2012 schedule

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Luckily I have a great TA who owns one of the big on line agencies. I will get good guidance (and good perqs). He gave me a huge OBC on the PG and I expect this cruise will be no different.

 

Lucky you! We loved Rio and want to go to Brazil again some day (but not in their summer next time I hope--it will be hot.)

 

As for the huge OBC, just beware that these are not as useful as they once were on Regent, since most excursions are free. Perhaps on a TA that's not a big issue since you can use it up at the spa, although this trip has some great ports too. One tip that you can use for excursions that bear a cost--you may be able to cancel and rebook the excursion onboard, in advance, with the rebooking charged to your OBC. We did this last December and it worked.

[Threechicks]

If the OBC comes from your TA you can go to Reception and take it in cash. That's what I do as soon as I board the ship.

[Hambagahle]

Wendy and Threeechicks -

 

This is most interesting to me! we have never had any OBC before but on our next cruise (a year aways, sadly!) we have OBC apparently from both our TA and from Regent. Are you telling me that I can jsut go to Reception and they will give me the cash equivalent of our TA's share of the OBC???? I did see wes do an analysis of the OBC some time ago, but since we haven't ever had any I didn't really read it...NOW I am interested!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Okay, here's what I did. We had about $500 in OBC's, some from Amex and the rest from Regent. We booked one excursion in advance that cost $99 pp, charged and paid for on my Amex.

 

Two days before the excursion, I went to the desk, and asked if I could arrange to rebook the excursion, using the OBC and get my money back. She said no problem, it just had to be done before the excursion, not after. She cancelled and credited our onboard account with the $198, then rebooked and used our non-refundable OBC to pay for it. She made it clear that that $198 would then be a *refundable* credit, so the last day of the cruise I went to Reception and got my money.

[pacheco18]

I was thinking spa and (overpriced) shopping - I never have trouble spending money LOL

 

But if I can get it in cash . . . great tip.

[hondorner]

Wendy and Threeechicks -

 

This is most interesting to me! we have never had any OBC before but on our next cruise (a year aways, sadly!) we have OBC apparently from both our TA and from Regent. Are you telling me that I can jsut go to Reception and they will give me the cash equivalent of our TA's share of the OBC???? I did see wes do an analysis of the OBC some time ago, but since we haven't ever had any I didn't really read it...NOW I am interested!!

Whether or not the OBC can be converted to cash has to do with the source of the funds. There are three possibilities: directly from your agent (or any other party), using his or her own funds, in which case it is refundable; directly from Regent in which case it is not, and indirectly from Regent through your agent in the form of "soft money" that is allocated to the agent based on their standing and which is also not refundable. The latter two are "use it or lose it".

 

The only way you will know which type of funds were provided by your agent is to ask the agent if it is refundable.

[Threechicks]

Hambagahle and Wendy - My TA gives me OBCs as a discount on my cruise. This is redeemable in cash and is so stated on a card that will be left in the suite at embarkation. I take the card to Reception and they give me the cash. This amount can be anywhere from one to several thousand dollars depending on the cost of the cruise. If I receive an OBC from Regent and/or another source that money is NOT redeemable for cash and it will be so stated on another card but can be spent on board. I have never cancelled and rebooked an excursion on board so have not had any experience with that.

Regent does not allow TAs to discount their fares, thus the reason for the OBCs that are given out of the TA's commission. The amount is a percentage of the fare. My TA is one of the largest producers for Regent in North America so is exceedingly generous with their clients.

[rallydave]

Whether or not the OBC can be converted to cash has to do with the source of the funds. There are three possibilities: directly from your agent (or any other party), using his or her own funds, in which case it is refundable; directly from Regent in which case it is not, and indirectly from Regent through your agent in the form of "soft money" that is allocated to the agent based on their standing and which is also not refundable. The latter two are "use it or lose it".

 

The only way you will know which type of funds were provided by your agent is to ask the agent if it is refundable.

