Anchorbuoy

The US website for Regent still has the old deck plan for Navigator.

Here is the revised Deck 6.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

From the new Navigator brochure.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Anchorbouy, we are having an extra day pre cruise for our Alaska cruise. We took it as a Regent package, as we always just take the Regent flights too, but for some reason I thought we would need to pay for a taxi from airport to hotel when we arrive? The paperwork doesn't say either way, but we pay the final balance this month so it may be clearer in the paperwork then. Could it possible be different with UK bookings? I will ask our TA to clarify when we go in to pay balance. Jean.

I checked the documents from some of our past cruises, and this what I found: The invoice (the one issued by Regent, not a TA) just lists the hotel and dates of travel under "Land Arrangements". So, that doesn't appear useful to confirm or deny ground transfers.

The "Cruise Vacation Summary", which you get 60 days before sailing, has a section "Ground Transfers". That calls out each and every bus or shuttle to/from the hotel, airport, or ship. Mine does list the transfer for early arrival. This should be the same for all passengers, regardless of nationality.

Still, it would be worth a call to your TA for peace of mind before you have to wait for final documents.

FWIW, when you book your hotel with Regent, they will provide ground transfers from the airport, even if you arrive up to 3 nights before the cruise. If you book the hotel on your own, you will need to arrange your own transportation to/from the hotel.

Transportation costs are a small part of the potential savings of booking independently, but you need to be aware of that difference.

Thanks Anchorbuoy, I didn't notice the photo. This solidifies the fact that there are plenty of drawers, closet space and shelves for most people. If this isn't enough, it isn't Regent's problem (my opinion of course).

Less storage space is still less. It is a matter of how little you are willing to accept and still feel that 6-star comfort.

The closet still has the 7 narrow drawers that have always been there. Deleted and missing in the new configuration are the 3 wide and large drawers under the desk. Many couples I know shared the drawers as follows: you take the closet, I will take the desk. There is no choice now. Cram what you have in the available reduced space, or live out of your suitcase.

The bathroom and closet have zero changes.

If you have time, I have one question...... do the walk-in closets still have drawers and shelves?

The photo posted by Vitacura on the other thread, Navigator Facelift #59, shows the closet. It looks the same to me, which matches the prototype cabin on Voyager. No visible changes were done to the closets or bath. Most everything else is new.

While onboard the Mariner and doing a booking with Gudrun we discussed the onboard guarantee. It would not involve a cash refund. It would be a cabin upgrade, shipboard credit, or "possibly" a future cruise credit (my interpretation).

Attached is a copy of the Best Price Guarantee literature. As best as I can tell, the program started in late January on all 3 ships. It is an onboard benefit, and there is no restriction for USA or UK guests. One guarantee.

On Mariner 4 weeks ago, it was discussed briefly at the Future Cruise Presentation, and included on one the slides. Two weeks ago, the cruise consultant made more mention of it, and talked about the details. I found it interesting that more discussion of the guarantee was made from one cruise to the next.

If you cannot read the attachment, here is more discussion with the details. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310399

As I posted, we had no drawers in a Seven Seas suite (except in the closet) - no shelves either. We got used to it. Didn't love it but did not complain. Since there is nothing that we can do about it, we may as well accept it. For the future, the best thing to do is mention the lack of storage on our Comment Cards.

You missed another point. This drydock remodeled all the standard sized suites, A thru H, into the identical new configuration. Your Seven Seas suite is irrelevant as it is a "named" suite and it was remodeled 2 years ago (on Mariner). The A thru H suites are smaller and space is at a premium. Your Seven Seas Suite has larger closets, and presumably MORE space to store personal items. The A thru H suites have gone backwards with respect to usable space.

The best we can do NOW is mention it publicly, before they mess up Voyager next. Regent can do better, and the prototype cabins on Voyager had ample time to see the problems.

 

IMO, if having upper shelves to store books is a deal-breaker, then Regent passengers will have to look at other cruise lines.

