Regent Tours

On May 10, I can start to book tours for our cruise. However the tours aren't quite available yet, so I called Regent and they said they should be there a couple of days before May 10. Is that normal? I don't remember the window being quite so "tight" the last time we cruised.

It seems to be the "new normal". Apparently Regent is redoing their website once again and I wonder if this is causing the problem. The excursions for our November cruise opened at least a month ago and there are still two major ports (Puerto Rico and St. Barths) that still show no excursions at all. Very frustrating to say the least.

In November we went to Destination Services and said that we wanted to pay for the excursion with our OBC's. It was no problem other than having to take the refund in cash. They cannot put it back on your credit card.

Thanks for the update. Taking cash doesn't bother me, it means I keep the miles I accrued on my credit card.

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It seems to be the "new normal". Apparently Regent is redoing their website once again and I wonder if this is causing the problem. The excursions for our November cruise opened at least a month ago and there are still two major ports (Puerto Rico and St. Barths) that still show no excursions at all. Very frustrating to say the least.

We recently received an email from our TA where Regent cancelled all the excursions in one port so we had an excursion booked, now it is gone and they haven't posted any new excursions. This cruise is in September. That is also very frustrating.

In fact the whole process around booking excursions for this cruise has been frustrating. We are in St Pete for 3 days and they are offering mostly 1/2 day excursions and they are scheduled so you can't take more than 1 a day. Not a problem if you are in a place you can do your own thing before or after a half day excursion but a real disappointment where you are either stuck on the ship or have to pay for private tours. We cruise for the ports with the ship a wonderful means of transportation. I really don't want to spend my time in port on the ship and i don't really want to have to pay for private tours when i have already paid for excursions in the cruise fare but that is likely what we will end up doing.

1982CruzStart, it doesn't help right now, but you may find that as late as when you board, you can add excursions to your schedule - we fitted in a couple of additional tours to fill in the gaps we had, as a result of the same scenario as you have. Make sure you are clear about what you really want to see, have a list to hand and keep an eye on progress (website and maybe, ask your TA to contact Regent directly with a straightforward list of requests). In this situation, persistence pays off IMHO.

I don't really understand how Regent can do half-day excursions in St. Petersburg because, depending upon where you dock, you can easily spend an hour in traffic before you even reach the center of the city. We have been there twice with Regent and the "new" docking area was in a very busy traffic area. It seems that smaller ships (Silversea, Seabourn for instance) get the good docking spot - in the city center.

It does seem that doing two excursions in one day is almost impossible in most ports (unless the ship is staying in port late). IMO, St. Petersburg is one city that is worth the money to do a private (or small group) excursion. There is so much to see and some places (St. Catherine's Palace for instance) is quite a distance from the city. Having the ability to "opt-out" of included excursions would have been nice in St. Petersburg (as well as in many other cities).

In terms of booking excursions online, it is definitely frustrating. We have already booked one excursion for our November cruise (with 3 other people) and may book another. When Regent only offers 3 excursions in a port (as they are doing on our cruise), you know that the excursions will be packed with passengers.

In September 2016, Voyager was berthed in a city centre location. No traffic problems wharsoever on any of the tours we took. We went to Peterhof one morning and the Faberge Museum in the afternoon. Most tours had early starts which made such things possible.

I came across this blog post whilst browsing today and having followed through a couple of points, can confidently say that in September last year, Voyager berthed at the Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment.

It seems to be the "new normal". Apparently Regent is redoing their website once again and I wonder if this is causing the problem. The excursions for our November cruise opened at least a month ago and there are still two major ports (Puerto Rico and St. Barths) that still show no excursions at all. Very frustrating to say the least.

It appears to me that Regent excursions in the Caribbean are the same as those offered by NCL. Which should make for a lot of interesting discussion but does allow me to plan (via NCL website) for ports where the Regent site hasn't indicated what will be offered.

1982CruzStart, it doesn't help right now, but you may find that as late as when you board, you can add excursions to your schedule - we fitted in a couple of additional tours to fill in the gaps we had, as a result of the same scenario as you have. Make sure you are clear about what you really want to see, have a list to hand and keep an eye on progress (website and maybe, ask your TA to contact Regent directly with a straightforward list of requests). In this situation, persistence pays off IMHO.

Thanks Gilly. Very good suggestion.

So OBC can be used for a cash reimbursement of any Regent Choice excursion? I did not know this. lol-Now I'm really upset that I booked directly through Regent!

Missymssy,

You can use your shipboard credits towards the purchase of Regent Choice tours once on ship and any previously booked options may be adjusted as well with one important detail to keep in mind. The pre-booked options must be available once on board as it will require cancelling and rebooking the tour to adjust the charge against your shipboard credit.

Missymssy,

 

You can use your shipboard credits towards the purchase of Regent Choice tours once on ship and any previously booked options may be adjusted as well with one important detail to keep in mind. The pre-booked options must be available once on board as it will require cancelling and rebooking the tour to adjust the charge against your shipboard credit.

Since you are reading this thread, I was hoping you could tell me when the excursions will be posted for the Singapore to Sydney cruise on 2/2/18. We are about 3 weeks out until we can book and, in the past, we have had ample time to peruse the choices. I called Regent and was told that usually they are posted 240 days out which is the day they open for booking for us. I'm not sure what the hold up is as this is an identical cruise to the one this year. Are you securing new vendors? The call center didn't seem to have a clue and punted to our TA. Thanks, Jason!

