For Seven Seas Voyager, every sailing in 2009 except for Aug 7 (Baltic) and Sep 7 (repositioning) still has H or H guarantee avaialability. This includes the entire Discovery Series and the Christmas and New Years cruises.

Even with the (extreme) discounting, is the top line price scaring away potential cruisers? What can Regent do to get more people to try Regent for first time or get back repeat customers? Does Regent need to get back the great employees who helped to build the line?

The majority of cruisers are from California, Florida and NY. Most of our accounting clients, most with high value assets are well traveled, are holding their breath and not spending anything; It's almost become a "game" to see how frugal you can be. The economy here is really bad with major stores and restaurants closing - especially the small boutiques that cater to the same market Regent caters to.

I hear you Marc. I think I'll stick with my PH B for my Rio trip, since it's only $900 pp more than the H guarantee, and who knows what we'd get.

But it's kind of chilling--a ship that's not full is nice, but don't know what the tipping point wouuld be in terms of service and quality. In my case there's plenty of time still to back out, a fact that I'm sure everyone involved is painfully aware of. Our backup plan is to keep our return flight to Florida and spend a couple of weeks there, or take cheap and cheerful cruise from FLL.

And yes Kathy, frugality is the newest kind of political correctness (along with, right here in Toronto, the horror of asking for a bag in a store.)

Marc: I am slightly confused by who you mean by the "great employees who helped build the line"?

Ardis

Ardis, poor comment by me. Besides Christian and Ken who are gone from the front office, also gone are Capt McNeil, Capt Hansen, Barry, Giuseppe, and I am sure countless more.

Marc, Giuseppe is not gone he is returning to the Navigator. I forget the date but he is definitely not gone.

I have to admit I too was worrying a little as it seemed that many of the old favorites were leaving. However, this last Mariner cruise the team were terrific. Captain Philippe, John Baron, Elsa (social hostess), Franck (F&B) great dining room managers, Chimi (Jimmy) August and Gary, Steve the security officer and Lyn the cruise consultant were also everywhere and engaging all the guests.

The new Captain Felice is great. He will be a star and very popular. The audience in the theater actually applauded his noon announcement on his fourth day of being a Captain. Never seen that before with any Captain. So outgoing and natural.

I think those with me on this trip will agree this was a great team overall.

So there may be some new people but if they are like Captain Felice all will be well.

I am looking forward to the 5/21/09 cruise to see if the Voyager has a team that can match the Mariner.

Absolutely agree with Ngaire. This was a great team, better than any cruise we've been on. They made the cruise so personal and friendly. Just couldn't speak more highly of them.

The crew/staff on the Voyager is wonderful . . Ngaire - you will not be disappointed.

There will be some changes - as always - between the time we get off on April 19th and May 21st but as with the changes we've had during the past 4 months, there has been NO problem with service.

Peggy

Yikes, I'm really behind the times. Where did Captain McNeil go? He was one of our favorites, we'll really miss him. Is Captain Romeo still with Regent?

Yeh, I didn't realize McNeill was gone too. That's really too bad! When did that happen, and why?

My mistake. I meant Capt Neil Broomhall.

Phew. Well, that's ancient history, as is his partner on Diamond, who we quite liked too.

We also really liked Neil Broomhall--wish he'd come back to Regent. But I'm really glad to hear Captain McNeil is still around--he's a shipload of fun ;)

John barron is really a wonder. He has activities all over the day and such choices! I SO HOPE Regent sees fit to place him as Cruise Director on Voyager for World Cruise 2010.

Ardis

Mckeever
I quite agree with you. John Barron is a gem. He's funny, agreeable, creative and certainly available. The Crew Talent show was the best thing going. what amazing talented creative people Regent has. The pax were great by donating enough so every finalist won some money.

JOHN B is an amazing guy - Regent should cherish him!!!