Jason OKeefe

Peggy,

Thank you for keeping me honest and accurate. 

I stand corrected as there are two legs on World Cruise 2019 where Small Group Tours will apply - April 9 and April 29, 2019 segments. For WC 2019, we have the following ports featuring Small Group Tours: Haifa, Heraklion, Sorrento, Barcelona, Ponta Delgada and Horta.

22 hours ago, xrvlcruiser said:

Jason,

 

Are any of the new tours available on the Navigator World Cruise?

 

Peggy

Peggy,

No unfortunately, these additional options will apply w/ the start of the Europe season immediately following World Cruise 2019.

On ‎12‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 4:04 PM, jeb_bud said:

I checked the excursion on our April Barcelona to Venice cruise and found several Small Group excursions. I was a little mystified to see that the SG excursions usually show a three walking man difficulty while the standard excursions with the same description have no walking men. 

 

Are the SG tours much more physically demanding than the normal tours, or are the normal tours actually tougher than the descriptions would indicate?  Or is it just a typo?

 

hoping for a reply from Jason here. 🙏

I don't think this is a typo, but allow me the chance to gather additional information and answer this more definitively tomorrow.

On ‎12‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 1:47 PM, Anchorbuoy said:

Here is a question for Jason:

 

Seven Seas Society members, platinum and above, have the benefit of discounts on Regent Choice shore excursions. Do the new Go Local or Regent Choice Small Group tours qualify for those same discounts?  

Yes, both qualify for the SSS Member savings benefit.

I'll jump and gladly add some the following:

Bill, love your idea.. but it's a bit more complicated than that - as we're think this detail relates to specific voyages. There may be a chance to extract the info from the current voyage up to the page you reference: the 'current location' info for our ships, but think that most people will want to refer to this based on "their" booked voyage. We ultimately think this may be more useful under the 'Onboard Activities" tab for each voyage. 

But not wanting to get ahead of myself, this is only a wish list item that is on the table for potential future web development.  It's not a done deal yet and may be something we can bring to life later next year hopefully.  It is a topic that has come often and there is general interest in adding this, however, no guarantee on when we might expect to complete this.

1 hour ago, poss said:

Jason, et al. — It's fun even to read through the new kinds of treats.

(But for some reason I'm having more trouble than EVER before deciding on excursions for our May 20-June 1 Explorer itinerary.)

Poss,  I can appreciate this comment... sometimes too many choices makes it more challenging determining which one's to pick.  But still wish you luck as you review your preferred favorites.  Enjoy your journey aboard Seven Seas Explorer!

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

Oops - did not realize that everyone did not receive this.  Still, this is good information to know.  

No harm done, plus, you gave me the opportunity to explain the details further.  Thank you for sharing the good news!

40 minutes ago, macbest said:

Is this the typical credit received on board for any cruise or just the one they requested? We are looking at booking a July 17, 2020 cruise (Copenhagen to Reykjavik) and wondered if when we are on the ship in Feb it would make sense to book onboard. Sounds like you are saying it is. I didn’t understand the other post that said you could book 30 days before you board for this onboard credit for a future cruise and how that would be done. And if others could take advantage of it (we are traveling on the 2020 cruise with another couple).  

macbest,

The Onboard Booking offer applies to any future voyage booked on board and offers a $200 Instant Shipboard Credit on the current voyage you are sailing aboard to enjoy as an extra booking benefit. Plus, there is additional Onboard Bonus savings offered along with a few extra perks such as flexibility to cancel or move your voyage date if needed later.  

The Instant Shipboard Credit is not applied to the future voyage but is enjoyed on the one in which you actually booked your future voyage.  (so you'll receive and use this on your Feb cruise if you book your future 2020 Copenhagen booking on board).  The shipboard credit incentive was designed to encourage guests to visit the Cruise Consultant earlier in the cruise vs. waiting until the end.  This is also why the incentive is not applicable on the future voyage, as it's designed to be an instant reward on your current voyage. 

