Report from the LAX Regent Council and visit to the Voyager

Susan, Linda Ken and I spent three days in meetings with Regent and came away with a very positive outlook for the future. Regent is in a perfect storm of computer issues as you all know and this is affecting many aspects of the cruise line. There are also many changes taking place but after these meetings I feel that when we come out of this storm we will have a much improved cruise line.

All the executives were there and panel members and those that gave presentations included Captain Dag, Frank Del Rio, Ken Watson, Mark Conroy, Randall Soy, Alex Sharpe, Michael Day, Victor Gonzalez and Kari Tarnowski. There were also many other key staff members from Regent in attendance.

Key items

Lecturers and entertainment – should be big improvement.
Michael Day has joined Regent from Silversea and is taking over entertainment aspect of Regent. Regent is making a major improvement here. Most cruise lines give lecturers a reduced or free cruise for their services. Regent wants to really improve the quality of the lecturers on board and have increased the budget to pay for quality lecturers and also higher level entertainment. Terry Waite was an incredible speaker scheduled on the world cruise. He was the church envoy who was working to free captives and was kidnapped by Islamic extremists in Beirut in 1987. He was in captivity for four years. If you are on a ship and he is scheduled do not miss his lecture. They are also going to try to advise who the speakers on particular cruises are well ahead of time when possible.

Food Budget
The food budget is also dramatically increased. For example the cost per meal between Latitudes and the new Prime 7 is five times greater for Prime 7. That is substantial. There is a new outside supplier for the food and beverage to the ships and they anticipate this will also greatly improve the delivery and quality of the food on board.

Free Shore Excursion program.
It was emphasized that this program would operate the same as the current excursion program. They had talked to their land suppliers to ensure that they could accommodate additional people in the same way they are now. So no cramped buses filling every seat the excursions will operate as they have always operated. They are very excited about this program and emphasize it will be a full program not just some city tours but the same programs they offer now. By the time they do the 2009 program they should have everything in wonderful shape for the 2010 season.

The brands will remain distinctly separate
Frank Del Rio made a very strong point of emphasizing that the Regent and Oceania brands are and will remain very separate. As he so frankly pointed out he paid a lot more for Regent and would be a very foolish business man if he did not do everything he could to make Regent the most luxurious brand afloat.

$200 Future Cruise Credit for the administrative cancel fee – decided at the meeting
Was a six month time period to use the FCC and this has now been extended to one year.

Crew changes
Regent is now going to hire the crew directly rather than using an agency to secure all their staff. This transition period that has caused some concern for some of the crew who I think have been expressing that concern to passengers and delight from other crew members who feel this will be much better. In the end I think the situation will be better for the crew and Regent will have the cream of the crop. Rest assured Regent management is very aware of how important a happy crew is to the passenger experience.

Computer problems
A lot of time was spent on the computer problems and in reality it is what it is right now. They are working diligently on trying to get things working correctly and it is an incredible task for many reasons that are not really relevant to go into here. Their pain is greater than ours for sure and eventually this will all get sorted out.

2010 pricing and all inclusive
The pricing is simplified with almost everything in one price point that includes the airfare or air credit and port taxes. I like the fact that the product will now be so fully inclusive and includes shore excursions and for those with 21+ nights internet access and some phone time and for those guests at Platinum level, laundry as well. Plus other tier level benefits. You can board a ship leave at the end of your curise and not have a single $$ on your shipboard account.

It is impossible to recap everything but there was a really upbeat attitude and every question was answered honestly and with accountability. As I looked at the incredible talent that Regent management has I have every confidence that they are on the right path and good days are ahead. They were all really on the firing block with many items bought up and the executives responded favorably in my opinion in every instance.

Some of the items discussed
The importance and popularity of trivia, games and tokens
The importance of interaction of the senior staff with the guests
Accountability and communication with guests if things go wrong
Tier Level questions and suggestions for changes.
Pricing and Itineraries
Agent’s had questions and comments about everything you could imagine.

Refurbishment of the Voyager and Mariner
Basically the same changes on both ships. Approximately 20 million per ship. The Mariner now has a brand new pod.

Ken’s pictures from the Voyager

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/gallery/7124066_M2wis#456881459_xERzq

The carpets
Appear to have been replaced throughout the ship with the exception of the show lounge. It may have been changed but it is the same design.

