Regent's "free" shore excursions??

[Softball20]

We are considering a cruise on Regent next year and I'm curious about their "included" shore excursions. We never do ship's excursions when we cruise as I'm not a fan of being herded around on a bus with 50 other people. Rather, we line up our own private excursions for our own group or hook up with other CC'ers on that sailing to form a small group. If we sail Regent, however, since their excursions are included in the price, I would likely want to use them since we've paid for them in the cost of the cruise. So, I'm curious as to how they are? Do they limit the number in each group so you don't feel "herded," and, if so, are they hard to get in?

[Travelcat2]

You will hear varying opinions on "free" excursions. We have definitely felt herded many times. They do not fill the buses. The average number of passengers on a bus is around 25 but can go up to 30-31. Although they do not fill buses, sometimes they have multiple buses going on the same excursion. Regent tries to have them go different routes but we have been at the same restroom stop with eight other buses (not a nice thing). Having buses on the same excursion attempt to avoid each other has caused us to have wine tasting at 9:00 a.m. (twice) and having to wait until 2:30 p.m. to have lunch.

 

This is how excursions typically work:

 

1. You receive your tickets in your suite. The tickets tell you what time to go to the theater to trade your tickets in for a bus ticket with a bus #.

 

2. The theater may or may not be mobbed. You sit and wait for your bus number to be called. This may happen in 5 minutes or 30+ minutes. You then line up to exit the ship and board the bus.

 

Note: There have been recent variations to this procedure but I have posted my experience on multiple cruises - the most recent of which was March of this year.

 

People new to Regent or who are used to large ships may not feel the "herding" as much as long time Regent passengers that were used to less people going on excursions (prior to excursions being "free). When something is free, everyone tries to sign up for as many excursions as possible. It is not unusual to have 500-600 passengers leaving for excursions in the morning - close to the same time.

 

Most excursions that have a cost are good to excellent. "Free" excursions are mediocre to very good (just my opinion). Excursions in the Middle East were amongst the best we have experienced with Regent. South American excursions were the least successful. Keep in mind that some ports simply do not have the equipment (buses) or experienced tour guides.

 

This is admittedly a rather harsh critique of Regent excursions but this is how we see it. We will continue to try "free" excursions in some ports but would much prefer doing our own thing. Knowing that we paid for "free" excursions is bothersome.

Edited November 6, 2013 by Travelcat2

[Softball20]

Thank you for your comments. I agree that it would be bothersome to have paid for the free excursions and then not use them - which is one of the things we are weighing in considering a cruise on Regent. Go figure, the itinerary we are considering is in South America :)

[Snackdaddy]

We are considering a cruise on Regent next year and I'm curious about their "included" shore excursions. We never do ship's excursions when we cruise as I'm not a fan of being herded around on a bus with 50 other people. Rather, we line up our own private excursions for our own group or hook up with other CC'ers on that sailing to form a small group. If we sail Regent, however, since their excursions are included in the price, I would likely want to use them since we've paid for them in the cost of the cruise. So, I'm curious as to how they are? Do they limit the number in each group so you don't feel "herded," and, if so, are they hard to get in?

 

Hello Softball20,

 

We too have always arranged private tours with friends sailing with us and other CC'ers, but this time it will be different. We will be Regent newbies on the December 8, 2013 sailing of the Mariner (Rio to Buenos Aires) and we have booked at least one tour in every port. The offered tours all looked very interesting to us. Moreover, to avoid the tour morning "hurried" feeling, we booked a number of afternoon tours so we could enjoy the ship and some relaxed mornings. I will share our experiences with you when we return. Of course if you have any specific questions let me know.

[Travelcat2]

Just want to add that excursions on other ships are sometimes twice as expensive as the Regent excursions with a cost. Most recently we were on Oceania and Silversea........ the prices were exorbitant (IMO). Be sure to take that into consideration when considering Regent. The odds are that you will save money -- even you take only a couple of included excursions and pay for the premium ones.

 

 

 

Note: Example: Regent Alaska excursion -- plane to Crab Feast -- bus back. Approximately $350 for two people. The same excursion on Silversea - $700 for two. Both are summer, 2013 prices.

