hammo

Just hoping to get some specific info about Newcastle . ( we have been before and so this time want to head to the Hunter Valley ) We are hiring a car from Hertz for the day and know the port shuttle takes you to Queens Wharf which means a 35 minute walk back and the same on car return . Can anyone tell me if there are taxis at the cruise ship dock to take you into town or is the shuttle the only way ? I cant remember . If so , the Hertz Rental office is on the shuttle route , any chance it would stop and let us off ? Has anyone done this before ? Any advice most appreciated .

Perhaps someone onboard now might be able to answer the question .... I'm sure there are others who would also just like to get a firm answer either way . ? I dont mind really , we will have a flutter in the casino anyway - I would prefer that to purchasing something I really dont want or need and the provided included excursions will do us fine .

Seems a little silly , giving you something and then not allowing you to spend it where you want .. just MHO .

Thankyou Anchorbuoy for that ....

So , assuming this , the OBC in our shipboard account  CAN  be used in the casino with the 3% fee deduction . (?)

I guess not . 

As new Regent Cruisers I did ask this previously and received an definite response of NO from helpful CC contributors . Disappointing for us but there you go .

However , it may be just a rumour , but it has been mentioned here that it may now be possible with the proviso of a fee for doing so. ( as several other cruise lines permit )

Can anyone onboard , or with knowledge of such , clarify as to whether this is the case now ? 

" . 

On 12/23/2019 at 4:02 PM, Travelcat2 said:

 

Welcome to the Regent board!  Just popping in because posters on this thread seem to not be aware that things have changed.  There was a notice on Explorer earlier this month explaining how onboard credits can be used in the casino.  There are fees involved (do not recall the amount).  So, you will have that option.  

Hi Travelcat2 , Can you ( or anyone else ) expand on this ?  We would prefer to lose some OBC$ in the casino but have been told that is not an option . Do you mean that we can now ? I recall Celebrity charging 5% for the "priveledge " . 

Thanks for the replies 

Just an additional question here if I may ..... do Elites get priority tendering ? We have 3 tenders in a row and was thinking I read somewhere they do ?

thanks for the replys , much appreciated 

My better half is now not drinking alcohol  ( 🥴 ) and has found a soft drink she likes that Im sure is not available onboard . She is also fussy about the water  , whilst I will drink anything put in a glass.🥳 

We are Elite and sail in 6weeks , and while I'm about to consume my fair share of Bar offerings , she is hoping to bring a case of softdrink and water onboard - mostly to consume in the cabin.  . Is this still OK ? Many moons ago I seem to remember doing such but am not sure that its permitted now. 

8 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

Wow, that's a pretty nice plan-----however the casino doesn't get a lot of people on the cruises we've been on.  We once when to a slot tournament, we were the only ones to show up.

Crikey ! Maybe the wife and I might go together and win something ! lol 

So the difference between Regent and Celebrity regarding OBC seems to be this . (?)

You are able to do this on Celebrity ... When you "cash" out OBC in the casino, whether you place slot machines or table games, you will be given promotion chips or slot credits.  These chips or credits must be gambled and cannot be redeemed for cash.  As you play these credits/chips, anything you win will be paid in normal chips/credits which can be redeemed for cash.

Regent does not allow this I am told .

5 hours ago, Illsticktocrusing said:

I do this all the time.  I typically play the slots and have the OBC transferred to my player account, cash in the winnings

Yes we do this with Celebrity every cruise and enjoy the casino time especially on sea days. We usually breakout about even with the winnings .

Sadly it seems its not possible on Regent - forbidden to use OBC in the casino ( we are just having a look see at Regent to see if the $ difference is worth it - have no idea what we will do with the $500 ObC as everything including shore excursions are included ))

Hmmmm.. we have avoided Tuscan recently after so many less than average dining experiences . Have certainly prefered Main Dining on first night after poor service and food on Tuscan Solstice , so hopefully they will get their act together .its a lovely venue but should be Special - hence the price upcharge -   and certainly not  average / ordinary .. maybe we will return in April . 

Yes it was on the Solstice in October - Prime Rib and the Pork Chop are the best on that 1st night menu - IMHO .

Thankyou Dave - Good to know . 

First Regent Cruise and just in an entry level suite . On Crystal we were able to order spirits for our cabin- 2x1Litres of your choice for the cabin and these were relaced once consumed . The mini bar setup on Regent is just Beer , soft drinks , wine ? water ? We dont drink 1 of those - beer  , and mix something with the soda , otherwise no thanks  -- are we able to ordersay  Gin , Vodka  for the cabin or is this not possible ?

Just read on a post here that we will not be able to use our OBC in the casino -- is that correct . Obviously our first Regent Cruise and this was a surprise as we usually donate the OBC there on other cruise lines.🥴

Really enjoyed the postings - thankyou .

We have a Regent cruise booked for next year , and was curious about the post which said we couldnt use our onboard credit in the casino ?  . We have $400 from Regent and $100 from our TA and were hoping to use the OBC there . We have sailed on Crystal and are Elite on Celebrity and always do so on those lines ? 

My advice is that booking direct with Regent the advertised price includes all port fees and taxes etc ?

We usually book with a US TA , time differences making a call problematic at the moment and email a wait and see , so was just thinking taxes must not be included in the price we have been given as its several hundred dollars cheaper than via the Regent website ? Anyone here book with a TA and then have taxes added to the price as opposed to booking direct ? Obviously we are new to Regent .

Just off Solstice - 2 cabins 7278 and 7280 and the constant thumping noise from below made sleeping difficult for us . We had guest relations come in to listen and the answer was " wave action " - ? . We are Elite and have never experienced this before - has anyone else ? Not sure if any other cabins had the same , just hoping it doesnt re-occur next April when we sail on her again . 

Yep , I'm hung up on the food - and certainly dont feel I'm missing the point . After all this IS a dining experience - the food should be the hero - ,   As for Genius Story Telling .. and being happy with a grilled cheese for $55 .....  really ? 

In my opinion - aside from the cartoon novelty /frivolity --  MDR menus - a not so fine dining experience  for $55 per head. Tried it once , but the menu needs to be of Murano standard for a return for us at that price .

For us LPC was a once visit -- cute and quirky  - and a bit of fun - nice food served "en-mass " ,  but the second time with the surprise and novelty lost , the limited menu and wedding like serving of each course all together - its not a fine dining experience - especially at $55 ph .

Not sure how the concept will evolve -- and how regular cruisers will react - for us its one less specialty dining venue on our next cruise .