Regent pre-cruise hotels

[kbella]

We are booked on the Mumbai-Cape Town segment of the Navigator Discovery

Cruise in November and I am trying to do some research on hotel options in Mumbai. Has anyone used Regent's hotel programs. They seem a little high given the hotels web-site rack rates(Taj Mahal Palace & Towers) but I like the idea of transfers to the ship and breakfasts being included in the Regent price.

Does anyone have any insight or pros and cons of using Regent hotels vrs making ones own arrangements?

[Iamboatman]

You have named the benefits of using them. As with most every cruise line there is a premium paid for the seamlessness of using them for the pre and/or post hotel. If you are an experienced and independent traveler (i.e. moving luggage or hailing a taxi isn't a problem) you may find it worth it to book separately. (Note: In South Africa you probably are better organizing a private car as taxis are a bit "different"; usually not being able to just hail one.)

[goblue57]

Despite the very high charges for these hotels, they can be "as expected" or real nightmares. We stayed at the Grand in Stockholm for a pre cruise adventure and the hotel was worth every penny we spent. On the other hand, at the end of the cruise in Copenhagen, Regent used the Marriott, and the experience was bad beyond belief. Our experience at this hotel was not unique, as we found similar horror stories on Trip Advisor. So paying big dollars does not guarantee a pleasant stay.

[newlondon]

I am sorry to hear the PP had a bad experience at the Marriott Copenhagen. We used it prior and following a SS cruise and had a wonderful time. I was so surprised by their complaint that I went to Trip Advisor and found that raves were way more common than pans. In fact less than a four was the exception rather than the rule. If you are planning a Northern Europe cruise I would seriously consider this hotel.

[dougburns]

Lynn and I have used the Regent pre and post-cruise hotel packages numerous times and have always been very satisfied, all things considered. Many folks choose to book their own air and hotel and we have heard many horror stories over the years. Many folks blaming the cruise line for their own shortcomings. We really like the personalized treatment and seamless service. Our last package was the post-cruise package at The Goring in London, which was fantastic. We had private tranport to London from Dover with a certified tour guide; a tour and lunch, plus Westminster Abbey, in London; the wonderful hotel( the best in London IMHO ); private transport to/from the theater to see Mama Mia; and private transport to Gatwick. When I added everything up separately and talked to other pax who had done things on their own, there was no way we could have done what we did for less. Plus, we had the peace of mind of knowing that there wouldn't be any screwups and that we had no worries. We have done pre-cruises in Puerto de la Cruz( Tenerife ) at the Hotel Botanico, Singapore at Raffles, Rome at the De la Villa Intercontinental, Buenos Aires at the Park Tower and two nights at Iguazu Falls at the Sheraton, Copenhagen at the Skt. Petri, and numerous complimentary stays in FLL due to Regent air connections from PHX. We've also done post-cruise packages in Lima at the Swiss Hotel with 2 nights in Cuzco at the Monasterio and the train tour to Machu Picchu, and The Goring as above. We've also done in-cruise packages from Mumbai-Agra with two nights at the Oberoi Amervillas and the extended tour from Luxor( Sonesta )-Abu Simbel-Cairo( Four Seasons )-Suez. All have been seamless and fantastic. We have always felt that we've gotten our money's worth.

[kbella]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I will definitely go with Regent in Mumbai. I have been told that the port there is very restrictive as far as taxis are concerned(special permits required, etc.),so it will be easier to use Regent for all of it.

We are very familiar with Cape Town and will rent a car and use our favorite hotel for the post cruise stay.

[dougburns]

kbella; We also are very familiar with CPT. Don't know if you're familiar with it, but you might want to look at the Bishop's Court. Great place to stay!

[wishIweretravelling]

kbella, a friend and I are also on that cruise (though we're on the full collection, so aren't looking at hotels in Mumbai). Hope to meet you on the ship!

 

As for RSSC hotels, usually I do my own. On my own is invariably cheaper, and in some places you can get much more local character by finding your own. But in cities that take some navigation and knowledge, it's nice to have that extra touch of RSSC's ground assistance. I did their hotel on my first cruise because I didn't know any better, and on one in Italy because I booked at the last minute and didn't have time to do the research to find my own. That turned out to be a blessing, because Italy decided to go on strike while I was there, and RSSC helped resolve some issues that arose from that. On the other hand, I booked my own in places like Tokyo, Stockholm, Lisbon, etc., and had great experiences there.