Edited November 6, 2013 by Travelcat2

[rarin2go]

Our experience of Regent excursions is similar to that of TC2 although they do seem to have improved the ticket distribution process recently. As regards the crowding of rest stops and sites visited, we found this was often the result of (or exacerbated by) other cruise ships being in the same port and offering the same excursions at the same time. It would be wonderful if Regent could identify and provide 'unique' excursions in these circumstances but probably not a practical proposition.

We often forgo the excursions particularly in ports we have visited before but agree that it does feel rather 'wasteful'. This seems a little irrational though since we don't feel the same way when we fail to drink all the included alcohol or eat all the included food ;)

[pingpong1]

Like Yogi Berra once said - "That restaurant is so crowded, no one goes there anymore!" Another corollary might be someone going to Longhorn Steakhouse or Morton's, and then complaining because there's just too much "steak" listed on the menu.

 

You have to decide what's a priority for you. If paying (included in the fare) for excursions that you don't want to go on, or getting a feeling of being "herded" (for each of us to individually define that term) onto buses with 30-40 other people - on a bus that is expressly designed to hold 30-40 other people - is a "big (negative) deal" or a major annoyance factor.....than perhaps Regent might not be the cruise line for you - Or any cruise ship for that matter, since none of them leave the harbor "empty" or with just one couple onboard.

 

I also can't quite understand the logic of someone paying (or complaining about) a premium high-end price for a cruise line like Regent, whose fares includes all liquor 24/7 - and then saying, "but we aren't drinkers"? Why then, would someone seriously consider booking on that particular cruiseline? With those self-imposed parameters which are totally up to each individual, I'm not quite sure about the logic of then booking a cruise on Regent? It's an "all-inclusive" cruise line. If one doesn't like, want, or use the majority of "stuff" that's included - then why book with Regent? Why would someone who is a regular committed smoker then book a cruise on a line that is totally "non-smoking" (not Regent - at least not yet)?

 

A ship like Voyager - which only holds a maximum of 700 passengers - certainly wouldn't be in the same category of "crowded tours", as if we were talking about Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas" with 6,296 passengers! If Dante had instead written a story about the "circles of suffering" on an ocean cruise - "Oasis" would be in the 10th level - for me! Voyager, to the contrary (or Mariner and Navigator), would be in "heaven", sailing around with the angels, when we're comparing "crowding" on various cruise lines! Regards.

[Softball20]

Like Yogi Berra once said - "That restaurant is so crowded, no one goes there anymore!" Another corollary might be someone going to Longhorn Steakhouse or Morton's, and then complaining because there's just too much "steak" listed on the menu.

 

You have to decide what's a priority for you. If paying (included in the fare) for excursions that you don't want to go on, or getting a feeling of being "herded" (for each of us to individually define that term) onto buses with 30-40 other people - on a bus that is expressly designed to hold 30-40 other people - is a "big (negative) deal" or a major annoyance factor.....than perhaps Regent might not be the cruise line for you - Or any cruise ship for that matter, since none of them leave the harbor "empty" or with just one couple onboard.

 

I also can't quite understand the logic of someone paying (or complaining about) a premium high-end price for a cruise line like Regent, whose fares includes all liquor 24/7 - and then saying, "but we aren't drinkers"? Why then, would someone seriously consider booking on that particular cruiseline? With those self-imposed parameters which are totally up to each individual, I'm not quite sure about the logic of then booking a cruise on Regent? It's an "all-inclusive" cruise line. If one doesn't like, want, or use the majority of "stuff" that's included - then why book with Regent? Why would someone who is a regular committed smoker then book a cruise on a line that is totally "non-smoking" (not Regent - at least not yet)?

 

A ship like Voyager - which only holds a maximum of 700 passengers - certainly wouldn't be in the same category of "crowded tours", as if we were talking about Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas" with 6,296 passengers! If Dante had instead written a story about the "circles of suffering" on an ocean cruise - "Oasis" would be in the 10th level - for me! Voyager, to the contrary (or Mariner and Navigator), would be in "heaven", sailing around with the angels, when we're comparing "crowding" on various cruise lines! Regards.

