Too good to be true?

[DaveFr]

There's an old saying that if something appears to be too good to be true, it usually is. I was surprised that, in many cases, the fares for 2014 cruises were about the same or lower than their 2013 counterparts. However, I've discovered that, depending upon which ship and suite you book for 2014, there may be a hidden price increase due to a category reclassification upwards for a number of suites.

 

On the Navigator, effective 11 Nov. 2013, 56 suites have been reclassified as follows:

 

520-531 from H to G

718-733 from E to D

854-859 from F to E

916-927 from PHC to PHB

940-945 from F to E

1014-1025 from PHB to PHA

 

On the Voyager, effective 12 Nov. 2013, 16 suites have been reclassified as follows:

 

714-719 from G to F (2 category reclassification)

738-745 from F to E

 

On the Mariner, effective 20 Dec. 2013, 56 suites have been reclassified as follows:

 

730-741 from G to F

856-873 from F to E

920-927 from PHC to PHB

946-955 from E to D

1014-1021 from PHB to PHA

 

So, if you want a midship suite, it appears that you may have to pay more in 2014. Also, I would no longer book a Cat. E guarantee on Navigator because of the chance I would get an aft Cat. E suite along with significant vibration.

 

Here's a link to a pdf showing the old and the new deck plans on the Regent ships. (https://www.rssc.com/media/ships/VTE_pgs_165-177.pdf)

 

Hope this helps.

[Travelcat2]

Thank you for posting that very valuable information. It's hard for me not to say that we might "reclassify" our Penthouse "B" suites for a Silver Suite on the Whisper. Oops, guess I said that out loud:eek:

 

On a more serious note, just wanted to mention that upgrades to Business Class Air on just about all flights to and from Australia/New Zealand in 2014 are now $6,000/person. There are just as bad on the competition.

[wripro]

You can probably do better taking the air credit (which has probably been reduced) and getting flights on your own.

[Travelcat2]

You can probably do better taking the air credit (which has probably been reduced) and getting flights on your own.

 

You're correct. I was just checking airlines prices on a couple of legs. Depending upon the airline it is less money to do it on our own. Thinking back to the old days when our million frequent flyer miles took us around the world (125,000 miles for two) plus round trip to Egypt, two round trips to Australia/New Zealand plus multiple trips to Southeast Asia. Sigh.