gcorgain

MY TA, who is an ex-regent employee strongly suggested I go with a safari specialist as opposed to Regent. He loves Regent, but believes for safari's you will do better on your own. We did and were very happy. Best vacation I've had.

I sailed Celebrity exclusively for 12 years. The last half were in Retreat/suites class. My last three cruises were on Regent, and I'm leaving again in three weeks. I moved because the Sky Suite pricing was FAR more on my first cruise than Regent. It was more even if you didn't include shore excursions air, the transfers, pre-night hotel, in suite bar, and specialty dining. With all of those things it wasn't even close.

I think the service in a standard regent room is as good as a sky suite with a butler. I think a standard room on Regent is a fair comparison to Sjy Suites as a result. Regent butlers will arrange even more things, far more than Celebrity butlers ever did. If you want to compare a Penthouse on Regent I would likely say it is somewhere between a Celebrity Suite and a Royal Suite on Celebrity from a space and amenities level. But Regent is a nicer experience even before Celebrity recently made service reductions.

This is a fairly popular topic here. I think they usually use at least two hotels for each sailing. In addition to these two I have seen Mandoran OriemtAl posted here and they put us in the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. I believe there have been others as well. 

Regent has also taken the number of ships from 3 to 6 in recent years, more than doubling capacity. So they need to fill those other beds.

Not that I really want a ton of kids, nor do I think their ships are well suited for them. If I were to organize a multigenerational cruise, I think there are several lines that are a better fit.

 I have a suggestion on things they could cut... They must spend a fortune on producing these and all the other mailers.

I understand it is happening across all cruise lines. At some point, non cruise alternatives become better choices. The offerings aren't the only factor. Many cruise ports are being overwhelmed by the larger number of ships with more and more passengers. Land based vacations allow for more shoulder season traveling when cruises are less frequent. This doesn't work everywhere of course.

I'm also with Regent because of the all inclusive nature of the product. We left Celebrity because of a decline in value, hopefully we don't see the same with Regent. If they must cut (and I don't really see why, given the increase in fares), I hope they don't touch the onboard product in visible ways. From my perspective the air, pre-cruise hotels, transfers, etc. would be the first to go. Then excursions if absolutely necessary. If they cut beyond that they will definitely lose us.

I think I would like this type of cruise in some cases, and not in others. In our case it looks like we have a choice, as the original itinerary is available at the same price a few weeks later. I'm trying to learn more about the evening options to make an informed decision. Also, my other half is leaning to staying on this cruise, and I would probably rather move. So it will likely be a "negotiation". 🙂

The problem I have with these changes, is why not make them when you release new sailings? It would eliminate the inevitable customer support issues with major changes.

I haven’t decided whether to move yet. We had some credits that could only be moved once and we pushed this cruises back a year to go on a different sailing with friends. I’m waiting for my TA to get back from the Grandeur to discuss and hopefully learn more. 

Thanks. That is interesting. In many cases this type of itinerary would appeal to me, particularly if the evening immersive experiences were special. I’ve never cruised on Azamara, but I’ve heard great things about their azamara evenings. 
 

That being said, I was really looking at a Japan focused cruise and this is no longer really that. 

This is for the March 5th sailing. 

I received notice today that our March 2025 sailing to Japan was modified to be one of a new series of Immersive Overnight vacations. Now we have four ports, all with an overnight (Kobe, Incheon, Shanghai, and Tokyo). Four additional Japanese ports were dropped and two sea days were also added.

The email also states "Additionally, these journeys will include special shoreside experiences, crafted to make each overnight stop a memorable and unique part of your journey."

Do any of our insiders know anything about this program, and especially the special shoreside experiences? At first glance losing four Japanese ports for an extra night in Tokyo and Incheon seems like a real loss, especially given that we already have the pre cruise land program in Tokyo.

Interested in any other information or opinions.

Dylaness,

I am a Celebrity convert and have now sailed on Explorer and Voyager. While nothing is perfect, I agree with Papaflamingo that you will see a significant step up from Celebrity. I also agree with his other feedback as well.

Regards,

Greg

I can only echo the comments here. We are longtime Celebrity suite cruisers that have now taken our last two cruises on Regent. We find the experience superior in most every way. We also find it cheaper if you count the inclusions. We sailed on the Explorer in a Concierge cabin and Voyager in a Penthouse. Honestly the Explorer's cabin was better, but the butler in the Penthouse suite really made any celebrity butler pale by comparison.

I am really sorry to see this. Sheila, while we have never met, I have always appreciated your knowledgable and balanced posts. I am so sorry to hear about your unacceptable experience and hope that somehow Regent makes things right.

Greg

Thanks for posting the menus -- I agree they look great!

Hi,

I received the Spring Seven Seas Society mailing today. It is focused on food and wine experiences, and it talks about new menus in the specialty restaurants including...

Prime 7: 12 New or revised recipes

Pacific Rim: 17 New or reimagined recipes

Chartreuse: 12 New or revised recipes

Setti Mari: New and reimagines recipes (no number listed)+ new amuse bouche offerings and expanded buffet appetizer and desert selections.

Has anyone tried anything new?

Greg

Agree with everything you say bitob.  I’m also t the Westin and a titanium member, so I’m ok. But horrible communication. We would have loved to spend some time seeing sites, but given the lack of comms just didn’t feel comfortable. 

I was afraid of that. Thanks for the info. 

There is a good sized group stuck in a Regent provided hotel waiting to get on. Unfortunately the wind is strong and the shop did not dock (yet). We are all just stuck here waiting to see whether the ship comes in. Unfortunately the winds are supposed to be stronger tomorrow. I’m wondering what people on the ship are being told. 
 

Our bus/boarding time was 2.5 hours ago. So the  natives are getting a little restless. 
 

Greg

There is a good sized group stuck in a Regent provided hotel waiting to get on. Unfortunately the wind is strong and the shop did not dock (yet). We are all just stuck here waiting to see whether the ship comes in. Unfortunately the winds are supposed to be stronger tomorrow. I’m wondering what people on the ship are being told. 
 

Our bus/boarding time was 2.5 hours ago. So the  natives are getting a little restless. 
 

Greg

Thanks! It is a Regent paid stay that includes a transfer to the ship, so I'm sorta hoping that they can handle the luggage and we can go explore in the morning and just show up at the ship. We can play it by ear and hopefully it works out.

Hi,

We're on the Jan 5th sailing from Capetown. I signed up for my boarding pass and the only time slot available was at 11:30am. Is there any reason I couldn't go check in, maybe have lunch, and then get off? The ship doesn't leave until 9pm and it might be nice to see a little more of CapeTown.

Also, I'm staying at the Table Bay in the V&A waterfront. Does anyone know where Regent usually docks? It looks like it might be walking distance if they dock where I think they might.

Thanks!

My cruise is January 5th. They didn’t actually notify me, but if I log in to my regent account it shows on the Pre Cruise day.  

Answering my own question, we have been assigned the Table Bay hotel which looks very nice and appears to be in a great location.