LynnRuns

This is a bummer. My son's graduation trip next summer and he will be very disappointed! we planned a few days in Venice before boarding and extra travel to a port that far away is likely not the in the cards for my in-laws. We may need a new plan.

I believe I had read this on another thread, but in reviewing an excursions document I noticed that there were fewer included excursions and they were not really very interesting - mostly panoramic or highlights tours. Many more "small group" and Regent Choice options requiring fees.

Have others noticed this? 

I spy a Northwestern connection!

Sounds like a memorable trip. Your photos are lovely.

We arrived at LGA yesterday from a trip and took a Lyft. No shuttles. it took a 5 minute walk to get to the Lyft meeting point.

13 hours ago, gnomie1 said:

In My friendship has expanded my circle of friends  from nerdy math/science people (me) to the artsy crowd and it is interesting listening to them talk about their bookings and travel adventures.

 

gnomie 

We should connect - I am definitely of the nerdy math ilk and love the friends I have made over the years who are so much more creative. We do not get to shows as often as I would like given my work and travel schedule, but I can see that in my future when I retire.

A little gray in NY this morning but it is supposed to clear out by lunch and be full on sun. You hopefully will get a magical fall sunrise bursting with color. Enjoy those final moments!!

And just to be more clear, the TS has 2 children. Not one. And he mentioned that his children are young teenagers. 

As as I mentioned, we booked adjacent suites, but we did not allow our boys to stay in their suite alone. My dh and I split up. Now that my oldest is a college student and the younger right behind we would be able to if needed. And before any slights about college students- he is at a top 10 school, thriving and a model citizen. 

We did 2 adjacent concierge suites with our boys as well. We considered a large named suite but we were going to use Regent air and in the large suite only the 2 adults get the included air. That along with the very substantial discount we received for the 2 suites it was more economical AND I think we had more space  (at least separate space).

We did this train ride but rented mountain bikes at the top in Myrdal and biked back to Flam. The bike ride was spectacular, a bit harrowing on the switch backs but just absolutely stunning. We had a traffic jam of goats across the bike path at one point. ( I actually think we did this on the same day as the thread starter who is posting on the Iceland cruise!)

We found Flam itself a bit small with a cruise ship in port - extremely crowded. 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Just got back from a wonderful 2 week trip to Norway. It was stunning. Enjoy!

You do not need to bring paddles, they will have paddles and balls available. We were not required to wear tennis shoes (here I mean ACTUAL tennis shoes which are non-marking), but could wear running shoes (though if you have weak ankles, running shoes are not very stable when playing paddle - it sounds like you play so you know that already). I do not recall a reservation system, but I only recall waiting 2 times to play.

I have to say playing paddle was one of the more fun things we did on the ship. It is glorious to be outside with the incredible views we had playing a rigorous game of paddle! Enjoy it!

Z, your plan looks exactly like mine! My family used to laugh at me when I would put together a workbook for the trip. Now my DH expects a spreadsheet and tells all of my friends to borrow my workbook when they are planning a big trip!

Looks like a great start. Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Here is the link to the Distinctive Suites on Regent. 

https://www.rssc.com/experience/suites/distinctive-suites

2 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Since I have not seen the Seven Seas Society newsletter, I cannot confirm anything.  However, I firmly believe that the guaranteed reservations every night does not apply to the Explorer, Splendor, Mariner, Voyager or Navigator suites.  As much as I wish that they were included (we are booked on an Explorer and Splendor suite in 2020), it just does not make sense.  Hopefully I will be proven wrong.

 

In any case, I feel that this is being blown completely out of proportion.  Passengers in these suites do not book a reservation every night even though they can.  Can you imagine booking Prime 7 on the Navigator every night?  It would make me crazy.

 

Lynnruns - does your post mean that you will be booking another Regent cruise for you and your children after 3 years of not sailing on Regent?  

 

Flossie - not sure why you need a definitive answer on this topic.  It is what it is and should not have any bearing on your ability to book a specialty restaurant.  In my opinion, it only affects passengers on 7-10 night cruises since Regent makes a big effort to provide passengers the ability to book one reservation in each specialty restaurant.

You track which cruises I have been on? How about the cruises that I helped my inlaws with? That is just creepy. 

