CJANDH

Be sure to check with the hotel that they have a shuttle to the International terminal. Most of the hotels only have a shuttle to the domestic terminal. You then have to transfer to the airport free shuttle between domestic and international. It is not easy to find and takes about 20 minutes to get from one terminal to the other, driving on public roads around the perimeter of the airport. An Uber or taxi from your hotel to the international terminal may be extra cost but much simpler.

The new format for comparing prices without air and with the optional economy or business air looks really simple on the website. Just three columns with prices clearly shown. HOWEVER note the small print. The air costs are based on flights from New York and you are advised to start a booking thread to get the correct cost from your departure airport. I did this for a cruise that I already have booked under the old pricing model. The air cost for business class on the website was $5,200 pp or $10,400 for two people. When I did the dummy booking with departure from Savannah, the cost of air for two people jumped up to $15,600. Following through to the full cost of the cruise, I found the new pricing was about 7% higher than I had locked in three days ago even though the advertised price using the (New York based) website information looked a few dollars cheaper. I was pricing a 10 day European cruise in a Grand Suite on Voyager. You might find the percent increase is higher in less expensive suites as the air cost would be a bigger part of the total. Caveat emptor.

Does anyone know when Voyager last had a rehab/dry dock?

Just finished a cruise in a Grandeur Suite on Grandeur. I would take that over a forward Grand Suite if the mid ship Grands were not available. Not as large, but still has the second "potty". Very nice location and very quiet.

Thanks for that. Really is hidden away isn't it.

It was actually a perfectly calm day. What you are looking at is the wake from the ship.

Maybe a dumb question. However looking at the Crystal website I don't find a list of inclusions. Am I right in assuming that all drinks at the bars and dining venues are included?

Yes If the chair hogs don't get them before breakfast!

Review of Grandeur 918 Grandeur 918.xls

We don't have to endure it at all. The ultimate action is to cancel your cruise and switch to a cruise line with more customer friendly HQ policies. I hate their arrogance.

I agree. The most likely reason the pool was closed would be the need for a thorough cleaning because someone "contaminated" it.

We were on that same bus as you. Most of us had booked a beach break and got what we booked. I am guessing that you guys were given tickets for the wrong bus.

I am currently sailing the Aegean Sea on Regent SS Grandeur. But I could still hear the sigh!! Which Cocoon are you booked in?

If you will be off the ship during the day I would not worry about the noise. The suite itself is wonderful and the noise issue we had was almost entirely in the day. We had a lot of tender ports that made the thruster problem an issue in the day. If your ports are more "docked" you will not have a problem. The ship is wonderful; the suite is over the top good and the food is outstanding. Keep your booking and enjoy. Chris.

We were in the Cocoon Residence below you on the 6th deck. It was noisy, both from the pool below us and the constant use of thrusters to maintain position at tender ports (rather than use the old fashioned anchor). You will be a few levels higher and may not suffer as badly as we did. It also depends on the number of families on board. The kids love the small aft pool!!!

I am not sure it is good strategy to try to build your business by cannibalizing your existing business.

Maybe because they can then increase the number of staterooms! Just a thought. 😁

We are on board now and there have been no food issues. Service in Compass Rose was a bit hectic last night with a full restaurant and perhaps a lower than usual complement of wait staff. But despite being a little stressed they all maintained a happy face. So far (after three days) I would say that everything is up to normal Regent standards . . . . except the weather that is way too hot for June in the Med!!

But what makes you think it is like Silversea? They are very clear that the Blackstone charge is refundable if not used. The Regent wording is not clear. They talk of a "voucher" for the service, which if you don't use it you might lose it.

I can understand that if you have no dietary restrictions. But as I don't eat seafood the choice was not that great. I know it is my problem not Explora's, but I am not alone in having some things I cannot eat. A change in menu once in a while helps overcome this. I do accept that with a constant menu the chefs should be better able to "get it right".

You might find that the never changed menus get a bit boring for a 14 night cruise.

Thank you for your insights Jersey42. I will certainly look at GeoBlue next March when our renewal comes up.

Can you expand on that a bit please. I sailed in a Cocoon Residence and did not find value in the high expense. But I wasn't miserable. Just disappointed. Was it the suite itself that they disliked or more?

I did. The evacuation coverage is the same. The medical is $100K versus $50K. The premium is in fact a little higher (not a deal breaker) and it does have deductibles that the Allianz plan doesn't. The little extras in the Allianz plan (lost luggage, small cancellation/trip delay etc.) are nice but not important. Overall, I would be happy with either plan. I am just pointing out that there are inexpensive ways to cover for catastrophic events if you are willing to self-insure for the trip cost itself.

Yes.