Feedback from meetings can be mixed we all hear things slightly differently depending on our own personal situations - human nature. I have had feedback from clients on board and it is a little "all over the place". No one is wrong it is just how the message is interpreted.

On the subject of raising prices and then discounting later I can add some light on that and from a perspective that I see in action in the way things have been done and the message that RSSC gives to TA's in this regard.

They may be raising prices as cruise lines tend to do every year BUT their focus is truly on LOWEST prices at the opening and then raising them as the time progresses. This is the reason for the quarterly increases and in this last October 1 increase over 80% of cruises increased in price, some for a second time as they have reached high occupancy.

Only a few cruises have gone down from their initial rates. These have been handled in most cases by adding a value package. Free 3 night programs etc. Any reduction in fares or added benefits has to this point ALWAYS been honored for previously booked cruises so that anyone who booked early got the benefit of the either added amenities or the lower fares. So anyone that booked early did as well or better than anyone booking later.

They do NOT want to discount any cruise later they want to encourage as early booking as possible. Discounting late simply defeats that primary goal.

Do you remember those cruises on the Diamond years ago when they drastically reduced the price and offered "kids sail free" they had all those problems with the some of the guests. One of the great benefits on Regent and other luxury lines are the other passengers. They want to maintain that regular luxury passenger and highly discounted pricing can detract from that goal as well.

I also got some reports from the town hall meeting and I heard that he said the Navigator would NOT be sold IF they got the new ship. They are putting 32 million into the Navigator so highly doubtful that they would do that it they were going to sell her.

Also the new ship is NOT A FOR SURE again I heard that they were going to decide whether to do a new ship by the end of the year. We have heard this before it keeps getting pushed back.

So reports are just that - reports from a individual person's perspective. The person who posted this might be right the new ship is going forward or the person who reported to me it was not for sure yet may be right. TIME WILL TELL