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Competition Heating Up


Drdleo56
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Once again, I must second what Bill said about reading reviews and comments on CC from people you don't know. I certainly do not discount what anyone on CC has to say but do appreciate hearing about cruise lines that we have not sailed from friends (in addition to studying "facts" about Crystal, I have friends that sail on them regularly and I trust their observations.) IMO, if you discount anything you read on a cruise lines website, as well as online reviews, magazines and reviews on CC, you are really limiting your options. In terms of our TA, they guide us in different ways (which suites to avoid or to book, etc.)

 

As an aside, our 30 night Explorer cruise had better food and service than we have ever experienced on Regent (the Head Chef had a lot to do with the food being better). There were several other CC'ers on one leg of that cruise in November and perhaps they will chime in. It is interesting to note that you seem to like the food on the Regent ships that you have sailed. Given the fact that the Explorer has the same Regent officers and crew as others ships, I don't understand how the experience in these two areas could be that different. Granted, Regent officers and crew switch around and some Head Chef's are better than others, but the experiences on all of the Regent ships we have sailed has been similar

 

You mention that you have read misinformation on CC about Crystal and Seabourn. If/when misinformation is posted, all of us would appreciate knowing about it -- especially Crystal that will be undergoing a lot of changes in the next year.

 

P.S. Bill also agree with you about personal "sniping". IMO, there is no place on CC for this.

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TravelCat, you have been corrected about facts that you had wrong on Crystal and other lines that were wrong. I know Keith has corrected you from time to time.

 

I don't have time to go back through thousands of your posts as I am fairly new to CC but when I was lurking here in the past you have been wrong.

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TravelCat, you have been corrected about facts that you had wrong on Crystal and other lines that were wrong. I know Keith has corrected you from time to time.

 

I don't have time to go back through thousands of your posts as I am fairly new to CC but when I was lurking here in the past you have been wrong.

 

Of course I have been wrong - even with Regent - a cruise line that we sail frequently. Things change - websites are incorrect (such as a big error on Crystal's current website). I welcome corrections - especially from Keith who knows so much about Crystal and all of the ports around the world. He is a wealth of information and seems to be a lovely person as well (and no - I haven't met him). Being corrected (kindly) is a good thing!

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Thanks for sharing these links. I think it is a very interesting development. A couple of observations from my POV. I wonder whether they will look at a connection between Marriott Rewards and the new ships. The number of Marriott reward members is quite large and therefore offers a huge mailing list for them. For those of us that are Marriott lifetime platinum cross perks would be attractive. Based on the press releases they say it will be casually elegant. Of course I am speculating but it appears they will not have a formal dress code based on that. We took a Scenic trip last fall to Southeast Asia. We were very impressed with the level of service and the all inclusive manner of their cruises. We enjoyed it so much we are taking a Danube cruise with them next year. We would enjoy trying the new Eclipse, it looks like a terrific ship. Regent is our "go to" line, we feel very comfortable on it, but we also enjoy other opportunities especially with unique itineraries.

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I wonder whether they will look at a connection between Marriott Rewards and the new ships. The number of Marriott reward members is quite large and therefore offers a huge mailing list for them. For those of us that are Marriott lifetime platinum cross perks would be attractive..

 

Wow, didn't even think about that. I'm Lifetime Platinum and yes that would make it interesting to me. I'll be looking forward to see what they offer.

Rick

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Wow, didn't even think about that. I'm Lifetime Platinum and yes that would make it interesting to me. I'll be looking forward to see what they offer.

Rick

 

Didn't know that they had "Lifetime Platinum". Prior to cruising my DH spent many days at Marriott owned hotels for business and we stayed at Marriotts for all of our land vacations (when we weren't staying at Hyatt). We were thrilled when we spent a week in Aruba on Marriott and then a week in Hawaii. It will be interesting to learn if they carry over Marriott benefits. Given the size of the new ships, I would think that they would need every penny that they will get to even begin to recoup their money.

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TC,

Yes I stayed at a lot of Marriott's. I got my Lifetime believe or not from Mr. Marriott himself a while back (like many years ago. Later I earn it from stays. You can get it depending on how many nights you have doing your Life time stays. It's good to check. United and American Airlines do the same thing. I have lifetime on United 2nd to the top tear with lifetime United Club. It's a good thing. I'd check it out.

Rick

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TC,

Yes I stayed at a lot of Marriott's. I got my Lifetime believe or not from Mr. Marriott himself a while back (like many years ago. Later I earn it from stays. You can get it depending on how many nights you have doing your Life time stays. It's good to check. United and American Airlines do the same thing. I have lifetime on United 2nd to the top tear with lifetime United Club. It's a good thing. I'd check it out.

Rick

 

Will do - thanks!

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I too am lifetime Platinum at Marriott as well. It takes 1000 nights to earn that status.

 

Again, thank you for very important information - it is really appreciated.

