Price Increase 1 April for ALL 2017 Cruises?

At least that is what Regent website states. They list 125 cruises departing 3 April or later in this list of 125 cruises. Amazingly, there are some cruises still wide open; I wonder what is going to happen to those? Will they raise them by $100 and then increase air credit $1000? Will be interesting to see what happens on the 1st.

Marc

I seriously doubt that Regent will increase prices on itineraries that are not selling (Alaska for example). As I have posted previously, the quarterly price increases seem like a threat and as such, we are incensed by them. If Regent has a good reason to raise prices, go ahead and raise them - no matter what time of the year it occurs.. To threaten loyal cruisers, IMO, is a serious flaw.

Agree, Travelcat! The routine threat of price increases gets monotonous and does not induce me to book. I truly doubt they will increase prices on cruises that are not selling well.

One of my petty (albeit few) gripes with Regent - their web and print advertising - Price Increase in 20 Minutes!!! Free Air! Free Food! Free Everything!!!

It reminds me of the late-night infomercials - "But wait! There's More!" and "A Special Free Gift for the First 500 Callers!!"

I feel that it cheapens the brand and I really do wish they'd quit. Or tone it down a few dozen notches at the very least.

Good points! The best April Fools trick that Regent could do is not to increase anything!

I know some of the posters to this board do a sophisticated analysis. I can only share the information on the two I have booked. The first 10/8/17 Venice to Athens, they raised the base fare by $200 but are now offering a $500 "book now" shipboard credit. When I booked there was a $300 book now credit, so its a wash for me. The second is 2/20/18 Sydney to Auckland they raised the base fares by $100.

It's not going to worry most people - in the long run if Regent can get more they will, if not they will adjust again.

Rick, I agree with you however this "price increase" is one of the most interesting (perhaps annoying) ones. At the same time they do the "price increase" they offer a $500 "book now" shipboard credit for all 2017 Med and Alaska cruises and $250 for all remaining 2017 cruises. So unless one looks at their particular cruise they don't know if there was actually a net price decrease. It would be interesting if someone booked a cruise onboard with the price guarantee whether they could get a reduction due to the "book now" credit. Before someone chooses to beat me up, yes I know its only a couple of hundred dollars, and I know I am blessed to be able to afford Regent cruises, and unless there is an itinerary that Regent doesn't offer, I always use Regent, however, if I can get a couple hundred dollars more to use on board I will take it and enjoy it.

There's no reason to worry about touted price increases. There will soon be multiple sales with different offers attached. There always are.

If they get more cash up front and you get a ship board credit for $500.00-you have to ask how much profit is taken by Regent on that $500.00 like wine, tours and whatever. So your really not getting $500.00.

If they get more cash up front and you get a ship board credit for $500.00-you have to ask how much profit is taken by Regent on that $500.00 like wine, tours and whatever. So your really not getting $500.00.

I think that depends on what you spend the credit on. If you use the credit to buy something you would have bought anyway then you really are getting $500 in value.

If on the other hand you spend the OBC on items you otherwise would not have considered (I will be sampling top-shelf whiskey which I would not do with my own money) that's a different story.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It's really a joke.

We booked a cruise awhile ago and got a $2000.00 early booking bonus. Today the price is $100.00 more than we paid without the booking bonus-if you book today for the same cruise your paying $100 more but getting the $500.00 OBC making I paid $400.00 more for are cruise. Yes my TA is on it - but that doesn't say much for Regent marketing and people that want to book early.

Rick

I think that depends on what you spend the credit on. If you use the credit to buy something you would have bought anyway then you really are getting $500 in value.

 

If on the other hand you spend the OBC on items you otherwise would not have considered (I will be sampling top-shelf whiskey which I would not do with my own money) that's a different story.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

But technically, it IS your money. If you give Regent a lot of money and they give you a little bit back, it's your money. Just like a tax refund.

Don't get me wrong - I do the same thing. A lot of us do, or they wouldn't play the game.

If you're ever in SC and want to sample some top shelf whiskeys (scotch, anyhow), give me a holler. ;p:whiskey-glass:

Bill, I think your likening of Regent to the IRS is not quite apples to apples but I get your point. I was fortunate enough to catch a price drop a few weeks before final payment as Regent shuffled fares.

I would feel at least as upset about Rick's situation as he is. I hope Regent or his TA makes it right.

This cruise is my first TA-arranged travel since the old Corporate travel department days of the 80's and early 90's. I lucked into a pretty good one this time but after reading these boards for a few months I will be doing some shopping before picking a TA for our next cruise.

I'm not sure when I will be in your neck of the woods but I'll keep your offer in mind[emoji6]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Travelcat2, I so much agree with you. Those notices about fare increases annoy the heck out of me. That's one thing about Regent that bothers me.