 

I agree with your logic about weighing the inclusiveness of the excursions (and the other items). Of course we are "paying" for them when they are "included" in the fare. That's why I'm asking for feedback about the types of excursions and how busy they are, etc. As I had mentioned, we typically do our own thing, thus I am weighing whether Regent is the right line for us. I like the small ship size and the inclusiveness of the other areas, but I would not spend additional money on touring given that we would have already paid for it up front.

 

No issue on the inclusiveness of the liquor :)

[pingpong1]

Hi Softball - We just got off of a Voyager cruise in the Med. Very port/excursion intensive - every day. We went on the "included" excursions on 7 of the 10 nights. On two days - we just stayed on board, did laundry, pigged out at the pool deck, and had a few cold ones. On the 7 excursions we had a great time.

 

Yes, we loaded ourselves onto the big buses and went on the guided/escorted tours. Everyone was friendly and we all struck up many good conversations. If/When things got a little crowded, we just asked the guide when we needed to get back to the bus for return to the ship, and then went off and did our own thing - or just sat on a nearby bench and watched the "world walk by".

 

We had a great time. in the theater onboard in the mornings/afternoon, where we all met to get our bus tickets was no more crowded at those times than it would be in the evening when we were all there to watch the productions/shows. And there were many friendly/charming people there to talk to while we were waiting. It was very well organized - both boarding the buses and while on the tours - and no one seemed to mind. Regards.

[HanaleiSailor]

Aloha all,

 

I agree with Ping Pong, we just did a seven day Med trip on Voyager and took included excursions on six days. The actual average number of people on our buses was 22. The maximum was 26. The minimum was 18. Buses were half full. The guides on 4 of the excursions were good to excellent on two they were fair. Our longest wait in the morning in the theater was 15 minutes.

 

Like Ping Pong, in several places, at some point, we simply asked the guide at what time to meet the bus and then did our own thing. We tend to book excursions to far flung sites, usually archaeological, and then come back to town and walk around the port on our own until time to depart. We see the included excursions as a means to get to the most interesting places farther from port, and we treat them as transport, if we have a great guide, that is a bonus.

 

Aloha from Hanalei,

 

Mark

[Travelcat2]

I wonder if the experience of the last two posters could be why so many cruise lines are dropping the number ships and stops in the Med. next year? Most frequent travelers have "been there - done that". There are certainly no excursions left that we are interested in taking. For newbies to the area, it obviously a good thing since the excursions were so small. We have never experienced small groups on Regent "free" excursions.

 

Editing to say that this is also off season in the Med. which makes more buses available. In all ports, Regent has to compete with mega ships to get buses, tour guides and drivers. So, when they have the option for more buses, it seems like they add more with fewer guests on each one.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Travelcat2

[computerworks]

Just want to add that excursions on other ships are sometimes twice as expensive as the Regent excursions with a cost. Most recently we were on Oceania and Silversea........ the prices were exorbitant (IMO)..

 

I would venture a guess that is the case.. because you have already "paid" a baseline towards excursion cost, with the included choices.

 

The Uptick in non-free ones would be an additive cost over those you have already paid for?

[HanaleiSailor]

Aloha TC,

 

Just curious, you write, "There are certainly no excursions left that we are interested in taking." I assume that this means that there are no European excursions which you are interested in taking. I have never understood the "cross something off the list once" and never return thinking.

 

When we lived in Japan for seven years, I probably made ten trips to Kamakura, six or eight to Nikko, six or more to Hakone and many other places. Popular attractions are popular for a reason, they are often one of a kind places, important historically, culturally, etc. I find repeat visits to often be more interesting than the first as one discovers new layers and notices many small details that are overlooked on a first visit.

 

The same was true when I lived in the UK for a year and a half. I made numerous visits to various places without losing interest; and then I took four or five trips to Paris from London, is one trip to the Louvre enough?

 

We have only been on two Regent cruises and have already repeated two ports, yet I have no problem with more repeat visits to the Amalfi coast, Sicily, the French riviera, etc.