33 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

@Travelcat2, Thank you for the useful information on your experiences.

 

 

So you can confirm that the email received by the OP from Regent that reportedly  indicated that Distinctive Suites all have the amenity of "guaranteed reservations each night at the specialty restaurant of your choice" was either misinterpreted or is just misleading advertising.

 

If so my concerns about additional pressure on restaurant reservations is assuaged. 

 

However, if nothing has changed I do find the introductory paragraph to this page on the Regent website to be very confusing and liable to lead those new to Regent to the wrong conclusions as to what amenities they will receive.

The email I received (which I believe is the same as the one that OP received) indicates that yes, all Distinctive Suites have the amenity of guaranteed reservations each night in a specialty restaurant. While the email does not have the definition of a Distinctive Suite it does have a link to the RSSC site to "learn more" about Distinctive Suites and Regent has provided a list and descriptions of the suites that are included in this classification. The Explorer Suite is considered a Distinctive Suite and is entitled to the specialty restaurant reservation amenity contrary to the poster's assertions above.

22 hours ago, Gilly said:

How sweet are Regent CC  friends?  We just got back from lunch and I find treasure on my door!  Thank you Chrisy and Cathy - I appreciate that additional journal ephemera xx

 

What a brilliant morning in Skagway we've had.  We did the Chilcot Trail Hike and Float and must say, the tour description in the brochure could be strengthened to four walking men.  Anyone else who has done that tour have any thoughts?  The tour itself is magnificent and we were blessed with an excellent guide, but the steep hike is not for the weak of limb for sure.  If you are fit and able though, I highly recommend it!

 

I would agree that the hike descriptions need to better indicate the terrain. We did that very hike and float in Skagway and while it was totally easy to us, there were a couple of participants who could not handle the terrain very well. I ended up many times offering a hand to help some tentative hikers on some rocky portions or steep portions. Interestingly, the guides offered no such help. There would often be a large gap between the guide and the slowest hiker.

33 minutes ago, poss said:

LynnRuns (or anyone):  Do you remember exactly how that upgrade happened?

We'd like to do another Alaska cruise (esp. while Mariner is still there), but my husband (89) has mucho trouble in economy seats, and I, at a mere 75, but with a bad back, have trouble also.   Just can't manage economy anymore.   (And the flight for us from Miami would be about the length of flying to London.) 

Once Regent booked the flight, it showed up in my United account and I was able to select an upgrade for each leg. Perhaps it is because I have high elite status on United, but I thought anyone could upgrade.

It was a couple of years ago, but we were able to upgrade our flights to Alaska on United.

L'shana tova! wishing you a sweet new year!

Hendricks and Fever Tree with a a nice mandolined slice of cucumber is delist!

I know my sample size is only 1, but our cruise was to Alaska in 2016 and there were no fitness classes on our sailing (no fitness instructor at all).

I believe I recall that there was some issue, but can't confirm if was planned or unplanned.

However, there is a gym (though very small) and many people walked on the top deck, so bringing tennis shoes is a good idea!

Yes, I have noticed that Lynn. I hope it doesn't deter you from posting. :)

Unfortunately it has as it has done for many others who like me only read the boards and rarely want to post. It is too enervating.

Except that Uber uses that same kind of metering approach, they just do it via GPS and computers. You're still paying time and distance, including time sitting in traffic. You just don't see it on a meter in the vehicle.

Thank you. This is the correct information,

Good point! Appreciate seeing accurate information:)

I know you love to contradict everything that I seem to post, but this is not accurate information for NYC. In NYC Uber has a base price and and additive price per mile and per minute.

There is actually no surcharge for taxis to cross into NJ. There is a surcharge to STAY in NYC (it is an MTA surcharge to supposedly encourage mass transit).

The surcharge you may have experienced going to Newark Airport is a Newark Airport surcharge and is only specific to a fare that begins in NYC and ends at Newark Airport.

I take yellow cabs all the time (Uber, sometimes) and find it fine and less expensive than a black car. That said, if I wanted to ensure was available at the time I designate and did not want to hail a cab, I would call a car service.

Actually this past Friday night Uber was MORE expensive than a car service (because of surge pricing).