chamima

21 hours ago, KLM3164 said:

Looking forward to reading your review as we will board on 11/2. We have a M2 cabin for the reserve dining. Our confirmation now indicates sanctuary benefits. When I go into our booking it says we have: 1. Exclusive access to the Sanctuary Club, 2. Your own private restaurant, 3. Exclusive access to the Suite Lounge. Also when I click on packages it says “You’ve purchased Princess Premier, great choice”. 

 

It will be interesting to see what we get when we get onboard. As long as we can dine in the reserve/signature dining area we will be happy as that’s what we originally booked and paid for. Anything else will just be icing on the cake!🎂 

21 hours ago, KLM3164 said:

We did not purchase the Premier package and our cruise was booked on 1/8/24, which was before all these changes were made. We normally wait and purchase Plus when we board so we can use our OBC to pay for some of it. 

@KLM3164 - If you get a chance, once you're on your cruise, please come back on here and let us know what benefits you actually get.

3 hours ago, Suite Susie said:

I’m expecting the experience to be downgraded compared to what we booked. We are the same as you, having an S2 Owners Suite booked for 2 cruises next year. The Sanctuary will inevitably be much more crowded, the Signature restaurant is being combined with the Reserve restaurant and will be on Deck 8 where the American diner is. This means it will be like the Suite experience on the other Princess ships, with all the food coming from the main kitchens.  We are sailing in a Penthouse Suite next month, before all these changes take place and if these restaurant changes are confirmed, we will be cancelling our two cruises on Sun next year. 

@Suite Susie Please come back after your cruise and let us know what you find out.

33 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

Section 4 seems to state that the perks are the same.  And I would think they are, otherwise why would anyone purchase one?  We did an open Future Cruise booking (this was last year) and received all the perks.  Seems this program simply "renames" that purchase. 

On Princess the perks are the same (unless they're having a special  on board only sale of certain cruises).

But on Celebrity there are many more restrictions (and fewer perks) when purchasing whatever they call their future cruise certificates rather than an actual cruise.

Hence my question.

20 minutes ago, -Lew- said:

 

Welcome to Regent, chamina!  

 

We're former Princess cruisers with 536 cruise days.  We left Princess for Regent, Celebrity, and Viking in 2019 and haven't looked back.  You're in for a treat!

Thanks. We've also cruised Celebrity a lot .

We're really excited about our upcoming Regent and expect it will be the first of many.

We are frequent Princess cruisers. 

On Princess the future cruise consultants on board are now independent agents. They no longer work for Princess directly.

Hence they encourage people towards cruises that have the highest "bonus" fees or commissions.

Does anyone know if the future cruise consultants on board  Regent  work directly for Regent.

6 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

Although an FCC/RRC can be useful, I believe it has some drawbacks compared to making an immediate booking on board:

 

 

We found it interesting to see that the company that issues the "Return with Regent Credit" is  Goodwill Credit Ltd, rather than Regent or NCLH.

A Google search for Goodwill Credit Ltd comes up with a Hong Kong based moneylender - https://goodwillcredit-hk.com/

 

FWIW - When we get a refund from Princess it comes , not from Princess, but from Bottomline Technologies, (which causes , unfortunately, lots of people to not open the envelopes with the checks in them but to just toss them out) and  I assume is like Goodwill Credit.

Anyways, it looks like we'll be making the time to sit down with the consultants on board to make future cruise plans.

5 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

Looking forward to reading your review as we will board on 11/2. We have a M2 cabin for the reserve dining. Our confirmation now indicates sanctuary benefits. When I go into our booking it says we have: 1. Exclusive access to the Sanctuary Club, 2. Your own private restaurant, 3. Exclusive access to the Suite Lounge. Also when I click on packages it says “You’ve purchased Princess Premier, great choice”. 

 

It will be interesting to see what we get when we get onboard. As long as we can dine in the reserve/signature dining area we will be happy as that’s what we originally booked and paid for. Anything else will just be icing on the cake!🎂 

Did you actually purchase the Premier package?

