hrprof Posted December 10, 2014 #1 Share Posted December 10, 2014 I received a handsomely packaged, hard cover, temptingly printed book from Regent. The subject was Explorer (the most luxurious cruise ship ever). I poured myself a drink and sat down to read. I am considering Explorer as a possible move back to Regent from Oceania after being away since 2008. I was hungering for details - deck plans, specifications, suite details and artist renderings of interiors, dining venues etc. What did I get? The usual pictures of couples with Champagne, handsome servers, general deck posing and on and on - no facts. It quickly found its way to the recycling bin - what a waste of Regent's money and my time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portolan Posted December 10, 2014 #2 Share Posted December 10, 2014 (edited) as have others who've posted earlier. In the words of Joe Friday, "Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts." In these days of digital design, and since they are cutting steel the design is set, you can bet they have virtual depictions of every nook and cranny on the Explorer some of which would have greatly enhanced our interest if included in the booklet. Edited December 10, 2014 by Portolan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threechicks Posted December 10, 2014 #3 Share Posted December 10, 2014 You at least received something to be disappointed about. I have Gold status and never receive any of their mailings. My two daughters have travelled with me as guests. They receive everything. I do receive emails but I like to see printed matter from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portolan Posted December 10, 2014 #4 Share Posted December 10, 2014 since I went to the web site and filled out the "keep us informed" request for the Explorer. We're Gold, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted December 10, 2014 #5 Share Posted December 10, 2014 You at least received something to be disappointed about. I have Gold status and never receive any of their mailings. My two daughters have travelled with me as guests. They receive everything. I do receive emails but I like to see printed matter from time to time. Don't feel too bad, it really is a waste of the poor trees. I've still got it sitting on the coffee table, but it has no content. (I'm Gold too, haven't sailed on R since 2012 and don't intend to, unless something changes.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neviboy Posted December 11, 2014 #6 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Received 'the book' expecting sharp photos of the ship. I too was disappointed. Although we can't travel anymore ( both use walkers) we share your views on the choice of lines. I browse the oddtime and chuckle over "carpets' " art shows, "food", etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted December 11, 2014 #7 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Received 'the book' expecting sharp photos of the ship. I too was disappointed. Although we can't travel anymore ( both use walkers) we share your views on the choice of lines.I browse the oddtime and chuckle over "carpets' " art shows, "food", etc. Ah Neville, nice to see you post! Glad you are still getting around, albeit with some mechanical help. Hope you are otherwise well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennicott Posted December 11, 2014 #8 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Haw, our sentiments as well, we were wondering if others shared our frustration. Who is the marketing genius that came up with this gimmick for Del Rio? One thing though, that handsome couple portrayed throughout resembles us exactly. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted December 11, 2014 #9 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Amen folks. We couldn't believe our eyes when we opened the package. Gee, I thought that couple was us. Guess I need to put on my glasses.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare wishIweretravelling Posted December 12, 2014 #10 Share Posted December 12, 2014 I think they went to a picture frame store and stole the generic photos that come inside the frames. Really, I have no idea why they bothered. Except that we are talking about it, aren't we? But then the discussion seems to skew to "I haven't sailed with them in a while, and this isn't giving me any reason to do so." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computerworks Posted December 12, 2014 #11 Share Posted December 12, 2014 One thing though, that handsome couple portrayed throughout resembles us exactly. LOL The 'soul' of good Marketing is to engage you. ...not only do you wish you were on that ship... you wish you looked like that on that ship. It worked. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambagahle Posted December 12, 2014 #12 Share Posted December 12, 2014 You at least received something to be disappointed about. I have Gold status and never receive any of their mailings. My two daughters have travelled with me as guests. They receive everything. I do receive emails but I like to see printed matter from time to time. I don't get any mailings from them either... Now that you have posted this, Threechicks, I feel I am in good company! I can also add that I am very very curious to see a deck plan and suite plans for the Explorer. Just like everyone else I suppose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longhorn1 Posted December 12, 2014 #13 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Just received the book. For the life of me, I have never seen a more ineffective piece of promotional material, and I spent my career in the profession. How any CEO could let that take even a piece of the PR budget is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted December 13, 2014 #14 Share Posted December 13, 2014 How many of you remember the disastrous initial marketing of Infiniti cars where no car was