Bruce61

So, the email Lew mentioned was not received before our September 2022 Explorer cruise in Alaska, and we are about seven weeks away from an 18 night cruise on Splendor and also have not received such an email.  Reserved concierge suites on both.

We plan to wait until on board to ask the steward to customize minibar and coffee preferences (unless we upgrade again where we get a menu of personalizations in advance).  Maybe Lew gets this treatment as a frequent cruiser?  This will only be our second Regent cruise. 

Attached is an edited version of what was sent by email about 75 days before the cruise.

itineary.pdf

It seems as though every time I make a change to add an excursion or a culinary class, the next day I get an email that has them all summarized in various formats which more than suit my needs.  And unsolicited, two weeks ago which was about 80 days before our cruise we got another “preliminary” schedule and this one showed so-called Formal Nights as well. That might have been after we were able to make our specialty restaurant reservations and the document is pretty all-inclusive.

From what I read, each of the prior threatened strike days (starting from April 30) were cancelled or postponed due to continuing union talks.  I would not sweat this.  On the other hand, we fly through LHR in July and August, so maybe I should worry.

We just booked through Regent for the return shuttle. It was about $70/pp.    I believe Regent Shuttles also are the first to disembark.  

12 hours ago, baybridge said:

Please anyone with real experience not just links on the internet.  Cruise coming up in a couple of months. We will start in Alaska and end up in Canada.  One of the group has a serious felony from 20 years ago.  He has read the information available but "tested" it by driving into Canada last year. He was not turned away at the border.  When does Canada check for this, before we board in Alaska? Or as we are getting into Canadian waters?  I tried to talk some sense into the man but he isn't worried.  I assume Regent won't help or refund if he is denied boarding.  So anyone know anyone who was denied boarding for their records in the States.  Yes I read Regent FAQ's on subject. 

 

New account so to protect identity of the guest

Don't take this as the absolute answer but we did the Seward to Vancouver trip with a friend who had a very old DUI conviction.  He was so worried that they decided they would go directly from the port terminal to the airport.  Funny enough, there was absolutely no visible customs check in Vancouver and the customs at the Vancouver Airport was US Global Entry.  

I would think the worst case scenario if they had a problem would be they escort him from the ship to the airport to leave their country.  What else could they do?  Prevent him from leaving the ship?  Seems doubtful.

I would have him call the Canadian border people on their website.  They even have a procedure to be pre-cleared. 

7 hours ago, Aloha 1 said:

My wish would be to have Sette Mari be an actual restaurant, freeing La Veranda to do casual dining a la Oceania at night.

On the Explorer class ships, Sette Mari only uses half of La Veranda.  If they wanted to use the balance of the space as a casual dining spot they could do so.

We are on Splendor for an 18-night cruise in July-August.    My question is more about where/how formal nights are conducted?  Is this an event in the Theater after dinner, or separated into multiple venues (the restaurants and the lounges)?  That could affect the time and locale people want to dine. Last Friday was our date to make specialty dining reservations which we did.   

I was told we would be informed of the actual formal nights when we get our final itinerary after on-line check in (25 days before embarkation).  I was told there would be an "F" next to the days which are formal optional.  

So, my questions are: (1)  whether I was informed correctly as to when we would learn the schedule, and (2) what exactly is the format of these nights?

Thanks.

1 hour ago, Lonedaddy said:

And there you have it:  From my T/A:

"I spoke with Regent just now, and they told me that only certain sailings offer culinary classes as activities you can book during your cruise, and unfortunately this South Africa sailing in December is not one of these select cruises."

 

I'm surprised that RSSC would build a ship with the Culinary kitchen they advertize and not utilize it.  The SA sailing has basically 6 sea days I would think they would sell out.  Do they think they aren't going to fill them?  Or perhaps they can't get the supplies they need?  I'm befuddled. 

That is surprising.  Our 18-night cruise on Splendor in July has scheduled eight days with different courses, and though we only have two sea days there are classes at both 10 and 4 on those days.   We booked one on a sea day.

I recall there were several ramps (I don't remember stairs) but you also don't have your bags until you  get into the Cruise Port - just your carryons.  Your bags are waiting and you have to find them and can exit.  

I booked a cooking class (Northern Lights) for a July cruise on Splendor.  I recall they were not offered immediately along with shore excursions but may have gone online about six months before the cruise embarkation date. 