Restaurants have all changed
Prime 7: The décor does not feel like a cruise ship restaurant but an expensive Steak and Seafood house. It is really sensational. Linda ate on the Mariner last night in Prime 7 and was raving about the food.
Signatures: At first I did not like the décor. See the pictures. Amazingly at night it looked quite different in the candlelight so it is now it okay in my book.
Compass Rose: Ah what a shame. It looks SO good with the new chairs. However the chairs are (a) too heavy and (b) too narrow. During out meetings Mark Conroy told us these were not the chairs they ordered and since the original chairs could not be ready in time they had to substitute. They know they don’t work and they are going to replace them eventually.
La Verandah: It looks much nicer now. More subdued and the compass rose chairs have been upholstered and are now in La Verandah. They have added the pizzeria and also a new serving station at the buffet. It looks really nice.

The deck area
New deck chairs, new delightful lounge area with adjoining self serve drink station. A new ice cream station featuring many flavors and lots of toppings.

New coffee bar on the Voyager
Same area as the self serve station was before but expanded. Bar for ordering gourmet coffees and drinks, self service area as well and expanded food options. Very nice I am just worried if there will be enough seating.

Overall Décor
There are new seating areas, tables and signage around the ship. A less cluttered much cleaner look.

Horizon Lounge and Observation Lounge
Also the chairs are different fabric and the Song of Flower model has gone (boo hoo) just a cleaner look. There are some fabrics I am not crazy about but others love, such is the world of design and individual tastes!

Overall
This has made a big difference to the ships. They really have improved dramatically and I am positive that everyone will like the new look.

That is just quick outline of the three days. I think everyone left on a very positive note.

I FORGOT TO MENTION. AFTER DINNER WE WENT TO THE VOYAGER LOUNGE AND THAT WONDERFUL DUO THAT WE HAVE SEEN SO OFTEN WAS THERE. AS SOON AS SHE SAW KEN AND I SHE BROKE INTO "WE ARE FAMILY" I COULD NOT BELIEVE SHE REMEMBERED. SHE TOLD ME SHE HAS NOT PLAYED IT SINCE WE WERE LAST ON THE SHIP. THERE WERE ALSO SO MANY OF MY FAVORITE STAFF ON BOARD, EMILY IS ALWAYS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES WE SAW HER IMMEDIATELY.

Thanks so much for that report. Are you sure Ken doesn't have a side job doing photography for Regent's brochures - amazing photos! I love the fact that the coffee area is not next to the library as it in on the Mariner!

Was any indication given as to when the hiring of staff and/or new entertainment will be in place?

I believe they are retaining the current staff they want when their contracts end by offering them a contract from Regent. So it is not a one day it changes type of thing just a slow process as the contracts end. Not positive about that but that is the impression I got.

I am sure he is working on entertainment right now. I forgot to mention they are going to try to announce the speakers earlier on in the process as well. I will add that.

A most encouraging report indeed although what you would expect from management. The fact that they claim to be addressing the next two apparently difficult years by trying to improve their product rather than shrinking it is cause for hope. The Prime 7 example is meat on the bones. Bravo! I am much less concerned about furniture than service. If they can start reducing the service concerns that will erase a large question mark on many minds. Can't escape the memory that this crowd touts the PG as a "six star" product. But onward and upward!

Thanks for that report, Ngaire. It certainly sounds like they've been listening to their customer base, and keeping or improving the best. I feel for them on the computer system issues, having been through the pain of migration to a new system in my own job.

Maybe I've just missed it somewhere along the way, but what happened with the plans for a new ship? For months last year, this was a hot topic, but now I don't see it mentioned at all. Did that get completely shelved, or delayed, somewhere in the past few months due to the economy? Are the updates to Voyager and Mariner being done instead of adding a fourth ship? I was expecting to hear more about this coming out of the recent meeting, and was surprised it wasn't mentioned.

-- Eric

I also had a question about the computer problems. I do understand unexpected glitches or bugs which weren't caught in testing, but I really don't understand the current mess -- which is causing tons of extra work and concern for passengers, travel agents, and Regent's own staff.

When they switched the web site, it's clear that a significant part of functionality -- Your Cruise/Already Booked -- wasn't ready to go. So why did they go ahead with the new site anyway? Was there some time deadline they faced for moving off the old computer system? I just can't figure out how they felt it was better to make the switch when so much wasn't complete, let alone well-tested. Why didn't they just keep using their old system for a few more months until things were more complete?

I'm sure they're doing their best to get things working, and I'm sure they will eventually, but I'm just wondering how this got so bungled.

