papaflamingo

I just deviated so I am current on this. When you first call to deviate your flights they will inform you that there is a $75 charge to speak to the agents. Since I called for both my wife and I it was a single $75 charge, not per person. When you accept your deviation the $75 is rolled into the $175 deviation charge for one person and the second person is charged the standard $175. So the total charge hasn't changed. This was done to reduce the number of calls they were getting. So when you call to deviate you want to have as many. "ducks in a row" that you can. I had 3 itinerary alternative when I called. And the agent gave me other options when I asked. Also it's important to note... one of my flights was changed by the airlines that pushed the time between flights pretty tight. So I called to see about changing it. Since I already had booked the deviation agreed to, it was not a new deviation request, so no further $75 charges.

Depends. Many policies wave "pre-existing conditions" if you buy within 14 days or so of booking. So, you need to ask yourself if waiting until final payment will put you in a position of having a pre-existing condition or not. You must also fully understand what a "pre-existing condition" is. Generally the policy will have something like a 180 day look back period. That means if you have a NEW medical problem, like...say.... a heart condition that arises 60 days prior to buying the policy, it will not be covered as it's preexisting. BUT any condition you have, like heart issues, that are fully controlled with no change in medication or treatment, during the look back period, are NOT preexisting and will be covered. You can read the definition on any of the insurance websites, and I highly recommend you do that to fully understand your coverage. So, I never buy insurance until I make my final payment, especially on very expensive cruises where the premium is so high and the date is so far away. Once you buy the policy, you own the policy, even if you cancel the cruise. For me, I figure if something bad enough happens before final payment and inside the lookback period, I'll probably cancel the cruise anyway. It's a "crapshoot" for sure, but one I'm willing to take since it leaves open the option to cancel the cruise, reschedule the cruise, or change the cruise. But if you are POSITIVE that you will be cruising, then purchasing the policy as soon as you book is a good idea because it starts your coverage and offers some benefits. I should mention, that in my experience, I have been able to change the insurance dates and coverage prior to the cruise leaving with a cost difference. Example... we were booked on Navigator this past March. Four days before the cruise we were offered an opportunity to "push" it to Dec. with a change to Mariner, a significant refund, and an upgrade from a Deluxe Verandah to a Penthouse A. GREAT DEAL for us as we were in the middle of major house repairs from a water leak at Christmas. When I called my insurance company I was able to shift the policy to the new cruise with just a minor upcharge. The upcharge was because we were extending the coverage time by 10 months. So, hope this helps answer your question. Sorry it's so wordy. 😎

Thank you!!! I will be calling them today (Monday). Appreciate the info and help.

Not meant in a snarky way at all, but you say you want them to recommend a wine, they recommend the daily wine and you don't want that. Do you try it at least? Isn't recommending the daily selection actually "recommending" a wine? Just curious, because it sounds like you have decided the daily selection is substandard at least for your selected meal before actually trying it. Again, I apologize if this comes across in any way as snarky. It's just that my understanding is that, in Compass Rose at least, the daily wine is selected based on the daily special prepared by the chef. If so, then it would be a natural recommendation.

Just comment to add to those already made. If you book on a single airline they will give you first class domestic. Europe, not so much. Check the connecting flight in Europe. Often their "business class" will be a normal row of 3 with the middle seat blocked out. I just deviated my flights for Feb. When I called Regent I had all my "ducks in a row." I found a couple of options and had the airline website open to the flights I wanted. The agent was FANTASTIC! We are going Atlanta to Hong Kong so we have to connect. We booked on United and we have First Class to SFO and Polar Class to HKG. When we did our return we need to upcharge for the non-stop from Tokyo to Atlanta. I asked what a no upcharge would look like and she said I could do Japan Airlines to Boston in Business Class then Jet Blue to Atlanta in coach. So I chose the upcharge. They will be very happy to discuss all options available and are very easy to work with. Remember it's $75 to talk to them, but that's a single charge, not per person. Then it's $175 per person to deviate, but the $75 is rolled In so well worth it. Just have some options available and don't hesitate to ask them what other options may be available. After accepting a deviation you, or your TA will get an email with the itinerary on it that MUST be accepted in 3 days. So if you are working with a TA make sure they know that email is coming.

Thanks... I called United and I can't change the reservation with theme because, as you said, it hasn't been paid for. After Regent pays for the ticket I'll be able to change with United. But I'll go ahead and call Regent so there is no problem getting the change early. Waiting until 60-75 days out could result in the inability to make the change. Appreciate all the info from you and others.

