Looking for help justifying cost for Regent

[SandJCruiser]

When we were first looking to "step up" to a luxury line, the two that seemed the best fit for us were Crystal and Regent.  We eventually sailed on Crystal, and now have two sailings under our belt.  We would like to also try Regent as well.  The prices, however, barring "specials", seem uncomfortably high.  I realize that you can't compare apples to oranges and that there are some differences, but I tried an experiment in making some adjustments to make a comparison easier, and I would like to share my results here and ask for input.

 

I selected two cruises as similar as I could find - Mediterranean, 12 days, Crystal Symphony and Regent Voyager.  Each has 1 sea day.  The only major difference is the total ports visited, 10 for Regent vs. 9 for Crystal.  Here is how I then analyzed them:

 

Understanding that everyone's opinion and priorities are different, it would appear that the general consensus from extensive reading on Cruise Critic is that Food, Beverages, and Service are pretty much a wash between the two.  Entertainment/enrichment probably gives an edge to Crystal, and obviously there's nothing we can do about that.  Regent has a clear edge on cabin size.  The other major differences are Regent included air / air credit, free (to a point) shore excursions, and free specialty dining.  

 

I started with the base fare for cabins as close as I could get...for Regent the Deluxe Veranda Suite H, the lowest category available at 306/50 sq ft. (cabin/veranda).  For Crystal the nearest equivalent was the Deluxe Stateroom with Veranda at 207/47.  Somewhat smaller, I admit, but let's ignore that for the moment.

 

The per person prices for these two cabins were $13999 and $6299 respectively.  Deducting a $2500 air credit from Regent brings it down to $11499.

To compensate for free shore excursions, I assumed one basic-type shore excursion per day on Crystal.  Most such range from $70 or so to around $160.  I settled on $120 as a slightly high average, times 11 (2 overnights), adding $1320 to Crystal.

Lastly, I assumed 10 additional nights of Specialty Dining on Crystal (after the first two free) at $30 each, for an additional $300.

 

When you do the math, Regent comes out at $11499, or a per diem of $958, while Crystal, even after adjustments, comes in at $7919 or $660 per day.  A total difference over the cruise of $3580.  And yes, I know that I could take that money and use it to upgrade to a Penthouse Suite on Crystal, which would then pretty much equal out to Regent.  But that would also get me a butler, and eliminate the extra Specialty Dining expense, so it still wouldn't be comparable, and with Crystal I have the choice to keep that money in my pocket, a choice I don't have with Regent.

 

Now, please understand, I am NOT trying to bash Regent, promote Crystal, or upset anybody.  I am genuinely asking for input as to what items (tangible or intangible) Regent veterans feel I am missing or should be taking into account   I understand an itinerary might make one cruise more attractive than another.  But, as near as I can get to apples-to-apples, it just seems that I would be overpaying for Regent compared to Crystal.  I welcome any input and feedback.

 

[ROLLTIDE2]

What would the price comparison be for a Crystal suite that was closer in size?  To me, 207 square feet seems materially different from 306 square feet.

[wishIweretravelling]

One other item Regent includes that Crystal charges separately:  port fees and taxes. On an upcoming Crystal cruise in the Caribbean with 4 ports of call, this charge was $315. Obviously, it can vary considerably depending on the ports.

[wishIweretravelling]

Having just posted above with one tangible difference in what's included in the price, I've thought some more about your question. For what it's worth, I've cruised (and continue to cruise) on both lines. The choice depends on itinerary and price. And, yes, sometimes Regent is lower in price than Crystal when all factors are included. Sometimes Crystal is lower. Another factor is on-board credits. Sometimes Regent offers more; sometimes Crystal offers more. What my TA adds in can vary too.

 

Re intangibles, I agree that Crystal has the edge on enrichment on-board and Regent on cabins. Not just size of cabin, but layout. I generally go for the lowest priced balcony cabin, so that's my apples-to-apples. I am not a fan of the closet set-up on Crystal. It's a reach-in closet right next to the bed (Regent has walk-in closets). So whoever is on that bed (or side of the bed if using the queen configuration) gets disturbed when the cabin-mate opens the closet. And room service is uncomfortable in the sitting area because it is so cramped.  Also, if you are cruising with a "just friend," the beds on Serenity are not really separated. They are kept together and just made up separately. And I do feel the lack of a step-in shower on Crystal, though the double sinks are a nice touch. In addition, when on Crystal, I miss the lack of a curtain dividing the sitting area from the sleeping area. Makes it harder when sharing a cabin with someone whose sleep hours differ from yours.

 

Entertainment is more or less similar on the two. The show lounge shows are similar. I very much like the Avenue Saloon on Crystal, but Regent offers some other types of lounges that have their benefits too. And the movie theater on the Crystal ships is a nice touch.  Crystal offers the gentleman hosts for dance partners for the women, if that matters to someone (it doesn't to me). 

