Las Vegas Sailing

I feel obligated to post the reply I received from RSSC regarding the "lounge chair hog" issue. I'm pleased to see that RSSC has acknowledged this problem and is the process of taking steps to correct it.  Thanks to all who posted their comments on this issue.

Thanks to all for your comments regarding my “lounge chair hogs” post.  I would like to add a few additional viewpoints.

Point one: A simple analogy. The chair hogs are nothing more than the classical school yard bully. Unless Regent (not fellow passengers) confronts them they will continue their bad behavior. To acquiesce to them only empowers them.

Point two: There is the matter of principle.  Principles Matter.  Why should people who have absolute disregard for their fellow passengers be given any consideration. The notion we should just “surrender” to these hogs is unacceptable to me.

Point three:  You cannot let RSSC off the hook.  No amount of polite persuasion is going to work with them because it hasn’t worked in the past.  In my opinion, RSSC has, at minimum, been negligent in not taking action to correct this problem. Shame on them.  Funny how a pair of sunglasses or a paperback book left on a lounge chair can prevent RSSC from taking care of a problem.  RSSC must be held accountable.

And yes, I know, I can cruise on another cruise line if I don’t like the way RSSC is handling this problem, but that’s not the issue is it!

I am posting an email letter which I sent to Ms. Andrea DeMarco, President, of RSSC regarding the “lounge chair hog” issue.  It has been more than a week and I have yet to receive any acknowledgement or response.  Not responding to a valid letter from a faithful Regent Society member is inexcusable. I can only conclude the reason for no reply is that RSSC cannot defend their “do nothing” approach to the lounge chair hogs. You be the judge.  Any comments, good or bad, for or against, are welcomed. See attached email below.

Dear Ms. DeMarco:

As a Seven Seas Society Gold Tier member, I am writing to you to express my deep dissatisfaction in the manner in which RSSC is addressing the deplorable situation surrounding the “lounge deck hogs,” which is ongoing and without a foreseeable equitable solution. 

It’s difficult for me to understand how RSSC would rather alienate and disrespect the vast majority of their loyal clients who willing adhere to the rules and proper protocols established by RSSC than to confront the very small number of contemptible and self-entitled individuals who wantonly block and deny other passengers use of the shaded deck lounges by placing items on an empty unoccupied lounge bed.  This issue has been posted ad nauseam on RSSC Social Club and other social media and yet nothing has been done to correct this situation.

The often heard excuse by senior ship officers and staff for not taking any action is that it’s a “liability” issue. This is a total bogus justification and explanation to do nothing.  If proper notice is given and conspicuously posted that any property left unattended by the owner of that property that after a specific period of time the property will be removed and safeguard by a responsible crew member. The removal of any property can be witnessed and recorded by the many cameras located on the pool deck.

I have personally witness several altercations between passengers over the right to occupy the deck lounge bed. Some of these altercations were quite violent and could have led to someone getting seriously injured or perhaps worst. Ask yourself this: knowing the potential for danger and injury what “liability” would RSSC have in a legal action for failure to protect their passengers from harm?

As I have mentioned, I’m a Gold tier Seven Seas Society member working my way to Platinum status. I have 2 future cruises already booked for the end of 2024 and 2 others for early 2025. However, notwithstanding my love for cruising with Regent I would be hesitant to actually pay for these cruises if RSSC either is unable or unwilling to properly fix this lounge deck hog problem. Every passenger onboard should have an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefit of having access to the lounge deck beds.

It is respectfully requested that you provide me with what actions or corrective measures that RSSC will be taking to mitigate this untenable situation.

Thanks to all who responded to this post.  Your reviews are greatly appreciated. Based on all the positive reviews, we have booked a Harbour View Suite at the Kowloon Shangri-la Hong Kong for our upcoming November trip to Hong Kong

Will be in Hong Kong this November.  Would appreciate any recent reviews of the Kowloon Shangri-la or recommendations for other hotels in Hong Kong.

There is a cruise on board the Explorer from July 13 to July 23, 2022, Rome to Barcelona.  Is a negative COVID test required to debark the ship in Barcelona???

