Regent 'everything included' question

Hi, we are sailing on Navigator next April. Having read a few threads recently. I have a question regarding what is included. Drinks, are there drinks that are not included, are most included, do you have to ask what is or isn't included? We really don't want to have to be doing this. Once we have paid our balance , we just want to enjoy the cruise, without having to keep checking on what we have to pay 'extra ' for.

We have never sailed with a 6* cruise line before. Thank you for any replies

Sit back and enjoy your cruise. Items that are not included are clearly noted plus extra cost items require a swipe of your guest card. Premium alcohol is not included, spa treatments, items from the gift shop, etc. You can have a marvelous time, be treated royally and not spend any extra money.

There is an upcharge for some very high end wine and booze. It is clear if there is an extra charge. We have 3 Regent cruises under our belts and anticipating our next in September and we have never had a bill at the end of the cruise. Food, wine, mini-bar, cocktails, room service, gratuities are all included. We are non smokers so I'm not sure what goes on in the cigar lounge. Of course, casino and spa services are extra.

I hope you enjoy your cruise. We really love Regent and we're a bit reluctant to try any other cruise line, although we have a trip to Antarctica planned on the French line Ponant. It will be comparing apples to oranges, though, as this will be an expedition cruise. We'll see!

There are also some excursions that are extra and this is clearly noted.

Absolutely agree with the others: You should have a truly top-notch experience without having to spend an extra penny (except as described above). I wouldn't focus on the 6* detail, though. Who knows what such things mean? We've loved every one of our cruises on Regent, and except for spa services (which are often covered by OBC's), we've not spent anything extra. (Oh: there are a number of excursions that are not "included," but presumably you've already seen note of that.)

Enjoy!

Hi cruiseluv-- we posted at the same time. ;-)

Most premium alcohols are included - such as Don Julio or Patron tequila, Grey Goose, Belvedere and Chopin vodka, etc. We always ask for premium alcohol in our drinks and have never needed to go for the very few ultra premium alcohols (Johnny Walker Blue for instance).

You will probably be booking your excursions online and will see which ones are included (most are).

It is very easy to walk off the ship without having to pay an extra dime. On the other hand, if you have a good TA, you will have OBC's (on board credits) to spend - just in case you want the ultra premium alcohol, a massage or want to purchase something in the Boutique.

I think TC2 nailed it. If I recall correctly, there are lists at most bars of the extra-cost liquor, and dining venues will have a "reserve" wine list that entails extra cost as well. But there are multiple "premium" choices of liquor in most every category that are included in your fare, and there are usually a couple of choices in each varietal of wine, as well. While the day's featured wine in each dining room is offered as a default, you can ask for any of the other included wines that you might have tried and prefer.

The only extras you might incur are probably obvious: laundry and dry cleaning (the self service launderettes are free), spa services, boutiques, Internet access and ship to shore phone beyond what might be included as a promotion, casino, and the extra-cost excursions. We have never had a balance due at cruise end except for back in the day when Internet wasn't included in most of the fares.

Absolutely agree with the others: You should have a truly top-notch experience without having to spend an extra penny (except as described above). I wouldn't focus on the 6* detail, though. Who knows what such things mean? We've loved every one of our cruises on Regent, and except for spa services (which are often covered by OBC's), we've not spent anything extra. (Oh: there are a number of excursions that are not "included," but presumably you've already seen note of that.)

 

Enjoy!

Yes I have had a look at the included excursion, luckily all we need to do and see is included in the fare.

The only extras you might incur are probably obvious: laundry and dry cleaning (the self service launderettes are free), spa services, boutiques, Internet access and ship to shore phone beyond what might be included as a promotion, casino, and the extra-cost excursions. We have never had a balance due at cruise end except for back in the day when Internet wasn't included in most of the fares.

That's useful to know that the launderette is free. Not that I am planning on doing much, one has to occasionally rinse something out, whilst away.

I have actually walked off the ship at the end of the cruise with a zero balance several times. And we usually have some laundry done and have a few spa treatments. But with most TAs that deal with regent to a large degree, you will have a nice on board credit that will cover that stuff.

I have actually walked off the ship at the end of the cruise with a zero balance several times. And we usually have some laundry done and have a few spa treatments. But with most TAs that deal with regent to a large degree, you will have a nice on board credit that will cover that stuff.

A few people have mentioned this, sadly for us, no OBC has been given to us. We will have to pay for our treatments.

Suzez, those of us outside the USA seldom benefit from OBC sadly.

NO OBC either but therefore Europe has better fares then the USA! So basically you safe upfront:-)!

I don't think we in the UK get OBC as frequently as our friends across the pond.

Our next cruise Cape Town to Rio we have $500 OBC per suite but this was part of the deal offered by our travel agent. It sounds from reading CC that in the States OBCs are given for using credit cards, regular travel agents and instead of discounts. I maybe wrong.

