jmalux

4 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I use a TA in the US because my husband is a US national (Swiss as well though) and he worked for a very long time for a US bank consequently we have US bank accounts - from which we pay for our cruises.  I think because of that we were allowed to work with a US based TA.   I am very very happy with my TA!  That said, she warned me at the outset that her agency could not handle my flights.  At the time it didn't matter because Regent UK was not offering included flights.  Now they are - just like Regent in the US.  This could change things for us I suppose because flights are getting more and more expensive...

You don’t need any American connection to use an American TA. I’m 100% European, but I have booked all our Regent cruises through an American TA based in Florida, as she offers good service and significant rebates. The USD 100 cancellation fee is also an incentive. 

Everything is done via email, and it works perfectly fine.  

Just to add that I was informed by my TA that this pre-pay discount only applies to 27 specific sailings on Navigator, Mariner and Voyager in Alaska, Canada/New England, Asia and South Pacific. 

There is only one cruise with a 25% discount, and the other cruises are either 10, 15 or 20%.

Just two more questions 😉

Do you feel the movement of the sea a lot on such a small ship?

The photos of the restaurant show mainly rather large tables. Do you always have to dine with other guests, or can you also dine as a couple?

OK.  Thanks again 

I think that there must be some kind of problem with their web site, as 621 appeared as an Owner’s Suite when we made the booking, and their cabin description also indicates that the balcony of the Owner’s Suite is smaller than the balconies of the Grand Deluxe suites on deck 5. 

Anyway, I’m sure that we will enjoy the cruise😄

Thanks a lot Lynn for this review. Were you in suite 621?

We are booked in that suite in March 2020. I haven't quite understood the difference between the Owner's suite and the Grand Deluxe suites, other than the hot tub, which I don't really care about. However, we were offered 621 for the same price as the Grand Deluxe suites, so we took that one. 

You mentioned that the minibar isn't well stocked. What is in it?

I have read somewhere that passengers can opt for a premium wine/spirit package for the duration of cruise. Is that correct? What's the price?

Thank you for this video. Looking forward to our first Ponant experience on this ship in March

We are in a Penthouse suite on Explorer right now, and we love it. I agree that the closet is a bit small, but we have still managed to fit the contents of two big suitcases into it without any problems. 

The PH shower is wonderful, and we definitely don’t miss a bathtub, which we wouldn’t even consider using. 

Thanks a lot for the great review. I am glad to hear that you liked Penthouse suite 917, as we will be in that cabin from Rio to Buenos Aires before you board on Feb. 1, 2019 ;)

Everything is based on your country of residence - not where your TA is located. Australia is one of many countries where Regent does not provide air. And, although air is provided in the U.K., they do not get international Business Class air as we do in the U.S. and Canada. On the other hand, some of the promotions offered outside of North America are better than the offers in the U.S.

 

My guess (and this is only a guess) is that there are not enough passengers from Australia and other parts of the world to enable Regent to get "contracted" flights at a good price. The majority of passengers on Regent are from the U.S. and Canada - followed by the U.K. If I remember correctly, when included air was first rolled out, it did not include the U.K. So perhaps if more Australians book Regent cruises, included air could be offered.

 

I can understand the frustration. It may help to know that cruises to Australia are extremely expensive for U.S./Canadian passengers because the "included" Business Class air is included in the fare. Many fares to Australia start at $17,000/person (U.S. dollars).

I'm sorry but I don't think that this statement is entirely correct. We live in Europe but has used an American TA to book our first Regent cruise departing from Rio. It is completely correct that no flights are included, but we were still offered a cheaper base price, OBC and a considerable cash back.