 

Just curious about your thinking on repeating ports/ excursions.

 

Aloha from Hanalei,

 

Mark

[Travelcat2]

I was responding to computerworks post when we had a power cut. Oh well..... will try it again. I agreed with your post and added that the "Uptick" on the non-included excursions are probably the amount paid in your fare plus the additional cost of the excursion.

 

As I've stated before, I would love to see Regent do away with "Free" excursions and take the cost out of the fare. Then passengers could be charged Regent's cost. I believe this would still be less than most luxury cruise lines charge and passengers would be paying for what they are interested in and not feel like they must take an excursion because they have "paid for it". IMO, there is no way that Regent can handle excursions in the same luxurious way they do everything else because there are simply too many people who feel they have to take as many excursions as possible and it is difficult to manage the amount of people.

 

When we sail on another luxury cruise line, the moment we walk off of the ship (or are tendered to shore), we are directed to the appropriate tour operator who takes care of passengers. for their excursion. No waiting in the theater -- no problems whatsoever. One time I forgot my ticket on the ship, they were able to take care of it on the spot. I assume that there is a certain percentage of the cruise fare that is used for all "free" excursions. On other luxury lines, the money collected for each individual excursion can be used for that excursion. In other words, they can hire more people to assist guests if it becomes necessary.

 

The other side of the coin is that "free excursions" has brought a lot of new people to Regent (although they lost some long time customers as well). Why should they get rid of something that is profitable? IMO, there is not an easy answer to this issue.

 

HanaleiSailor: Hi -- good question. The key word in my statement was "excursions". I did make it sound like we were tired of the ports. We have been to certain cities multiple times and continue to explore areas on our own. The most time we have spent in one place in the world is Thailand followed by England. I could go to either place tomorrow and have a glorious time..... an never ending amount of things to do and see. However, we would not take a ship excursion. In fact, we would probably not visit by cruise ship as there is not enough time in each port.

 

We don't mind repeating ports. Our next two cruises repeat ports we have been to by land and by ship. Again, it is the ship excursions that I'm over -- not the port or city. I can't speak to why ships are pulling out of the Med. Perhaps there were too many to begin with. I can recall when a Regent captain changed the itinerary on our cruise because there were going to be 11 ships in Santorini. On the day we ended up going to Santorini, there was only 6. As a tour guide mentioned to us, "they keep building more and bigger ships but the island does not get any bigger".

[pingpong1]

Mark - In another life, I think we must have been twins! :) You expressed my thoughts exactly. Although I'm "new" to Regent, the poster should not assume (if they do) that you and I are "newbie world travelers", Just because we're not Regent gold or platinum (is there a titanium?).

 

By the time I was 40, I had been to nearly every non-communist country in the northern hemisphere - plus a few in the southern hemisphere. There are other ways and reasons to see the world than just on a luxury cruise ship!

 

Several of the folks I've met on my two Regent cruises are also new to Regent - but they certainly have seen a lot of the world by other means (than by just a cruise ship). In fact seeing a country via cruise ship is probably one of the most limiting and worst ways to do it!

 

Having retired from the government (DoD) with nearly 40 years of service, my work sent me all over the world - constantly. And I never tired of seeing the same places multiple times! Whenever I went back to the same place, I'd always see something new that I had missed before. For the last 10 years of my career, I was "putting on" nearly 150,000 air miles a year.

 

Our latest (just 2nd) Regent cruise started in Rome and ended in Venice......both places I've been to many times...just not with Regent or another cruise ship. We enjoyed going on Regent's walking tours in Venice and seeing the same things again that we had seen on our own - several times -before Regent ever entered our lives.

 

During the 4 years we lived in Scotland we drove and camped (in a pup tent) all over the UK - we still love the "walking tours" of London that assemble outside the many "tube stations". These walking tours, I think, are as good as any Regent tour of London. And we often take the same tours in London that we've gone on before and enjoy them every time we do it. Sorrento? My house is filled with inlaid wood objects bought there over the years. On our Regent stopover there a couple of weeks ago, I got a big hug from the owner of a shop that I used to regularly visit - long before Regent.