Henry Ford famously said...you can have any color Model T you want as long as it is black.  Well, Regent Custom Air says you can have any flights you want as long as you are willing to pay an extra premium.  My wife and I are booked on the Splendor this coming November, Rome to Barcelona.  This will be our 3rd Mediterranean cruise with Regent Seven Seas.  In the past, Regent Custom Air was able to provide us with our desired flights with no problem.  However, when we called Custom Air yesterday (268 days out) we could not book any of our desired flights.  We were told that Regent did not have any contracted seats in business class for the flights we selected.  But, the same flights were available if we were willing to pay a premium of $3,200 for the round trip tickets.  We declined the offer.  We were able to book flights on less desirable airlines with longer flight times and layovers.  What is going to happen when the time comes to those passengers who did not pay for Custom Air?  Has anyone else had this problem with Regent Custom Air?

WOW!  No, I didn't go to Pay Now since all were free.  Thanks for the help!

Early this morning I made my shore excursion bookings for our Tokyo to Tokyo cruise, which is scheduled to sail October 11 to October 23, 2021.  After completing the process, the Regent site indicated that all of our selected excursions were "Booked." After signing back on to our Regent account several hours later, I found that all of our selected excursions were gone. Has anyone else had this happen to them?  Other than re-booking, is there any way to fix this problem?

My wife and I are scheduled to sail on the SS Explorer from October 11 to October 23, 2021 (Tokyo to Tokyo).  This will be our first visit to Japan.  We would greatly appreciate any recommendations regarding shore excursions offered by Regent Seven Seas.  We are mobile (walking & climbing) and no dietary restriction.

We were told that it could take up to 90 days before we would see our refund.  We received our refund in less than a week!

My wife and I were booked for a Caribbean cruise aboard the SS Splendor from December 7 to December 14, 2020.  However, we decided to cancel the cruise before the final payment was due. We contacted Regent on July 29, 2020, and canceled our cruise.  We were told that we would received a cash refund back to our card credit for our original deposit. Well, much to our surprise, we were notified today by our credit card company that our refund money is back in our account.  Good job Regent!

Thank you!

What is the current refund policy of RSSC if they cancel a cruise after you have made your final payment?  Are they required to give back a full CASH refund or just a future cruise credit?

28 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Paper straws are replacing plastic straws in most places that we frequent.  However, we prefer "new" paper straws vs. the old ones.

Vero Water Inc is a small privately held company out of Miami, Florida.  What accreditation or certifications has their filtration system received from independent testing agencies? Has any industry or governmental agencies given them their "seal of approval?" 

1 hour ago, GrJ Berkshire said:

 We have just returned from the Navigator using the Vero water system. This is a brilliant move to save all those small water bottles, there is no health risk at all, this suggestion is ludicrous!!! You can have more than 1 bottle, sparkling or flats, they do fit in the fridge as well. The sooner guests either bring or a reusable bottle is provided to replace the bottles on excursions the better, as the waste and  environmental damage of single use plastic has to stop.

As to the concern over straws, why not drink out of the glass as it's designed for and cut out straws all together.

Ice in drinks is much more of an issue.

A great move by Regent, roll out the next stage !!!!

Next stage.  Perhaps paper plates!  Why use up the ship's water cleaning the china when they can simply throw out the paper plates along with the paper straws.

Thanks for your comment.  However, I for one do care about my health 10 years from now and would hope Regent Seven Seas does also!

18 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

I would not believe anything that I read.  People may recall when coffee caused cancer ....... then it didn't.  Today. I heard that taking a baby aspirin every day can cause brain bleeding.  Now, "green" containers can cause cancer (see linked article) https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/08/06/chipotle-bowls-contain-cancer-linked-forever-chemicals-study-finds/

 

If we worry about everything that eat and drink, we will go crazy.  I am open to the water offered on Regent.  If, 10 years from now it is determined to be harmful, so be it!

WOW.  Thank you for your reply. Doesn't sound very safe or sanitary. 

My wife and I will be sailing aboard the Explorer, Venice to Rome, from October 19 to October 29, 2019. Does anyone have any current information regarding the conversion by Regent Seven Seas from plastic bottle water to this new Vero water system.  Does this new system present a possible health/safety issue for passengers aboard the ship?

Thinking of booking a Tokyo to Tokyo cruise on the Explorer in October 2021.  We have never been to Asia before.  This would be our first visit. We would appreciate any information and/or advice regarding airlines from the US (West Coast) to Tokyo, Tokyo hotels and places to see.

Thank you all for your information and advice.

We will  be sailing on the Explorer, Venice to Rome, on October 19, 2019.  We are scheduled to anchor at Amalfi/Positano. We would like to hire a private car/limo service to tour the Amalfi Coast. We would appreciate any suggestions, recommendations, or warnings since this is our first visit to Amalfi.

Is anyone having a problem with Regent's web site.  Been trying to log-on to book new cruise, but web site times out?