Regent's "New" Fare Options are Much Ado About Nothing imho

[Dolebludger]

I can’t tell if the deviated fare was less or more. The overseas portion of our Denver to London trip BC was of course included in the cruise fare. But we were aware that Regent tends to book this route economy from Denver to the US east coast, require a connection and layover there, and BC on the overseas leg. We wanted to avoid such routing. Had we waited until Regent assigned routing, our chances to get the flights and seats we wanted would have been slim. So we did the deviation to avoid the chance of a rather long domestic leg in basic economy, and an additional connection and layover of unknown duration.

 

On a different subject I agree that we will have to wait a couple of weeks to see how Regent’s new air program works, and how much it costs. And, frankly, I am not much of a fan of the old system. As I said, Regent has tended to use basic economy legs as much as possible within the US and North America, without regard to the number of connections to eventually reach BC. That’s not how we travel. 

[rallydave]

It is not necessarily regent booking you in coach for the domestic portion of yor overseas flights  you see it is the airlines who are booking you in coach

 

sn international overseas flight with domestic segments if both are on the same airline or code share will be first class domestic business class over water unless the domestic flight does not have first class availability 

 

this is the same no matter who books the flights based on booking date so you can’t blame regent if the airline gives you coach. 

[papaflamingo]

9 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

we were aware that Regent tends to book this route economy from Denver to the US east coast, require a connection and layover there, and BC on the overseas leg.

Actually this is not necessarily correct.  Airline dependent, if the flight is booked "Business Class" from Denver to London, then any domestic leg is in First Class.  You only get a coach seat if the domestic leg is on a different airlines, or includes a coach only airlines like JetBlue.  But if it's "single ticketed" as a "Business Class" ticket, especially on the same airlines (or ticketed on the same airline with a "code share"), you won't be put in coach. 

One way to find out is simply deviate your flights up to 210 days out.  You can call Regent and give them your desired flights and either get them for no up charge (contract rate) or with an up charge, and then you can decide if you want to book your own flights or not.  There is that "pesky" $75 charge (single charge, not per person) but if you choose to accept a deviation and  use Regent air, the $75 is "rolled" into one of the $175 pp deviation fees.  

But at least you'll know which is cheaper, you'll have your reservation early, and on U.S. airlines (at least) you'll have your seat assignments. 

[rallydave]

See my post on this subject. You are not necessarily correct. All dependent on the airline having availab  one first class seats in first. You may or may not get first domestically

 

actually regents moving the deviation time to 210 days significantly dff icreases the chances of first. Not deviating and letting regent book significantly the chances of not getting first. 
 

would be great if always first but totally untrue. 

[Dolebludger]

Well, perhaps we will be pleasantly surprised with Regent’s new method of booking flights. 

[AtlantaCruiser72]

From the Travel Advisor FAQ's I have seen nothing about the actual flight booking process will change.  The change to the flight inclusive fare that will be offered going forward will allow guests to choose their preferred class of service at time of booking.   Rather than all international bookings with flights including business class and all domestic bookings including economy the guest will now be able to choose their class of service  - standard economy, premium economy or business/first (business internationally/first domestically).  

 

Just like today if the guest lets Regent assign the flights automatically it will happen approximately 75 days out and changes can only be made for a fee possibly incurring airline change fees on top of the regent custom air fee.  For those guests who want to personalize their travel they may do so starting at 210 days out by using custom air and paying any air differential for their preferred flights/routings as well as the custom air fee.

[mrlevin]

Atlanta Cruiser, thank you.  I book all trips without air and then decide if I need regent air later so no change for me.  I just need to figure out how titanium transfers work with blacklane transfers. 

[AtlantaCruiser72]

@mrlevin my understanding is that the black lane transfers consist of a credit of $250 pp/$500 per couple and is ONLY provided to guests who book the “ultimate”all-inclusive fare that includes air (regardless of class of service).
 

The funds can be used through Blacklane limo service however you wish in conjunction with the trip. Want home/airport service? You can use it for that. Want airport/port,or airport/hotel or hotel/port transfers? You can use it for those as well. There are some caveats with distances, availability in home city / destination, and if you set up private transfers that would replace any normally included transfers there is no additional offset/credit for making that choice. You do not have to be flying in/out on cruise days or staying at a regent hotel to use the credits intra trip if desired. The guest is responsible for any cost that exceeds the credit once used up. It cannot be carried over to another trip either. 

At least this is my understanding at this point in time. 

 

Edited June 17 by AtlantaCruiser72

[The Hudson Co. Landlubber]

 

Edited June 18 by The Hudson Co. Landlubber

[mnocket]

35 minutes ago, The Hudson Co. Landlubber said:

 

I wonder if there will now be a line of Blacklane SUVs at the hotel servicing customers who opt to use their credit to avoid the bus transfer to the ship?  If you've got Blacklane credit left to spend, why not?

