Wendy The Wanderer

I remember these guys. Can't remember what cruise it was.

That's a nice hotel in a good location.

We're done cruising, but back in the day, my husband never even took a sports jacket (except for one early cruise on Diamond that demanded a suit on formal night). But the last one we took, I brought him a sports jacket because I knew he's be cold in the lounges and dining rooms. It was very helpful to have it.

Has anyone confirmed that Regent is in fact not offering help to those customers stuck in this situation?

I don't blame you. That kind of thing really leaves a bad taste in your mouth, for sure. I myself always shied away from Viking simply because of the early payment issues. In early 2020, we watched the Paul Gauguin (owned by Ponant), deny people cash refunds when they stopped sailing due to covid--that turned off lots of loyal former cruisers--we vowed we'd never go back, despite it being our favourite cruise ship. So I can totally understand.

Are you referring to their payment policies, or something else?

Splendor is an amazing ship, btw, and the S1/2 or concierge cabins are generous in size. Haven't been on Insignia but it is smaller and older, with much smaller standard cabins. Fewer specialty restaurant choices too.

I just noticed that the Paul Gauguin has some great zero single supplement specials right now. Not sure how they're faring under Ponant ownership, but despite the small size, I will always consider this ship to be luxury (first sailed her in 2000.)

We're counting on your review, bon voyage!

So Richard, are you having a good time yet?

I'm very jealous, Richard. Have a great trip!

I also would choose 721. Great location.

Yes, they have several sets. I believe there might have been a couple of photocopied cards, but bring your own for sure. It's just a pickup game, not organized.

I'm kind of surprised they would specifically target "luxury" cruises rather than mass market.

Yes of course, you could get an air credit, which was handy, but rarely equivalent to the price of booking your own business air flights.

I'm talking about the base cruise fares. I.e., they used to be inclusive of business air (in North America), now they're not.

Included Biz, yes. Those halcyon days of a great deal on included Biz air are over. Cruise-only fares are still high, but adding air, even coach, seems very pricey. I think we can blame the airlines and mass travel in general for this change, but I suspect Regent is not reducing base fares in any way to compensate. Just my opinion. P.S. I wonder if they'll quote on Premium Economy now?

They lump us Canadians together with the Americans. We get mostly the same regs and perks.

Oh, do tell! How could we possibly figure that out?

Mostly I'm reacting to the marketing language. The ships are all fine as they are, in terms of luxury, although I admit I like the newer ones. But they just don't need to get any more luxurious (or expensive.)

Ick, glad I'm going to miss all that. It's all so over the top.

No disrespect, but I'm trying to picture bringing garlic powder and tabasco into Compass Rose. 🙂 My experience in the past requesting less salt has not been good, but perhaps they handle special requests better now. My ankles always swelled after a couple of days onboard.

We got upgraded to 8 once as well. It was divine, but only at the discounted price. Ah, those were the days!

Yes, we did two of those courses in the early days. On Voyager they happened in Signatures, using the galley for the cooking part. Chaotic but wonderful.

Presumably this tab just doesn't show up on the older ships that have no culinary classes?