Gray Lady

Looked on-line for prices at the hotel Regent says they are using pre-cruise in case we need to book ourselves. Prices in US $ is $1400 for one night double…not in an upgraded room! Checked on more than one website. Is this a normal price?? Holy shmoly!!

We have decided to fly in a day early to Barcelona before we start our pre-cruise tour. We figured we could rest, adjust to the new time zone, and give us wiggle room in case of a flight delay. My TA called Regent to book the extra night and was told we are first on the wait list. Has anyone else had experience with this? I know we can book a hotel on our own (much cheaper, I am sure…maybe at the same hotel?) along with transportation, but it would sure be nice to be in the same room as the next three nights for our pre-cruise tour. We plan to deviate our flights, available in September. We will go with the extra day, no matter what. How long might it take to clear the waitlist? When should we book the extra night on our own if we don’t clear the waitlist? Appreciate anything you could share!

Thanks, Annapolitan. I just want to keep that option open if Regent puts that up as option. It is listed the cheapest on the round trip option, but not on the one-way. And who knows with Regent 🤷🏼‍♀️. It is a 3 hour 40 minute flight from Istanbul to Barcelona and has a 2 hr 45 minute layover. I would do that if there was no up charge and other options were pricey.

Annapolitan, in your opinion, a Turkish flight from SFO to Istanbul and then switching planes for Barcelona is a good option? I have read the airport is very large, but if one is staying on Turkish it is much easier. We also plan to go a day earlier than our arrival date for pre-cruise 3 day tour. The reverse is also an option from Rome to SFO.

Thank you. We are hoping to get to Europe, maybe even Toronto, before changing planes but that all depends on the pricing and Regent availability.. Also we are trying to avoid the “awful four” European airports of Frankfort, Charles de Gaulle, Heathrow, and Amsterdam. Most of the one way flights I have been looking at list partner airlines like United/Lufthansa or Delta/Air Canada. Lots of moving parts to put together. Coming home (from Rome) we would like to switch flights in Europe and then straight to SFO. I will make it a point if there is a domestic stop, to try and stay with the same airlines.

Yes, another question for my “flight deviation” friends. Does anyone know if it matters that the flight to your European destination is on two different airlines for flight deviation? Many of the flights shown on “The Matrix” are airlines with alliances, such as United and Swiss Air, Delta and Air Canada, etc. It is rare to find a flight from SF to Barcelona with the same airline. Most change airlines at your stopover. Turkish Airlines is an exception, but they all go through Istanbul. Any advantage either way? This will save me time when going through flights and looking for non-refundable business fares. Thank you!

rallydave, jeb_bud, and CruzStart, thank you so much for the info. I have learned a lot from you in previous posts and appreciate your sharing. I have a few questions on airports and airlines, but will wait until it is closer to our deviation date. I want to have the latest info available on flights. One thing we are seriously considering is arriving in Barcelona a day prior to the date for our land tour. From all the snafus with airlines, plus the flight from CA, an extra day should be a good thing to allow us to get our bodies acclimated to the new time zone. Would this be something you all would agree with? We can just book an extra night with Regent (I know more expensive, but so much easier for transportation, etc.). Thanks again!

I have a question about ITA Matrix and flight deviation. When researching flights before calling Regent Air, should I look at complete trips or one way/each way? Does it even matter? We will be flying in to Barcelona and leaving from Rome. Is it better to look at the same airline each way or is that immaterial? I have more questions, but will ask after seeing if anyone has any knowledge about this. Thanks!

A curiosity question about deviation. Let’s say you call Regent Air and give them a few preferred routes. When they get back to you, and say they all have an up-charge, will they also give you routes that have no up-charge or do you have to ask for that? Just want to be prepared when I call. Thanks in advance for your insights.

Love it!

What is the minimum time you would recommend in Munich between flights?

It means business class on the international portion of your flight. Domestic is economy.

SWFLAOK I think maybe your TA is confused. First of all, in order to talk to anyone in the air department you have to pay the non refundable fee. Regent has changed when you can deviate flights. It is 210 days out, so September is the correct date to talk to the air desk. Your TA would need to call back on the appropriate date to request deviation. I would ask my TA to reimburse me for the non refundable fee for calling too early. If you are flying internationally, you will be in a business class seat. The domestic leg, if you have one, may be in economy. It should state on your invoice for your deposit that you are in business class. Find your preferred flights and have your TA present them to Regent. They may give you a few options including paying an up charge, accepting what you want, or giving you an itinerary with no added fee. If you research deep into the Regent website, you can read the terms and conditions. I have learned much of this also from reading threads on cruise critic. Please do not worry about this.

We have booked many times through those third party booking sites and have never had a problem. You can always call the hotel to check and make sure they have your reservation.

The cost for this particular pre-cruise is $1699 per person. It says the hotel is the NH Calderon or similar. The listing says each day the tours are done by 3:30. My guess is it is then siesta time!

Yes, that would be very nice. Just look for the old “newbies” and that will be us!

We also booked the pre and post cruise packages so we could experience Barcelona and Rome. You will have an easier time getting to Europe from Atlanta than us. We will have at least one stop somewhere leaving from San Francisco.

Yes, I would like to hear what they have to say. Thanks!

Yes, we have. I booked them in April. I did my best as this is a trip of “firsts” for us. First cruise ever, first time in Europe, first time with international flights across an ocean, etc. It has been a huge learning curve to figure out how everything works. Fingers crossed it all comes together for us.

Perchance you are on the same cruise we are on next April? Barcelona to Rome?

I thought Canadian airports had an international corridor where you can just go from one flight to another without going through customs?? You also have an advantage by flying both legs on the same airline.

Evan, please let us know your insights and impressions on your upcoming cruise, both upside and downside. Hubby and I are going on our first cruise next April on Splendor. We are so looking forward to it!

Thank you. That is what I thought. 😀

I may be missing something here. Is the deviation window opening 210 days from when your cruise ENDS or BEGINS. I am reading conflicting information. Thanks in advance for clarification.

We didn’t turn in any receipts for meals, just asked for the per diem. Maybe they were confused because of the submitted receipts? They seemed to be very overwhelmed with trying to even process all of claims.