[forevertravel]

Hudson Landlubber, where did you find this information? I looked at Regent website and all I see if what we received about the changes. Thank you.

Edited June 18 by forevertravel
error

[The Hudson Co. Landlubber]

1 hour ago, forevertravel said:

Hudson Landlubber, where did you find this information? I looked at Regent website and all I see if what we received about the changes. Thank you.

I registered for this webinar about the '26-'27 itineraries:

 

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1965363178846985568

 

...and when I did it immediately played a previous presentation and that's where.  I thought it might be helpful for this thread so I clipped a few pages and posted them here.  Hopefully I did not break any Regent or CC rules!

 

My assumption is that if you register you'll get the same thing.  There was a lot more to the preso, I didn't have time to watch all of it.

 

 

[forevertravel]

Thank you Landlubber. I usually get invited to those webinars but I don't recall.

[Dolebludger]

About the Black lane credit of $500 per couple, if I understand correctly we will be reimbursed for any ground transit needed for the cruise up to that amount, whether we can use Black lane or not. I had never heard of them before this thread, and we have traveled a lot. Now, we don’t need a limo with a uniformed driver in our travels. We also don’t “need” or want those crowded busses Regent has been providing. An ordinary cab is fine with us. So, question: does the $500 per couple credit apply to cab fare?

[DaveFr]

15 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

About the Black lane credit of $500 per couple, if I understand correctly we will be reimbursed for any ground transit needed for the cruise up to that amount, whether we can use Black lane or not. I had never heard of them before this thread, and we have traveled a lot. Now, we don’t need a limo with a uniformed driver in our travels. We also don’t “need” or want those crowded busses Regent has been providing. An ordinary cab is fine with us. So, question: does the $500 per couple credit apply to cab fare?

No. Yes I understand it, you will get a voucher for $500 for use with Blacklane. Blacklane is a worldwide company. We have used them in many countries and they are very reliable and reputable.

 

Dave

[Kwaj girl]

36 minutes ago, DaveFr said:

No. Yes I understand it, you will get a voucher for $500 for use with Blacklane. Blacklane is a worldwide company. We have used them in many countries and they are very reliable and reputable.

 

Dave

 

As Diamonds we already get private transfers to/from the ship.  Thus, I would like to use said voucher for home/airport transfers but Blacklane does not server our home city/airport.  

[gabelle]

21 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

 

As Diamonds we already get private transfers to/from the ship.  Thus, I would like to use said voucher for home/airport transfers but Blacklane does not server our home city/airport.  

Therein lies the problem. If Blacklane doesn't serve your area (it doesn't ours), then this perk becomes a bit useless.

[papaflamingo]

On 6/19/2024 at 6:00 PM, gabelle said:

Therein lies the problem. If Blacklane doesn't serve your area (it doesn't ours), then this perk becomes a bit useless.

Use it to go from airport to hotel or ship at boarding or ship to airport or hotel upon debarkation.  That way you can avoid a bus and a wait. 

[Anchorbuoy]

TRANSFERS

Guests who elect not to purchase the Ultimate All-Inclusive Fares package or do not purchase transfer arrangements from Regent Seven Seas Cruises® will be responsible for their own transfer arrangements to and from the ship. Transfers are not included for Guests making independent hotel arrangements. The Destination Services desk can assist with post-cruise transfer arrangements once Guests are on board. Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers all Air/Sea Guests complimentary transfers to and from the airport/ship in conjunction with the air program on the day of the ship's embarkation/disembarkation, with the exception of circumstances where custom air arrangements are confirmed by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. Guests may purchase private transfers through Blacklane, a transport company, in partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. Transfers must be purchased directly through Blacklane’s mobile app or website, which is not controlled by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. Guests purchasing roundtrip air arrangements through Regent Seven Seas Cruises® will receive a voucher of US$250 per person (up to US$500 per suite) to use towards a Blacklane private transfer; voucher is only applicable for Guest 1 and 2 in a suite. Guest(s) purchasing a one-way flight will only receive a voucher of US$125. Blacklane private transfers are not available in all cities and markets. In the event that Guests are unable to redeem their voucher due to unavailability, Guests may utilize the group transfer provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises and redeem their voucher at a later date. Guests staying in the Regent Suite will receive unlimited Blacklane private transfers within 100 miles; transfers must be from home to airport, airport to port, airport to hotel, hotel to port, and/or vice versa. For distances longer than 100 miles, a supplement will be required. For Blacklane’s terms and conditions, please visit www.blacklane.com.

