jessandarnie

Navigator. Sail date. 28 March

FCC re booked 20 March for Feb 2021

Tax & Excursion refunded  25 March 2020

cancelled FCC booking on 2 April 2020

Refund submitted. On 2 April. for original booking.

No refund 11 May.

23 minutes ago, jessandarnie said:

I would be very interested to see this announcement in writing in relation to Regent Navigator, we are on the 28 March 10 night ex PPT back to PPT around FRENCH Polynesia only . We have not  received any advice from Regent. Every person must produce a Medical Certificate min 5 days before entry, whether flying or cruising.

 

please elaborate your source.

 

(there was a bit of noise about NOT allowing the big cruise ships to call into French Polynesia on their way north, but,  nothing official about this yet.)

just read on the Oceania Roll Call, that French Polynesia HAVE now banned ALL ships from Entering their waters. Pax have received an email from Oceania.

are now going to call Regent re our 28 March, departure.

Gosh the whole world has gone into panic mode, let’s sincerely hope this does not get much worse for everyone.

2 hours ago, BBWC said:

Getting back on topic, all this talk about 70+ seems rather moot if there are no ports to go to.  French Polynesia just closed its ports to cruising, so the Navigator has nowhere to go. People are just now getting ready to board in Auckland and will probably have to be flown home. I assume that is the reason I have not heard anything from Regent even though Oceania has already informed their passengers of the cancellation of all cruises in French Polynesia. Shutting down the entire operation for a couple of months a la Princess and Viking seems to make much more sense right now.

I would be very interested to see this announcement in writing in relation to Regent Navigator, we are on the 28 March 10 night ex PPT back to PPT around FRENCH Polynesia only . We have not  received any advice from Regent. Every person must produce a Medical Certificate min 5 days before entry, whether flying or cruising.

please elaborate your source.

(there was a bit of noise about NOT allowing the big cruise ships to call into French Polynesia on their way north, but,  nothing official about this yet.)

To do an overnight in Bali is  a wonderful idea. Ubud would be lovely place to experience.

There are so many great driver / guide in Bali that could provide a private Tour, car, driver  / guide and give you a bit of tour on the way and return to Ubud, or further afield.

you can check different places in Ubud to book, there are many gorgeous villas and small boutique hotels to check out. Plus Ubud is a foodies heaven.

I am sure this forum on Bali destination will have suggestions.

I live 3.5 hours flight away in Aus, and have been there many times.

Indonesia does not Have any figures  on any cases. They have THE highest number of Chinese tourists in all of Asia. But They do not yet have the ability to test. Amazing ah?

this comment does not relate to this Princess Forum, but is worthwhile mentioning.

3 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I suspect part of why they are confined can be explained below- the 61 “others” represent those on diamond princess (Japan doesn’t want them included in their data)-

 

 

 

 

Thank you for responding, yes, we did WL the E category, as it was full. I was advised that if we paid deposit our WL will become a priority and the likelihood of E Cat becoming available would be much higher than F cat. , (and we were the only ones on the WL.)

We have since paid in full earlier than the due date, hoping we may be advised of a cabin number. Our booking it is now showing as a GTY in E category.

We will be happy as to whatever they offer, as we know the cabins are all relatively the same size, it is will get down to the Deck level.

thank you for your advice.

Jane.

we are booked and now paid in full on the Navigator, E Cat, WL with GTY. We do not depart till March 2020, and wonder when we may be advised of our cabin. They have advised us that we may not know until we board. I realise that if E Cat is not available we will be upgraded to next Category.

Has anyone had experience of Guarantee cabins on Navigator previously. How soon before cruise depart date we’re you advised? Or was it when you boarded?

There are not many cabins left and only Penthouse & upwards only available now for quite some time, even for departure end March.

curious as to how they work this. It is our first Regent cruise and are really looking forward to it.

thank you for any replies.