-- Eric

Ngaire and Ken,
Thanks for the update. Thanks to Ken's great photos, it looks much more inviting and comfortable (except signatures). Compass Rose looks like it has less tables, by the fact that there seems to be more room between tables. Is that an optical illusion?
Lynn

The new ship was discussed. The option is still with the shipyard and I believe the plans for the update to the current fleet were in place without regard to the new ship. I do not know what the future holds, they probably dont yet either. The economy is a big factor I am sure. Since there was nothing to really report I did not mention it.

Again I dont work at Regent so I do not know all the inside scoop and details. All I know is that the computer issues are not just about the website. Reservations is directly linked to the website as I understand it are so many of their other functions. I heard they were under a time line pressure, and had to be off the old system by a deadline date. I think they just had to go with what they had when they did.

They changed to a different reservations system and did a new web site a few years back. We had about one week of trauma and then all was well. So they have done this succesfully in the past.

There must have been some incredibly difficult and complex issues here. Believe me it is no fun for them either.

Have no idea if there are less tables, I did not ask. We ran through that ship so quickly. We only had about two hours from arrival until dinner time.

Ngaire,
Thank you so much for your post. I am very encouraged with your report. Ken's photos are wonderful. Everything looks so clean and comfortable!

With computer system changes it's just impossible to predict. We "went live" on a new system Jan 5 and some of the problems we are having never popped up during testing. Though you want everything to go smoothly, it's never going to happen with a major systems change. I've had to say far too often - "i'll have to call you back after the system comes back up" and though it drives me crazy it's not unexpected. Or when the system is running fine, I say "I'll get the info and call you back" because it seems to take so long (compared to our old system which we knew) to get any information. Frustrating on both sides of the conversation.

Great pictures, the ship looks great. Thanks Ngaire for that detailed report.
Don't know when it will be, but can't wait to cruise Voyager or Mariner again. Won't be this year though, maybe 2010 if the economy settles down, and we get some stuff done on the house (that's a never ending job :D ).

Wow, thanks for the report. This sounds very encouraging. We are looking forward to seeing how the "shore excursions included" thing works.

Ngaire, when you say the new temporary chairs in Compass Ross are too narrow do you mean for the average posterier? or are the arm rests too close to the body? Or ... something else?

Fine for most but they need to be wider for some. With the enclosed type of seat there is no give at all.

Ngaire, thanks for the update! Regarding their computer issues, I was contacted one week ago by an agent from Regent regarding our current booking (PG, 9/12/09) and they informed me that they were calling because they were having "issues", and attempted to confirm all of the aspects of our reservation (pre-cruise OWB in Tahiti, post-cruise OWB in Bora Bora, business class flight upgrades, etc.). To make what is now a very long and painful story short, their data had obviously been corrupted, and our reservation was no longer accurate in whatever remants of their data bases they still had. Everything except for our post-cruise hotel was eventually re-confirmed (we think), but they just didn't seem to be able to get the post-cruise hotel booking right. Now, one week later, and after speaking to three different Regent agents that all promised to call me back after being unable to re-confirm the correct booking online (but never did call back - any of them!), and one agent that did respond by email but with what is still the wrong reservation info, our status is still unresolved. The last booking info that they had for us (and was communicated both verbally and by email) is still wrong. My last request to Regent to try and get everything back to the original booking was two days ago - still no response from Regent. This is a very different experience at the moment from our last cruise with RSSC.

Oh Ken, this sounds like a nightmare. I sure hope it all works out for you. Why are they calling you directly and not working with your TA (the kind of behind the scene things that go on and we, the passenger, don't know the 1/2 of it )??
Good luck.

I was wondering the same thing as M, K. Why no TA to deal with these details AND working to save you the $5K? That's a LOT of green.

Marcie and Roberts, Yes, as you've probably surmised, I booked directly myself...

This situation probably exposes how having either a very good TA, or good personal vigilance if you're used to doing these kinds of things yourself, is rather important. Since I assume that the reason that no one from Regent has been back to me is that they are not yet able to give me any good news (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, for now, but still concerned that they aren't responding), either way nothing is yet solved - but one way or another will be, eventually.

Cheers,
Ken

I've never booked a Regent cruise with anyone but "The Best TA" imaginable and wouldn't consider doing it any other way. :) I wonder if it's too late to transfer your booking to her? This way you won't have to be bothered and 99.9% everything will work out as you originally planned at the best price. I think we all have enough stress in our lives without hassling with what you're going through. Maybe others know if a booking booked directly with Regent can be transferred ? I feel for what you're going through and rooting for the best possible ending.

