I'm new to this board, and new to Regent. We would love the Paul Gauguin in Tahiti for our 25th. anniversary, going Jan or Feb 2009. Does anyone know why their schedule for then isn't up yet?

I was also wondering when the PG schedule would come up. I am assuming the calendar has been delayed because Regent needs to negogiate a new contract. I want to book a March 2009 cruise.

Yes, I'm waiting for the 2009 schedule too. I've convinced some co-workers that we should all go.

According to a posting on Cruise Critic, Grand Circle has recently sold the PG. Even though Regent's contract to operate it was extended through 2009 I believe, I'm betting that there are negotiations going on. Just a thought.

Actually the PG is always at least a couple of months behind all the other schedules. The Mariner Grand Asia Fall trip is not even out yet. In past years NO 2009 trips came out until about March so we are way ahead of the curve for 2009.

So patience, the fact that the PG is not released yet is perfectly normal.

Thanks, Ngaire

It is hard to be patient when you are trying to plan a PG cruise!

Francine

I've noticed Regent posted the (partial, I believe) 2009 PG schedule. Most are stating they are waitlist only. What do you think is going one? Are they not open yet or are they truly waitlist only?

Wendy914 I am looking on the Regent site and there are some waitlisted cruises for early 2008, but I don't see any for 2009 wailisted.

Also, the last PG cruise they are showing is late December 2009.

Okay--they must have updated it.

I'm looking specifically for a 10-day March or April cruise and they only have one or two 7-day ones for those months. I think they must be working on the schedule still.

The prices are through the roof. It looks like there may be an air inclusive promo, so that may help a little.

Example:
10 night CatC in 2008: $4450 per person
10 night CatC in 2009: $6650 per person

Even with inclusive air, that's a big increase. I'll take a breath and wait for someone at B&K to chime in. I hope I'm reading this wrong. I was really looking forward to going back to Tahiti in 2009, but wasn't expecting that big an increase.

Wow, looks like you're right, the air is inclusive from Los Angeles! Good for most of us, not so good for some, but I'm presuming there will be some kind of rebate if you don't want the air included.

On all the Regent "air included" itineraries we have looked at, if you don't take the air you get a $1,000pp price reduction. Don't know if this applies to the PG. But the catch here is "from Los Angeles." On all the other itineraries we have looked at, the "air included" applies to your city of departure.

This seems to bring the PG pricing closer to the pricing on the standard Regent ships with the exception of the Baltics and some Mediteranean itineraries. When you factor in the difference in the standards (smaller cabins, more crowding, and lesser food service) on the PG vs. the other Regent ships, it is probably equivalent.

But then we are booked on the Mariner in November, 2009 Sidney to Aukland and have yet to be quoted a price. We are keeping our fingers crossed! When we booked this 2009 trip we were not told there was a cancelation penalty.

I just got an email back from Susan @ B&K. On the PG air inclusive cruises, you get a $1250 per person credit if you make your own air arrangements. Also, the air inclusive is just from LAX so if departing anywhere else, the charge is an addional $300 for West Coast, $500+ for MidWest, $600 for East Coast and $750 for Canada.

So using fuzzy math, the approximate increase from 2008 to 2009 is about 20%. It looks like it's going to be a little more difficult to find the sweet deals on the PG like many have found in the past. Of course, I trust the angels at B&K will work their magic and find a cure to this epidemic of sticker shock! :ohmy:

Wow, you're right. I just did the calculation using my E cabin and our 14-day next December and compared it to a similar cruise Dec. 2009. Whatever way you slice it, air-in or air-out, it's about $1500 more per person next year. Makes me feel good about my booking, and I will make sure to tell my friend Jim who recently booked to cruise with us.

Ouch...and I was trying to talk Peter in to doing our 10 year anniversary on the PG in Oct/Nov 2009...the Fiji itinerary. Maybe they feel they can increase due to the fact that Tahiti Princess is pulling out of the area? But what about the new ships coming in?

Ouch is right! The price increase even if you deduct for their air all inclusive seems really way too much. I'm booked on the Mariner for 24 days in 2009 for about $5000.00 more per couple then a similar cabin on the PG in November 2009 for 14 days would be. Doesn't seem like value to me anymore. I guess if we go on the PG again we will wait around for last minute sales and hope that air is still available.
Pat