I really appreciate you keeping us updated on the Mariner. I can understand people wanting to get home but I think if I was there and had already blocked the time to be away I would stay as well. No new guests. no virus on board, and I am sure the ship is very vigilant with getting supplies as well. Northwest Passage we ran out of so many things but we were "all in the same boat" in a way - a bonding experience. This is a trip you will never forget.

This whole scenario it is so hard to grasp. It is amazing what has happened all around the world with this virus. This is like "the walking dead" TV show but where there were a few people isolated on a cruise ship and the zombies did not get to them.

Ngaire! Now I have get on a cruise ship or worry about the Zombie apocalypse!! 🤪 We are still scheduled to board the Flower Power cruise next week and of all things The Zombies are supposed to be one of the bands. Hmmm. (Sorry to hijack the thread but I could not resist)
—————-
Helen

Cindy, I agree with you. If I were already onboard and had already blocked the time in my schedule, I would just stay put. Much safer than travelling through multiple airports, and much more comfortable than trying to fly home. I told George about you and David on the ship last night. I think he actually wishes he were there. He has to fly to Reno Monday--very important deposition which cannot be done remotely and has already rescheduled twice.

Just announced by a message from Regent they have cancelled 30 days of sailings - TOM you were right!! Those affected reading this would really appreciate an email rather than a phone call once you decide if you want a Cash Refund or a 125% FCC.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR UPCOMING CRUISE

Dear Valued Guest and Travel Advisor*,

Regent Seven Seas Cruises continues to closely monitor the coronavirus situation and its impact on our global health environment. The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our highest priority. With the COVID-19 coronavirus impacting communities and ports around the globe, we have enacted a voluntary temporary 30-day suspension of all cruise voyages worldwide embarking between March 13 and April 11, 2020.

This temporary suspension is part of efforts around the globe to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and is taken in an abundance of caution. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has not experienced any confirmed cases of COVID-19 across our five-ship fleet.

We understand the inconvenience and disappointment that this disruption causes. We appreciate your understanding as we partner with local, state, federal and global agencies to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will provide a 125% Future Cruise Credit on the amount you paid, which can be applied to any new booking within one year on any Regent voyage between now and December 31, 2022. If you prefer a refund rather than the Future Cruise Credit we will provide you with a 100% refund on the amount you paid. Please note that if a 100% refund is selected it will be made only via the original form of payment and may take up to 90 days to be received.

Thank you for your patience and loyalty as we manage through this evolving situation. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, and we look forward to welcoming you on board in the future.

Sincerely,

Regent Seven Seas Cruises


Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reservations Phone Numbers:
• United States / Canada: 1.844.4REGENT (1.844.473.4368) or (954) 776-6123
• United Kingdom: 02380 682280
• Rest of Europe: +44 (2380) 682140
• Australia / New Zealand / Asia Pacific: 1.300.455.200
• Latin America / Brazil: 0800 400-3132 or +1 (954) 940-7486

I’m so sorry Ngaire, I know you were looking forward to that gigantic suite! Flower power cruise was also cancelled. I don’t know how I am going to cope with no traveling!
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Helen

Break into Disneyland and have it all to your self!

I have just finished unpacking!

My next two Regent cruises are cancelled. That means I will not be travelling until June 4 sailing of the Splendor followed by the safari. For a girl who feels more at home on a ship these days than in her own home that seems like a LONG time. I might go into withdrawal. We will all be ready to jump on the Splendor. Lets hope this is all a distant memory by then.

Auckland to Papeete on Navigator left Auckland on 13 March and is now in Bay of Islands. I had heard that there were issues with French Polynesia so they might not be going there. Can anyone onboard report if they are going back to Auckland to disembark passengers or if they will keep passengers on until Lima?

thanks,

Marc

It's official, we're being disembarked in Fremantle. There will be a lot of confusion trying to get flights home. Stay tuned.

Not sure where to post this.

New Zealand Prime Minister just announced that ALL visitors to NZ beginning midnight 3/15/20 will be required to self isolate for 14 days. This includes NZ citizens. All cruise ships banned until 6/30/20. All public gatherings being cancelled.

It was a nightmare trying to arrange our flights this morning! Hope they let us land when we get back to the USA!

Cindy, no desire for a long holiday along the beaches of Western Australia?

Hope you get home safe. Let us know if you would like us to pick you up at the airport.