Earlier this year we enhanced the Onboard Booking offer whereas you may now reserve your future voyage prior to stepping on board your upcoming February 2019 cruise. Ultimately, we've expanded the window to access the Onboard Booking offer to now be accessible up to 30 days prior to embarking your Feb. voyage. The reason for this is that we want you to enjoy your upcoming cruise and some guests find they don't have the time to see the Cruise Consultant while on ship as they're so busy out enjoying the destination or the ship itself. This pre-cruise access takes that pressure away and allows you book your next future voyage more easily and yet you will still earn the $200 Instant Shipboard Credit on your upcoming voyage just as if you booked it on board.  There are no benefits lost by booking your next future voyage before you embark, as you receive exactly the same benefits as if you booked on board.

Our Onboard Booking offer is the most advantageous out there and combinable with most other offers.  If you're still uncertain of where you want to travel to next, our Future Deposit Certificate option is the next best choice where you don't have to pick a future date right away and you have up to 2 years to select your next voyage and still earn the Onboard Savings offer benefits.

Enjoy your upcoming voyage in February!

Allow me to add further details to this new enhancement, as the TS posted an email that was received from a specific future booked voyage.  Not all guests received the notice as these updates were only sent to guests booked on voyages where these actually exist or are available.

Currently, Go Local Tours have been announced for 2019 Mediterranean, 2019 Northern Europe and early 2019 South America voyages calling in Montevideo & Buenos Aires. 

The new Regent Choice Small Group Tours apply only to 2019 Mediterranean and 2019 Northern Europe at this time. 

We will continue to expand these options to additional destinations in the future and where available. 

4 hours ago, blondietoo said:

Are we able to get premium economy instead of business class air with our cruise? Or do we need to just buy cruise only and do our own air.??

blondietoo,

Simply request a Custom Air Deviation and request Premium Economy as the preferred class of service.  The Deviation cost, plus the applicable differential from Economy to Premium EC will be offered to complete. If you're able to find better fare on your own after comparing the fare upgrade including the Deviation cost, then you have always have the choice of utilizing the air credit instead. 

It does not cost anything if you do not choose to accept the air deviation result. 

Please keep in mind, that if you choose to take the applicable air credit, the inclusive ground transfers are also removed as they are considered part of the air package and available to add a la carte if you choose to do your own air arrangements, so make sure you're considering this detail as well when comparing the two options side by side.    

I'd like to share our appreciation for the live blogs as well.  It's absolutely wonderful to see so many reports from each our ships simultaneously.  I believe we have 3 ships currently running with live reports and still hold out hope that we might see someone join in the fun from Navigator to make it real home run! 

Ultimately, I'd like to extend our gratitude to each of you for taking the time to share your experience while on board.  We love seeing your photos and hearing first hand perspectives.

Rich,

It's wonderful to have you and the family back on board and glad to see everyone enjoying the journey.

Thanks for the all of the reporting and great photos!

Love seeing all of the interest around our use of the Versace chargers in Compass Rose. 

We choose to remove the chargers after the guest order is taken since we have a variety of plate sizes/shapes for the starters and entrees.  Some don't fit as nicely on top of the charger and we've simply chosen to remove the charger prior to guests starting the first course.     

19 hours ago, AMDB11cruiser said:

Hi everyone,

 

My family and I were on Explorer for European Cruise departing September 27. We were in three penthouse suites. We had the absolutely worst experiences based on multiple incidents. We believe we have been severely mistreated.

 

I wrote 3000 words complaint letter to the GM the day before I disembarked the ship. It took me over five hours on the cruise, however, I have never heard back since. I had waited for weeks now and I don’t think I can expect a reply anymore. I would like to voice what I experienced so that the headquarter may be able to improve their services for other customers since the GM on the ship did not write anything to acknowledge the problem. 

 

Could anyone point me to the right direction? Any emails of the executives or the person who would take this seriously would be kindly appreciated.

 

Best regards

AMDB11cruiser,

Please write to us at GuestRelations@RSSC.com or you may send to me directly at jokeefe@RSSC.com and I'll make sure your comments are reviewed and responded to.

