What am I missing, this cruise is double the cost of my recent Crystal cruise with a similar itinerary, Athens to Venice, 7 nights. Hope I haven't ruffled any feathers here. Please point out what I'm missing.

KarenM

Karen:

What category cabin did that include? Did that include all onboard spending for tips, wine, drinks?

I agree that these aren't cheap even after the $1,000 off and two free nights hotel. It just gets hard to do "apples to apples" comparisons across cruise lines with different benefits.

Karen, no ruffled feathers. Your post got me curious enough to go to the Crystal board. Nearest itinerary I could find (June 2007 on Serenity) Cabin size AA is $4565, and PH is $7900. I notice PH does have an in-suite liquor set up, but not AA. No tips included, nor wine with dinner. Perhaps you hit a great deal? I think the carrot here is complimentary 2 night hotel package in Istanbul.

Karen, I just checked a Crystal cruise for 2007 (Glories of Greece sailing 7314)
for a similar cabin like you would sail in on the Voyager. The discounted price for Crystal was: B Deluxe Stateroom with Veranda $3,985. Add in the two nights hotel, tips and alcohol/beverages and I would definitely choose RSSC at a price of $4,319

Editing to add, the Crystal stateroom that I quoted has considerably less square footage than a standard Voyager stateroom.

LOL Olivia, we posted the same thing at the same time!!

Perhaps we are both bargain hunters! Looks like KarenM sure found one!

Hello all:

Carla and I booked Oceania Insignia 10/17/2006 Athens to Venice 10 nights, we decided to break down and give it a shot, the Ports are incredible, the Concierge balcony rooms are smaller than what we are used to, but I think we can manage with only 1 sea day, $3699 per person.
Free Air.

FV

Besides the size of the standard cabin, complimentary liquor 24/7, gratuities included, free economy air (or $1,000 off) and 2 free hotel nights in Istanbul....another benefit for us are perks such as free internet, free laundry and pressing anytime, free phone calls from ship. If we were on Crystal we wouldn't receive any discounts or perks as we're not "past passengers".

I have been too spoiled with open seating. With Crystal's set dining hours, a Crystal Cruise in our future is very unlikely.

OOOps

Wrong year, I mean 10/17/2007

FV

Marc, we were in Category E, the worst, obstructed view. It didn't include tips ($156) and no alcholic beverages; however, the Captain had 2 parties with open bar on 2 nights, so basically you only needed to buy alchohol for 5 nights if you wanted it. Bottled water, soda and specialty coffees are included in the price. For us it was 4 nights, the last night I won a bottle of wine in their closed circuit TV trivia contest that we enjoyed at dinner that night. That still doesn't equate to double the price even if you drank yourself to death. My onboard platinum credits covered more than our bar bill.

Doesn't this Class H on Regent already include the $1000 off with a price of $4,319? The 2 free hotel nights are probably worth $800. Ok, we're getting closer.

Maybe they can justify the extra cost with a little bigger cabin and unobstructed view. I have to say, I wouldn't book another cruise on Crystal in Category E, just not worth it to look out your window at a lifeboat. The next class up on Crystal would have added $300 each which was what I should have done to have a unobstructed view. We paid $2218 each total including the fuel surcharge.

Anyway, everyone has to weigh their priorities and Regent is lucky to have so many loyal cruisers. For me, the goal is Seabourn, talk about sky high prices.

KarenM

Frank, you and Carla will have lots of fun I'm sure....but cruising with Joanna, Tony, Tom and me again...PRICELESS! You'll be missed!

Marcie, the laundry room was free on Crystal, pressing I don't know about, we didn't use the service.

I have to agree with you about the open seating dining. Although it did force me to move my butt from this lazy state of mind I had set into. A plus was the entertainment was outstanding. I really didn't expect such professional entertainers.

Karen, the lowest Class H on Voyager, does that have a veranda?