Since you are reading this thread, I was hoping you could tell me when the excursions will be posted for the Singapore to Sydney cruise on 2/2/18. We are about 3 weeks out until we can book and, in the past, we have had ample time to peruse the choices. I called Regent and was told that usually they are posted 240 days out which is the day they open for booking for us. I'm not sure what the hold up is as this is an identical cruise to the one this year. Are you securing new vendors? The call center didn't seem to have a clue and punted to our TA. Thanks, Jason!

Forgap,

For Voyager sailing Feb 2, 2018, the shore excursions will be available beginning June 7 for Concierge & higher guests.

If I understand you correctly, that will be when the excursions are both published and open for selection? In the past I could get an emailed list before the booking date. We are now gold, so we also can book 240 days out. Thanks for your prompt reply!

Jason,

The excursions for some ports are still not listed for our November 17th cruise (reservations opened a while ago). The Navigator is doing the same itinerary this month so I have an idea of what will be offered. Are the missing excursions related to the rumored upgrade to the Regent website that may be going on?

Thanks much!

TC2

If I understand you correctly, that will be when the excursions are both published and open for selection? In the past I could get an emailed list before the booking date. We are now gold, so we also can book 240 days out. Thanks for your prompt reply!

Correct, both published and open for selection occur on the same day.

In the past, we used to have the PDF available earlier, but it was not technically finalized. These were the historical offering of tours, but never reflected the new additions that may have been added for the season until the official 240 day mark or by the time they technically opened up for booking selection. Now we've created consistency across all voyages and officially open up one final version at the 240 day threshold.

Thank you for the clarification!

Jason,

 

The excursions for some ports are still not listed for our November 17th cruise (reservations opened a while ago). The Navigator is doing the same itinerary this month so I have an idea of what will be offered. Are the missing excursions related to the rumored upgrade to the Regent website that may be going on?

 

Thanks much!

 

TC2

Call Regent. First of all, they may be able to send you a PDF that has all excursions for all ports. Whether or not the "unlisted" ports are on the PDF, Regent reps may be able to book your excursions. For our October, 2017 cruise on the Voyager, we booked excursions for Katakolon on the days excursions opened; but the excursions are still not on the web site.

Aloha From Hawaii: Been on Regent Mariner in the Western Med. On that cruise my wife and I stayed with the inclusive shore excursions and had a great time. Even the most disappointing of the tours we chose we found interesting, fun and we felt like it was worth the time and expense. (some pun intended :-)

In September we will be trying our first Regent Choice tour while in St Petersburg. Were going to Moscow for the whole day by high-speed rail. I'll let you know if the cost was worth the memories. [Do they allow cameras?] I'm absolutely sure of one thing: I will have very few, if any opportunities to see Moscow ever again.

One 'hidden-in-plain-sight' advantage to sticking to the Regent sanctioned excursions is you have a very high probability that the ship will wait for you to return before pulling in the brow. In Monte Carlo my wife and I were on the last bus to return from a Regent offered Casino trip. They waited for us (and half a dozen others on the tour) and just about had the mooring lines pulled back onto the ship as we boarded. i.e. They knew where we were...

Call Regent. First of all, they may be able to send you a PDF that has all excursions for all ports. Whether or not the "unlisted" ports are on the PDF, Regent reps may be able to book your excursions. For our October, 2017 cruise on the Voyager, we booked excursions for Katakolon on the days excursions opened; but the excursions are still not on the web site.

Thank you for the advice. Today one more port had excursions listed. I just find it odd that the identical itinerary on the Navigator that leaves in a week or so has excursions for every port. I'd be surprised if they changed much.

Thank you for the advice. Today one more port had excursions listed. I just find it odd that the identical itinerary on the Navigator that leaves in a week or so has excursions for every port. I'd be surprised if they changed much.

They probably won't, but imagine how much internet blasting Regent would be subject to if even one changed and someone got upset about it...

I'd suggest looking through the current listing (since you said you didn't think they'd change much) and then pick your winners. Have a backup or two in case they DO change...then next month when they come available, you're already set to put in your selections.

They probably won't, but imagine how much internet blasting Regent would be subject to if even one changed and someone got upset about it...

 

I'd suggest looking through the current listing (since you said you didn't think they'd change much) and then pick your winners. Have a backup or two in case they DO change...then next month when they come available, you're already set to put in your selections.

You have such a positive attitude (assuming that the excursions will show up next month:o-). Fortunately, the one excursion that I really cared about a small group of us booked privately (in the Amazon). We don't care much for the Caribbean (or Regent included excursions as you know) so not having excursions available in St. Barths, for instance, is not a big deal (although, as you mentioned, it could be a huge deal for some people).

Interestingly, excursions opened in Puerto Rico yesterday and the one excursion that we would have been interested in (zip lining) has a cost of about $300 which is a bit high. Still thinking about it. I think I would rather get a recommendation from "Z" and go to a local restaurant. Most of what we have booked are 4 x 4 excursions and one champagne and lobster catamaran excursion that includes snorkeling. I'm going to pay close attention to the Amazon cruise (on the Navigator) that I believe departs next week. It is still a bit of a challenge to be going somewhere that I really don't want to go but know that I'll end up enjoying it (and will never have to go back!)

I hope that your experience with included excursions is better on your next Explorer cruise. If you have enough OBC's you may consider a culinary tour (expensive but worth every penny).

It seems to be the "new normal". Apparently Regent is redoing their website once again and I wonder if this is causing the problem. The excursions for our November cruise opened at least a month ago and there are still two major ports (Puerto Rico and St. Barths) that still show no excursions at all. Very frustrating to say the least.

Travelcat2,

The shore excursions for St. Bart's and San Juan are now available.

Travelcat2,

 

The shore excursions for St. Bart's and San Juan are now available.

Thanks Jason!

TC2