Marc

We are also on the Mariner. Our air was with Regent so supposedly they are “working on it”. I hope they are working as hard as my fellow passengers who had to book their own flights home, who at least now know how they are getting home. We have heard nothing. Keeping the faith!

After the marathon “Town Hall” meeting with the captain yesterday and a gut-wrenching decision about whether to stay on or not (and having decided not only to stay on but to continue all the way to Miami), it was a body blow this morning to be told we all heave to disembark in Fremantle. Stacy and I are pretty mentally exhausted and trying to wrap our minds around returning home to what looks like a scene from some zombie apocalypse movie. It would have been so much nicer to have been able to stay on the ship.....alas, we’ll get over it.

Fortunately we didn't have Regent air and made our own flights home. We'll spend 3 nights in Perth, fly to Sydney and overnight and fly via Houston to Orlando. Regent will reimburse us for air, hotel taxis (maybe even meals) so it was a no brainer to make our own arrangements and avoid the queues and frustrations in the reception area. We really aren't thrilled about going home 2 months early with all the mess there. At least our freezer at home has a lot of meat so we can BBQ dinners.

So disappointed for you all.
Suggestions based on what’s happening here are if you can find hand sanitizer or any antibacterial soap before you hit the US, grab it, ‘cuz you won’t find it here.
Safe trip home.
——————
Helen

Think it’s as scarce as hens teeth here. Almost as scarce as toilet paper😄

We didn't have Regent air either, so I did our own flights too. It was slow going with so many people using the internet, and the airlines website kept kicking me out and I would have to start over - took me almost 3 hours! But I finally got 2 of the last seats leaving Perth late on March 18.

They cancelled our last 3 ports and we are heading straight for Fremantle (Perth) where will anchor for a couple of days until a berth is available on March 18. We are hearing Australia may be shutting down the borders soon, so we hope we get out okay.

Marc - thanks for the offer of a ride! I have a driver set up, but I worry about them showing up! Let's keep our fingers crossed. Could you PM your phone number just in case? Thanks!

Australia shutting borders at midnight tonight. Hope everyone gets home safely and quickly.

Oh crap! Just got a message from American that our flight from Sydney to LAX for March 19 is cancelled. Appears they are shutting down travel altogether. I guess we start looking for a cheap hotel or an apartment to rent for a while.

Cindy, won’t Regent make some arrangements for its stranded passengers?
———————
Helen

Cindy, I second this recommendation. When travel (mini) disasters have stuck we have always had great support from Executive Concierge. With cancellation of TUT, the hotel director working with Ft Lauderdale was the one that arranged our travel even though we didn't use Regent air.

Marc

Cindy, and anyone who get's stuck in the LAX / Orange County area, we have room for you and we're happy to pick you up at the airport. Our home is your home for as long as you need it.

Marc - I opted to arrange my own air this time as the queue to meet with the concierge was hours - many, many people in line waiting. And they communicated clearly to us that people with Regent air were first priority. But now, i fear many will be in this same boat if AA is cancelling all flights. It is s mess!! Don’t know about Qantas flights yet. Depending in what we find out tomorrow morning, I may ask for their help, but they are overwhelmed

Thank you Marcie! We will keep it as a backup!

Cindy so sorry you are in this mess. Hopefully you can get another flight. We are all pulling for you and all the other people on the Mariner that you get home safely and sooner rather than later.

We made our own air arrangements and so far haven't received any cancellation notice. We're supposed to take Qantas to Sydney, overnight there and then United to Orlando via Houston. Who knows what will happen the next few days. It hasn't even been confirmed that we'll dock in Fremantle.

I got this from a friend on Oceania:
Hi Jim, my husband and I have been on a 20 day South American cruise from Buenos Aires to Lima on Oceania. We were scheduled to end in Lima yesterday but Peru closed its ports a few hours before we were to arrive at our first Peru port a couple days ago so our ship turned around to go to Santiago where there is an international airport. Shortly before arriving, Chile closed its ports so we are now going north again and will go thu the Panama Canal. I have a feeling we’re going to end in Miami. We had flights thru Oceania so they’ll take care of us. Our cruise director said we have plenty of food and hand sanitizer and lots of toilet paper, so we’re better off than most people.