 

In our latest pre-cruise visit to Rome, we arrived 4 days early just so we could "go back" to some of our favorite places that we had seen and enjoyed in the past.

 

On the Regent excursions we actually LIKE to meet and talk with our fellow passengers! That's as much of a social and cultural opportunity, and FUN, as the tour itself! We don't see a crowded bus or a crowded assembly area (the theater) as an "inconvenience". But maybe we're just......different.

 

Mark, like you, we also have several "Kamakura T-shirts" hanging in our closet. :p And after living in Japan for 2 years, I often went back there to visit on later business trips. I always enjoyed repeated visits to Yokohama, Sasebo, Tokyo, Osaka, Misawa, and Okinawa - I miss the "good old days" when the yen was "360 to the dollar"!

 

Countless trips over the years have taken me to the Philippines, Iceland, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea (fortunately - South!), Nam/Cambodia (certainly not as a "tourist"), Singapore, Thailand, Greece, Panama (again, not as a tourist). And I didn't get there, or travel around there, by a Regent cruise ship!

 

And as for Hawaii...well, "don't get me started". I couldn't count the number of times I've ridden the "Wiki-Wiki Bus" to the arrival terminal! And one of my favorite (repeated) adventures is paddling the kayak down the Ni Willi Willi River past the blue grotto. I very much look forward to hoisting that "cold one" with you out there some day in a nice bar in Princeville!

 

This upcoming Regent Baltic cruise will be my first time to step foot on Russian soil. In my past life, a trip to that country would have been "problematic". :eek: But I am looking forward to seeing the sights of St. Petersburg, courtesy of Regent.

 

My whole point here (and I think Mark's point) is that just because someone doesn't have too many Regent cruises (or any other cruise line trips) under their belt, does not necessarily mean that they are new to world traveling, or just "fell of the turnip truck" yesterday morning. And a lot of people actually like going back to the same places again and again. Regent certainly isn't the only way to "see the world". But it certainly is undeniably one of the most expensive (and enjoyable) ways to do it! ;)

 

Best Regards to all.

[TahoeTraveler]

Hello Softball20,

 

We too have always arranged private tours with friends sailing with us and other CC'ers, but this time it will be different. We will be Regent newbies on the December 8, 2013 sailing of the Mariner (Rio to Buenos Aires) and we have booked at least one tour in every port. The offered tours all looked very interesting to us. Moreover, to avoid the tour morning "hurried" feeling, we booked a number of afternoon tours so we could enjoy the ship and some relaxed mornings. I will share our experiences with you when we return. Of course if you have any specific questions let me know.

I think you will really enjoy the afternoon tours. On our last cruise on the Navigator, the morning tours all met in the lounge, but all the afternoon tours met on the pier. It was much nicer that way for us, because there wasn't that "waiting around for your number to be called" issue. Also, when I mentioned to one of the tour operators that I was surprised the bus wasn't full on a particularly nice excursion, she told me that Regent doesn't allow it...they purposely limit the number of participants. So our buses were pretty much only half full on all our excursions.

[Softball20]

Thank you all for so many great comments. Not sure we are going to try Regent this year or not. It sounds great, but given that most of our cruise history is on the mass-market level, I think we will move up the ladder gradually and experience the differences in lines as we go. At this point we are looking at an Oceania South American itinerary that looks great. The cost difference - after accounting for the purchase of a premium beverage package on O is about $1,800/person. Not insignificant. Clearly there will be more costs as we figure out what we are going to do in each port, but as it won't be with a ship's excursion, I doubt we'll come close to $3,600.

 

I do like the inclusiveness of Regent, and from what I've read on the boards, the service is amazing. I don't disagree, however, with the poster who mentioned that Regent should so away with the "free" excursions. I can see that so many would feel compelled to do them as they've been paid for, thus raising the potential for over crowding in certain ports in certain times of year. We prefer to explore on our own, either just going with a private guide/driver so we have flexibility in what we want to do/see, or just completely DIY.

