papaflamingo

Thank you so much for the info. I assume you made all reservations yourself or did you use a tour group?

Most likely what is happening is that Regent has contract rates on some routes that allows them to book at a discounted price from any of the listed gateways, so same cost no matter if LAX or JFK. But on other routes they don't so it will cost more or less depending on where you leave from. Bottom line is easiest...if you can book Business Class cheaper on Regent than on your own, book it. If not...book on your own.

Yes.

The included pre and post cruise land programs are specific to certain cruises only and are used to attract people to cruises that aren't selling out. At some point some of the new cruises will likely include pre and post land tours depending on how well they sell.

I would try again if on another cruise. We were on Explorer in Feb. and went to Pacific Rim 3 times in 14 nights. We loved all the food and the service was superb. I think in reality, with cruise ships, the turnover of crew impacts every aspect of the cruise, especially food, drink, and housekeeping. So I wouldn't expect that, fleet wide, your experience is "normal."

Since it's the customer who determines that quality and service is sub-standard, how else will management know if the customer doesn't bring it to management's attention?

I actually don't see "smoke and mirrors." They are quite clear on all those costs. This is clearly posted on their website when you look at a cruise: "CHOOSE FROM TWO ALL-INCLUSIVE FARE OPTIONS We believe that flexibility is the ultimate luxury, which is why we are pleased to offer several fare options. Choose an All-Inclusive Cruise Fare and enjoy the included luxuries of your voyage and freedom of arranging your air travel independently. Or elevate your fare package to Ultimate All-Inclusive*, which provides flights in your preferred air class where available, coach transfers between airport and ship, and a new private executive chauffeur service with Blacklane." The "2 for 1" has been a marketing ploy for years... nothing new there. And the cost of deviation is nothing new either. In fact it's completely explained on the FAQ section on the website including this statement: "To speak directly to our Air Concierges a $75 non-refundable Custom Air call service fee will be applied to reservations which, if the Custom Air flight option presented is accepted within three days, will become part of the existing $175 per person air customization fee." So where's the "smoke and mirrors?" In fact it's even MORE transparent as the cost of air plus Blacklane, etc. is clearly delineated. Not sure how much easier and clearer the costs can be.

You don't have to "do the math," the website does it for you. It shows the cost without air, cost with economy air, and cost with Business Class air. A few years ago it showed only the cost with Business Class air, and then at the bottom showed the "air credit" which meant you had to do the math to figure out if you could get it cheaper or not. Then a year or so ago they showed cruise cost without air AND cruise cost WITH Business Class side by side. NOW they show cost without, addition for economy air, and addition with Business Class air. Much better. I can see without ANY math how much it'll cost to purchase Business Air (knowing it might change a bit with departure airport) and see if I can get it cheaper without having to subtract the cost of air from the cruise cost. Pretty simple, especially if you don't want to do the math.

No, you're not missing anything. The cost of Regent cruises have always gone up a few times per year. The cost of air is reflective of the cost TO Regent for the air, just like it always has been. Air costs are going up across the board, including for Regent. But on our cruise, the cost of air only went up $50 if you factor in the Blacklane credit. Other cruises... who knows. In the past (at least since 2018) it has always done the same. Air credit changed per itinerary and per Regent's cost. I have one cruise where the air credit was about $7,000 round trip and another cruise it was $9800 round trip. Both were booked a while ago, one much earlier than the other. The cost reflects the best rate that Regent can get for air. It's no different today. I'm not surprised your cruise went up $2850. But what probably went up was the cruise only cost. Again... they have been doing that for years. A couple times per year they raise prices. ALL of our cruises went up significantly over the years since we tend to book at least a year out. Just the nature of the game. All cruise lines do it.