Regent got us flights on Emirates for the evening of the 19th PER-DBX-LAX. We were also told we would have a day room on the 19th. I was able log into Emirates website and confirm the flights so that looks good. Now all we have to do is get docked. Jim B’s story from Oceana doesn’t sound encouraging. One thing we have going for us is everyone on board has been in Australia for over 14 days (with the exception of maybe a couple of entertainers). Don’t know if that will make a difference for a port shutdown or not. We are supposed to be at anchor in Fremantle this afternoon. Hopefully we will know more then.

Jim,

We are on the UA flight from Sydney to Houston-Atlanta on the 18th so we might see you on the flight.
Cheron

Cheron
We'll miss you - we fly on the 23rd.
Jim

Cheron,
What ship are you on? We get kicked off tomorrow 3-17 and are staying at the Perth Westin.
Jim

We were on the Seabourn Encore. They forced us off in Adelaide today/tomorrow. Our cruise was only in Australia originating in Sydney-Sydney.

Our 3 ports before Fremantle (Perth) were cancelled and we came full speed arriving 3 days ahead of schedule and anchored overnight on the 16th. Right now on the 17th we're just moving to the dock. They told us yesterday morning that, instead of staying on the ship until the 19th, we all get off this morning starting at 10am. Lots of rescheduling of flights and Destinations made hotel reservations. We made our own flights for the 22nd and already had a room for 3 nights at the Westin and added 2 nights. We won't be with about 400 others from the ship at the Crown Towers. We're flying Qantas to Sydney the 22nd, overnight and flying on the 23rd (hopefully) United to Houston and on to Orlando. Only a 2 hour layover in Houston so if there are long lines we may be there a bit.
There were extreme sanitation procedures on the ship the past few days so no illness or worries there. Airports may be another problem.
Jim

The guests that Regent put up in Perth were supposed to go to the Crown Tower, however the hotel cancelled them all at the last minute because they didn't want all those cruise passengers. Nobody knew where they were staying until they got on their transfer bus. About 50 ended up at the Westin where we're staying.

Stacy and I just landed at LAX and are home. LAX was a breeze. No lines, no screening. The place was eerily empty for 4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon.

YEAH - welcome home! You must be so happy to be back. I just commented in the car on the way in today that I hope all the world cruisers get home with no more issues! No traffic here either coming into the office. I am still eating out at lunch and usually we are the only ones in the restaurant. If anyone had told us 6 months ago this all could happen we would have said "no way".

Regent provided rooms for some of us on the WC at a newly opened Ritz Carlton in Perth with vouchers for food and drinks. I managed to get new flights using Qantas from Perth to Melbourne, then United from Melbourne to SFO and connecting flight SFO to AUS. We made it home yesterday - hallelujah! It was a harrowing travel experience! We spent 19 hours in airports and about 20 hours in the air - including a stay in the Melbourne airport for 11 hours overnight, as we did not want to risk something happening which might cause us to miss our flight to SFO, and there were no lounges open! The Melbourne flight was packed of course. The captain came out to greet everyone in business, and we all clapped and thanked him for coming to get us and take us home! No issues going thru immigration at SFO - no extra screening or questions or passport checks (although on checking in at Melbourne we were asked if we had visited any of the high risk countries). Flight from SFO to AUS only had about 20 people on it, and the AUS airport was eerily quiet - reminiscent of post 9-11. So grateful to get home before they close airports, which I fear may be coming. We are staying self-quarantined for a couple of weeks just in case we were exposed to anything in the airports or the airplanes - very difficult to stay 6 feet away from other people in those places. But we were fastidious about wiping down surfaces and sanitizing our hands.

WELCOME HOME! It must feel really good to walk in your house. I pulled a little package together for you today should go out in the mail on Monday. Have a nice relaxing weekend and a lot of good sleep. That is what you need right now. Your attitude through all of these trials was wonderful. A pleasure to read your posts!

Have to add that I can not begin to express our gratitude to the Regent crew and staff for the way they handled all of this, and with a smile to boot! I have even talked with several people who were new to Regent and on their first WC, and they were impressed enough to say they would be back as well.

Nice thing to recognize the crew and staff Cindy. They are truly remarkable and the crew and staff have a very uncertain future ahead of them as well.

Have heard from some crew from the Explorer already that are being sent home from Miami - I do hope they make it with all the cancelled flights. Some have said they are stranded in Istanbul as their flights to Philippines are all cancelled. The Mariner crew are telling me they are still somewhat in the dark about their future, but they are currently at sea south of Australia and heading East toward the the US.