Dolebludger

As we are “Regent regulars” we can say that no additional tipping is expected on Regent. We have had tip offers refused. We offered a tip because a staff member went way beyond the call of duty for us. If we have great service some of us donate to the Crew Fund which helps crew members if they have family emergencies and such. You will have a problem finding a way to use OBC. The best way is to book some premium excursions that aren’t included in the fare.

Well, I guess it is not a hoax. Then why, I wonder, was the thread deleted. Did some poster go off on a rant or what?

Since we are talking about Regent, we have cruised this line since 2002, and know a bit of its history. Tips and mini bar in suite were included from the start as Radisson in the last century. Lounge beverages were added around 2005. Basic shore excursions, WiFi, and air were included in serial fashion later, but still a long time ago. Valet laundry was added in 2022. We wanted an E, Caribbean cruise early Spring 2024. We priced a Regent suite and an X CS. For comparison I deleted the Regent air (which can be done for a fare reduction) and compared prices. Believe it or not, the Regent fare was $1100 pp LESS than X’s, and it included minibar and excursions and laundry. Guess what we booked? Regent’s history has been adding perks and inclusions — not removing them. Along those lines, I note that some threads about the demise of included tips have been removed here. Is this because it was a hoax (I hope so) or some other reason?

Something is wrong here. All Regent bookings include WiFi. And tips have been included in the fare since Regent (FKA Radisson)measures founded. Other inclusions are valet laundry, shore excursions, some specialty restaurant access, use of mini fridge contents, and of course all beverages in lounges. Air is included unless you opt out.

Yes, at $21/pp/per day for two, it would be $294 price increase on a 7 day cruise for two in the Retreat. A much bigger deal than $2.40 cookies. But it is all adding up to be enough to cause some second thoughts. I’m not advising anybody ti ditch Celebrity, as I don’t know what everybody’s priorities are. Mine are such that lack of included cokes and beer in the suite mini fridge is a deal breaker. It is sad. The way things were in 2018 and 2019, I really liked the Retreat. And I suspect these inclusion cuts are far from over.

Yes, as I understand it, without “tips included” tips are charged at so many dollars per day per person automatically. As all my X cruises have been in the Retreat, I don’t know what that rate is, and I’m curious what that automatic tip rate is. Do you know?

We have to remember that Celebrity is giving over a month notice on the non-inclusion of gratuities with AI and Retreat bookings after Oct. 4. And there is no law preventing price increases on cruises. Especially when prior notice is given. If any of us do not like the “little baby steps” Celebrity is taking back to full “mass market” status, we have the option of booking an existing mass market line for less money, or opt for a line offering the perks we want.

I don’t know what there is to confirm either. I was just guessing that the moderator might want Celebrity confirmation, in light of the “flack” Celebrity has gotten here recently for reducing inclusions.

As I read post # 19, it appears that guests in the RETREAT suites will no longer have included gratuities as part of booking in the retreat after a certain date, but those who booked before that date will still have included tips. Same situation for those who booked AI. If so, this is a back-door price increase, in whatever amount the auto tip will be. I think the CC moderator wants to confirm this change with Celebrity.

My last question leads to another. Is it OK to carry some Diet Coke (and such) from the suite mini fridge on the Caye? I here it gets hot there.

Here;s another question. Are beverages included in the Caye?

I didn’t see where the OP’s question about lunch was answered. Are Regent guests on their own for lunch, at charge? Also, are the excursions included in the cruise fare, or are they extra?

My concern is that guests may have questions and need the answers BEFORE they know if they want deviation. Also, who do we call at Regent if the airline screws up our flights and strands us? Would that be $75 too? Now a hypothetical question. Airlines have fouled up the last three times we flew (not Regent). Indeed, as any cruise we take begins and ends with an airline, I didn’t want to book a cruise for 2024 at all. But my wife did it!

Well, actually I was mistaken. Regent ships are only 56K tons. But have you ever cruised on a Regent ship?

May or may not be charged for mini bar use in a Royal Suite? That is no good!

Well, the Regent and Silverseas ships I recommend are well over that size. They carry under 1K guests because they provide more space per guest. You will have to look hard to find a line or crowd on any of them. And with a 1 to 1 guest to staff ratio, there will be no service problems either.

Well, this is a reason to cruise on a smaller ship — at least for us.sounds like the “priority” system is not a great substitute.

Well, in our two cruises in Celebrity Suites, we never saw an animal towel. Didn’t miss them. Don’t care about them, and don’t think the inclusion problem with the retreat should be about animal towels.

When we are calling Regent, we shouldn’t have long hold times. Period! We like Regent because we have found the onboard experience to be a “class act”. Why shouldn’t shore side service be the same? It should!

Pappafamingo, it is offensive to me for Regent to charge a fee to speak with their airline desk. I guess that is the reason we have been advised to take the credit and book our own air. And to get travel insurance that covers missed cruises due to airline foul-ups which seem to be common. As for Regent’s fares across the suite levels, I guess we find them reasonable for what you get, because we cruised Alaska on the Explorer in June, and booked another cruise in the Splendor for March, 2024. The Alaska cruise was a great onboard experience. But unless the matter of air transportation to and from a cruise gets a bit more consumer friendly, the next cruise may be our last trip beyond driving distance we will take until (and unless) our airlines get their acts together. Regent was #1 with us before the pandemic, and still is, from experience, now. Getting to and from a cruise, I rate as 0. Not Regents’s fault, but it may prevent our cruising. And the fact that Regent is charging to simply talk to someone is not helping.

Also, the OP is about the type of wine provided in the Grand Suite. If this is a concern, I would suggest asking this question of Regent. If the OP booked a Grand Suite, I certainly think (and hope) Regent will provide an answer.

We took the Explorer for an Alaska cruise this June, and laundry was available and service was good. Dry cleaning was at charge, but we have learned to avoid dry clean garments on a cruise. (Actually, we avoid them at home.) Valet laundry service included is one reason why we prefer Regent.,

What is the “$75 fee to speak to the air desk”? I hope I am misunderstanding post #23 above.

Jim_lian, the reason I keep asking about priority embarkation/disembarkation is that I know these things are often “horror stories” on large ships. Too many people, too many “choke points” in the process. We’re too old for that. So we either go on a small ship or a large one with priority.

Thanks, I read that on X’s web site. And I don’t even know what a Casino booking is. Thus, I guess I wouldn’t be one.