I could understand if you had to be ‘booked by’ the end of 2022, but for the sailing to have to depart by then is surprising.  My first thought was that if NCL Holdings wanted to sell Regent they may not want the FCC liabilities on the books.  Most likely not in their immediate plans, but perhaps at the back of their minds.  

We are also retired and have five sailings booked (four Regent and one Azamara) between December 2021 and April 2023.  We really don’t have room to add any others, so fingers crossed that they all sail.  

I am not sure how news worthy this is but I was trying to book a cruise for April 2023 and move $600 worth of ‘Administration Fee’ credits (the $100 pp they charge every time you cancel a reservation) to that booking.  My TA has a very close working relationship with Regent was told by his contact there that Regent is not allowing the use of FCCs or AFCs for sailings later than December 2022.  The contact at Regent was quite surprised that they wouldn’t budge on this policy for anyone.  We were looking at a cabin priced at $35K for 2023.  We ended up moving the credits to a more modest cabin on the Mariner in September 2022.  Perhaps if Regent’s cruise cancellations continue into the Fall of 2021they will need to revisit this policy, as it makes the re-booking window very tight.

Although I haven’t yet been in a penthouse on either ship, from my research I concluded that they made improvements to the PH layout on the Splendor, so we have booked it for a 21 night sailing in April of 2022.  

The major change is that they increased the size of the closet and doubled the drawer space in the Splendor PH.  However, the Splendor PH closet has a bit of an odd configuration.  Its entrance is now just inside the cabin door, and it has a walk through to the bathroom.  In my estimation the Explorer PH would not have sufficient drawer space for a longer cruise, but I don’t exactly pack light.   For that reason I would stay with a Concierge for the better drawer space on the Explorer.

On the negative side they removed the wonderful balcony corner sofa found on the deep balcony Explorer PHs, and replaced it with a couple of lounge chairs on the Splendor.  I would much prefer to have the sofa.  It also appears that they removed the wet bar on the Splendor, but for us that is not an issue.  

It all comes down to a matter of personal preference and needs.  I truly believe there really are no bad cabins on Regent, just good and great!

My understanding is that the free laundry was a result of the need to close the self-serve laundry rooms for hygienic reasons.  I prefer to do my own laundry and would a book cabin convenient to the laundry rooms.  Now I have no choice but to hand it over to be done by Regent staff.

Unless you book Concierge or above you only get free internet for one device.  For us that is not enough so we always go with a higher category to get the four device service.  Once we get higher in their Loyalty Program we will get internet for four devices regardless of our cabin category.

My complaint (strictly a first world problem I know) is that you get the same loyalty points whether you book a basic balcony or a Regent suite.  Other cruise lines will reward more points the higher up the cabin category you book.  

The CDC mandate is for wearing masks when embarking, disembarking, and in the cruise terminal building.  Once the ship leaves US waters the CDC does not have any jurisdiction to require masks, however I suspect the cruise line will require them in public areas.  The new CDC mandate covers all modes of transportation such as busses, trains (including in terminals), taxis, Ubers, etc.

My observation is that on Regent’s website, as well as some online travel agent’s sites, the upgrade has already been calculated into the price shown.  Right now Regent’s website is quoting $12,998 total for a Concierge D cabin if you take advantage of the pre-cruise hotel, and $12,698 without the hotel.  The $300 extra includes a hotel (we stayed at the Four Seasons), breakfast and transfer to the ship.  Given Miami prices I think it was well worth the extra.  

Alternatively, I would recommend you go for a Concierge ‘E’ cabin.  It is $12,098 without the hotel (or $12,398 with).  Also, if you are a first time Regent cruiser your travel agent can get you a $500 discount by ‘referring’ you.  That would bring your E Concierge cabin price down to $11,698.

For us the 4 device internet, availability of a large balcony,  as well as the hotel, was well worth the price for a Concierge.  Happy planning!

On 1/12/2021 at 4:31 PM, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

First Regent cruise in the Caribbean should be Splendor.... hands down.

We love the B penthouse, with its larger balcony. It has an L-shaped sofa, a table and chairs for outside dining. 
Any questions, just ask..

sheila

In viewing tours of the cabins I believe that they did away with the L-shaped sofa in the Splendor Penthouse cabins.  I was very disappointed to see that it has been replaced with two loungers instead.  However, they have reconfigured the closet to double the drawer space and make it a walk-through to the bathroom.  We’ll be in a Splendor PH for 21 nights in April 2022, and are really looking forward to it.

