Downgrade offer on Mariner???

[EnidSooner]

We are sailing with good friends on the Mariner July 19th, Venice/Istanbul. First time on RSSC and looking forward to the experience. We just got an offer from RSSC to DOWNGRADE from Concierge - D to Deluxe - F; $2,000 per suite. Same services other than some in cabin differences. Suites look the same. We are inclined to leave well enough alone but $2,000 can buy a bunch of trinkets at the Bazar. Thoughts on this from some experienced RSSC cruisers.

[tallship]

Unless you need a $15 bag, coffee pods in the morning, or 1 hour of internet, the cabins are the same

[dabear]

Take the money & run. the concierge amenities are not worth $2,000 & it's same size cabin.

Edited July 3, 2014 by dabear

[EnidSooner]

I think the freebies they offered in the D flow to the F. Any location consideration? I recall reading about some vibration issues in some cabins on the Voyager, yes?

[greygypsy]

Unless you were hoping for an "upsell" offer (D to Penthouse for some additional $$) then I would take the offer. You may want your TA to check with Regent on the available F cabins being offered in case there are possible issues (but my best recollection on Mariner is there shouldn't be). Jeff

[EnidSooner]

Checking with RSSC. I'll post results. Thanks everyone for the input.

[rarin2go]

In addition to the other stuff mentioned already there is also a discount on premium wines that goes with concierge class - can't recall exactly how much (?10%) - but it's certainly not worth turning down the $2000 IMO!

[RachelG]

Take the money. No vibration issues on Mariner. The only way I would not do this is if they were wanting to put me from a suite with a shower to one with a tub.

[DaveFr]

I agree with Rachel. I would take the downgrade. I just checked and, assuming you don't want a tub, 732 - 735 are available. They are all midship and quiet. I was in 734 last year for three weeks and thought it was an excellent suite.

 

Hope this helps.

[xrvlcruiser]

excellent advice re: shower vs tub.

[Travelcat2]

Speak with your TA -- they are the best source of informed information. CC members do not have the insight that TA's do.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

The Mariner is my favorite ship and I have sailed in 733 and 735 and somewhere on Deck 9 and the aft Mariner Suite. If those mid ship deck 7's are available - they are some of the best cabin locations on the ship.

 

THERE IS NO BAD CABIN on the Mariner. Take the money and run. The cabins are identical. And since we don't know who your travel agent is, we don't know if they have sailed on the ship. They may not know the ship at all.

[Dizziedi]

Speak with your TA -- they are the best source of informed information. CC members do not have the insight that TA's do.

 

Clearly you don't live in Australia:)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

Speak with your TA -- they are the best source of informed information. CC members do not have the insight that TA's do}

 

Really? I seem to recall other posts you have made contrary to this. Many posters here have cruised Regent enough times to have more information than many travel agents. And many travel agents have never even done a FAM trip to the ship let alone stay in those exact cabins offered the OP

[JMARINER]

This is a port intensive voyage in the med. Not much time in the cabin and very unlike of any rough seas. In this regard the Mariner has no bad cabins.

 

Take the money. I would be surprised if any T/A would give you a different answer. Mine wouldn't..

 

J

31/425

[Sunprince]

The main reason why I post and read this board is to get the experience of Regent travellers who have experienced the ships, suites and itineraries. If I were the OP, I would find the experiences and opinion of fellow Regent guests most welcome. Although the TA would certainly deal with Regent on the offer, no matter how much of a Regent expert they may be it is always useful for opinions of CC members who have sailed on Regent.

[Travelcat2]

Speak with your TA -- they are the best source of informed information. CC members do not have the insight that TA's do}

 

Really? I seem to recall other posts you have made contrary to this. Many posters here have cruised Regent enough times to have more information than many travel agents. And many travel agents have never even done a FAM trip to the ship let alone stay in those exact cabins offered the OP

 

Clearly it depends upon the subject. Also, although we are close to 250 nights on Regent, I could not state definitively that there are no bad cabins on the Mariner. Our TA taught us to look at what is above or below the suite we are looking at. Are you below the pool (potential noise issues). Also potential noise issues if you are above or below Horizons Lounge, Stars Lounge..... beneath the Observation Lounge lounge or under the theater or La Veranda. I wonder if even a Titanium Seven Seas Society member would know about suites in each of these areas. IMO, none of us are experts and can always use a little assistance from TA's that regularly book Regent.

Edited July 5, 2014 by Travelcat2

[jhp]

Enidsooner, like many others, I would take that $2k and run, if you don't care tub or shower. For me, I would take either!

[EnidSooner]

I spoke with RSSC and they had gotten what they needed but they would keep me on a wait list. Early bird catches the worm. Thanks for all the good advice CC'ers!

[RachelG]

You are right about that. If you get an offer, there usually isn't a lot of time to think about it, so you have to grab it ASAP if you are interested.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

After 13+ years on this board and my Travel Agent's own board (and I believe your's as well, Jackie) - and having sailed on the inaugural sailing of Mariner, as well as my own Travel Agent confirming my statement, I will reiterate - there are NO bad cabins on the Mariner. That is not a true statement for Voyager or Navigator but it is for Mariner.

[Travelcat2]

It is true that the early bird catches the worm. This is another strong reason to have a good TA -- one that regularly books with Regent. When they contact you with an "offer" they explain it to you thoroughly and let you know that they need an answer immediately. Hope you find a TA for your next cruise.

 

ChatKat: The TA may certainly be correct but I would not book a suite under the pool or one of the dining venues or lounges. We had occasion to book directly with Regent. When I questioned the location of a couple of suites (in terms of noise), they recommended different suites.

 

While I still highly recommend using a TA, if you ask Regent representatives specific questions, you can avoid suites that may be too noisy.

[EnidSooner]

RSSC called and we took the offer based on everyone's advice and our economic best interests. Thank you! We had to give up the coffee maker, the binoculars and a blanket. I have a nice pair of Leica's, I'll walk to the Coffee Connection and I seriously doubt I'll need a blanket. Everything else was protected including reservations and excursions.

 

Our TA was on top of the offer but had never experienced a downgrade proposal before; nor had we. We took 732 & 734 so we are close to the casino and have some extra ching!

 

Again, thanks for all the comments.

[DaveFr]

Glad it worked out. I think you'll be very happy with 732 & 734.

[RachelG]

Those are very comfortable and quiet suites.