That isn't exactly what you said. You said "They used to be inclusive of business air (in North America), now they're not." But nothing at all has changed. Regent offers air at the cost to Regent from the air lines. That's as it's always been. They would agree on a contract rate, as I'm sure they try to do today, and that is the rate they charge you. But Business Class is a premium product and the Airline's money maker. They are flying full. There is no reason for an airline to discount the rate. So Regent can't get it. They publish whatever the rate they can secure for you. If you can buy Business Class air cheaper, then do it, just like in the past. We booked a cruise leaving out of Papeete. The air credit was round trip was $9800 per person. Today it's $10,100 per person, or $300 per person higher. BUT, it now includes $250 pp Blacklane credit. So the air cost only went up $50 pp. Nothing has changed.

At least since 2018 Regent "base" fare was NOT inclusive of business air. It was shown in the price posted for the cruise, but at the bottom of the web page it showed the "air credit" if you chose to book your own air. You could (and can) get a "hotel credit" if your fare included a hotel night, and a "pre/post excursion credit" if your fare included "free" pre/post cruise excursion and you chose not to take it. Then a year or so ago they broke out the cost of the cruise showing side by side on the web the cost with or without air. It was all marketing. Regent marketed it as "including business class air" but, in fact, it was always an optional add on. Really nothing has changed other than they've included an "economy air" option and added the $500 Blacklane credit. The cost of air, be it business or economy, will directly reflect the cost of air to Regent. They'll charge whatever it costs THEM to book the flight. If they have contract rates with an airlines, it'll be generally cheaper than booking on your own, just like in the past. If they don't have contract rates, it'll cost what it costs....just like in the past.

However, the crew morale fund rewards all crew members, not just the few who we encounter daily. Example, laundry, galley staff, maintenance staff, etc.

I'd be more than happy to start a rumor, but it'd be nothing more than a rumor. 😜

Why should Regent "compensate?" They're in business to make a profit, so it's obvious that they're going to charge what they are charged for a flight.

Yes, and that's leaving out of Atlanta, our home city. The air credit for our cruise when we booked it in March was $9800 pp. The cost of Business Class today is $10,100, and that includes $250 for Blacklane.

The new cost for Business Air is $300 from the "air credit' when I booked it. But that includes $250 pp for Blacklane. So the actual cost increase for Business Air is $50 pp. It you look at any cruise that starts at an international port, you'll see 3 options: 2-FOR-1 ALL INCLUSIVE CRUISE FARE *ULTIMATE UPGRADE WITH ECONOMY AIR *ULTIMATE UPGRADE WITH BUSINESS AIR simply pick what you want... cruise only, or cruise with economy air, or cruise with Business Class air and run the numbers.

What was the air allowance on your original booking? Because the cruise we booked in March for next year, the air fare is only $300 more than when we booked it, not surprising at all considering the cost of air travel.

I haven't done it, but the Movenpick is right at the cruise port. Here's it's location on "google maps." https://www.google.com/maps/place/52°22'43.8"N+4°54'46.2"E/@52.3788346,4.9128199,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d52.3788346!4d4.9128199?entry=ttu

No they haven't. They've just added a coach option so you can save money if you wish. But the price with Business Class is clearly stated on the website.

I know...right? 😱

WAIT....WHAT????? I just thought the laundry shrunk my clothes! 😱

If you have time while in Montreal, go see "Aura" at Notre Dame Basilica. It's absolutely spectacular! https://www.basiliquenotredame.ca/en/events/the-aura-experience

"A rose by any other name....." Besides, "cronuts" on a ship are calorie free (so are Popcorn Sundies). 😜

Just to add, Regent books "Restricted Business Class." This means different things at different airlines. At all airlines you'll get whatever their "business class" seat is, but there is a possibility of less amenities. Most obvious is Qatar where they have a "Business Lite" option for sale. That is what you'll get with Restricted Business from Regent, so you can go on the Qatar website and see what "Business Lite" is. But regardless, when you consider an airlines you're unfamiliar with, simply go on Youtube and put in the airline business class and you will very likely find a tour of their business class. That's what the seat will be no matter what it's called. On Delta it's Delta One, United it's Polaris. Also keep in mind that Business Class in intra-Europe flights is often just a coach seat with the middle seat blocked out. So it's important to do your research.

As Portolan said... but it's just a little bit of HEAVEN. And NO calories (I wish). 🤣