Ken

I have a first class TA working on our booking (a 3 week B2B ending in Fiji in OS with a pre-cruise in Moorea) and she is having similar difficulties in confirming our pre-cruise. I also raised the question about lower brochure fares now being offered and whether the reduction would benefit me ( Fir the life of me,I can't figure out all of the discounts, credits etc.).She asked Regent to re-calculate based on lower fares and the response was that the bottom line would be higher! TA asked them to go back to work on it!

To be continued!

Ted

Yes, and with all much-deserved respect to all good TAs, here's the problem - in reading the current details, Regent has mostly just shifted some aspects of costs between different buckets, so one would need to be willing to unbundle to get the maximum benefit. TA's - I'd be very interested in your comments on this, as well as what I'm missing here, as I suspect that the critically-important relationship that you maintain with your key travel providers (like Regent) could potentially be strained by what looks like the best option for situations such as mine, which at least appears to be to unbundle everything. Here's my less-than-hypothetical example:

- The currently booked cruise fare is $11,100, minus our Seven Seas Society discount. This fare includes LAX-PPT-LAX coach airfare.
- I've also booked Business Class Upgrades for the LAX-PPT-LAX segment, through Regent at $6100 total cost. We're flying BOS-LAX-BOS to start and end the itinerary in First Class using freebie frequent flyer miles.
- The quoted price for our pre-cruise and post cruise stays in Tahiti and Bora Bora through Regent total to $7360. To be factual, Regent's currently corrupted version of their data base shows this with the wrong hotels, at the wrong price of $9560.
- The currently marketed price for a Cat C would be only $8590 (saving $2510), with 2-for-1 coach flights LAX-PPT-LAX, and an option to upgrade to Business Class for about $7200.
- Current market price to book Business Class flights directly with Air Tahiti Nui is only $6800 (saving $500 vs. current booking after taking the air portion out of the new-price cruise booking). That's less than just the UPGRADE that Regent currently quotes for a new booking.
- Current market price to book overwater bungalows pre and post cruise direct from the hotels is only $4250 (saving $3110), at current exchange rates.
- Factoring in the crusie-only flight discount, if I change to "cruise only" with Regent and book everything else direct with the suppliers, I can save a whole lot of money, even after adding back in the flights from Tahiti to Bora Bora on Air Tahiti (about $850), transfers (a few hundred dollars), but then subtracting the air portion refund included in the cruise fare. I assume that the port, handling, and security costs, and the Seven Seas Society discount will be a wash.

- Percieved down-side: 1) Everything is now a la carte, and must be managed, but I have no problem with that. This itinerary is much simpler than many I've dealt with, 2) No day room on final day back at Tahiti, but that just means spend more time on Bora Bora instead and adjust flights to optimize layover (wait a minute, that's also actually an "upside"!...)
- Percieved up-side: 1) Save thousands of dollars, 2) Transfer and fly between hotels, ship, and islands when I want to rather than with the herd.

What am I missing here? And should I retire from the grind and become a TA? ;)

Cheers,
Ken

You have answered your own questions. Make independent land arrangements. This is usually cheaper on any cruise itinerary. Most people do their own land it is those that simply dont want to mess with the details that use the Regent land packages and hotels.

Air is not always so clear cut and it depends on the cruise and special Regent may have on the air. Recently air through Regent has been pretty good. Particuarly their value business air.

Are you losing an onboard booking, or is there a non refundable penalty due to your date of departure, do you have an FCC for gold points, or any shipboard credit from a prior special?

Rather than rebook see if they will simply adjust your current booking to the new rates. I would leave the air on as well until you determine for sure that you can book the air you want and the class of service you want independently. Business Class is not always available when you actually book. It may turn out that you end up with the Regent air to Tahiti.

It may require a complete new booking. You are at risk of losing your current cabin and also your held air package, or any of these other savings you have. If you must rebook make sure you get one of the more experienced agents to work on saving your cabin,and to work with the air department to be sure you are not in danger of more complications.

If you ask if the person you get is in Omaha or Fort Lauderdale the agents in Omaha have been around longer. Most of the ones in FLL are new and in the new reservations center, although some Omaha people transferred to Florida. As with any company there is a big difference in individual agents experience and expertise.

You could ask who was the agent on record when you first booked and go back to the original agent who is mostly likely more experienced if you booked this some time ago.