shown. It is now many, many years later and they have never recovered from that disaster, trailing Lexus badly, although their cars, IMO, are every bit as good or better than Lexus. I don't think that this will happen here but a marketing lesson should have been learned :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted December 16, 2014 #15 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Received ours about a month ago and like others was excited to look through it. Tacky tacky tacky. What a terrible waste it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnomie1 Posted December 17, 2014 #16 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I would be most interested in knowing who signed off on this piece of garbage. My Mom, a very loyal Regent customer, was quite put off by this book because the passengers "shown" do not represent her or her peers. Who are all these beautiful 50 year old people with extensive plastic surgery and photoshop enhancement? While it is true that Regent may be aiming to attract a new audience with a younger demographic, they must remember that most people in their 50's are still working and are unable to take four week vacations. This piece of advertisement did nothing to advertise a new ship - it may have done more harm than good Number one rule of advertising - know your market and know it well. gnomie :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RachelG Posted December 17, 2014 #17 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I was put off by it because it is such a clear waste of money and good quality paper. And that money has to come from somewhere--the passenger. Now if it had contained substantive information, that would be another thing. But to spend money for something that is completely worthless is just poor management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlondon Posted December 18, 2014 #18 Share Posted December 18, 2014 gnomie, You are so right. I am almost gold (1 day) on Regent and am very interested in the new ship. Specifics are important to me and this was a total turn off. My favorite ship is Silver Whisper on a different line and I want to be able to compare. I liken this to what Conde Nast Traveler is doing by making every thing so exotic as opposed to the great travel advice they used to give. Know your market! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry1365 Posted January 4, 2015 #19 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Don't check in here very often because Regent has gotten quite expensive. Glad to see some familiar names are still posting. I did get the Explorer mailing and was similarly disappointed. Not any more detail than what's on the website, which is basically nothing. Seems like a waste of quite a bit of money. IMO, not a very wise expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChatKat in Ca. Posted January 5, 2015 #20 Share Posted January 5, 2015 i did not get it but i do get their brochures in the Wall Street Journal regularly. Same ones I do get in the mail. And as others have stated I no longer consider Regent for my travel dollars and experiences.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conte Di Savoia Posted January 5, 2015 #21 Share Posted January 5, 2015 The image used on the front of this brochure isn't one of the new ship. In fact it's the Voyager. I finally found a rendering of Seven Seas Voyager here. She looks top heavy above the bridge. It would be great to see some computerized renderings of her interior. Unfortunately many cruise lines fail to promote their ships, preferring to include pictures of the ports rather than their "luxurious" vessels. Years ago it wasn't like that. It used to be about the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlondon Posted January 5, 2015 #22 Share Posted January 5, 2015 ChatKat, While I am not a RSSC cheerleader, I do evaluate them as one of the best cruise lines. The cost versus almost all other luxury lines is not so much more as to eliminate them as a candidate for my dollars. I think your subtle but definite bashing is overly critical unless you have a specific complaint. Other lines may be better in unique areas; food, cabins, entertainment, etc. but the total package is most competitive. I find your dismissive attitude close minded. Given a choice I would cruise SS, but I don't limit myself by elimination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcanoe3 Posted January 11, 2015 #23 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Don't feel too bad, it really is a waste of the poor trees. I've still got it sitting on the coffee table, but it has no content. (I'm Gold too, haven't sailed on R since 2012 and don't intend to, unless something changes.) Why don't you intend to cruise with Regent until sometging changes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted January 15, 2015 #24 Share Posted January 15, 2015 How many of you remember the disastrous initial marketing of Infiniti cars where no car was shown.It is now many, many years later and they have never recovered from that disaster, trailing Lexus badly, although their cars, IMO, are every bit as good or better than Lexus. I don't think that this will happen here but a marketing lesson should have been learned :) At the time I thought that was the worst marketing campaign I'd seen. I'm still not sure I can recall worse. /got a bit of the keel of the new ship but it should be interesting to see who actually goes on the maiden voyage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMARINER Posted January 15, 2015 #25 Share Posted January 15, 2015 .................it should be interesting to see who actually goes on the maiden voyage My sources tell me that T/As are already reserving their top Regent clients (Double/Triple+ Titanium's). I doubt it will even make to down to Platinum let alone Gold. j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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