Or did you book the cruise after the change was made to include Premier just recently?

(We have an M2 also, booked last April, and we booked with the Plus package , which is what we currently show as still having, Access to the Sanctuary Club but not to the lounge.)

13 minutes ago, CalLuvsCrusingToo said:

 

What does this mean?

"swapping Kotor for Bar to Guest Services.

 

They are ports.

They were supposed to go to Kotor and instead went to Bar.

The parents complained to Guest Services (and received $500 in FCCs - which seems HUGE!)

9 minutes ago, jeb_bud said:

The main difference I am aware of is that the deposit is $1,000 per person with the certificate instead of $500 when booking onboard, if booking Penthouse or lower. The rules are a little different for higher level suites or long cruises but since that never applied to me I don’t know the specifics. 

$1000 non- refundable! 😲😳

And per person!!!!

***

23 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

Here is a link to the Return With Regent Credit program.  It should answer all your questions. 

https://www.rssc.com/legal/cruise-credit-terms-conditions#:~:text=Return With Regent Credit Terms And Conditions&text=Return with Regent Credits (each,future Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

@papaflamingo - Thanks.

(I read the whole thing and actually came away with more questions than I had before I read it. 😂)

I'm hoping the terms of the RRCs will be clearer once we're on board.

I'm still unsure of whether the benefits of booking a cruise with one are the same as booking a cruise while still on board.

Also, we're long time Princess cruisers and Princess Future Cruise Deposits refund automatically after a period of time - it looks like Regent RRCs are good forever but only refundable for 30 days after purchase - is that correct?

****

48 minutes ago, GMIAC said:

It is. They leave the forms in the cabins. All you have to do is drop it off to the Consultant - and leave your payment!

36 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

 

Now known as a Return with Regent Credit (RRC)

 

So does  purchasing the Return With Regent Credit on the ship  receive the same benefits as actually booking a cruise? 

22 hours ago, I object 2 said:

 

We booked an S2 Owners Suite for November 2025 earlier this year with the Plus package.  From our understanding, we're grandfathered and keep the pricing and package we originally booked.  Trying to keep up with these constant changes by Princess gives me a headache.  

Can't answer you for sure but I asked that exact question of our TA (who, books a TON of Princess cruises and has in the past , has been totally reliable ). We booked a (at the time) Reserve Collection mini suite with Plus for next December but got the email below from Princess last week.  She contacted Princess and yes, we still have exactly what we booked but with the addition of being able to use the Sanctuary pool area because we're on the Sun. (We're traveling with our grandchildren so that won't happen)

(My biggest concern was what will happen to the smaller Reserve dining room if they are opening it up to ALL mini suites, not just the limited ones that were designated as Reserve previously)

22 hours ago, GMIAC said:

On our July Iceland cruise on Splendor, we found out that Future Cruise Credits could be had for $500 each, which would take care of the deposit requirement for the future cruise. We bought two, and have already booked two more sailings. The $500 was all that was required as a deposit. Our next payment will be the balance, on the day the balance would have been due (is it four months prior?).

On 8/16/2024 at 1:48 PM, flossie009 said:

If you book on board (or within the 30 days prior) the booking can be transferred to your TA so that you will benefit from the on-board booking benefits plus the discount offered by your TA.

So you end up with the TA best price less the on-board booking discount ............. plus the other on-board booking benefits (lower deposit, ship board credit, price guarantee & ability to move the cruise without penalty) 

 

 

Just clarifying that purchasing Future Cruise Credits on the ship will receive the same benefits as actually booking a cruise.

Also, on other cruiselines you can just fill out the FCC form without having to wait in line to see a consultant. Is this possible on Regent?

On 8/12/2024 at 6:33 PM, Pcardad said:

They are leaving next month (I think) and are scheduled to be on Navigator around November 1.