 

But the casinos on Crystal are very much in your face, which I do not appreciate. Regent's are more low-key. Crystal has more open spaces where smoking is allowed, so it's harder to avoid on that line if avoiding smoke is your thing (it is mine).

 

Regent ships have a lower passenger count, which I appreciate, though Crystal has reduced its count now, though still higher than Regent. Crystal has more public space though. Where this makes a difference is tender ports. First, Crystal seems to need to tender more than Regent. And, when there is tendering, Crystal does not seem to manage it as well as Regent does. 

 

I haven't been on Crystal since it went to open seating in the dining room, but will be remedying that in a couple of weeks, so will be able to report back then on how it's going.  From what I have heard, they really don't seem to have the art of managing seating and service in an open seating situation nailed yet. For me, that's very important--the ability to go into a dining room, ask to be seated with random others (or with specific others), and have the meal timed and flowing effectively.  But, as I said, I'll soon see for myself on Crystal.

 

Re food quality, no one has the equivalent of Nobu's specialty restaurant on Crystal, though Regent's Pacific Rim does a very nice job on the pan-Asian front. And Regent's Sette Mari does not hold a candle to Crystal's Prego in the Italian restaurant department. But, I find Regent's main dining room to be far superior to Crystal's. I don't think it's possible to tire of the choices on the anytime side of Regent's menu, and the daily choices are usually well-prepared. I've had many more misses in Crystal's main dining room, and too often there's not much of interest on the menu.

 

To me, the biggest intangible difference is in the excursions. Since Regent went inclusive of excursions, it seems to have taken greater ownership of them as being part of the experience that a Regent cruise offers. Since it's no longer a profit center (or at least not much of one), the Destinations staff seems more dedicated to ensuring that the passenger's experience is the best possible rather than to selling excursions. Crystal, which does so well on the onboard experience, seems to take an attitude of "pay me the money, here's the vendor, good luck."  Of course, one can always make one's own excursion, and the benefit of Crystal is that you don't feel like you have to do the ship's excursion because you've already paid for it in the cruise fare, but sometimes you just don't want to do the extra research and/or you want the assurance that cruise line will take care of things if your tour gets delayed or runs into trouble.

 

Sorry for the stream of consciousness.  Hope you find something here that strikes you.  To me, both lines have a lot to like.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2019 by wishIweretravelling

[physadv]

The value of the Business Class RT Air to Europe is much greater than the $2,500 credit that you used in your calculations.

[wcsdkqh]

Not necessarily.  I took the 2500 credit last year and booked my own flights for 2250. But it does vary, and you need to monitor flights to beat Regent

[Silver Sweethearts]

7 hours ago, SandJCruiser said:

I am genuinely asking for input as to what items (tangible or intangible) Regent veterans feel I am missing or should be taking into account   

 

It's the intangible part that comes into account here, as it is a feeling inside you and not something you can compare on paper.

[SandJCruiser]

I took off the $2500 so as to compare "cruise only" fares, as it was the only way to make it as fair as possible.  I agree that in some cases the included air might be a better value.  But then you have to start the conversation about deviation fees, and non-gateway airports, etc.  I didn't want to get in to all that.

 

WishIweretravelin - Good point about the port charges; I hadn't caught that

 

ROLLTIDE2 - once you go up to the larger suits in Crystal you do get more comparable in price as well, but my point was that on Crystal you have the opportunity to spend much less if you're comfortable with the smaller cabin; on Regent you don't.

 

  My thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses.  I'm sure we will try Regent eventually..

[papaflamingo]

9 hours ago, SandJCruiser said:

I took off the $2500 so as to compare "cruise only" fares, as it was the only way to make it as fair as possible.  I agree that in some cases the included air might be a better value.  But then you have to start the conversation about deviation fees, and non-gateway airports, etc.  I didn't want to get in to all that.

 

WishIweretravelin - Good point about the port charges; I hadn't caught that

 

ROLLTIDE2 - once you go up to the larger suits in Crystal you do get more comparable in price as well, but my point was that on Crystal you have the opportunity to spend much less if you're comfortable with the smaller cabin; on Regent you don't.

 

  My thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses.  I'm sure we will try Regent eventually..

I'll just make a couple of comments.  I have not sailed Crystal so can't really speak.  But our Regent cruise, I compared taking the flight allowance vs. using Regent Air.  We did Honolulu to Sydney.  I took the air allowance to Honolulu because it's considered "domestic" and would have been in economy.  So for not that much more I was able to purchase International Business Class.  Since I'm a retired Airline Employee I had access to an employee discount of 20% or greater.  However using that discount, the return from Sydney was nearly TWICE the cost of Regent Air.  So I used Regent Air with the deviation to pick my exact flights,  So you really must compare what a flight will cost vs. how much the Regent credit is. 