 

In terms of this thread, I think that it is way too premature. One ship will be debuted in this decade but the other two won't be launched for several years. IMO, the passenger capacity is so small that one ship cannot make a dent in the earnings of any competing cruise line. What I find even more interesting is that an "unnamed" hotel chain will be launching ships/yachts(?). In any event, why worry about it in 2017 when nothing will be happening until 2021/22 or beyond? Regent will launch a new ship in 2020 and there is little interest in that ship - even though there are many of us who are Regent loyalists. We live for today rather than what will/could happen in the future. Heck, at this point, where ships will be able to visit in 5+ years is sadly questionable!

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This link will give everyone more information. If this link doesn't work for you, please let me know. I'm Platinum with Marriott and almost lifetime platinum, so this will be very interesting to follow.

 

 

http://www.travelmarketreport.com/tmrarticle?ttl=The-Ritz-Carlton-To-Launch-Three-Ship-Yacht-Cruise-Line#.WUu4ydY0FBk.linkedin

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I have a saying. Time will tell.

 

My own belief is sure the new Ritz Carlton venture will likely take some business away from each of the luxury lines.

 

Why? Because it is another luxury product. It's that simple.

 

The reality is some people will try it.

 

As long as the world-wide economy stays strong it will not be a very big deal IMHO because more people will be able to afford a luxury experience then ever before. Should there be a recession then the cruise lines will have too much inventory short term and adjust pricing

accordingly.

 

Just my two cents.

 

Keith

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Keith, agree----I people will move from Regent and people will come to Regent. I'm going on one of my 3 Regent cruises soon-I moved from one line to another-and I'm sure someone filled my space. It's just the way it happens. I most likely would try the Ritz cruises----and maybe not once the dress code is in print. It now states club casual, but the ship looks a bit more than that. I just don't enjoy putting on a tux or a suit anymore and any cruise line that has formal nights isn't for us. It will be a wait and see. PSs, a coat /jacket is not a problem. Rick

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Agree with ronrick, one of the main reasons we have stayed with Regent is the dress code. Do not want to do tuxedos etc don't mind a jacket and wife a nice dress but not the full formal/ gowns,, ties get in the way with dinner and done that all my working life.. Also open seating at the time you want, as Europeans we tend to eat later than North Americans and don't mind a more leisurely pace to dinner. Equally the non-smoking policies are important to us to be able to use the balcony. The last game changer is the gratuities policy, we as Brits do not get the US tipping concept and so it's good to know you have paid the inclusive gratuities and do not have to consider it again. Equally I have not had time/ inclination to arrange private tours/ excursions and have always enjoyed the Regent ones, so making it a holiday not a self arranged trip, on this years PDF the nominal cost of the trips was displayed- made you realise cost.

It will be interesting to see where competition comes in on these issues, as when we first sailed Regent friends thought it was much too expensive, however over our cruises in the last 8 years, when you break it down it is not. It's so nice not to be in the nickel and dime culture of so much tourism.

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Agree with ronrick, one of the main reasons we have stayed with Regent is the dress code. Do not want to do tuxedos etc don't mind a jacket and wife a nice dress but not the full formal/ gowns,, ties get in the way with dinner and done that all my working life.. Also open seating at the time you want, as Europeans we tend to eat later than North Americans and don't mind a more leisurely pace to dinner. Equally the non-smoking policies are important to us to be able to use the balcony. The last game changer is the gratuities policy, we as Brits do not get the US tipping concept and so it's good to know you have paid the inclusive gratuities and do not have to consider it again. Equally I have not had time/ inclination to arrange private tours/ excursions and have always enjoyed the Regent ones, so making it a holiday not a self arranged trip, on this years PDF the nominal cost of the trips was displayed- made you realise cost.

It will be interesting to see where competition comes in on these issues, as when we first sailed Regent friends thought it was much too expensive, however over our cruises in the last 8 years, when you break it down it is not. It's so nice not to be in the nickel and dime culture of so much tourism.

GrJ - you've pretty much summed up why we have stayed with Regent these last 8 years. When we were looking for our first cruise back in 2009, I almost choked when I saw Regent's brochure price. Especially compared against the mainstream and premium lines. But when we looked at all the add-ons and really analyzed the actual total cost of the cruise, Regent was much more reasonable. Then when you figure in the tips, transfers, air, etc. - there really wasn't anything else to spend money on (especially since I'm not a spa person and I don't care for the casino). Our 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip turned into 'Regent cruise number 8 coming up'.

 

Our one non-Regent cruise was on the QM2 and although the ship was beautiful, it just didn't click with us. We totally agree about your 'nickel and dime' comment - although the total cost of the Cunard cruise was still less than Regent, the constant card-swiping and settling up at the end really detracted from the enjoyment of that cruise. It was back to Regent to stay after that one. :hearteyes:

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