We are on the Mariner Sept. 5. Any idea of whether they'll still be on board?

On 8/15/2024 at 6:14 AM, mj_holiday said:

There is another thread about this that I can't find, but need to make sure you know to look for the complimentary wine tasting of included wines.  It is usually held the first sea day and not well advertised.  Usually held in the atrium.

Try here (Consensus seemed to be to ask the Head Sommelier at dinner the first night when the tasting would be - I'm still not sure how to distinguish the "Head Sommelier" from the rest)

As to a wine tasting opportunity as differentiated from Wine Lunch--

No change in our experience over the past several years on various Regent ships.  But, of course anecdotal, as we do not live on Regent ships.  

The standard on Explorer, Mariner, Navigator, and Splendor has been to offer a "World of Wines" tasting at 10:00am on the first sea day.  Venue has been Atrium.  It can get a bit crowded.  

Some segments have few sea days; or, if there are any, they may be near the end of that cruise. No point in having a tasting because the point is to acquaint new guests as to the included wines available during that segment. 

Example:  Recent B/t/B June-July '24 aboard Splendor.  First segment:  first sea day, which was the second day onboard had the World of Wines; second July 5-15 segment around Iceland had only one sea day, which was on the penultimate day of that cruise.  No World of Wines.   

GOARMY!

1 minute ago, trulaker9 said:

I understand.  I was simply stating what I observed on my sailing.  Were the Signature mini-suite benefits explained up front and this is now a bait and switch?

No, according to our TA we still get everything we expected.

This is either an attempted money grab (to fool us into thinking we have to pay extra) or just a huge mistaken email.

Either way I'm disappointed in Princess.

Just now, dog said:

Is it a S9?

 

or D0-aft?

M2

7 minutes ago, trulaker9 said:

Genuinely curious question, are you saying you expected those benefits as a part of your mini-suite package?  I was just on the Sun Princess in a Signature Suite and these were the benefits minus the Premier Package (I had the Plus package) available to suite guests.  Mini-Suite guests did not have access to the  Siganature Restaurant, the Signature Lounge, or the Sanctuary Deck Area on my sailing.

As I said, we booked a Signature Mini-suite , and paid a significant premium over a regular mini suite.

(The designation has changed from Club Class to Reserve, to Signature to Sanctuary. )

This is not a new category of cabin. It's been around for years.

Just now, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Is the issue here that mini suites already get all of these things? 

 

I'm not sure what amenities mini suites get vs full suites. 

No, in the past (as I'm not sure of what they're doing now) only the mini suites designated as Reserve (now Sanctuary) got them (and paid a premium over other mini suites).

25 minutes ago, trulaker9 said:

This thread has gone off the rails from its original intent.  Can we please keep the posts specific to the topic and not talk about other cruise lines/ships.  I understand why it happened at first, but can we please refocus.

OK - so original topic is Sun Princess Signature benefits.

We booked the Sun for a New Years cruise in a Signature Mini Suite, which , by then, will be a Sanctuary mini suite. I got this from Princess today. We have the Plus package, which is enough for us.

I've already contacted our TA and she said to just ignore it . But the missteps on this ship just continue to happen. We've been sailing with Princess for about 50 years and have NEVER seen this incompetence before.

EDIT: I do have one question. Will ALL of the mini suites now be aavailable to upgrade to Sanctuary? I imagine a nightmare scenario of crowds in the dining room and the Sanctuary pool area. ??????