 

As for Cabin comparison,  if it is being comfortable with a smaller cabin, then IMHO it's not a fair comparison.  I can get an inside cabin on a mainline cruise for under $100 per day per person.   But by the time I compare to the smallest Regent cabin, that cost has jumped dramatically.  I did this comparison for our first cruise.  We did 44 nights Honolulu to Sydney.  The closest I could come was a Signature Suite on Holland America.  Factoring in all costs, it would have actually been more expensive than on Regent.  Sure, an Inside Cabin would have been cheaper, but that wasn't going to happen on a 44 night cruise.  So really a cruise to cruise comparison has to be done with cabin to cabin comparison.  If cost is a major factor, then a small cabin on a different line is certainly an excellent choice.  For me, that doesn't factor in as I want a specific size cabin, a specific size ship, and the total experience. 

[jagoffee]

Papaflamingo,

I was wondering if I understood correctly.  Regent allows you to take a cruise credit for one of the two flights?

Or were you doing a B2B?  
 

I also consider cabin size to be a significant value when selecting cabins/cruises.

 

Thank you.

[tnr]

12 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Papaflamingo,

I was wondering if I understood correctly.  Regent allows you to take a cruise credit for one of the two flights?

Or were you doing a B2B?  
 

I also consider cabin size to be a significant value when selecting cabins/cruises.

 

Thank you.

Regent will let you take a credit for one or both flights.  We have taken their credit for a domestic portion when it made sense, and used their flight internationally.

[annapolitan369]

On our scheduled transatlantic on the Explorer leaving in 2 weeks, we took the Regent business class to Lisbon but did our own return to BWI from Miami.  It works out well for us, as we are doing first class for not more than the credit and alternative airport charge.

[ronrick1943]

Just my opinion, check your budget if it fits go for it.  My thinking is always go for what you can afford and go for the highest suite that fits into your budget.  You are on vacation so you want to enjoy the cruise.  For us Regent is all about the suite you have, the service you get and doing is much as you want or doing nothing at all.  Look at U Tube, most of the cruises I wouldn't eat at any of  buffets on most lines---Regents lunch buffet is really nice with small amounts of food being replaced for freshest and always clean.  We've cruised on most of the major lines and had a good time, however after cruising on Regent we wouldn't go back to any of the others we've cruised.  One last thing, the size of the ship is very important---we just don't want to cruise with 2 to 3 thousand people on a ship.  But you should try it once and decide for yourself if it's right for you, if not it's just one cruise.  But we'll never know until you do it your self--what I say or others doesn't mean a thing about what you'll enjoy.😊

[jagoffee]

3 hours ago, annapolitan369 said:

On our scheduled transatlantic on the Explorer leaving in 2 weeks, we took the Regent business class to Lisbon but did our own return to BWI from Miami.  It works out well for us, as we are doing first class for not more than the credit and alternative airport charge.

 

3 hours ago, tnr said:

Regent will let you take a credit for one or both flights.  We have taken their credit for a domestic portion when it made sense, and used their flight internationally.

3 hours ago, annapolitan369 said:

Thank you.

[papaflamingo]

21 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Papaflamingo,

I was wondering if I understood correctly.  Regent allows you to take a cruise credit for one of the two flights?

Or were you doing a B2B?  
 

I also consider cabin size to be a significant value when selecting cabins/cruises.

 

Thank you.

Yes,  As others have stated you can use Regent Air one way but not the other if you so choose.  If you are sailing from a North American port then the flight will be in economy.  I understand that may not always be the case, but it's priced accordingly and when I called Regent Air they verified that.  Since I can get an airline employee discount on a reserved seat, it's not much more to fly First Class and take the credit.  For example, my next cruise leaves from Montreal.  The Air Credit is $150. If I flew economy I'd still have to pay luggage fees.  We will likely have 2 large suitcases each (39 night cruise).  That would be an additional $70 per person plus we'd be limited to 50 pounds per bag.  So the cost would be $150 + 70= $220 via Regent air for economy.   However I was able to get First Class via the Employee discount for $289.  So for about $70 each more we can fly First Class and get 2 bags FREE at 70  pounds per bag.  So for us it's worth the extra money.  However we can't touch the Business Class fares that Regent has.  They are about 50% the cost of the fare through the Employee Discount!  So we use Regent Air when flying intercontinental.  

Edited November 7, 2019 by papaflamingo

[orvil]

Papaflamingo,

 

That's good information to know that you can separate the itinerary if it's a combination domestic/international.  Don't forget to apply the frequent flyer miles to your account for the legs that are Regent sponsored.  Eventually, it will add up to something.  Especially the international legs.

Edited November 7, 2019 by orvil

[papaflamingo]

6 hours ago, orvil said:

Papaflamingo,

 

That's good information to know that you can separate the itinerary if it's a combination domestic/international.  Don't forget to apply the frequent flyer miles to your account for the legs that are Regent sponsored.  Eventually, it will add up to something.  Especially the international legs.