 

We, too, don't mind repeating ports as there is always something new to see or do, not to mention returning to see some of the favorites. I will never tire of Italy!! Unfortunately, as someone mentioned, traveling to some of these amazing places by cruise ship is limiting, but I look at it as a great way to get a little taste of an area to figure out where we want to go back to, by ship or land.

[Travelcat2]

pingpong1: Really confused by your posts. No one assumes that just because you are new to Regent that you are new to world cruising. Briefly, my point was that people who have visited the ports/cities previously may not find a ship excursion the best way to see the city again. This is the only assumption that I am making.

 

In terms of not booking Regent if you don't want included excursions. That may be easier to say for newer Regent customers. Once you have invested several years into Regent and then they change their policy, it is not necessarily easy to say "okay -- guess I need to start over with another cruise line".

 

The bottom line for me is that everyone who likes included excursions should voice their opinions on CruiseCritic (and to Regent) as well as those that do not. Regent can determine what, if anything, they will do about it.

 

Softball20: IMO, you made the best decision. Oceania is a great cruise line (sister to Regent). They have fabulous service and the food in their specialty restaurants is to die for. And, although their excursions are pricey, their CruiseCritic Roll Call is so helpful for couples who wish to form small groups to take excursions. We did an amazing "Off the Beaten Path" excursion in Tuscany earlier this year with 3 other couples. It was fabulous!

Edited November 8, 2013 by Travelcat2

[Snackdaddy]

I think you will really enjoy the afternoon tours. On our last cruise on the Navigator, the morning tours all met in the lounge, but all the afternoon tours met on the pier. It was much nicer that way for us, because there wasn't that "waiting around for your number to be called" issue. Also, when I mentioned to one of the tour operators that I was surprised the bus wasn't full on a particularly nice excursion, she told me that Regent doesn't allow it...they purposely limit the number of participants. So our buses were pretty much only half full on all our excursions.

 

Hello TahoeTraveler,

 

Thank you for your encouraging comments. We didn't think about less people booking the afternoon tours, but either way, we will make the best of it.

[Softball20]

pingpong1: Really confused by your posts. No one assumes that just because you are new to Regent that you are new to world cruising. Briefly, my point was that people who have visited the ports/cities previously may not find a ship excursion the best way to see the city again. This is the only assumption that I am making.

 

In terms of not booking Regent if you don't want included excursions. That may be easier to say for newer Regent customers. Once you have invested several years into Regent and then they change their policy, it is not necessarily easy to say "okay -- guess I need to start over with another cruise line".

 

The bottom line for me is that everyone who likes included excursions should voice their opinions on CruiseCritic (and to Regent) as well as those that do not. Regent can determine what, if anything, they will do about it.

 

Softball20: IMO, you made the best decision. Oceania is a great cruise line (sister to Regent). They have fabulous service and the food in their specialty restaurants is to die for. And, although their excursions are pricey, their CruiseCritic Roll Call is so helpful for couples who wish to form small groups to take excursions. We did an amazing "Off the Beaten Path" excursion in Tuscany earlier this year with 3 other couples. It was fabulous!

 

Thanks. I don't see anything not to like about it, and every one of the ports on that itinerary is new to us, which is an added bonus. We'll be with another couple, so we'll line up our own excursions. If we need more people we'll recruit from the roll call. We've met some really nice people over the years from our roll calls and have stayed in touch with some of them.

 

And, I love anything to do with Tuscany and going off the beaten path just about anywhere :)

Edited November 8, 2013 by Softball20

[gf]

PingPong,

 

Yes, there is a Titanium level!

 

What got my attention in your great post, was the "days of 360 yen to the dollar!" Our first foreign travel was a lengthy AmEx land/air Soeast Asia trip in 1970 with many days in Japan when the xchg rate was exactly that! So many souveniers -gorgeous ivory carvings of flowers, birds, and pearl jewelry,etc., all of which I still love and appreciate that they're unique!

 

Thanks for the memories!

Edited November 8, 2013 by gf

[debijaynes]

QUOTE__Editing to say that this is also off season in the Med. which makes more buses available. In all ports, Regent has to compete with mega ships to get buses, tour guides and drivers. So, when they have the option for more buses, it seems like they add more with fewer guests on each one.

