fluckey

I really don't know anything about this rebate/cruise credit deal, but it wouldn't surprise me if the TA and Regent have worked out something to subtly encourage people to spend the rebate on on-board items like good wine.  If you are given a large cruise credit, you may be tempted to spend it when you wouldn't lay out the cash.  Both the TA and Regent could possibly benefit if this were the case.  I guess I'm a believer in conspiracies.

UUNet, that's an idea, but I think 30 minutes is long enough (probably too long) to save an unoccupied lounge.  In my opinion, just because one gets out at 7:00 am is no reason that said person owns that lounge for the day.  I appreciate that a few Regent cruisers feel entitled, but I would say it's OK to keep the lounge for a restroom trip or to get a drink, but not for breakfast, lunch or a movie.

I wasn't taking detailed notes, simply lounging and observing human nature.  But I stand by my assessment that there are plenty enough chair hogs on Regent ships ignoring (or abusing) the 30 minute "rule" to sharply limit available chairs on the shady side of the ship.  And it doesn't take many chair hogs to do that.  Fifteen hogs saving two or three chairs each would do it.  I'm not going to bother doing it, but I bet if you searched the term "chair hog(s)" on this board, you'd find that it's not my imagination that a problem exists.

Boblerm, I think you are being a little too kind.  On my last Caribbean cruise, pre-covid, I would often go out on deck to read and enjoy coffee before breakfast.  Every day I was out there, there would be plenty of chair hogs dropping off books and flip flops and then disappearing.  Very few, if any, 30 minute returns.  Of course, sea days were the worst.  I never bothered to keep track of the demographics of the offenders.

Yes, Villa Magna closed for a year or more of remodeling,  and came back as a Rosewood with way jacked up prices.  I basically agree about spending the kids inheritance.

I always stayed at the Villa Magna on business.  Very nice, but also $$$$.  Now, as a pensioner, I prefer the Palace.

Of course, the answer to the thought exercise posed by MCOgirl is that those who are still worried after vaccination, should just stay home.

Having said that, I do think the CDC will be cautious about the resumption of cruising.  I think they like being in control of people's lives, and they have pretty much lost control over our activities in the U.S.  Essentially all governors, even in the blue states, are opening up their states to travel and hospitality, to schools, to sporting events, etc.  Cruising seems to be the one place where the CDC can control our lives.

Caribbean cruises are great for sitting on the deck, drinking mojitos, and doing nothing but relaxing.  The individual islands are no great shakes and are mostly all the same.  Having said that, I have been on some moderately fun excursions including a couple of cooking classes, rain forest trips, etc.

Regardless of what "they" think or what the so-called science says, I wouldn't go on a cruise if I had to wear a mask on the ship.  I'd rather be sitting in my living room, sans mask.

Ronrick, for sure.  But then, I will never again sail on one of the 3000+ lines.  Actually, when I did it, it was only 2000+.  Much too big.

TC, I agree there is no right or wrong.  Some will want to cruise in the current circumstances, some will not.  Some will not mind wearing masks on an expensive cruise, some will not even consider it.  Some will believe that Regent can ensure that passengers and crew will not be exposed to the virus on ship and on shore, others will doubt that.  I'm a doubter.

Kwaj, I think you missed my point.  I was trying to express skepticism that Regent can provide you with a virus free experience on a cruise.  Some are worried about the virus, some are not.  And some seemed to think that Regent could provide miracles to keep excursions absolutely safe.  I'm quite doubtful of that.

I really think some of you are delusional if you think that social distancing can be maintained throughout  a cruise and on tenders and excursion vehicles, and that every person you will come near will have been recently tested, and that excursion buses will be sanitized continuously, and that everybody near you throughout the cruise and excursions will be wearing a mask at all times.  It may happen, but I wouldn't bet my life on it!

One more thing which I was remiss to mention in my last post - Thank you, Pcardad, for your very kind compliment.

The debt holders will certainly be in line in front of the shareholders in the event of restructuring.  But I don't it will come to that.  The banks may have to restructure their credit agreements, but with some luck, there will be no dilution of shareholder interests. It may take a while for the shares to get back to their pre-crisis levels (in the $50's per share, I think).   I think that all of the cruisers will come back eventually (except maybe the cruisers  on the ill-fated Princess and Holland ships), and the Regent shares will come back also.  No guarantees.

To be honest, and for the sake of full disclosure, I did cancel a Regent cruise next year going to Greenland and Iceland.  So I got my deposit back save $100.  But that was more about rethinking lots of travel plans.

I know essentially nothing about the NCLH financial position and , of course, have no clue as to how the corona crisis will play out.   But I suspect the banks and bondholders to whom NCLH is indebted will do everything possible to keep NCLH afloat.  The only chance they have of getting paid back is to hope NCLH resumes profitable operations.  I sure the last thing the debt holders would want is some sort of liquidation and the forced sale of ships.  Shareholders may up with next to nothing, but I think the debt holders will want to keep Regent in business.  So I'm thinking your deposit will be OK, but like I said, I really don't know anything.

Travelcat, I believe you are correct.  Regent would lose a significant part of their business if they make customers over 70 years of age jump through hoops to cruise.  If I had to go to a doctor within 7 or 14 days of cruising, I think I'd just do something else.

Swaflack, your story of the cruiser with pneumonia is scary and, of course inexcusable.  But I disagree entirely about separate cruisers for the elderly, whatever age the cutoff may be.  I have had such a good time with people using walkers or scooters or whatever.  They knowingly assume some risk when they cruise.  Occasionally there have been issues on excursions, but generally, no big deal, in my experience.

On the plus side, Geldankat, if the ship is only half full, you should get plenty of individual attention in the restaurants and bars, and always be able to get a prime lounge chair at the pool.

To slidebite and others who would feel more comfortable on a spacious Regent ship than on mass market lines, I think you may be ignoring the risk of the virus spreading through the crew who no doubt live in slightly more crowded quarters.  Look at the Princess ship in California, for example.  19 of the 21 initially diagnosed with the virus were crew members.

Of course the chair hogging has been going on for years, although maybe not on Franck's ships.  My point is that Regent had had no commitment and no consistent program to stop it.  On my cruises, Regent action has been generally limited to a few comments in the daily paper.  No one has been watching and taking action, at least not on a regular basis.

That sounds very familiar.  Too bad.

Ah, the chair hogs.  Some things never change.  Are there any signs that Regent crew are doing anything about it?

Ms. Carlson named herself Mariner godmother?  Well, if you own the cruise line, I guess you can do it.

Mrlevin, you've got me on that one.  Who is the godmother of Mariner?

What's with all the hating on Christie Brinkley?  Those of you dissing her must have missed the great Sports Illustrated covers a few years back.  She's as least as accomplished as Princess Charlene, whose claims to fame are some swimming success and marrying well.  Christie may not be as well known outside the U.S. as she is in her home country, but what percentage of Regent passengers are American?  50%?  75%?  More?  I believe her portrait will grace the main salon of the new ship beautifully!