 

If I were embarking in Mumbai, I'd probably go with their hotel, just to smooth the logistics of what I am told by all is a very crowded, tumultuous city, particularly if you're just coming in for the one night and will still be pretty jet lagged.

[goblue57]

Our stay at the Marriott in Copenhaven was so bad that Regent reimbursed 20 of us for the entire stay at the hotel

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I've only seen the outside of the Taj, but I've heard good things about it as a hotel. As a tourist attraction it's beautiful, and the location is amazing. I'd go for it.

 

I agree with the sentiment that end-to-end care arriving in Mumbai would be a good thing. Maybe they've improved the airport, but when I was there a few years back it was a nightmare. As was getting around the city by car. It's quite a culture shock.

[Sir Cruisealot]

We have also decided to book our hotel (the Taj) in Mumbai through Regent. We are not arriving in Mumbai until after 10 PM, and will welcome the assist to get from the airport to the hotel at that late hour (after 27 hours elapsed time). I agree that the cost is much higher than what you could find independently, however, this special adventure needs to start off on a "High Note" :)

Cathe

[basedow]

Crys,

 

May I ask which hotel in Stockholm you booked privately? Thanks,

 

Basedow

[Bick]

We stayed at the Periscope in Athens & the Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice as part of the pre & post cruise packages. We were extremely pleased with all aspects of the transfers, tours, meals, location, and amenities of both properties which were on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of design. The Periscope is a modern, minimalist, but chic hotel, and the Il Palazzo is a restored 18th palace.

 

Big kudos to Regent for both packages.

[poss]

Bick: I'd read a number of times that Bauer Palazzo rooms aren't great, i.e. that the building and the public rooms are wonderful, but that the rooms are small (for the price) and "worn." I'm trying to decide what to do about post-cruise Venice. Would prefer a different hotel (quieter location?), but would dearly love convenience of having Regent do transfers, etc. It's very expensive to book through Regent, but would probably be willing if accommodations were truly terrific.

In short, were you very satisfied with your room as well as with the hotel in other respects? Do you remember the bed size? Was there both shower and tub in bathroom? AND: How quiet (or not) was the hotel?

Thanks!

(P.S. I hope someone will mention whether it's considered not cricket to jump into someone else's post like this. I'm never sure of the etiquette.)

[Bick]

Poss -

 

We were on the first floor (#105), and had some noise as we were on the Grand Canal - most of the noise was mitigated by the dual windows though. The trade-off for the view of La Salute at night was well worth it IMO.

 

With 14 ft ceilings complete w/ Murano chandeliers, I don't think I'd call the rooms small at all. The bathrooms were as long as I've ever been in, the jacuzzi tub was a decent size, but the shower itself was pretty cramped. We had a king sized bed also.

 

I would consider the carpet and furnishings more worn on the Voyager than at the hotel. The elevator was a little quirky as it only went up 1 floor then you had to walk down the hall to go up the next floors, but I thought it added to the charm.

 

The rooftop breakfast buffet had a spectacular panoramic view of the Canal, San Giorgio Maggiore, La Salute and San Marco. It's pricey (49.50 euros per person) if you don't have it included in the post-cruise land package as we did.

 

Bottom line is I'd do it again in a minute.

[gemcruiser]

I am signed with Regent for pre and post cruise hotels and transfers in Stockholm and Copenhagen.

 

How do you find your bus or car at the airport, etc. Any info will be appreciated on the logistics of how the transfers work.

 

Thanks!

 

Laura

[Travelcat2]

Laura -- finding Regent should be no problem. They will be there with a sign -- after that your luggage will be handled, you will be escorted to a cab (or bus). A Regent representative insures that you are checked in to the hotel. You will know when you will be picked up by Regent to go to the ship. You will be taken care of (they do a great job):)

[gemcruiser]

Thanks for the information! I usually just do the "independent" thing but splurged this trip. I definitely got tired of hauling luggage in Alaska since I packed as if I was spending months. Going lots lighter this trip!

 

Laura

[Bick]

Echo what the Cat said. They'll have your name on a sign, and it's all handled from that point on. I totally agree...you're on vacation, and foolong around w/ transfers and luggage is close to the bottom of things I like to deal with.

[poss]

Bick-- Thanks for your good specific reply. I believe we'll splurge on this, since "logistics" really do become more and more a bother as we get up in years. (Getting lost, even not knowing the language, hauling luggage, etc., were actually once part of the fun of traveling for us-- not any more.)