Dear Karen, We are excited to welcome you on your Caribbean sailing on Sun Princess on 12/28/2024. Take this opportunity to be one of the first to experience our new Sanctuary CollectionSM at a special limited time rate. For one week only, you have an exclusive chance to upgrade your Mini-Suite to our premium Sanctuary Collection experience for an additional $138/day per person - a value of 16% off off the current price. That's not all, included in this price is our all-inclusive Princess Premier package! Transform your Mini-Suite stateroom with the Sanctuary upgrade and enjoy exclusive benefits only the Sanctuary gives you access to: The Sanctuary Club, an adult-only, top-deck retreat with a pool and private cabanas available for reservation A private restaurant offering a custom chef's menu – no reservations required Exclusive wellness activities and special events   With your Sanctuary experience, you will also enjoy our highest all-inclusive Princess Premier® package – a value of $90 per day! In addition to all Plus package perks, Premier benefits include: Our fastest MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices Unlimited Premier beverages: Top-shelf spirits, specialty coffee, and juice bar Included gratuities: $17 per day Unlimited digital photos (with up to 3 prints) – $89 value Unlimited specialty and casual dining Included reserved theater seating (production shows only) Chances to win prizes like wine tasting, onboard credit and more — simply by opening your stateroom door For the full list of benefits, click here   To upgrade, call 1-888-602-1647 and mention your personal code to unlock this special deal: Offer expires: August 23, 2024 at 7pm ET – 1 week from today. Click on the link  to learn more. Secure your Sanctuary Collection experience now – this exclusive offering is limited. Upgrades are subject to availability and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to join us in the Sanctuary, where it’s always zen

21 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

This will be our first Princess cruise and it was over $20k for a Vista Suite for our family of four. 

 

I know most of you don't care (perhaps are even happy) but Park 19 being abandoned was a huge disappointment. 

 

Now reading about some of the other changes coming in October, it's hard to imagine this will be worth the huge premium. 

 

For what we paid for this, we could cruise for 3 weeks in the Yacht Club in a true ship-in-a-ship sanctuary, not what appears to be a poorly constructed afterthought as this appears to be. 

 

It also appears many other areas are equally blundered, like the Dome that does not have enough seating for their shows.

 

We're not going to cancel the cruise but I'm guessing this will be a one and done experience for us with Princess.

 

I wonder if their executive team knows how poorly their entire rollout of this maligned ship is going to impact their future revenue from people who choose not to book with them again after this. 🤷‍♂️

😪

6 hours ago, -Lew- said:

Personally I wouldn't try to depend on WI-FI.  If your phone or tablet can use an eSIM to connect to local cell providers, that would be the most convenient and dependable way to go.  Also, you would not need to get off the ship to connect.

 

eSIMs are very inexpensive and easy to activate.  Check out this site for information and to search for one that will work best for you.

Have you used any of those companies?

Do you end up with a new phone number for the eSim? (Couldn't find that info on the website of the one I checked out)

We get 4 logins with our suite so not sure we need an eSim . Is there any reason we would for this cruise?

On 8/4/2024 at 7:10 PM, Iamcruzin said:

I know you have been a member here and a Celebrity passenger for a long time and I trust your opinion. What line does your husband prefer?

We're trying Regent in a couple of weeks.

15 minutes ago, MoBro713 said:

Where in my account would I see the on board credit?

 

Thanks

It's per cruise and must be requested  each time you cruise.

Check your OBC and it should show.

(I got an email from Regent letting me know that my requested OBC from the stock was successfully applied to my cruise)

18 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

They'll do whatever you want.  Like you, we are "low maintenance" when it comes to butlers.  But they will bring canapes every night between 5 and 6 if you wish, and they'll mix drinks or deliver drinks if you wish. They'll be the person you contact for any issue, collect and deliver your laundry, bring you any room service, make extra dining reservations if available, cancel shore tours if you decide not to go, etc.  When we were in the South Pacific we often had 2 tours in a day, one being beach and one being shore tour.  Usually we'd have less than 2 hours to change after the morning tour.  So we would have our butler place lunch in our cabin at a specific time so it was there when we got back and we could eat while changing for our next tour.  VERY helpful. 

 

Thank you!

We will also have a butler for the first time in a couple of weeks and couldn't think what a butler could do that's above and beyond what a room steward does.

I guess a butler would have fewer cabins than a room steward so more time.

How many cabins does a butler typically have?