Mariner New Itineraries April 2017

Our recent cruise on board Voyager was booked as one of the special deals offered within the UK (?and Europe?) We chose the cruise to be with friends from the USA who had already booked and a couple of conversations on this forum focused on similar fears to those discussed in this thread. Would the "bargain basement prices" tempt a "different kind of person" to sail Regent? Would the Voyager become a party ship? We didn't know, but looked forward to it nevertheless and were, of course, glad to be able to take advantage of the discount and looked upon it as an added bonus.

We needn't have worried. Our experience on board was one of the best we have had, with an excellent crew and very happy atmosphere. This was our eighth Regent cruise and we perceived no differences from our previous cruises in terms of our fellow passengers and their demeanour. Given the chance to book a deeply discounted cruise again, to destinations we like, we'd book in a heartbeat. Sadly, with responsibilities and lives to lead at home, we can seldom make a last minute booking, so we'll simply envy those lucky ones who can!

Our recent cruise on board Voyager was booked as one of the special deals offered within the UK (?and Europe?) We chose the cruise to be with friends from the USA who had already booked and a couple of conversations on this forum focused on similar fears to those discussed in this thread. Would the "bargain basement prices" tempt a "different kind of person" to sail Regent? Would the Voyager become a party ship? We didn't know, but looked forward to it nevertheless and were, of course, glad to be able to take advantage of the discount and looked upon it as an added bonus.

 

We needn't have worried. Our experience on board was one of the best we have had, with an excellent crew and very happy atmosphere. This was our eighth Regent cruise and we perceived no differences from our previous cruises in terms of our fellow passengers and their demeanour. Given the chance to book a deeply discounted cruise again, to destinations we like, we'd book in a heartbeat. Sadly, with responsibilities and lives to lead at home, we can seldom make a last minute booking, so we'll simply envy those lucky ones who can!

That is exactly what I would have expected.

We just received email notification of two new Mariner itineraries departing Miami April 11 and 18, 2017. As I recall, this was when the Mariner was scheduled for refurbishment. Does anyone know if the planned refurbishment has now been cancelled or delayed?

The following was posted by TravelCat on another thread -

There is a current thread asking about new itineraries for the Mariner next year that makes it appear that the dry dock will be shortened considerably. Since we are on the Explorer, I was looking for the G.M. to ask about the new itineraries.

In the meantime, since we stayed in Malta an extra day because of a cancelled port, the Voyager and Explorer are docked together for 4 hours. Jason O'Keefe from Corporate and the President of Regent, Jason Montague are on the Voyager for a special "President's cruise". Jason O'Keefe stopped by the Explorer to see a few. We chatted about several things including the Mariner's scheduled dry dock.

It is correct that the Mariner will be "wet-docked" for 6 days next year. The hurricane (think that it was Matthew) pretty much took out the place where the Mariner was going to be dry docked. Plus, they need approximately 1,800 contractors to do the dry dock and there is no longer accommodations for that many people. This change was only made last week.

So, some things will be done in the six days - just not the major renovation. That will be delayed one year and will take place in Europe.

Yes - posted the above when I learned about the change. It now sounds like the ship will only be worked on for 3 or so days in 2017. I was going to ask the Cruise Consultant this morning but forgot. Still have a week to see if I can figure it out.

Wow! Thanks everyone for the heads-up. Just booked the cruise. My TA couldn't believe the price. We already have Voyager booked in the fall, and Oceania booked for Miami to Iceland, but couldn't pass this up. :D

Interesting that Mariner's refurbishment is postponed for a year and then within a month she is re-scheduled to call in to Cuba during the same time-slot......................allowing FDR and NCLH some good publicity

Coincidence, good planning...............or something else :rolleyes:

I think Cuba was just added to Itinerary online today. Roatan and Key West were dropped to add an overnight in Cuba. Also, the price has increased.