You have missed the point. The upper cabinets (before drydock) stored the glassware, plates, napkins, binoculars, etc. The lower cabinet (before drydock) had 3 drawers for storing clothes or personal items of each guest.

After drydock, the 3 lower drawers are gone. In its place, on one side of the desk, is what used to be the upper cabinet. The paraphernalia that clutters the room is now in that lower glass-doored cabinet. Gone is personal storage space in those drawers. Above the desk is just a big blank wall with a TV that looks lonely...and wants its cabinets back.

On some cruises (ours, last fall), they also reduce the deposit to 1/2 normal when booking on-board. Not a standard thing...announced in the daily blurb during the cruise. I wouldn't rush to book on-board too early in your cruise. But, also don't wait until the last couple of days since the consultant is usually overwhelmed.

Booking onboard has reduced deposits. Deluxe and Concierge suites have a flat deposit of $500 per person. Penthouse and above is 7.5% deposit, which is half of the normal 15%. Rules for the Explorer inaugural season are different.

You have 30 days from debarkation to cancel with zero penalty, and a full refund. After that, the $100 per person administrative fee applies, unless the booking is transferred to a different sailing.

In the past we have purchased a future cruise credit while on board, but not actually booked our cruise until much later.

Do the same perks (e.g. price guarantee ) apply?

 

Sharon

I asked the cruise consultant and was told the Best Price Guarantee only applies to an actual sailing date, booked and confirmed while you are onboard. The Future Cruise Certificates do not offer the guarantee. You do get the other benefits such as Onboard Savings and SSS discounts (if available).

No tipping for room service. Period.

Yes, the spa will automatically add a service fee.

Regent,

 

PLEASE rethink the storage space on the Navigator cabins. Limiting it is going to create "issues".

 

Peggy

Sadly, the pictures coming from the Navigator show that the upper storage cabinets have been deleted. That means the glassware is in a lower cabinet, and the storage drawers are gone.

I noticed a few changes to the tier benefits which have been posted at:

https://www.rssc.com/seven-seas-society/members-benefits/

The benefits page has been changed again, adding additional perks such as discounts for loyalty level. These are better than the concierge discounts. The new benefits start in late July.

Bronze-level and higher: Double Nights for Solo Travelers - When sailing in single occupancy, earn double the loyalty nights.

Silver-level and higher: Society Pages Newsletter Subscription - quarterly publication that offers an insider's view of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Gold-level and higher: FREE Valet Laundry Service - complimentary bag of laundry picked up and delivered.

Platinum-level and higher: Discounts and Gifts - 10 percent discount on Regent Choice Shore Excursions, Hotel and Land Programs, as well as leather luggage tags delivered with cruise documents.

Titanium-level: Discounts and Suite Access - additional 15 percent discount (25% total) on Regent Choice Shore Excursions, Hotel and Land Programs. Access suite as early as 1pm on embarkation day.

Can anyone advise the availability of these foods on Regent vessels, please? My spouse suffers from gluten and lactose intolerances and we would like to think she will still have a good choice on the menus of a three week cruise in a couple of months.

For any food allergies, here is the procedure from Regent's FAQ section. You can do this yourself, or have your Travel Agent contact Regent on your behalf. Once your booking is tagged as needing a special diet, you will have one of the Head Waiters contact you on the first day of the cruise to give you instructions on how to pre-order your daily menus. Very simple and effective.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Please advise Regent Seven Seas Cruises of any special dietary requirements you may have 90 days prior to sailing by sending an e-mail to rsscops@rssc.com. General dietary needs such as low salt or low cholesterol foods can be satisfied onboard the ship just by speaking with the dining wait staff.

Seven Seas Explorer’s leadership team:

Captain: Stanislas “Stan” De Lacombe

General Manager: Franck Galzy

Cruise Director: Ray Solaire

Chief Engineer: Luca Grigg

Executive Chef: Aurelien Dumeylet

Chartreuse Chef: Jérôme Toumelin

Executive Concierge: Odul Uzunali

Chief Housekeeper: Rose-Mary Camus

Restaurant Manager: David Dos Santos

Cruise Consultant: Gudrun Werner

Source: http://rsscblog.com/

If one is already booked Regent will probably NOT give you the extra benefit(s) retroactively. (Except possibly if you have a really good agent.)