You can always add any of the packages back later if you change your mind. Pending availability of course.

This is honestly a normal day at the office and no relationships are strained fixing things like this. In fact the relationships are what makes it possible to get things resolved.

This is not as complicated as many scenarios that develop not just with Regent, but ALL cruise lines. Regent has been getting a lot of press recently because of the computer issues which are a nightmare. However, prior to the recent computer issues they were (and will be again eventually) the absolute easiest cruise line to work with of them all. The staff are great and really work to make things right. I will not mention names but some cruise lines are really hard to fix problems with if things get "out of the box".

Ngaire, thanks, and your suggetions are 100% consistent with my experience, and plan. :)

Curiously, on our last cruise with RSSC, I could NOT independently beat the deal that they gave me for airfare or hotels. Their quote was actually competitive at the time of booking for this one too, but since then times have certainly changed...

The original agent that did my booking has left Regent, and it was very obvious that none of the four agents (both Omaha and FL) that I interacted with in the last week were as familiar with the PG or French Polynesia or even some basic travel issues as I am, and I don't do this for a living...

I'm sure it will all work out, but for now I can't really do anything until they get their systems back to production-level operations.

Cheers,
Ken

Ngaire, I loved the report, thanks for posting. Ken always does such a wonderful job with pics, like you could reach out and touch it all and with such perfect lighting and precision.

I agaree about the Compass Rose chairs being heavy, and on our Voyager cruise, a few had to sit forward a bit, but I only saw one or two in 11 days. Maybe not, but I think they are wider than a coach air seat. I could not tell they were any smaller than Prime 7 and sat in them a number of times. They are so plush and nice. You do really have to exert yourself if someone is coming along and you are sort of in the way, though.

I agree with Crystal, it seems they are really listening, even about the tokens. With all of their attention to detail, we should have a great product for some time to come.

Tahiti is a destination that the Regent land comes closer to a competitive price than anywhere else in the world. Never been able to figure that out.

These kids in reservations are booking agents not travel agents so there is definitely a limit to their understanding of anything that they have not experienced or is not on their screen.

They simply look at their computers and tell you what they see. Some get to go on the ships but they are really not knowlegable about all the destinations.

They are there to enter the bookings in the computer not give advice on travel options. I will also tell you there life is not easy right now as they work to get used to a new system, take excursion bookings over the phone and try to resolve situations like yours.

That said overall they are a WONDERFUL group that do the best they can. I have gone up each year to see them all and those in Omaha I have fallen in love with. Great work ethic in the Mid-West. I have my favorite few that I use consistently and they do a great job.

I also want to say that Ken is a planner. I LOVED his report from his last trip it is on my web. This is one detailed man. Some people really do prefer to control their own destiny and handle things themselves and that is totally understandable. Actually this is how I first got into being a TA as I, like Ken, wanted to control the cruise bookings I made myself. If you have a TA then you have to go through that TA so Ken I understand why you prefer to "do your own thing".

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

Yeah that is GREAT news.

I bet I could come up with five names and that competent agent in Omaha would be one of those. There are some real gems in the reservations group - I guess I get a little protective of them reading my previous post. They help me EVERY day and I just adore them.

Ken, if the truth were known, I would not be surprised if indeed your dilemma WAS read on this board by someone from Regent. You certainly had a plan more complicated than an ordinary "order taker" could handle, even without the current computer glitches, and I'm glad that is has finally been put right. All's well that ends well!

I've often had conversations with Ngaire about those booking agents that she loves, and I'm glad she has personal knowledge of them, and has her own special agents with whom she works especially when it is a reservation out of the ordinary like yours. Brings business back to Regent with her good service and attention to detail, and makes sense for both sides as everyone benefits! Good will so important in the service industry.

I will look forward to your report, I remember the thoroughness of your last review!

I honestly do not think the post had anything to do with it. I know for sure the people who fix these things do not read this board.

It just has to be all worked through and takes some time to get things done. We get complicated things fixed in a few days or sometimes it takes weeks.

So the basic agent takes the details and sends it to a special group where all these issues are handled. It just depends how bogged down they are and what the particular issue is that needs to be resolved.

The difference between the basic agents is the one that can understand the facts to share the issue correctly. Also some are better at follow up than others.

This was not really that complicated as it just needed to be repriced. The complication appeared to be for Ken - do I stay with Regent or do my own thing. That is always a complicated question to sort out with all the different aspects of a trip like he has planned. I always find it interesting that Tahiti is the one place that often the packages offered are in line with what you can do on your own.