Hi there - We are also previous Celebrity cruisers, normally in Sky suites.  I mention that because as you may know that means we had access to Michael’s Club and Luminae, so for comparison purposes to Regent.  We are relatively new to Regent having only been on the Explorer (sister ship to the Splendor).  My advice is to choose the Splendor.  I can guarantee that you will be blown away.  Your cabin on the Splendor will be 31 sf larger, and your balcony will be 33 sf larger if you are in Concierge with a large balcony.

We have four other cruises booked on Regent - two on the Splendor, and one each on the Mariner and Explorer.  But for a first ‘Regent’ experience I would definitely recommend their newest ship.

We did Concierge so that we could get the four device internet service, the large balcony, and the pre-cruise hotel with breakfast and transfer.  To us it was worth it but the cabins are identical to the Superior Balcony cabins (except no large balconies) so depending what’s important to you and the price difference is the best way to decide.  Happy planning.  You won’t be disappointed!

We currently have four Regent cruises under deposit and, two of them were made in the last couple of days under the two category upgrade promotion.  In addition, they are offering a reduced deposit, so it was pretty hard to resist.  I have every faith that Regent will survive, and if not they will be bought out by another entity that will carry on.  

We were on the Explorer in January 2020 in Concierge suite #609.  We absolutely loved the location because of it’s proximity to the forward stairwell.  It was so convenient not having to wait for an elevator.  The suite appears to be adjacent to the elevator opening but it definitely was off-set.  The only downside was the extremely long walk to the laundry room, if you plan on doing your own laundry.  But even so, we would book it again in a heartbeat.

2 hours ago, johng75370 said:

Don’t know how long it has been there but just noticed this on the Regent website:

BOOK TODAY FOR THE BEST VALUE

On January 1, 2021, fares will increase across all voyages, making now the perfect time to reserve your suite. The best value in luxury cruising is even better when you take advantage of the year’s best fares.

 

Any idea of what level of price increase might be coming?

To answer your question it will be higher!  We were on our first Regent cruise in January 2020 and right in middle of the cruise a new catalog (with price increases) came out.  No way in hell would they let us book at the old (one day prior) prices.  I guess it is part of their marketing strategy, but lesson learned.... book as early as possible.

4 minutes ago, 1982CruzStart said:

If you go to the main topic page and look at the top area when topics are pinned there is one called cabin guru. If you go to page 1 of that topic there is a list of the ships with a link that connects you to reviews of the various cabins. There is a review there of cabin 1010.   Hope that gives you some info. 

Sorry i am terrible at trying to post a link. 

Thanks so much ~ greatly appreciated.

I am planning to book cabin #1010 on the Mariner, but would like to know what is directly above it.  The ship layout just shows a blank space above, as well as a public washroom at the very edge on Deck 11.  I am thinking it could be a storage room, or staff service closet; either of which could get noisy.  If anyone who has stayed in that suite could advise what (if any) noise comes from above it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

We have booked an aft suite on the Mariner sailing October 2021.  One thing we appreciated while on the Explorer last January was the convenience of our cabin location to the dining room entrance.  Can anyone please tell me if you can enter Compass Rose on the Mariner from the rear elevator bank, or do you have to go to the mid-ship entrance?  Thanks in advance.

9 minutes ago, jhenry1 said:

So I have been pondering over this. The way I see things is if I have a cruise booked in May of 2021 and there is not a vaccine available before May we will not be cruising but if the cruise is a go we can cancel 15 days prior to the sail date and receive a FFC or apply the funds to a cruise that we have booked for Dec of 2021. There are no restrictions on the reassurance program regarding canceling. So I am thinking that my final payment for the May cruise is at the end of Dec. I will make the final payment and hope we will get a vaccine and if not just take a FCC. I am not going to take out any Travel Insurance unless I am sure we will be cruising . Are others doing this. Hope I am making sense. If I take out the travel insurance which is going to be a large amount and I cancel and take the FCC I will loose that money and unless I am cruising I won't need it.