You are correct. We receive OBC's from our TA on some itineraries and always receive $300 OBC from Amex when we use our "branded" Amex Platinum card to pay for the cruise.

Prada Cowboy - are passengers that book in Europe still receiving large discounts?

Between Regent and our TA, our OBC was big enough that would couldn't quite spend it all. We used our OBC for a couple excursions, and my wife had a facial at the spa. Then we drank reserve list wines the last three nights just to try to finish the OBC off, and came up just short. So having a credit is nice, but it isn't necessary on Regent.

Of course, if you have extra credit, the spa will be happy to use it up for you. After my wife's facial her aesthetician recommended $860 worth of products. She declined on general principle. :rolleyes:

Swabs - you are correct. We've always had a bit of a discount from our TA and sometimes a little bit of OBC, but nothing like the hundreds of $ some quote. I think I'd rather have the discount off the fare, and then we can spend the money saved any which way! I also think to get the Amex Platinum card OBC in the UK, you have to book through them, at least that was what I was told when I enquired with them about it.

TC2 - I looked at the U.S. Regent website to compare against UK website prices a while ago - not allowing for any TA discounts - just taking it price for price against the same cruise, same stateroom etc., and I could not believe the difference. We came out winning, by far! So unless those website prices are heavily discounted in the U.S. by travel agents, we seem to be getting a much better deal. I was looking at European cruises and the only adjustment I had to make was for the included airfare to/from the U.S., which I guessed at, but even taking that into account, it was sometimes a huge difference in cruise fare.

However in saying that, some cruises which are nearly sold out have now got pretty hefty price tags!

 

I also think to get the Amex Platinum card OBC in the UK, you have to book through them, at least that was what I was told when I enquired with them about it.

 

This is correct. In the UK, to obtain the Amex OBC and gift (usually a bottle of Dom Perignon in the suite on arrival, depends on cruise line) you must book the cruise direct with Amex travel.

However, in our experience Amex won't discount at all, so for our travelling party of 4 adults we find it much better to book with a different TA. Our TA always gives us a substantial discount off the fare. This is always worth more than the OBC and bottle of Dom.

Swabs - you are correct. We've always had a bit of a discount from our TA and sometimes a little bit of OBC, but nothing like the hundreds of $ some quote. I think I'd rather have the discount off the fare, and then we can spend the money saved any which way! I also think to get the Amex Platinum card OBC in the UK, you have to book through them, at least that was what I was told when I enquired with them about it.

 

TC2 - I looked at the U.S. Regent website to compare against UK website prices a while ago - not allowing for any TA discounts - just taking it price for price against the same cruise, same stateroom etc., and I could not believe the difference. We came out winning, by far! So unless those website prices are heavily discounted in the U.S. by travel agents, we seem to be getting a much better deal. I was looking at European cruises and the only adjustment I had to make was for the included airfare to/from the U.S., which I guessed at, but even taking that into account, it was sometimes a huge difference in cruise fare.

 

However in saying that, some cruises which are nearly sold out have now got pretty hefty price tags!

Thank you so much for your honesty:) The prices that you see on Regent's website in the U.S. is the fare that we pay - no discounting! However, Regent allows TA's to rebate up to 5% of the cruise to their customers. There are some TA's that rebate more but the majority stay within the Regent guidelines. So, in a way we do get a discount off of the cruise fare (not the airfare portion). We do prefer receiving a check a couple of weeks prior to our departure date but appreciate receiving some OBC's as well.

We get more than 5% in a check and OBC. But we have a very strong TA that deals with all the luxury lines. A great TA is worth their weight in gold. Consortiums are limited to what they can give.

Sit back and enjoy your cruise. Items that are not included are clearly noted plus extra cost items require a swipe of your guest card. Premium alcohol is not included, spa treatments, items from the gift shop, etc. You can have a marvelous time, be treated royally and not spend any extra money.

I would say premium is included. Grey Goose and single malt scotch, for example, are included and I consider them premium

Premium-premium is extra but as someone already said, it will be on the drink list

I would say premium is included. Grey Goose and single malt scotch, for example, are included and I consider them premium

Premium-premium is extra but as someone already said, it will be on the drink list

Thank you for all of your comments. Apart form the occasional pampering treatment, there shouldn't be much more on the bill. We are really looking forward to be treated like royalty, not sure how that will feel :)

You are correct. We receive OBC's from our TA on some itineraries and always receive $300 OBC from Amex when we use our "branded" Amex Platinum card to pay for the cruise.

 

Prada Cowboy - are passengers that book in Europe still receiving large discounts?

I just think it is easier in Europe since there are different rules!

We can cancel for $100 and do not have the high cancelation fees (maiden season) as USA! Also rest payment is due only 30 days prior!

We did get our SS2 for Euro 8829 which is around USD 9650 excluding flights!

In the USA the same Suite costs USD 12300 a person including flights. If you want it without it, it is a USD 1500 discount...so I guess we did a bit better!