We did Alaska last September.  There were some delays getting off the ship.  Absolutely no customs check getting off the ship - they were there but did not look at passports or bags.  At the airport, they were a bit chaotic.  They really were challenged with global entry but once we showed the card, they moved us to a line that moved fast.  It took 30 minutes to the gates.   Bring your Global Entry cards.  There is no sign for Global Entry.  There is a line for Canada’s equivalent of PreCheck NEXUS or Trusted Traveler and you ask agents who really know nothing and you either bypass all lines or you wait in with the NEXUS people.   

42 minutes ago, JerryAM said:

I agree with Flossie. When we do our own air with included day before hotel, we have to get from the airport to the hotel on our own.  Regent then handles the transfer to the ship on embarkation day. On disembarkation we get our own cab to the airport. Conversely, with Regent provides us both air and day before hotel, all 3 transfers are included. 

Yes, completely accurate as to the hotel to the ship transfer on embarkation if they provide the hotel.  

But to clarify as to the airport transfers, even if the air is on your own, you can pay Regent for transportation to the airport when disembarking.  There is a form to fill in a few days ahead of disembarkation where they give several options and the price.  For our July/August cruise ending in Southhampton we paid Regent for the airport shuttle.

As far as getting from the Airport to the hotel, while you are on your own technically, on our Alaska cruise last September where we had the hotel included but not the airport transfer,  we happened to arrive on the same flight as six cruise passengers and Regent had two greeters and a huge bus for the six passengers.  We asked if we could join the bus into Anchorage and they gladly agreed.

5 hours ago, lascott said:

I take it that you feel the Iceland situation of no hotel or transfer as promised is a breach of contract for which Regent is responsible? 

 

The purpose of my post was to respond to the statement suggesting  that it cannot be considered a breach under any circumstance.  First, the breach would not be the repudiation of hotel rooms.  To me, it would require the repudiation without some offer of proper compensation.  It is a matter of opinion, particularly in this case where Regent simultaneously made an offer of some compensation.  To me, if they don’t offer sufficient compensation which would give the passengers comparable lodging, it could be.  The question is whether comparable lodging can be had for 300 euros (I believe they gave $400 to US passengers).  The additional OBC combined with the payment (ignoring that it was stated to be a gesture for the inconvenience) may buy a hotel and shuttle ride,  Is it as nice?   When the Hilton Canopy is $600/night and the Edition is $1,100 a night, and even the Hotel Borg was $500/night, that raises the question as to how much compensation should be paid.  Even the Hiltons cost over $400/night and then there is the shuttle cost..

The only thing I will strongly opine is this is NOT a bait and switch.  Others have suggested that it was.  And I hope it is isolated to Iceland. I personally believe some hotel chain refused to renew a contract that Regent assumed would be renewed.  No other explanation makes sense.

So, PapaFlamingo, I am a lawyer.  

What the cruise line pays for a room - and I totally agree they get great rates when they book hundreds of rooms per week - has absolutely nothing to do with what they owe their customer.  And crafty lawyers can make someone sue in a court thousands of miles from their home, but they cannot change the basic promise of a contract - you agree to pay for something and I must give you that.  

In the case of a concierge or better suite, a passenger pays more for the suite for the promise of a hotel room - and in the case of Regent their advertising does not suggest you get a Residence Inn or Motel 6.   If the cruise line cannot give what they promised, they need to give an equal substitute regardless of what it costs the cruise line.  Or, arguably if they have some fine print or a valid excuse, then the extra money back should be refunded.

I will give you an easy example.  This is no different than if you prepaid for 100 gallons of gasoline.  It does not matter if the cost to the supplier goes up or down, you get the 100 gallons of gas regardless of what it costs the supplier for the price you paid.  

Anyway, this does not affect me.  I just cannot stand it when people claim the cruise line has no obligation to make it right.  

Thank you for sharing.

4 minutes ago, crusin7 said:

Cruising the calm Arabian Sea on our way to Muscat, Oman.

 

Because it is Ramadan, we are reminded of proper dress.  

We were told not to eat or drink in front of Muslims because they are fasting for Ramadan.

Is that what they asked you to wear throughout the city or just in the mosques?  Also, I am fairly certain they only fast in daylight hours, having a hearty breakfast before dawn and then dinner after sunset.

9 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

I imagine they haven't actually "broken their contract" with anyone, that would result in legitimate legal action. 😎

Not really unsympathetic at all and certainly understand your position.  But if they refund their cost of a hotel and give you $200 each OBC they're pretty much compensating you for the inconvenience.  Anyway, not trying to beat a dead horse here but simply was pointing out that the 150 pounds per person is what they credit if you opt out of the included hotel and transfer.  That was it.  