Your logic makes perfect sense.  My only consideration is whether or not the cruise line is solvent in May.  Regent has a very aggressive final payment deadline.  For this reason we cancelled a killer deal on the Splendor for March 2021.  All the FCC in the world is no good if they go under.  It broke my heart but it is a risk that must be considered.  

Not to be a Debbie Downer but we were not fans of the shower in Concierge class. It is closed in with a solid wall next to the tub, rather than a glass wall.  It felt cramped and that is why we are in a Penthouse suite on the Splendor next March.  Not totally a deal breaker, but poor design IMHO.

1 hour ago, phillipahain said:

So long as they do not remove the laundry room too ...because actually i tend to prefer to simply do my own washing even though i have had free laundry for quite a long time 

My thought exactly.  I thought I was the only one disappointed at the prospect of losing the ability to do my own laundry.   I even select our room location to be convenient to the laundry room.  We'll give the free laundry a try, but I would like the option of doing my own.  However, I think it is a' health risk' based decision, so will be surprised if self service laundry is still available when we sail on the Splendor next March.

16 hours ago, SusieQft said:

I have a question for you experienced Regent laundry users.  Do you put your name on everything that you send to them to wash?  Do you ever have mix-ups with lost or extra items?

A little piece of advice from learning the hard way (on Princess Cruises).  When sending out dirty laundry I lay it out on the bed (neatly folded) and take clear pictures of it, before placing it in their bag.  That helps me remember what I sent, and also provides photo identification to show to Regent for anything that was not returned.  Then they know exactly what the lost item looks like.  However, being compensated for lost articles still sucks, even when it's pj's.

I am thrilled with this new procedure.  After 70 odd cruises I loathed attending the muster drills, which always seemed like a ‘hurry-up and wait’ exercise.   In the last few years Celebrity seemed to have the most disorganized drills.   I am looking forward to seeing how the new procedure works when we cruise on the Splendor next March.  

26 minutes ago, lovemycruisetoo said:

Just saw this on their website now.

 

 

IMPACTED SAILINGS

MSC SEASIDE:
Canceled: all 7-night itineraries from Miami departing every Saturday from October 31, 2020 - March 20, 2021
Repositioning cruise from Miami to Genoa originally departing March 27, 2021, will now depart from Port Canaveral on March 28, 2021
New itineraries: MSC Seaside will now sail for the first time from Port Canaveral offering 3, 4 & 7-night cruises

 

 

Thanks so much for this.  If we get to stay on the Seaside rather than the Meraviglia I will be thrilled.

Thanks everyone for your comments and information.  I don’t think we will go with the Meraviglia switch unless it still goes to Genoa, Italy as that was our final destination on the Seaside (21 nights).

4 minutes ago, lienf said:

I certainly hope they will be sailing from Miami in November 2021 when we do our first MSC cruise. Spoiling ourselves YC. 

I will admit that your sailing is still showing available.  As Hank said, maybe it is a website thing.  I will check again tomorrow morning.

So upon further investigation I found that the MSC European itineraries are all showing as available.  If I had to guess, MSC does not plan to continue sailing to US ports (and for good reason).  That assessment is based on the fact that it seems to be only cruises involving US ports that are now ‘unavailable’.  Time will tell.

Someone brought to my attention that our March 27, 2021 cruise on the Seaside from Miami to Barcelona was showing a change of itinerary and departure port.  That got me curious so I searched for cabins on our sailing: “no cabins available”.  I then searched all the way back to a January 16, 2021 departure on the Seaside: “no cabins available”.  Then I tried the MSC Meraviglia beginning in January 2021: “no cabins available”.  Does anyone have any idea what is going on with MSC?

1 hour ago, Kiwifromkiev said:

Hmm, probably not the most timely post - due to all the cancellations happening at the moment, Italy being off the list etc. However, I am sure that at some point (hopefully, sooner rather than later) it will get back to normal, and we will start talking about ports, and hotels and officers - not changed itineraries and coronoviruses .

 

My question - if a booking includes a one night pre-cruise hotel and transfer between the hotel and the ship, and the cruise departs from Civitavecchia. will the hotel be in Rome and transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia, or the hotel is likely to be in Civitavecchia (not that there are many hotels there)? Thank you in advance 🙂

 

The hotel will be in Rome.