KarenM

Ah, this is killing me!!!! A great itinerary, Venice and Santorini again and Istanbul for the first time, Joanna and Tony, Marcie and Tom, Andrea (did I miss anyone?). Marcie, I had to laugh out loud when you said we would have 12 whole days after the British Isles cruise to get to Venice. So reckless ... wouldn't it be fun to live that way????

Karen, yes the washer and dryers are free for everyone on Regent too but the laundry service where they come to your cabin pick up your clothes, wash, starch if needed iron...that type of thing is not free to all cruisers so that's a nice perk! Free internet is very nice too (though not so important on a one week cruise). All cabins on the Voyager (including the least expensive H) have balconies. The square footage of the standard cabin is 356 sq. ft (50 of this is the balcony).

I agree that you got a very good deal on your Crystal cruise even if you did have an obstructed view. One of these days you may want to consider trying Regent for comparison. Seabourn also has a wonderful following and the service sounds fantastic. Again, not for us because we've gotten too spoiled with balconies. (guess by now I'm coming across as a real spoiled princess huh?)

Karen, yes it does and it's 356 sq feet as compared to Cystal's stateroom with balcony with comes in at 269 square feet! All cabins on the Voyager have a balcony.

Marcie, the laundry service would be nice for a long cruise I guess but for 7 nights it wasn't necessary.

Karen, that's nice that all the staterooms have balconies and I guess that's the cost difference.

I stand corrected in my thinking. It really is comparing apples to oranges. Sorry to stir up a hornet's nest.

KarenM

We're considering the 10/6/07 Istanbul - Athens. So if it all works out, count us in for lunch in Istanbul! Mary Ellen, we could look into sharing private guides (especially Kusadasi) if you like.

Dena

Dena, that would be wonderful! We have used a wonderful guide in Kusadasi and have recommended him to others here at LCT, all with rave reviews.

KarenM, you didn't stir up any hornets nest whatsoever. I think we all love hearing about each others' experiences regardless of the cruiseline. We're happy you're here!

P.S. Re laundry service: Tom is threatning to show up with a suitcase of dirty clothes and just turn it over for washing/ironing on day 1. How tacky is that!! (luckily he's only kidding)

Karen - no way did you stir up a hornet's nest! I think it's great to hear about different cruise lines & costs. My reason for choosing this is really the company.

Dena, your cruise looks like a good deal too plus it's 30% off rather than 25%. Also has economy free air and two nights in Athens. One good deal after another.

editing to say Ngaire's site shows two nights in either Istanbul or Athens.

Hmm, wouldn't you know. We just cancelled the Athens to Istanbul cruise in favor of doing Osaka to Hong Kong which is a Ngaire group cruise. Osaka-Hong Kong appealed to us more since we haven't been to any of the ports (it's an incredible itinerary that includes Bejing, Shanghai, Pusan and Nagasaki) and we've been to most of the ports on Athens-Istanbul mutiple times. We're doing the Seward-Osaka segment also, so we're getting the two free hotel nights in Anchorage. Nice perk!

Peggy, that sounds so wonderful too!! Those are GREAT ports and if you haven't been there, (as much as I wish you were with us) you will love it. On our itinerary we'll be in Santorini on my birthday which sounds fun, never been there before!

Dena,

I hope it all works out and you decide to go. We'd love to share a private guide in Kusadasi. Especially one that Marcie has recommended!

We have booked Cabin 649 - just down the hall from Marcie's favorite.

Peggy: I know you and Jerry will enjoy Osaka - HongKong but it would have been nice to travel with you two again. Any favorites on the Athens-Istanbul itinerary? It's been on our list for a long time so we're very excited about getting a chance to do it.

Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen--we really liked Istanbul. We recommend you stay there a few days post cruise to really begin to see it. If you can, stay in the Four Seasons--right next to the Blue Mosque. Be sure to take a cruise down the Bosphorus to the Black Sea--they stop in a small town along the way where you can buy freshly made (and yummy) yogurt. We also like Santorini. Be sure to go all the way to the top of the island to get the spectacular view. Spend a little time shopping if you want, but then find a nice place overlooking the water and enjoy some of the fabulous Greek wine and the more fabulous view. We also enjoy Athens--don't miss the changing of the guard at the President's Palace--it's really different. And of course, don't miss the Parthenon--we could spend hours there.