Yes. I make sure the reservation is in my account immediately for both Frequent Flyer points and the ability to verify seats and change as desired.  Also it gives me a "warm and fuzzy" feeling to be able to see my reservation on the airline's website.

One thing, since I am retired airline, and live in a major hub, I fly my former airline. I use the Deviation to secure flights 270 days out.  That way I have the seats I want and flights that I want.  On our cruise last year a lot of the passengers had trouble out of Papeete getting Business Class due to low availability of flights.  By paying the Deviation fee you can assure yourself of a seat you want on a flight you want.  Well worth it for me.   

[GOARMY]

All:  Perspective from having a dog in this discussion:  Many times on all Regent current four vessel Roster, while eagerly awaiting first aboard No. 5--Splendor in four months at San Diego. 

 

Several times on Crystal's Symphony for long repositioning Pacific Ocean crossings.  

 

It comes down to trying to count the number of angels on the head of a pin as to which way to go.  FWIIW:  Positives on going either with Crystal or Regent.  How about that for equivocating. 

 

The one BIG defining factor with us has been Suite size.  Our TA books us only at the Penthouse level when on Crystal.  O.K.  Understand this comes with a Butler--which we have utilized only to cancel receiving afternoon canapes'.  Have had Butlers on Regent with similar request:  eschew those canape' deliveries. 

 

Depending on the itinerary--particularly on an Ocean crossing with many, many sea days--size does matter.  The nod goes to Regent as providing a suite configuration which we can book--sans Butler at a lower Category level.  Our minimal suite size is 300sf, not counting veranda.  

 

Crystal's Symphony has many positives, given a larger passenger capacity, with accompanying larger common areas and venues.   Still, Crystal conforms to our other acceptance template for being on a ship housing fewer than 1,000 passengers.  

 

In this regard, smaller is better.  

 

General amenities such as service, personnel professional performance, Staff attitude, and cuisine have met reasonable expectations on both Lines.  No matter which Line--a positive experience.  Just go with  the flow.  Bottom Line(s):  Do not overthink this conundrum.   A first World Problem, given the current realities.  

 

And, BTW:  Shout-out to Vets on Veterans' Day.   

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

 

  

[Dutch48]

We just booked a transatlantic for April 2020. We put a deposit of 15% down and can cancel within a week. If we don’t cancel the entire balance is due December 1st. This is our first cruise with Regent. Is this their normal practice? Book a cruise that is five months out but full payment is due two weeks after booking? We’ve never heard of this and just want to be sure this is normal.

Edited November 20, 2019 by Dutch48

[flossie009]

13 minutes ago, Dutch48 said:

This is our first cruise with Regent. Is this their normal practice?

Have you tried looking at Regent’s booking conditions, available on their website?

 

Hopefully you have booked through a Luxury Cruise TA who can give you advice and offer additional perks for your booking.

 

Since this is your first Regent booking you can avail yourself of the Ambassador Programme. There is a “sticky” about this member referral credit at the top of this CC Board.

[papaflamingo]

5 hours ago, Dutch48 said:

We just booked a transatlantic for April 2020. We put a deposit of 15% down and can cancel within a week. If we don’t cancel the entire balance is due December 1st. This is our first cruise with Regent. Is this their normal practice? Book a cruise that is five months out but full payment is due two weeks after booking? We’ve never heard of this and just want to be sure this is normal.

Yes.  Their cancellation policy depends on length of cruise and, somewhat, ship.  If you have 1-14 days your final payment is due 120 days prior to cruise.  If 15 or more, 150 days prior.  For Splendor inaugural, 150 days out. 180 days for cruises 100 days or more.  Here's a link to their cancellation policy. 

https://www.rssc.com/sites/default/files/2018-06/US-TC_JUN18.pdf

[Dutch48]

Thanks everyone. This is what happens when you stay up late on the computer.  Turns out our payment is due exactly 150 days before sailing. Duh! I’m so used to booking way in advance, plus this is a much more expensive trip than we’ve ever done before. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

[Caroldoll]

Did anyone figure in the discount that Crystal gives for paying early?  This is an added benefit.  Also, although I have not tracked it closely, they give you a discount for being on a prior cruise.

[UUNetBill]

On 11/20/2019 at 10:50 PM, Caroldoll said:

Did anyone figure in the discount that Crystal gives for paying early?  This is an added benefit.  Also, although I have not tracked it closely, they give you a discount for being on a prior cruise.

Huh.  I had to look to make sure I hadn’t accidentally switched forums...

[Caroldoll]

19 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Huh.  I had to look to make sure I hadn’t accidentally switched forums...

I thought they were comparing costs and this is another cost savings with Crystal