Try taking the matter higher and see if you can get further compensation.  Let us know if that works.  It would be good info for the future. 

I beg to differ.  They offered a first class hotel in the city of departure, as a perk that cost a lot more than the credit that was given.  Moreover, I don’t think they can universally say the hotel is worth the same in each city.  Hotels in Reykjavik are extremely expensive compared to other departure cities.  The credit should have been enough to book an equivalent hotel and the shuttle,  Now, in deference to Regent, their transportation is not a private car but is a bus, and the bus shuttle is about $36/pp.  We booked Concierge but got a deal that excluded the hotel.  The hotel we booked (our choice and maybe not what others would book) was three times the amount given as a credit to others.

As for taking it higher, those that did were offered a 3* airport hotel about 50 miles to town, with absolutely nothing to do in the area, plus a bus transfer with no credits.  Regent really screwed some people here and no one should find a white lining in what they did.  

For those who have done the world cruise before, I have a question about restaurant reservations.  I believe you can book three reservations (one each specialty restaurant) per segment.  On the world cruise, is each separate cruise they sell to non-world cruisers a segment (so every 7-18 days or so), or is a segment much longer so there are only a few reservations over the 141 nights?  Also, when do you get to book them if there are separate segments?  

Thank you Vistaman!

I have a different question.  Our July cruise on Splendor has an overnight in Antwerp.  We booked a day trip to Bruges for the first day and then an excursion advertised as follows on the second day in Antwerp (which does seem to reflect the cathedral you recommended above):  

"Immerse yourself in medieval splendor on this guided tour with special focus on the priceless artworks housed within a pair of landmark Antwerp churches. Anchoring the center of the Skipper’s Quarter (where the bordellos are!) St. Paul’s Church was first a Dominican abbey. Its splendid interior houses paintings by Flemish masters Van Dyck and Rubens as well as some 200 sculptures and furniture pieces ranked among the most beautiful in the world. The magnificent (and magnificently huge) Cathedral of Our Lady was begun in 1352 and took some 170 years to complete. Inside, you’ll be introduced to a collection of the world’s most revered Rubens paintings – most notably his Elevation of the Cross and Descent from the Cross. Elsewhere on the tour you’ll stroll a street so tiny and hidden, you have to know what ancient doorway to walk through to even fine it. And, on a visit to guildhall-surrounded Market Square, you’ll encounter a Town Hall building so imposingly ornate, it rivals anything any other European city has to offer."

Is this something you would recommend for people who have never been to your country, or are there better things to do/see.

Thanks,  

4 hours ago, rcandkc said:

Did you take the Explorer Suite and how did you like it?

Yes we took it and it was fabulous.  Best part was the separate room with a door and extra half bath so I could get up early while the wife slept in.  

1 hour ago, alainciao said:

We used to see these offers described by CC posters.  Have not seen many, if any, lately, i.e., post covid.  With the current cash issues for cruise lines AND the switch to public ownership since the examples given above, I wonder if the future of guarantees might be different.

Got an offer in September 2023 for Explorer Alaska cruise.  Postpone until May 2024 and receive a discount which was equivalent to about 50% of the total fare.  We were going with friends so did not take the offer but it was tempting, both for the discount and going at a time likely to have better weather.   That would usually tell me that they were very sold out, but then 5 days before sailing we were offered a fabulous deal to upgrade from Concierge Suite to Explorer Suite!  They apparently wanted to sell the cheaper cabins.  The cruise was sold out but did not feel crowded in any way other than an inability to get additional specialty restaurant seatings beyond the three we had reserved.

So, while everyone is planning their transit to the City, is anyone else on Icelandair 451 on 7/23  (arriving around 3:30 pm) who may want  to split a private shuttle to Reykjavik?

I am quite happy that we booked Concierge for location (mid ninth deck with a large balcony), the four device WiFi which I need to do a little work, and for the advance status booking excursions and dinners, but got a credit for hotel when we booked.   We had no status in the “society” as we only had seven nights before this booking on Regent.

Rather than looking for the negatives like so many are doing where the hotel is such a small fraction of the overall trip costs, I am looking forward to a fabulous 18 night cruise with no drama.  Sure, I paid a bit more for a hotel and I will likely do a private transfer to avoid lugging a number of suitcases to separate busses.  But, I will not complain and I don’t have to pontificate on a breach (that in my opinion did not happen) or other nefarious activities.     

I say let this thread die a peaceful death and let’s all enjoy a cruise!