On 10/23/2019 at 10:24 AM, roothy123 said:

I would love to go to Rottnest Island from Fremantle, and have found the ferry schedules.  I'm now trying to get an idea what my choices are for getting around the island once I'm there.  We'll be going Christmas week, so I imagine things will be hopping.  If anyone can comment on the two major tour options available there, I'd love to hear your comments.  The Bayseeker Tour sounds like a tour in which you're guaranteed a seat once you buy your ticket, and it sounds like it's a real "tour" - i.e., few places to get off and explore, with mostly riding around.  The Explorer Bus sounds like a Hop On Hop Off bus of sorts, but are there problems getting on it, or getting a seat?   Sometimes HoHo buses can be overcrowded, resulting in a wait for another bus.  Does either bus go near the lighthouse that is in the middle of the island?  Can you see it, or better yet, walk to it, from a stop or from the road?  Are there any pros/cons to taking the Explorer Bus versus the Bayseeker Tour?  And what about the ferries?  Are they both pretty reliable?  Is pre-purchasing definitely needed, at least during the holiday season?  Do they ever "not go" from Rottnest to Fremantle due to weather?  Thank you!

Christmas time is the busiest time on Rottnest Island, as it is our summer break with NYE. Recommend you pre book ferries for your preferred departure date & time and also for your return. Ferries are VERY reliable as our weather is not likely to be adverse, being our summer. Ferries depart from Perth, Fremantle and also from Hillary’s Marina, north of Fremantle along our coast. There are schedules a few times per day. The ferry from Perth will give you a great scenic cruise along the Swan River before getting to Fremantle , our harbour.

The most popular means of transport for most people get around Rottnest is by push bike, these can be hired when you get to the Island. (Vehicles are not allowed on the Island) This can depend on how long you will be staying there for. For a short visit the buses that go around will be frequent and you should not have a problem getting a seat at all. 85% of people are riding their bikes! 
 

For all info go to www.rottnestisland.com

On 10/31/2019 at 4:40 AM, jhenry1 said:

I usually purchase local currency from my bank in the Us but wondering if for Australia and New Zealand is that necessary or better to purchase on the ship or in the airport? I know most places accept cards but always like to have some local currency. 

I am an Aussie, you will find 99.99% of places here in Australia now accept credit cards for payment of just about anything, e.g, from  a coffee to a newspaper,restaurant, tours etc, etc.  Tap n Go is just as easily accessible too. ATM withdrawal with your card will give you the better exchange rates. Unfortunately our airport currency exchange outlets is awfully costly.

enjoy your stay 

Jane

Hi all I am back again.   one reason for asking about Regent VS Oceania,  is they BOTH do a 10 -11 night itinerary

thru Tahiti in March 2020.  This is an ideal time for us to do this cruise, and the weather is pretty good too.

Windstar nor PG are doing 10  nights, they are both cruising elsewhere. Besides one does pay for all the extras on both ( from my research)  I think costings are certainly set up differently dependant on where one looks from.  I have previously booked all our cruises on U.S. websites, but our exchange rate at the moment is awful.  Great rate if you are coming here from the U.S. !!

(Note I am from Australia, so we do not get any significant airfare deals on cruise costs from AUS. So this is not a consideration)

Oceania do have the 4 O Life inclusions, but, again, there are 200 more PAX on the ship. Cabins are much smaller, and with more cruisers that is  enough for me to decide on Regent.

I am now looking forward to cruising with them!

Thank you for all your opinions, 

Jane

Yes that is correct. I am in Australia and the O offerings are included in this Tahiti cruise.

We decided not to go with PAUL Gauguin cruises, nor Windstar. A little too costly for us.

Also Windstar does not do their 10 night itinerary in March.

so gets down to Regent or Oceania.   

Good morning everyone. We are weighing up a cruise 10 nights Tahiti, March 202. Was fixed on Regent but then Oceania has same itinerary with inclusions quite a bit cheaper in Concierge cabin. Regent only have  Concierge available too at higher cost.

I keep reading negative reports on Navigator. But the ship has a few less passengers but the crew seem to be more personable.

what we  pull save on Oceania could be put towards some nights in a nice resort on another island somewhere.

any recommendations and comparisons appreciated.

We cruised Azamara Last cruise and enjoyed the smaller size with less passengers.

thank you for any feedback.

We will be on Journey next Sunday, and as I am enjoy a variety of wines, I am considering the Ultimate Beverage Package, just a couple of questions if anyone can assist. This is our first cruise with Azamara, we are Elite Plus with Celebrity.