The fine print (highlights are mine):

DOUBLE NIGHTS offer is available on Seven Seas Mariner 2016 Alaska & Canada New England voyages departing May 8 – October 21, 2016 and valid for new bookings made between February 10 – March 31, 2016. Offer is available to all Seven Seas Society Bronze and higher members. Mention DOUBLE NIGHTS at time of booking. Not all offers and promotions are combinable.

Anchorbuoy,

I read what you posted. My TA told me today that if the excursion you booked has to be NOT sold out to cancel and rebook in order to be refunded the monies you paid on your Amex…and charge the excursion to your ship board account aka shipboard credit.

Did you call Regent yourself to get this information? Let me know as I will probably have enough shipboard credit to pay for the excursions I have already paid for.

Thanks!

The "cannot be sold out" is incorrect knowledge. That may have been the case a few years ago, but it is not the case now.

We do this "rebill" on every cruise in which we book, and pay, for Regent Choice extra cost excursions. That is, we book online, and pre-pay using a credit card. When we get to the ship, we visit Destinations, and "rebill". The process for "rebilling" is straight forward. Destinations credits your account with Refundable dollars and charges using your OBC or Non-refundable dollars. Both the charge and credit show on your onboard account, but the net is Zero. This transaction allows you to request a cash refund of the Refundable dollars, and of course you use up some OBC dollars. Simple as that.

No restrictions for "sold out". Such a restriction just doesn't make sense, because you are on the tour one way or the other.

In the process, Destinations (for whatever internal bookkeeping reasons), takes back your original tour tickets that should be in your room, and reprints a replacement ticket for the same tour and time. It won't matter to you, they just do it.

We are on Navigator, and we spoke directly with Destinations manager. They are far more knowledgeable about how this is handled, because they do it every cruise.

Does anyone know who the cruise director is on the Voyager May 2 this year?

Lorraine Weimerskirch

To follow on from this - does anyone know who the Cruise Director will be on the Voyager 5th March this year?

Lorraine Weimerskirch

Does anyone know who will be CD on the Mariner 29th June to Alaska

Margaret Lynn

Hi Poss. You book and pay for the excursion in advance. Then, as long as the excursion is not full, you cancel and rebook onboard and get your money back (in cash - they do not put it back on your credit card).

This is no longer the case.....there is NO restriction for the excursion being full or not full to allow you to rebill using onboard credit. As stated by TC, book and pay in advance. Once you are on the ship, visit the Destinations desk before your tour and request a rebilling to use OBC. They will immediately reprint your excursion ticket and exchange the old and new tickets. It does not matter if the tour is full or not. At any time after that you may get a cash refund at the Reception desk.

I have done this many times on sold-out tours. Additionally, to confirm this, I spoke to the Destinations manager, and it is easily done.

Hope this helps.

Former Regent cruise director John Barron will be joining the Navigator at the end of February to relieve Margaret Lynn. We have not sailed with him, but we have heard many nice reports about John.

With a new ship under construction, and Viking poaching personnel from Regent, John will complete the lineup of cruise directors.

Congratulations Mark !!

The following has been posted on the cruise consultant's door on Navigator, and flyers have been provided in all suites. As worded, I assume this benefit is only available for reservations made onboard. Time will tell...

-----------------------------

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

Booking onboard always comes with our Best Price Guarantee from the day you book up until the day of sailing.

Should there be another applicable public promotion offering a better value through a combination of lower price and amenities on the cruise and category you have selected, you will be able to take advantage of this new promotion plus the added benefit of the applicable Onboard Savings. Simply have your travel agent call Regent Seven Seas to have the new promotion added to your reservation (subject to availability).

Should there be a price reduction after final payment has been paid, the difference will be given to you in the form of a Shipboard Credit, suite upgrade, or a Future Cruise Credit at our discretion.

---------------------------------