LoonCall

I was disappointed as well, see thread above if you are interested.

My 2018 cruise from Barcelona to Southampton did not offer an excursion to Alhambra. It was many months of back and forth with Regent but they ultimately did not secure any options for a tour. I booked through http://www.spaindaytours.com/ with Emilia.

We departed Malaga (Granada). It was well run had a good on bus guide who then passed us over to another guide specifically for the Alhambra. There were quite a few other Regent passengers. Long day but well worth it.

"Good Morning:

 Our next scheduled stop in Bal Harbor is cancelled due to high winds which keeps us from tendering. "

I had to laugh at your typo.  I think you are longing for Florida. ☀️ Bar Harbor Maine - Bal Harbour Florida.  Sorry our NE weather has not been cooperating for you, looks like you are managing to enjoy your cruise anyway.  Tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

On 10/28/2018 at 7:33 AM, Zqueeze1 said:

I am a baseball addict. And even though the Red Sox are our sworn enemies, that’s a great gift. If we ever meet, I will tell you my story of the 2004 Playoffs (finals before the World Series) when I diverted a government plane so I could catch game seven between the Red Sox and my boys, the Yanks. 

 

Our friends are already waking up after their trip through Homer’s Odyssey (it’s after a very late arrival. I bet they will be cranky. 

Z and TB

 

Too bad you won’t be in Boston for our little parade....😉⚾️

If you turn it in before 9 am, you will receive it back the same day.

 

 

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Usually same day but from my recent experience it has been next day.

My TA sends me both the TA invoice and the guest invoice that they receive from Regent. The TA invoice shows the commissionable fare and the commission rate. The commissionable fare is usually about 10% less than the total fare due to noncommissionable items such as government fees and taxes. Our TA receives 17% of the commissionable fare and rebates 10% of the commissionable fare (works out to about 9% of the total fare) to all those who I recommend to them.

I believe the 5% mentioned is the most TAs are allowed to advertise as a discount but has no effect on what an agent can give as a rebate.

Hope this helps.

And I receive excellent service from the TA.

On one of my bookings I mistakenly received the agent's invoice clearly stating a 17% commission percentage to the TA. This was a large national company so the percentage may have been higher due to volume.

After a bad experience with small agency on a rebate, I've worked with another company who regularly rebates close to 10%. I manage most booking issues on my own and don't consider myself high maintenance for my TA. They have made a business decision to offer the rebate to get the booking and if I can utilize that we both benefit.

Have used Smith's for Airports. Based in Southampton. Would highly recommend.

Used them also for two trips and was very pleased.

I would definitely check whether there will be repositioning or not. We too were lucky to have the overnight in Bordeaux without dealing with the repositioning. As others have said it's very walkable and plenty to see. Even having lunch on board at a window table while docked was lovely. If Chartreuse is open one day try to get in.

The thread title says it all, "Formal Optional", and very few people go for this option.

I agree with you as to "few" in my experience. That's not to say some folks dress, but certainly not many.

Of four cruises with formal optional nights I recall seeing one gentleman in a tux, maybe a handful of suits. Wear what you choose as long as it meets the dress code.

I do not believe that Bonine (meclizine) is the same compound as Dramamine. Dramamine uses the same drug as Benadryl. Bonine is supposed to be basically non-drowsy (although individuals here seem to beg to differ.) Dramamine will definitely put you to sleep, at least in my experience.

For anyone who may be sensitive, if you read the packaging on Bonine or Dram II the operative words are "less drowsy" not "non-drowsy". They both put me to sleep! Taking before bed helps if you are continuing a maintenance dose.

Meclizine is sold OTC as brand name Bonine. I have used it for years. Works well but you need to take it before you start rocking and rolling.

 

 

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Yes Bonine, Dramamine, SeaLegs and a few other all have the same compound.

If you read the side effects of every drug out there no-one would take any med.

I did the reverse Southampton to London with a private transfer from Smith's for airports. Prompt and professional, fair rate IMO.

Towel animals [emoji23]

 

 

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Our bed was graced with a pair of towel animals last trip.