 

Don,

 

There is another source and that is from the American Express Platinum Card and believe there is a sharing of the cost between the cruise line and Am Ex. That OBC is also, "use it or lose it" and not refundable in cash.

[rallydave]

Three Chicks,

 

Some TA's provide a check about a week prior to sailing. Both my previous TA as well as my current TA provide the funds in that manner and based on my experience as well as private comments from others, that refund can be as high as 10% of the cruise price.

 

Much easier to deposit a check before leaving home as compared to having to get the refund on board and haul around a pocket or pocket full of cash. Seems it would be much easier for all if Regent would simply credit the credit card of the person being refunded. This would alleviate the large amount of cash Regent needs to keep on board and the cash the people have to carry home

[Threechicks]

I agree Rallydave, it is inconvenient, but as long as I get the money I'm not going to complain about the method.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, I too get a rebate from my TA. All my OBC's have been non-refundable. But using the method described above, I managed to indirectly pay for my excursions with my OBC.

 

I actually hope that enough people ask to have this done that Regent changes its policy about using OBC's for paid excursions, and just credits you with anything you've paid once you board. (I can live in hope, can't I?)

[pacheco18]

I booked the Nov 9, 2012 Crossing and I am very excited. Doing my own air as credit was substantial and i have lots of miles.

My healthy OBC is from the TA and he is going to send it as a rebate -- even better.

 

Looking forward to my first Regent cruise and thanks for all the good advice.

 

I joined the roll call too.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Mine gives 5%. 8.5% for escorted cruises. This percentage is based on the net fare.

[mariners]

Since we started cruising, we've gone with some other peoples' recommendations for travel agencies and I'd like to share a word of caution. Without listing agencies names, here are some of the issues we have gone through:

1) Agent 1 - agency gave 10% rebate by cheque. There were complications with the agent that would have cost us quite a bit of money. Thanks to the intervention of an upper level Regent person, the issue was resolved. It would have cost us a lot more than the 10% without this intervention.

2) Agent 2 - agency provided onboard rebates that had always been refundable for cash. On our last cruise, only $100 was refundable for cash and the remainder was given as non-refundable shipboard credits. We were not notified of this change and only found out once we were onboard the ship and tried to "cash out".

Agent's response to my e-mails might not come for a week.

3) Agent 3 - has provided us with phenomenal service! This has been due to multiple world issues/cruise line issues that have changed our original bookings. This agency does give a cheque rebate but it is not 10%. The agent I have has earned my respect and I have been impressed with the service that she has given to me from day one.

 

For me, the best deal is not just based on the amount of a rebate. It's based on the agent I have, our interaction, the agent's knowledge of the product, and, finally, the agent giving me a price where I still feel that I have a "deal". I also want to know that they are someone who will handle issues if they arise and respond readily and quickly to any questions or concerns.

[pacheco18]

I agree. Fortunately I get a big rebate and the great service. I think it is possible to get both but it does take a bit of legwork and investigation to find the magic combination. If I had to choose, service would trump a small price difference.

 

I am also dealing with the owner of the company. That makes a big difference. Different reps at the same company can often be as different as night and day when it comes to service.

 

Unfortunately many cruisers I have met are unaware of the tremendous difference in OBCs and rebates among the various agencies. Recently I went into a local brick and mortar agency (that also has a website) and priced a cruise that I had priced with my regular TA. The cruise price was the same but the difference in OBC was $700! I would need a lot of service to compensate for such a large price difference.

[cruiseluv]

What I don't understand is why any frequent cruiser would book directly with Regent. As far as I can see there is no price or service advantage.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

For me, the best deal is not just based on the amount of a rebate. It's based on the agent I have, our interaction, the agent's knowledge of the product, and, finally, the agent giving me a price where I still feel that I have a "deal". I also want to know that they are someone who will handle issues if they arise and respond readily and quickly to any questions or concerns.

 

Mariners, I absolutely agree with you, and could not have stated it better. I love my agent, and have no intention of going anywhere else.

