. Do concierge and above suites still get an included 1 night pre cruise hotel with the cruise only price? Do you see how specific and clear information on the website would help the potential customer to understand what they are getting under each option? A vast majority of the people cruising with Regent are not on these boards and they don’t get this type of clarification dialog. And, Regent is still advertising all inclusive so that in itself can be confusing.

Mike, not sure what is meant by iconic explorations but are the shore excursions still included in the cruise only price? Those are off the ship services.

Agree. Regent definitely doesn’t give an air credit at whatever it cost them to book air for their customers.

I was looking at the Regent web site for a 2024 cruise that was the same itinerary, same cabin class and same month as our 2023 cruise to the British Isles. I wanted to see what the 2 pricing models were for all inclusive and cruise fare only options. I was very surprised that the price I paid for our 2023 cruise which is all inclusive with included hotels before and after the cruise, business class air, and all transfers was almost identical to the 2024 pricing for cruise fair only (no air, hotels, etc.). It’s going to get tougher for me to justify the premium cost for admittedly a premium product. I was also surprised to see that the difference between the 2 options was only $3,000. That won’t get me business class air on my own and would hardly get me coach air on my own. I also think that Regent needs to better define the differences between the 2 fare options. For example, it wasn’t clear if shore excursions were included in the cruise fare only option. I think Regent should be very specific on their website with what is/isn’t included with each option. Their sister cruise line, Oceania, is very specific in what is included with each of their pricing options.

Agree with financial stability being the number 1 priority. I just wonder why they keep building the most expensive ships in the world and then market that brand. I would think they would want to improve and focus on customer facing items vs buying expensive paintings and decor.

And what are those many reasons.

Thank you. The ports we have in common are Kirkwall (Orkney’s Archaeological wonders), Belfast (private guide - Giants Causeway & Antrim coast), Glasgow (Panoramic Scottish Lochs), Liverpool (The Beatles tour), and Waterford (countryside drive and Irish Pub). Any other advice relative to our cruise is welcome.

Papa, would you mind discussing specific excursions that you took and what you enjoyed about them/? Not looking for a lengthy response but some highlights would be wonderful. Thank you.

We are actually booked on a September 2023 cruise on Regent Splendor. I have travelled with Oceania and Regent in the past. They are both good cruise lines but Regent gets my nod for the total experience

If price is no issue, check out Regent Seven Seas. It is expensive but when you do the math, their all inclusive policy including business class airfare is competitive to other high end cruise lines. They also include shore excursions, all alcohol, beautiful cabins, all specialty restaurants, etc., etc.