Not sure what sailing you are on but when I was there in May we had an overnight and we docked right in town. I know on some itineraries there is a repositioning so this might be why Le Verdon is noted. Maybe best to check with Regent directly on this.

Go to insuremyluxurytravel.com They have insured more than that amount and when you get to the site call and ask for Chuck Burns. They have taken great care of us for years and their underwriters are Berkshire Hathaway. The best. We have insured more than 150K.

Used Chuck for my last trip and he was easy to work with ,always followed up on phone calls and sent clear quotes via email. Thankfully I had no issues to deal with this time. Have used other companies that I was not so thrilled with when I had to put in a claim.

Thank you! Room service is a good possibility. We will be in a Cat D concierge suite. Will that accommodate room service comfortably?

 

 

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I think you are asking about space here and whether you can comfortably eat en suite, correct?

Have only stayed in a PH on Explorer but given the size of the Concierge and suites on other ships you would be fine. They will set up dining on the table in the sitting area. And if weather is cooperative you can always sit on your deck

Agreed. We preferred Room Service over La Veranda. The Pool Grill is a nice alternative if you wish a lighter breakfast.

Yes, Got2Cruise room service is always a good choice too.

We are also “Newbies” to Regent and will be on the Explorer October 17 out of Venice. It appears that the only restaurant open for breakfast is La Veranda. Is this correct? Seems strange that the MDR would not be serving breakfast.

 

 

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If you have the time to go to CR in the morning IMO it's a much more "civilized" experience. It is nearly empty, quiet but the service can be slow. La Veranda can be mobbed especially if there are a lot of early excursions. I have often had to circle and circle to find a table.

"Before getting onto the reservation restaurants, a word about the Explorer. She is the newest Regent ship and the only one where two specialty restaurants may be available for lunch. I use the term "may" because on port days one is closed and the next day the other one is. On sea days, both of them are open. No reservations needed for lunch and the main dining room is closed."

On our cruise in May it was 2 days on, ie Chartreuse was open 2 days, then Prime 7 was open 2 days.

itclaudia - make sure you are up early for the sail into Kotor it's gorgeous.

Hi, we did a Baltic cruise - Southampton to Stockholm a few years ago on Voyager which was early September. The cruise was fabulous, as usual, but was chilly enough to require additional clothing when eating/sitting around the polar during the day. we are booked on the Monte Carlo to Venice cruise 20th September and hope that the weather will be fine then, it is usually quite stable at that time of year. We too have visited most of the ports but look at new trips off, usually mornings only.

The age range of Regent cruisers has varied on most of the cruises we have done but usually never many children.

Anyway, greetings from Guernsey, a small island closer to France than England.

John

Hey there Guerncruising. Just visited your lovely little island on our last cruise. Charming spot with friendly folks.

Welcome to the board!

We decided! Sep 20th Monte Carlo to Venice on Voyager! Booking a Cat F cabin. :) Looking forward to trying out Regent. :)

Excellent. We did the reverse Med in mid October a few years ago and the weather was perfect for touring. Mind you not lounging by the pool weather but great for walking about. It should be lovely, enjoy!

The weird part was at the bars and lounges there was more of an assortment, you could order which ever type you wished.

 

 

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That is weird. If you're more discerning on wine I'd suggest getting to know a sommelier in one of the restaurants and talking about your preferences. S/He can then make some suggestions and samples that will give you a "go to" list. Then ask for whatever bottles you prefer in the other restaurants.

I admit it takes a little prodding but staff is usually willing to cooperate and serve what you like.

I don’t want to give the wrong idea. It was very nice. Just little details that I imagined a luxury line would provide, such as cold wash cloths when coming back to port. Nothing drastic. The quality of the food is excellent but they only give you a choice of one red or one white each night. Unless of course you wanted a premium bottle. Just tiny things.

 

 

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You can always ask for other options and they will provide some choices. Especially if you give the sommelier an idea of what types you like. I've never been impressed with the everyday offerings just have to ask them to dig deeper:D