Peggy: We loved Santorini too - and stayed at Grande Bretagne (thanks Frank for suggesting it) in Athens so could watch changing of the guard from our little balcony - I didn't think I would like Athens but loved our hotel and ate outdoors at neat Italian restaurant had surprisingly good time - sorry we'll miss you Peggy but your trip sounds wonderful - I would go back to Shanghai and Hong Kong in a heartbeat. Just had to get Istanbul/Venice in before we're too old! Joanna

Did anyone ask what hotel our post cruise stay will be at in Istanbul? I know...details, details.

Any good thoughts on a hotel in Venice? I know I'll have to come in at least a day early to get used to the time difference. :cool:

Andrea, I was curious about that too! No word yet!Looking at what is offered for pre/post stay via Regent website it looks like it will be either the Four Seasons or Ceylan Inter-Continental Hotel. Both look great if it turns out to be one of these.

The Four Seasons in Istanbul is fabulous - a really unique property (former prison) in the best location, the Sultanahmet neighborhood. The rooms, service and food are just great. It is a small peoperty so reserving way in advance is necessary. We loved Istanbul and would go back there in a heartbeat! So much to see and do and the food is out of this world!

Glad to see the positive comments about the Grande Bretagne in Athens. We stayed there (in 2000) right before it was due to be renovated, and while it has a great location, we didn't think much of it at the time. Sounds like it is back to its old glory after the renovations.

Y'all have a great itinerary to look forward to!

Dont hold your breath for the hotel name. That is a long time away. I asked Regent for the names at the time I got the special. Nothing decided.

Most importantly, do we have enough people to make this a named cruise?

Well I already had 6 people on before the hotel package was announced. Not sure if they are LCT or not (Lindas clients) --- go ahead and name it you have the numbers from B&K to qualify.

Sounds like a really nice itinerary, too bad it's at the time of year when we can't travel.

Joanna, I too was in Venice 35 years ago! In my case I was doing my backpacking year around Europe.

Cross your fingers for the Four Seasons in Istanbul. It's in the right neighbourhood for a 2-day stay. I did not stay there, but we stayed in the Sultanahmet, which for a first visit to Istanbul, is the right neighbourhood to be.

This is an itinerary we have always wanted to do and we love the Voyager. We had been looking to do a River Cruise - Amadeus - from Budapest to Prague (Sept 07). We may need to re-think this....... :rolleyes:

I'm confused! I clicked on the original poster's link, then tried to view the itinerary from the B&K page, and it took me to RSSC.com but said the itinerary is no longer available. This voyage also is not listed when I click on the Mediterranean voyages - it skips from a Sept. 22 departure to an October 6 departure.

Did B&K do a full ship charter?

We only wish B&K did a full ship charter - someone else thought of it first!

I'm trying to convince Marcie & Joanna to do the 10/6 departure, and fly from Athens to Venice afterward for a couple of days.

Sorry Kristin,
It looks like the sailing we wanted from Venice to Istanbul isn't happening. As of yesterday the entire Voyager has been chartered. Grrrrrrr!

Back to the drawing board!

Oh...DARN! :( Thanks, guys.

Rats, and tonight was our "cruise talk night." Of course once I mentioned this itinerary to Alan he said, "Well what about Osaka to Hong Kong on Mariner or a PG cruise?" Really confused the issue! We might consider the Istanbul to Athens one, it has 30%off and I like the idea of all Greek Islands. Need to move a "parked" booking. With all this travel talk, I'm not getting anything else done!!

Andrea, Marcie, Joanna, Donna, everyone - come on the 10/6/07 Istanbul - Athens! We are booked in 648!!

Dena

Donna - I vote that you join us on the Osaka-Hong Kong cruise in 2007. :D

Masaki