kathy49

They will change itineraries further.....most consider this will be a "regional" war and so much already happening and things are just starting. Just wrong in my books that you cannot postpone or change your plans.

I think the different reactions here reflect the difference in cruisers. This is a luxury cruise line where many cruisers have visited ports multiple times and care less about the ports than the ship experience and service offered, But there are some who maybe are more interested in seeing some spots in the world on a luxury ship where ports are important, By all accounts this is a very different cruise...usually a much less expensive cruise and for some this may represent the one cruise for the year or next years and a major investment. Very different perspectives. Many here seem to be much more about the shipboard experience and don't care about the rest so the ships will be relatively full. Those heading out in the next month/months at least have a good lead time to make a decision as to whether cruising in some of these waters will be relaxing for them or whether postponing is better. It appears Regent gives then no options. Maybe some are getting options not sure. I can only cite Celebrity who seems to be offering for future cruises options to take FCC 100% to change to different cruise or 90%FCC to leave the credit with Celebrity for a date in the future. That seems really fair. They will operate the cruises most probably with very altered itinerary and this gives those who counted on seeing Holy Lands and Egypt a chance to do so in the future or go on a different cruise now. This is said with full understanding that legally they have to refund nothing or allow changes.

Paid or unpaid....I think RCCL is great for doing this work. It is almost in a war zone and the risk is high. Glad to see this happening.

You know the posters here represent a very small % of the passengers..I assume some are on other facebook groups etc. but often when people get what they want (FCC or even refund) they are just glad and move on quietly and don't post same online. I think some are getting what they want...probably those with top revenue Regent TA agents working with their contacts to satisfy the customers.

I am a big proponent of land travel to concentrate on one or two destinations and really get a feel for them...however for many that requires lots of planning, details to be arranged and sometimes travel between places is not that easy. In the case of the cruise at question this is a very easy way for those not interested in arranging all the details to get a look at places they may otherwise never visit. Egypt and Israel with overnights...I can see why these itineraries are popular especially as one gets older.

Also think insurance coverage maybe needs to be evaluated to include cruises changing itinerary by more than 50%. I think some claiming are going to have a problem if the cruise is still going and not allowing cancellations for credit. Right now there seems to be no protection for passengers when the product they purchase is significantly different from that actually offered.

I think the situation with Regal (and any other line) is to obviously take off Israel but leave Egypt on until closer to or after departure. That way you minimize potential for cancellations and issues regarding ports. Then they cancel Egypt or anything else in the area. People cruising in Nov.. will not see Egypt being taken off this far in advance but it can happen. I think this is a strategy commonly used if things are falling apart in advance of departure.

I say there should be a % of ports eliminated prior to sailing (ie not weather related) that should result in an automatic FCC for the passenger if they want to cancel. I don't think you will be going to Alex either....most are pulling out of there and to be honest Tunisia could have so many demonstrations pro Palestine that that is a big question mark too. Wow hope they come to their senses...that sounds like a cruise they should just cancel.

Okay so if you miss lets say two ports due to weather and instead have two sea days you get no port taxes back???? That seems really odd and different from most lines.

I think what they are really saying is we are rethinking this whole deal. I can understand they have people at airports and a ship to get off tomorrow. I think anyone calling on Monday will have better response if you have cancelled.

I agree....too many with flight issues and clearly a very different cruise...I would not just walk away from this one....contract or no contract.

agree 25% better than nothing. We are not talking a cheap cruise here...for many of us this is big money..

Sorry but understandable on your part. Sad no concessions from Regent...would put me off from ever booking them. Again I fully understand they are within the contract.

Consider yourself lucky to have a warning. Clearly your ship will not go to Israel and probably not Egypt. You will just have to wait but expect more Turkey and Greece.

this is second time this poster talks about an additional charge of $2000 to cancel. Please can the poster explain the $2000....was there a balance due on your booking?

'have the "guests" look at their contract"!!! That says it all.

There was a trend in the past year or two to home port ships in Haifa. Things were quiet and I am sure it was a good business decision at the time....however that has now backfired. I know that MSC and RCCL were two that used Haifa as home port. Now that will change. This situation/war is not a short term skirmish.

I would have thought that an agent that is a preferred agency booking a high volume of Regent would have some good bargaining power to at least get a FCC or portion thereof...I would be making more demands for my agent to argue the case...Cruise lines do value their high producing agencies and will do more for them than independent bookings.. the cost of these cruises is very very high and I would really have a tough time walking away without trying.

It goes a long way for sure. Just had to cancel a short trip and hotel that had a substantial deposit and per contract could have just kept it but chose to refund in full and asked me to keep them in mind for my next trip to the area. I sure will. Another local tour company again within the contract chose to keep my money and at the same time admiting they could easily book more clients with that guide given prime fall foliage season. I filed an insurance claim on that one due to medical situation but will not use them when I go back...they were within their rights but inflexible to even keep the money to be used in the future a FCC of sorts for land tour.

I don't think they had a big choice...no complaint about what is now the itinerary other than it is very different and for many not that exciting. It is a chance you take booking any cruise that this can happen...they did what they had to do to avoid cancelling the cruise. Given the cancel/change policy I assume most will be onboard despite the changes.

Does make one wonder about cash flow issues. Not an expert on the financials but seems like Celebrity has a much larger corporate backing (I think) and may be able to deal with this situation easier.

Probably would not work because each passenger has a contract with cc that says they can do it.

They will automatically get port fees refunded less cost of new. That is quite an assortment of ports some I have to wonder what they will put together for excursions. Clearly my guess is for at least 1/2 of the travelers on the Oct. 15th voyage the highlight and reason for booking was Israel and Egypt including overnights. Outside of "cancel for any reason" insurance nothing covers itinerary no longer appealing. Maybe that should be included...over 25% of itinerary changed = refund. Never happen

nice you are okay with a Greek Island Cruise however they are traditionally much less expensive than the itinerary you signed up for..I would expect some serious obc if you are willing to still travel (and I realize there is not choice without losing everything.)

And don't be surprised if they change with mounting pressure. I am not sure how many more sailings are impacted this fall but I would not cancel until I had to....things can change.