 

If our past cruise was the off season--wow. You couldn't even see the cobblestones in Rome , Florence and Venice--so crowded. Once in Italy was enough for us. The buses were not crowded, but every venue was mobbed. Remember, Tour groups include land tours as well--they were the majority of crowd issue.

It was so crowded that you couldn't see what you were there for. We picked this time as it was supposed to be off season. Travel has appeared to ramp up exponentially everywhere. Here in SW Florida it is already getting crowded. I shudder to think what season will be like this year.(Sorry, I digress). A friend wanted to do a Viking River cuise with us next October--No cabins available!

Edited November 8, 2013 by debijaynes
quote didn't appear at beginning of post

[Travelcat2]

QUOTE__Editing to say that this is also off season in the Med. which makes more buses available. In all ports, Regent has to compete with mega ships to get buses, tour guides and drivers. So, when they have the option for more buses, it seems like they add more with fewer guests on each one.

 

If our past cruise was the off season--wow. You couldn't even see the cobblestones in Rome , Florence and Venice--so crowded. Once in Italy was enough for us. The buses were not crowded, but every venue was mobbed. Remember, Tour groups include land tours as well--they were the majority of crowd issue.

It was so crowded that you couldn't see what you were there for. We picked this time as it was supposed to be off season. Travel has appeared to ramp up exponentially everywhere. Here in SW Florida it is already getting crowded. I shudder to think what season will be like this year.(Sorry, I digress). A friend wanted to do a Viking River cuise with us next October--No cabins available!

 

You may want to give Italy another try. I avoided Italy for years after visiting Rome the first time. Last year we gave it another try -- in late April. The Italian Riviera is absolutely amazing and bears no resemblance to what we experienced previously. We sailed there again this year (April) and would not be opposed to going again. Our port stops included Florence and Venice. We spent one night in Rome. Although crowded, we were on a small group private tour in Florence and other parts of Tuscany and avoided a lot of it.

 

My term "off season" is based on discussions with tour guides. The worst time to visit that part of the world is suppose to be July and August where you get the crowds and unbearable heat. One tour guide called August "hell".

 

As you know, some Regent cabins book up 18 months in advance and they are much larger than river cruise ships. Most of the Regent cruises we have taken have been full which is another reason we don't like taking their excursions.... too many people going to the exact same places. We would just prefer a more upscale experience than what is currently offered on Regent. In the past year we sailed with Silversea and tried Oceania -- both lovely cruises with a "sane" excursion program. The reason we sail Regent has nothing to do with excursions. Paying for them is just a nuisance but is not a game changer. We are counting the days until we step foot on the Voyager after a 1 year absence!

[agapanthus]

We have just booked on Regent Seven Seas Navigator , Miami to Miami, round trip 14th Jan 2014. We've been tempted off Azamara. The so called 'free excursions' seem to be a bit of a joke for relatively 'late bookers' the few places have been snapped up by their 'extremely early' bookers and are just are a sales gimic! When we booked and tried to book so called 'free excursions' we were faced with 'sold out' on most of the most desirable ones. Happily we are fairly confident about being able to do our own thing but do feel a little cheated by their 'nothing to be concerned about' advertising ploy!

We'll see how we get on...................ready to be convinced. Is paying a premium really worth it..............

[Travelcat2]

We have just booked on Regent Seven Seas Navigator , Miami to Miami, round trip 14th Jan 2014. We've been tempted off Azamara. The so called 'free excursions' seem to be a bit of a joke for relatively 'late bookers' the few places have been snapped up by their 'extremely early' bookers and are just are a sales gimic! When we booked and tried to book so called 'free excursions' we were faced with 'sold out' on most of the most desirable ones. Happily we are fairly confident about being able to do our own thing but do feel a little cheated by their 'nothing to be concerned about' advertising ploy!

We'll see how we get on...................ready to be convinced. Is paying a premium really worth it..............

 

Get on the waitlist for the "free excursions" -- either online or by calling Regent. You will still be able to get on most of the excursions. Regent will add buses whenever possible to accommodate guests.