garyb(uk)

 

In terms of comparing a Coach seat to a Business Class seat, I would pay double 300 GBP per person to sit in a comfortable seat with better food and service.

 

I would too but we are not comparing coach to business.

Polaris is the name that United uses for all their business class now; however, this refers to only the soft product. The hard product, i.e. seats, are currently only available on the 777 and retrofitting is progressing very slowly. That being said, if you can get 2-1-2 on United, it would be so much better than any seating on BA. IMO, BA business class is inferior to just about anybody else's.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

it is a 2-1-2 but a 767

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm tending towards staying with UA. When I looked at Manage My Bookings it says it is Polaris:

• Flight:UA17
  
• Aircraft: Boeing 767-300
  
• Fare Class: United Polaris business (P)
  Meal: Lunch
  

Unless they now classify all BC as Polaris.

In case it is relevant the flight is June 2018

I wil be flying in united Polaris with a 2-1-2 configuration in a few days.

please let me know how you get on Lynn. I hope you have a good flight.

It is a non-stop flight. The configuration is 2-1-2. I have been studying Seat Guru for information as I normally do. I haven't seen anywhere on the web pictures of the new polaris BC. The pictures I have seen appear to be from 2013 which I'm guessing aren't up to date.

My wife hates flying and I only sold her on this cruise saying the business class will be so much better. So the question is is it worth paying the extra for British Airways?

London to New York

I have been offered seats on United Airlines 767-300 (direct flight). If I wanted to fly BA they want an extra £300pp. to me this is a significant increase for what I was led to believe is their preferred airline. Has anyone flown UA BC? It doesn't appear that the seats have pods though they do configure into flatbeds.

Phillygirl3, a couple of other considerations that haven't been mentioned. You have to have a booking before you begin the deviation process. The $175 pp deviation fee allows you to deviate either one way or both ways for your cruise so you could also stay a few days in Barcelona. Be aware that Regent air without deviation will get you to Rio the morning your tour departs so think of flying all nite then immediately beginning your cruise. Many people deviate to arrive early, see the city, and work off your jet lag. Also in your case, a winter flight to Rio weather can cause you to be late to Rio and miss your cruise.

 

The deviation fee is not payable until you and Regent have agreed on your flights and if later you want to change them another deviation fee. You can go back and forth thru your TA or direct with the Air Desk until you are happy with your flights. There is the possibility that the flights you are comfortable with involve a surcharge to your cruise fare in addition to the deviation fee. Lot's of if's but, remember, until you are happy, the deviation fee isn't paid.

 

The absolute best place to find your flights to propose to Regent is matrix.itasoftware.com You can't book there but, it will have ALL of the possible flights for you to view by airline. Other sites like yapta, orbitz, etc. absolutely do not have all of the available flights. Just checked and absolutely no non-stops for you to Rio. There are one stops and 2 stops with the 2 stops being less expensive so would probably expect Regent to book you on a 2 stop and deviating to a one stop is likely to cost you an additional charge which you will know before agreeing.

 

Suggestion based on where you live, if you can get to the New York area, there are several non-stops to Rio and more one stops than from Philadelphia. Take a train or an inexpensive flight to the New York area airport and have Regent book you from there. Just a thought. Good luck,

Thanks Dave - that link is great - have bookmarked it.

Regent ships have Sky Sports as one of the channels on the TV in your suite.

As long as Sky is covering the matches you want, and satellite comms are OK, then you should be able to watch.

My wife would love that - NOT :rolleyes:

We took it last summer. As I recall there were several small boats captained by friendly locals. I think there were about two dozen of us, a family group of six were given their own boat, we were with two other couples and I think a larger boat took the rest. You get on the boats at a rather rustic pier and I recall having to climb in to the boat over the railing. I think the larger boat might have had easier access. I would think you would be fine on the larger boat. The local captain laughed and said there were no whales (inferring there rarely are) but it was a beautiful day and he drove to a waterfall and we got up close to numerous icebergs. We enjoyed it.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

thanks for the reply 'islandhalls' I must admit to really looking forward to this one. I will be setting my alarm clock to get up as soon as booking opens 240 days out.

Has anyone taken this Regents Choice Tour? I'm curious as to what kind of boat it is. I walk with the aid of a walking stick so my balance is limited. A tender boat is no problem for me but walking a narrow gangplank would be a different issue.

I would add that this excursion really appeals to us if it is doable.