I absolutely agree that Tahiti is the one place I have found that using Regent air and a Regent hotel package was a relatively good deal. What I don't understand in this discussion--and I'm not trying to be facetious--is why anyone would deal directly with Regent rather than going through a TA since many, such as B&K, provide financial incentives over and above what Regent itself does. I am constantly amazed that people think they are getting better "deals" dealing directly with a cruise line. I can only conclude that the airline model has created this unfounded bias.

-------------

Eugene

Eugene, You raise a fair question, and relative to Regent I'd suspect that you're right. In my case due to the volume of business that I've done over the years traveling on certain airlines (over 7 million miles) and staying at certain hotel chains (gazillions of points), I've found that their statements to me that they will offer up availability, lower pricing, and guaranteed upgrades to me that are absolutely NOT available to TAs or the general public, and that they will over-ride almost any rule or restriction for me, have proven consistently to be true when tested. As a result, I'm pretty comfortable in dealing with certain companies (certain airlines in particular) as that's the ONLY way that they will offer me that level of service. There is one major airline that hasn't had me in anything but a First Class seat for about the last 10 years, regardless of whatever fare I book, including free tickets booked using miles. This holds true for some companies even when compared to my company's corporate travel department, who although they are a large customer for virtually all major business travel carriers, some companies view the people in the airplane seats or hotel rooms as the real customer, over the travel department. As a result, I'm very accustomed to dealing with many travel related suppliers directly, as that's sometimes the only way to get lower rates, or a guaranteed seat on an already sold-out flight.

In this particular situation however, I don't have ANY kind of status with Regent let alone elite status, since I've only cruised with them once before. So yes, possibly I could do better than booking myself, but as Ngaire has insightfully deduced regarding my character, I simply like to manage these things myself, and ultimately I have yet to have a travel-related issue that I wasn't able to resolve. ;)

Cheers,
Ken

Ken, I don't travel for work, but I consider myself fairly sophisticated in terms of arranging our leisure trips. I am an avid reader of Cruise Critic and Flyertalk, in addition to LCT. I am also an economist, so I pay a lot of attention to the bottom line and am always doing internal cost-benefit analyses. At the same time, I, too, like to be in control.

All I was trying to convey is that in dealing with the few cruise lines I've experienced (Orient, Celebrity, Oceania, Silversea, and Regent for eight cruises), I have yet to see a financial advantage in dealing with the line directly. The TAs I've dealt with have either offered additional discounts (for example, the BK Rewards) or free gratuities. In addition, they are usually much more knowledgeable than I about the idiosyncrasies of the line in terms of choosing cabins, discussing excursions, and other questions I might have. And, a good TA can provide a less biased answer than a cruise line agent.

When it comes to airlines, I always deal directly with the airline, even if I search other sites for fares. In addition, I usually deal with hotels directly unless there is some special involved through the chain or a third party, such as AMX.

Finally, another advantage to this is that every time there has been a downward fare adjustment on a Regent cruise, our TA has ensured that our fare was adjusted, and this has sometimes involved substantial savings. And, by the way, unlike the fact that I have Medallion status on Delta, the only significant benefit my "status" on Regent gets me other than the past-passenger discount when relevant -- which is applicable to anyone after one cruise -- is free Internet.

---------------

Eugene

Eugene, Your argument is indeed persuavive, so I'm going to "test the waters", so to speak, specifically with B&K.

Thanks,
Ken

Ngaire, thanks for your report and Ken's photos. Makes me want to get back onboard soon! I find the discussions you report very promising. One thing I like, among the many positives, is the increased focus on high-quality lecturers and in announcing those lecturers earlier. To me having good lecturers makes a huge difference in a cruise, especially a port-intensive one.

Just one quick word on the chairs in Compass Rose.... they are very narrow. I am not overly large and had plenty of room, but I did see numerous people who were "squished into" them and I saw more than one gentleman who had to be given a side chair (armless) because there was no way they would have fit otherwise.

Oh boy, that must have been embarrassing! Guess I'd better start back on my diet!

Ngaire, thanks to you and Ken for the great pics and report. I can't wait to get on the Mariner for our Alaska cruise. In you meeting did Regent happen to say anything about the crew vs passenger ratio? Up/down/no change?

This was never bought up at all. I noticed the new web quotes the exact same ratio as they quoted a long time ago.