The wine list in the Specialty restaurants (as per website) differ from the Ultimate Pack Wine listing, per glass selection.

is one able to select from the Speciality Wine list? or does one only get the wines on Ultimate Package listing? my reason for asking there does not appear to be the Package listed wines on the Wine list at Speciality restaurant menu.

my partner is not too fussed so will not get Ultimate Package, is it a requirement both to upgrade?

cheers

J & B

Another question on upgrading to Ultimate Beverage Package please...

We were given the option to upgrade to Premium Beverage Package on booking our Baltic Cruise in August, which we have done, but, unbeknown to us we did not realise that this did not include upgraded wines, only liquors etc.

Are we able to upgrade on board to the Ultimate Package, per person this is at 21.95 each, or does the additional cost we will for Premium be deducted then we pay the difference? We are Elite also so will be eligible for a discount.

If one upgrades packages on Celebrity they include upgraded wines! Which I thought we were doing!! But I researched after the event not before.

Which suite are you booking?

The upper suites have premium beverage package, unlimited Internet and unlimited speciality dinning for all pax in the suite along with a bottle of Perrier-Jouët, fully stocked fridge, two bottles of spirits[emoji41] and unlimited laundry included with the suite. There is no option to not include these benefits for a lower price as they are part of the suite.

 

 

 

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Yes we realise what the higher suites include, we are a couple up from the lower suites. Some on-line TA's gives one the option to select all 4 Pertks, or just suite cruise cost.

I don't disagree with the premise that if gratuities are included or paid for (if a non-suite guest), no additional tipping should be required. I could take a stand and not tip anything incremental anymore but, I guess, I'd just have some guilt knowing that others still do it and that I would be disadvantaging the staff who supports me (relative to their peers servicing guests that do tip extra) because of a philosophical view...and so, the cycle continues.

Yes the cycle of opinions does go round and round.

This will be our first cruise in a higher suite category, all perks are included, BUT on booking this on-line there were options to NOT have the Perks included, (not with Celebrity) as a result that cost of the cruise cost was heaps cheaper. Our choice was to go to all included costs then taking the stress out of our up'n coming cruise in relation to drinks, interent cost, gratititues, and bonus of OBC. As previously mentioned, we come from a non tipping enviroment, we are certainly NOT against tipping in countires that work this way though. One previous cruise was in a suite and we tipped accordingly, and to people that ensured we enjoyed our cruise.

Also bear in mind, some countires that do not have a tipping culture, some cruise lines will include pre- paid gratitues in the total fare per passenge to be paid. So there is that one total cost inclusive of cruise, taxes and gratitues.

We are looking forward to our cruise in a suite on the basis of these inclusions.

I would think that incentives for good service should include (1) pride in one's work and (2) fear of repercussion if failing to provide good service. I don't like the idea of "buying people off up front" which I've heard many times on these boards. It's just not fair for people who have stretched to take a cruise to then have to suffer less than great service because some guy at the end of the bar dropped the bartender a $50 on the first night.

 

That's why I like the idea of a strict no tipping policy (all gratuities included in the upfront fare). At the all-inclusive we went to, if the staff was caught accepting a tip, they were reprimanded. It kept the guests honest - no one wanted to tip if the staff would get in trouble and I think the whole feeling was a lot friendlier. The guests were verbally and demonstrably extra appreciative for the good service because there was no other way of communicating one's gratitude.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know that we'll ever get there on the cruise lines; tipping is so ingrained in the cruise culture. That said, other changes have come over the years so maybe, someday, we'll move to a different model.

So what is the point of getting all 4 Perks when booking and paying for a suite? Coming from a non tipping culture, it is a relief for us to not have to work who to tip, by how much, when to tip, start, beginning, or end of cruise. We certainly will compliment anyone who ensures we have a great cruise, that is only good manners, even do it in writing, which hopefully gets noticed.

But, surely all the Perks are all calculated in the cost of the cruise to the passenger, and to then tip as one would do normally as if they are not included defeats the purpose of the gratituties in the Perks, doesnt it?

If one does tip in Luminae it is fair that this is shared, due to our gratitities are already included and goes to everyone, all the crew.