The following thread might be of use, although you should note that it is 3 years out of date:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2060529

Thanks flossie that was useful and the link to the ship he was on was very interesting as it was our first and only cruise ship to date (RCCL AoS). It brought back a lot of memories. As well as Singapore Airlines serving lobster thermidore and asparagas in Business Class. BA don't do that :(

 

1. Pricing on Regent ships is in $US (e.g. shops, spa, casino) with all extras being charged to your account. Your final account will also be in $US and is normally charged to your credit card, but may be settled in cash
   
2. Regent ships do not operate a currency exchange and do not have ATMs on board
   
3. Reception on-board is normally able to exchange large denomination $US bills for smaller notes
   
4. You will require local currency for on-shore purchases and for any tips you wish to give tour guides, drivers etc.
   
5. The daily ship's paper 'Passages' will detail what currency is accepted in the next port being visited
   
6. Generally it is more courteous to tip in the local currency rather than in $US unless you are in a country where $US are generally accepted (I can imagine the reaction if I tipped a taxi driver or waitress in New York with £GB or €)
   
7. Not all countries regard tipping in the same way, or to the same level, as in the US but what you wish to do in this regard is your own personal decision
   

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/tipping-in-europe

 

http://www.traveller.com.au/how-much-should-you-tip-in-australia-gkcoxz

 

http://www.newzealand.com/sg/article/tips-for-gratuities-in-new-zealand/

 

I'm glad you said this as my TA told me they did. I think I'll need different currency for both Greenland and Iceland. Can you use USD in Canada or will I also need to get Canadian $?

ok thanks guys that is what I thought - just wanted confirmation.

Hi,

I have been told my excursions will be available on 24th October. Does this mean 00:00AM Miami (Eastern) time? I'm also guessing there is no difference for those in the UK so if there is an excursion you really really are keen on we will need to set our alarm clocks to get up early ;p .

Kittylea, we are on the same cruise and have booked the same excursion. You are lucky as our flight leaves Reyjavik for London at 06.40 a.m. Our TA says no problem, except a short sleep.

wow - hope our flight back to London in July next year isn't that early.

are we tied to a menu for room service?

I wouldn't use my butler for this (not really sure what I'd use him for)

If I fancied in the evening a small dish of cheesy nachos would they oblige?

I would agree with Kwaj girl. I decant my own shampoo and conditioner into the wee travel bottles as I prefer to use my usual products on my hair. The guerlan and loccitane soaps are nice products though. Jean.

Head & Shoulders with Conditioner is fine for me :D

Well I just sent an email to my TA about both the transatlantic Business Class that I was assured was included and the direct flights as we have been discussing. Hopefully I will hear back from them in a day or two.

I have now had a reply from my TA.

1. She confirms that we are flying Business Class on both legs of our journey. This was apparently stated in the invoice from

RSSC back in April (unfortunately they never forwarded said invoice to me accidentally :') )

2. She phoned Regent Southampton re my concern for not getting a direct flight. My TA was told the flight information would

not be available until the first week in August but said it is highly unlikely that it would not be a Direct Flight into NYC as

there are so many of them. This suggests to me that they have not changed there flying policy as some have feared.

Anyway my TA says she will be on the case to look after my interests (lets hope that all ends well).

Gary,

If I have guessed correctly the cruise you have booked then it is clear that your PH booking includes Business class air:

https://www.rssc.com/cruises/NAV180621/summary/default.aspx

Hi Flossie,

Yes you have guessed correctly but I had not looked at the new page before - the price has really gone up even though everything is Wait Listed which I presume means sold out. My cabin went up £1020 though I guess this is like booking early on an airline - closer to flying time the more it usually costs.

Well that concerns me BIG TIME. My TA assures me the transatlantic portion will be Business Class.

Well I just sent an email to my TA about both the transatlantic Business Class that I was assured was included and the direct flights as we have been discussing. Hopefully I will hear back from them in a day or two.

As Jean said above:

 

"Included business class flights in the U.K are only included in Penthouse Suites and above for flights to Europe and Northern Europe.

Any other flight routes we pay for any upgrades to business class. Admittedly the cost to upgrade with Regent is less than the cost to buy the ticket independently, but this adds considerable cost to an already expensive cruise fare. Jean."

 

I have booked a PH and my flights are not in business class.

Well that concerns me BIG TIME. My TA assures me the transatlantic portion will be Business Class.

Thanks for your reply Travelcat 2. However, please note that Regent do not include Business Class flights to and from the USA as standard for UK customers - even if they book a PH or higher.

.

err yes they do or am I misreading what you have written?

I've had the same problem. I assume it will be corrected soon.

ASSUME NOTHING ;p but as Bill suggests bookmarking the link is the easiest solution.

When you pay a premium price for this cruise a direct flight especially to the US should be a minimum requirement.

The worry and hassle of changing planes and the time you have to wait around is unacceptable

those are my thoughts exactly but as of right now I don't know that they aren't direct. I should find out in a few weeks. I hope they tell me before I fly home to Philly in August though in case I need to phone Regent Southampton.

Gary speaking for our own experience we have always had direct flights . Also we are able to chose the times that suit us best. Jean.

Thanks for responding Jean. I am worried about this but hopefully needlessly. Should find out in a few weeks.