Ngaire, thanks for the kind words, and I actually have some very good news to report - it almost seems as if someone from Regent must have seen my post...

Late this afternoon I received an email, a call on my home voicemail that I found upon arrival home, and an earlier phone call in my office from a very competent agent in Omaha. To make a long story much shorter than the last one, I have been told that my existing reservation has been modified to reflect new pricing. Bottom Line: Same itinerary, but at a 4-figure lower cost than what I originally booked.

And I promise another trip report upon our return!

Cheers,
Ken