[Anchorbuoy]

 

AIR TRANSPORTATION 

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, as an added service to our Guests, offers arrangements for air travel in conjunction with a cruise as part of our Ultimate All-Inclusive Fares package. Air arrangements, including routings, are at Regent Seven Seas Cruises®’ (or its agents’) discretion and are based on flight availability and agreements with airlines. Preliminary air schedules are sent out 110 days prior to embarkation. Special requests, including class of service upgrades, specific carriers and routing, are at the discretion of Regent Seven Seas Cruises®. Custom Air arrangements may be requested 210 days prior to sailing. To request Custom Air, there must be a paid deposit on the booking and the Guest Information Form (GIF) must be completed with their passport information. A US$75 nonrefundable Custom Air call service fee will be applied to reservations which, if the Custom Air flight option presented is accepted within three days, will become part of the existing US$175 per person air customization fee. If guests choose not to accept the Custom Air flight option presented, the US$75 fee will not be refunded. Guest travel documents must be completed to customize air, and information must match passport. Platinum, Titanium, Diamond, and Commodore guests will continue to receive a complimentary one-time Custom Air deviation, including the waiving of one US$75 Custom Air call service fee. All air reservations booked through Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, custom or otherwise, that are within 1 year of departure, will require a US$500 administrative fee for each change to a passenger name. Airfare is non-refundable if canceled within 90 days of embarkation. Due to recent airline policy changes, all classes of service, including Business Class, may no longer include luggage, seat assignments and lounge access. To confirm special requests including service amenities by airline, please check with your specific airline(s) for their respective cost and policy. Wheelchair, oxygen, and meal requests should be made directly with the airline. When booking air arrangements through Regent Seven Seas Cruises (or its travel partners’), some airline carriers will not honor mileage credits for flights booked through non-direct channels. It is the responsibility of the Guest(s) to view their preferred airline’s terms and conditions. Due to scheduling conflicts, an enroute overnight might be necessary. Costs associated with an overnight stay are at the Guest's expense. Upgrade offers apply to intercontinental flights only. On intercontinental flights, Guests may utilize Regent Seven Seas Cruises®' Business Class Air program or choose cruise-only fares. Airfare quotes and availability are subject to change until purchased and tickets are issued. Tickets will be issued 85 days prior to embarkation. In making these arrangements, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® acts only as an agent on the Guest’s behalf, and does not operate, control, or supervise any airlines and is not responsible for carriers failing to meet schedules. Air tickets are refundable to Regent Seven Seas Cruises® only and considered a part of the total cruise tour fare. Any airline imposed fees that result from changes to or cancellation of air arrangements are the sole responsibility of the Guest. Due to government regulations, if you are delayed or unable to board at embarkation, you may not be able to board at a later time. In such event, Carrier shall have no liability to refund any cruise fares.

[welshfamily]

Interesting

We always deviate,

We travel with our adult children therefore always have 4 people
We would get $1000

We live 58.5 miles from our airport which is the main hub for the North of England. The cost of Blacklane to Manchester airport is £307 .99. Cost this year for transport to hotel and then port is €92 x2 = €184. Assuming we use Blacklane on return journey. $780.69 +$244.44 =$1025.13.

I have priced for  Barcelona outward and Istanbul return.

This only works because there are 4 of us. The cost for 2 is not very different. 
It will be interesting to see the difference in price for the two packages.
 

Main problem however is Blacklane pickups from the airport. The service will wait for 1hour from flights posted arrival time.  Unfortunately at most airports these days

A) planes are not often on time.

B) getting  from the plane, collecting luggage and meeting  the driver in 1hour would be difficult. 
We prefer a car service from the Hotel which waits until we clear customs. We usually communicate through text. 
Having no experience with Blacklane We would be interested in hearing about your experiences.

[The Hudson Co. Landlubber]

Well it looks like the BC fare on the 2026 I was looking at is about $2500 PP more this morning.  Haven't had coffee yet so refuse to do actual math. 😀

 

Unlikely I would have booked but still there it is... also explains why my regent rep sent me two emails asking me to "call him asap".  (Family cruise 4 cabins, not sure everyone can go yet).

 

( Anecdote /= data. )

[Tsunami74]

With the new fares posted today, I checked a cruise that I was "sort of" considering.  Explorer Hong Kong to Toyko in February 2026.  Before July 1, concierge E with business air was $20,699.  Today it is $21,589 - so $890 pp increase. 

(We do not have Blacklane in our area so could not use that credit at home)

[CJANDH]

The new format for comparing prices without air and with the optional economy or business air looks really simple on the website. Just three columns with prices clearly shown. HOWEVER note the small print. The air costs are based on flights from New York and you are advised to start a booking thread to get the correct cost from your departure airport.

 

I did this for a cruise that I already have booked under the old pricing model. The air cost for business class on the website was $5,200 pp or $10,400 for two people. When I did the dummy booking with departure from Savannah, the cost of air for two people jumped up to $15,600.

 

Following through to the full cost of the cruise, I found the new pricing was about 7% higher than I had locked in three days ago even though the advertised price using the (New York based) website information looked a few dollars cheaper. I was pricing a 10 day European cruise in a Grand Suite on Voyager. You might find the percent increase is higher in less expensive suites as the air cost would be a bigger part of the total. Caveat emptor.

[ysolde]

So the cost of air will vary depending on where you live.  Hmmmm . . . Who would ever have thought that possible?