I tried to change on the app and it wouldn't let me. I'll try phoning United directly and see what they say. Thanks.

Thanks.....

Since Regent "paid" for the ticket, I have to go through them. The app won't let me change the flight (already tried that).

Sorry.... we deviated our flight to Hong Kong for our cruise in Oct. United just changed the schedule and our connection time in SFO went from 4 hours to 1:49. We are coming from Atlanta, so not the most "wiggle room" that I wanted. My questions... we are debating going the night before with a 13 hour layover (we'd go to a hotel). However in order to do this I have to call Regent. I get that there'll be a $75 charge, no problem (well not enough problem to worry about), but since we're changing our previously agreed upon flights, with there be a new $175 per person deviation fee or is it all part of the original deviation fee? Thanks.

I'm on the East Coast and I actually liked the original Midnight. I tend to stay up late anyway, and 8 pm cuts into my social life. Although I must admit that making a reservation AFTER the party has led to an occasional "why the heck did you reserve THAT for?" comments by my wife! 😱 Maybe 7 am will prevent that problem. 😜

That would not only be a great feature, it would benefit both the passengers and Regent. Imagine how many phone calls and agent time would be saved if we could just into the Account and cancel a shore excursion.

It's all good.. Just grab a drink in whatever time zone you are in and enjoy the excitement of your upcoming cruise. After all, as Jimmy Buffett says,:

Just to add.... Regent cruises are not cheap. Therefore one would expect that the commission for booking a Regent cruise versus a mainstream cruise line is significantly higher and it likely isn't any more work (based on my communications with cruise lines, Regent is probably LESS work). We have used the same TA for over 13 years... lots of cruises. We have "graduated" from "lowly" inside cabins on Royal Caribbean to Regent. We have booked, through our same TA, 84 nights on Regent so far and have around 134 days booked through 2025. If my TA wouldn't be willing to book a rental car or hotel for me because it's "too much work," I'd be looking for someone else. I don't know the commission for cruises, but I bet that over 200 days on Regent makes for a pretty significant income. Oh yeah.... I have also recommended my TA to my friends and grown kids. She has picked up significant bookings over the years thanks to me and my recommendations. 😎

I feel your pain. I live in the Eastern time zone so for many years we had to book at midnight. But consider this... even in England at 1 am grab a drink because

It opens at 8 pm Eastern Time. That means, to paraphrase Jimmy Buffet, "It's 1 O'Clock somewhere." 😎

Also you can access it under the "To Do List" on the right hand side.

It's not "extra work," it's your TA's JOB to book cruises and travel arrangements. She's paid by commission and the more she books the more commission she receives. I'm sure your TA would be way more than happy to do the work for you. In fact I'm sure she'd WANT you to use her, it increases her income.

I doubt it. Curious though, how much do you think Port Taxes are per passenger per port?

Wow.... I'm surprised he seemed disappointed. That seems pretty generous, especially since you had no real "requests."

Depends. If b2b then you will have to book dining for each segment separately. If it's a single cruise then you should be able to book all your dining at the same time. We did that for a 22 night cruise in Oct. that we booked as a single cruise but also could be booked in 2 segments.

We did the Golden Circle tour last year and it was spectacular!!! Your beautiful photos brings back all the great memories. We sailed on Navigator around Iceland and had an overnight in Reykjavik as well as 3 other ports. It was a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to following you on yours.

I have not done Regent to Alaska, but have sailed 84 nights and done many excursions. Some have been wonderful, most have been what was expected, and a few have been.... as others have said...."meh." I read the descriptions of the excursions, take them for face value, and pick what I feel I'll enjoy the most. Having said that, most (if not all) Regent excursions are the same as any other cruise company. They use the same tour operators and offer pretty much the same tours. So actually some can easily be researched online if you put in the tour name. And if your plan is to book through a cruise line, you'll get the same excursions, you'll just have to pay for them. As to availability, if you are working with a TA have them put the cruise on a 7 Day Hold and they will issue a booking number. Assuming you have an on line account with Regent (if not get one), you can go into your account and add the booking number. It'll appear just as if you have the cruise booked (you sort of do until the hold expires). If within the excursion selection time, you can check and see what excursions are full and what are still open. That way you can get a feel for what remains for you to book and can decide on the cruise.

It says no jeans of any kind. "Casual wear consists of resort-style outfits; some examples are jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Casual wear is appropriate for daytime both on board or ashore. Casual wear is not appropriate after 6:00 PM."

I'm not passing judgement, just expressing an opinion. Sorry if you felt that way.