[pacheco18]

What I don't understand is why any frequent cruiser would book directly with Regent. As far as I can see there is no price or service advantage.

 

I have asked this question many times on different boards here. Most of those cruisers are excited about the "special" offered by the cruise line and have no idea that they could do much better booking with a good agency. This is particularly true on Celebrity (which I cruise on from time to time). When I hear someone is on a 2 week cruise and is excited about getting a $100 OBC I am just blown away. My agent would give me about $650 for the identical itinerary.

 

I suppose it is no different from many other items -- there are always people who pay more than others. I just bought a fabulous piece of luggage that is $300 in Macy's and $119 on line. Someone is shopping in Macy's. Those who pay more either don't care, feel safer buying from the cruise line or just lack the sophistication to know that there are better deals out there. I am amazed, however, that anyone on Cruise Critic would be so uninformed. I have learned so much on this site.

[cathy_kearns]

What I don't understand is why any frequent cruiser would book directly with Regent. As far as I can see there is no price or service advantage.

 

I've had the experience of booking with a bad TA, and it's really not worth any possible OBC to do that. I think if you have a good TA you can trust the OBC discount is awesome. But if you have to end up pleading with the cruiseline directly anyway, to remedy something the TA won't deal with, it just is really not worth it.

[Travelcat2]

I've had the experience of booking with a bad TA, and it's really not worth any possible OBC to do that. I think if you have a good TA you can trust the OBC discount is awesome. But if you have to end up pleading with the cruiseline directly anyway, to remedy something the TA won't deal with, it just is really not worth it.

 

I agree with you, however, doing proper research should avoid booking with a "bad TA". I would estimate that 80-90% of CruiseCritic posters book with reputable TA's. As much as we love Regent, we simply cannot trust them to do what is in our best interest if there were a problem with our cruise.

[Travel2Learn]

I am shopping for a TA and would appreciate suggestions for TAs to consider. Usually I find a cruise then turn the booking over just before final payment. Is it better to use a TA from the beginning?

[Travelcat2]

I am shopping for a TA and would appreciate suggestions for TAs to consider. Usually I find a cruise then turn the booking over just before final payment. Is it better to use a TA from the beginning?

 

I believe that it's better to use a TA from the beginning. Unfortunately, CruiseCritic guidelines do not allow us to name specific TA's. However, there are several ways to find them. CruiseCritic does have TA's who advertise on their site. Regent's website lists some TA's based upon the area where you live. You can also do searches on the web for TA's who specialize in luxury cruising or use luxury cruise corsortiums such as Virtuoso.

 

In my opinion, it really helps for the TA to have experience booking Regent and other lxury cruise lines.

[Cruisertommyboy]

I have been lurking on the Regent board for a couple or months now and have found all of the information really very helpful.

 

We are planning our first luxury cruise in the fall of 2012. Have sailed the mass market cruise lines and want to give the luxury a try.

 

In the past I have used Carnival's PVP for booking my cruises in the past. But, based an recomendations from here on CC, am looking for a travel agent that specializes in luxury cruises. I have found one not real far from where I live. After being long winded, the agency is connected with Virtuoso, any comments good, bad or indifferent

 

Thanks for the help

Tom

[Wendy The Wanderer]

As Travelcat said, guidelines prevent individuals from making recommendations to you. I believe a personal recommendation is best, so if you can establish personal contact with other cruisers you can ask them offline.

 

In general, someone who specializes in luxury lines, and knows Regent personally, is best.

[pacheco18]

[quote name= I have found one not real far from where I live. After being long winded, the agency is connected with Virtuoso, any comments good, bad or indifferent

 

Thanks for the help

Tom[/quote]

 

I would not be concerned with whether the TA is local or close to where you live. You do not need to do a face to face with your TA to have a good experience. As a general rule, assuming they are truly luxury specialists, the bigger the company, the more likely it is that they do a great deal of business with the cruise line. It is the volume of business that gives the agency clout.