Thanks, Jason

During the early evening hours of September 25, Seven Seas Voyager encountered stronger than forecasted weather conditions during the ship's departure from Civitavecchia, Italy, and the ship's hull experienced minor damage. All guests and crew are safe and no injuries were reported. The ship's crew repaired the damage, which was isolated to a small area of the ship's portside stern area. Seven Seas Voyager is sailing to Catania, Sicily now for the next port of call on her itinerary. We apologize for the inconvenience to our guests on-board and appreciate their understanding of the situation.

jhenry1,

Email me SevenSeasSociety@rssc.com and I'll assist further with your questions. Apologies for any confusing information you've received thus far. Please allow us the opportunity to correct any concerns.

On Saturday night, we deployed a website update to the MyAccount section and that is the reason why the system did not show active bookings from 6pm EST to 2am EST. I apologize that the downtime was not acknowledged with a website message. We'll detail this on any future deployments accordingly. Saturday night happens to the best time for us to complete these types of updates as all of our global offices are closed and when we experience our lowest traffic.

Ultimately, we have rolled out a new enhancement that relates to Shipboard Credits and the ability to use pre-cruise. Additional information will be shared more formally this week once we complete the testing and QA throughout today and tomorrow. The new enhancement applies only to bookings sailing May 1, 2019 or later. Once we've completed the testing, I'll come back and answer additional questions.

So a question... everyone keeps mentioning a Regent Society Newsletter, and although we are Silver (not as high up as some of you), I’ve never seen a newsletter. How does one receive this - sign up for it by email? I get the brochures constantly mailed, but never had a newsletter.

Nanook21,

Are you receiving other brochure mail from RSSC? If so, you should be receiving the newsletter as well.

Email SevenSeasSociety@RSSC.com with your membership # or mailing information and we can research why you're not receiving.

Thank you Jason, I’m sure it will be a welcome change for many. We are in the MS on the LIS-MIA crossing and looking forward to dining on the balcony as well weather permitting.

That sounds delightful too. I think many forget this is an included complimentary option as well.

Enjoy your journey across the Atlantic!

So it looks like Regent are reducing or phasing out free (i.e. included) excursions and offering more Regent Choice (i.e. paid for but “subsidised”) excursions instead :(

 

Hopefully a representative from Regent will come on here to explain their change in excursion arrangements.

 

There has been no change to our Free Shore Excursion offering.

Over the last couple of months, a total of 22 shore excursions from our global collection of 1500+ options received pricing updates. This is standard practice and mostly due to operator cost increases and/or slight tour program changes.

It's important to note, our Free Shore Excursions or Regent Choice Shore Excursions pricing is subject to change at any time and only confirmed at time of booking.

You're able to confirm one reservation for each specialty restaurant prior to sailing, and any additional evenings once on board pending availability. This is to allow all guests the opportunity to reserve and dine once in each specialty restaurant during their voyage.

On shorter sailings... ie. 7-10 days, it's typically one reservation for each specialty restaurant that may be enjoyed. On the longer sailings, you can usually secure another reservation or two.

Jason O, are there any plans to offer enhanced entertainment/music to complement this outdoor dining experience? Will the pool and jacuzzi's be open during these extended hours?

 

WesW,

No enhanced entertainment is planned at this time.

I should also add the grill is open until 9pm and the Pool Bar will remain open until 10pm. The pool and Jacuzzi's will remain open as well.

 

One slight concern: We hope that the deployment of crew to this extra venue does not adversely affect the service available in other areas of the ship e.g. drinks service in Compass Rose.

 

flossie009,

Additional staff was added to accommodate this enhancement.

Jason, can you adress the dress code as some people might want to wear dress jeans to the casual venue or are they required to go change to go to any other venue after on casual nights? We are on the Explorer next year and just want to be properly informed. A more relaxed atmosphere is certainly welcomed but being relegated to one area and changing clothes after dinner is a pain.

The dress code will not change for any other areas of the ship.

The casual dress option applies to the Pool Grill area only and if you wish to go to any other venue afterward, the applicable evening dress code would apply as per usual.

kjbacon,

There is a major improvement coming with regards to this functionality pre-cruise. Further details will be announced in early October.

taxare,

This program is listed online and detailed under the Land & Hotel Pre & Post tab:

https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP210406/land-hotel/pre

This is one of the items that we will improve the visibility of next year with our website enhancements.

We understand how important it is to know about these types of programs and when they are offered or available. Glad you found this one by reviewing our brochure instead.