|
 GRAND PRIX Air
#230295
12/30/11 02:47 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
cruiser
|
|
OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Air, both ways, can now be booked for Grand Prix. Are most using Regent air or booking on your own? Anyone going in early to Monte Carlo? Any recommendations on hotels? I was going to check with Amex Platinum for hotel instead of spending $600 with Regent.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230296
12/30/11 02:52 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
How far away that seems Marc.
But I think we will just be using Regent air, and upgrad to biz class, I might check it out with American, but if we use their air, then we will probably just take the one night hotel. Its the Monte Carlo Fairmont, or at least is for us according to our invoices. As to Rio, have no clue. Dreyfus's and thus Glanville's will probably stay over several days, I think we will only do two nights, which is basically three full days.
The Fairmont is really really nice and we've been there before, and who knows AMEX might have a better deal.
And....nice to see this come up. :) :app:
JoAnn 
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230297
12/31/11 05:37 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991 |
We'll probably go in a couple days early to get the jet lag out of the way before the cruise. We're doing Regent Air, but I'm guessing we won't be able to pick a deviation itinerary for another month or so--hoping Ngaire will let me know when we can book a flight. We'll probably try to use points for the hotel. There's a nice Marriot just outside Monte Carlo and lots of good hotels in nearby Nice. Right now I'm looking at Le Meridien in Monte Carlo.
Peggy
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230298
12/31/11 05:45 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
I sent our air request to Ngaire, may be awhile before we know anything. We're planning to go in a day early and open to any hotel in nice or Monte Carlo.
Marcie 
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230299
12/31/11 11:14 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929 |
Earliest time is 270 days before the cruise date to book air with Regent. In this case it will be 02/13/2012. This usually works but sometimes they do not have all the contracts in this early.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230300
01/01/12 01:40 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026
Fogmalkin
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026 |
Booked our air using mileage, two one way itineraries. :banana:
11/7 1st UA SFO-FRA, biz LH FRA-NCE arriving Nov 8
11/28 Biz-First CO/UA GIG-IAH, 1st UA IAH-SFO
Did it all through the Continental website transferring miles from UA to CO. Easy peasy compared to dealing with United. I didn't start the outbound until a few days ago so biz tix were gone but got them for the return yesterday.
Will start investigating hotels soon, looking to the group for ideas.
Suzanne
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230301
01/03/12 09:31 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434
Dreps
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434 |
Since we stayed in Nice for several days after WINES, for the moment we've booked a night at the Le Meridien Monte Carlo using Starwood points. We've never really spent any time in MC.
Think I have taken care of our air. (Actually booked our return using my iPad on our trip back from NYC yesterday.) I sure wish that Delta would get on board (pun intended) and let people book one-way award travel like many of the other airlines. It would be especially helpful for we cruisers because of the open jaws. When I looked at business class fares for this trip using a site such as Kayak, it was coming up close to $10K per person.
------------
Eugene
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230302
01/03/12 10:33 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Is there a Le Meridian in both Nice and Monte Carlo? I only saw the one in Nice. We are thinking of a couple of nights in Nice, as we have only done about an hour short walk around in Nice. We have been to MC a few times and overnighted once, but if everyone is staying in MC, then we will probably just do the one night as we are using Regents air this time around.
Editing to say I now see the one in MC.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230303
01/03/12 11:12 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Marcie - are you using Regent air or doing your own? Are you not using the included overnight?
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230304
01/03/12 12:59 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434
Dreps
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434 |
Yes, there is a Le Meridien in both Nice and Monte Carlo. Both were available with Starwood points--considerably fewer points are needed for the Nice hotel. It is located right across from the beach. Seemed like a great location.
We stayed at the Le Grimaldi. Mitch and I had researched hotels and decided on that one. It was fine and reasonable, but nothing luxurious.
--------------
Eugene
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230305
01/03/12 01:58 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
We liked Le Grimaldi nothing luxurious but more than adequate, I thought - we have been to Nice twice and loved it - first time just day trip with guide and second 2 nights hotel - which hotel is Regent using? I am tempted to do 2-3 nights Nice...sorry I need to read earlier posts
Joanna
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230306
01/04/12 02:48 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Regent only offers the Fairmont in Monte Carlo for pre cruise. Room type is decided by cabin level. Concierge and above get higher level rooms, in this case.
In most embarkation cities there are two different hotels, again determined by your cabin level, in a few cities it is the same hotel, just different room levels -- at least that is what I was told today. They no longer offer pre cruise options other than the included hotel in embarkation cities I was told and I didn't think to ask if one can add extra nights to their included hotel or not.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230307
01/04/12 08:13 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
JoAnn, We are covered across the board... signed up for included Regent hotel room. I also made reservations at both LeMeridian Monte Carlo using 20,000 SPG pts as well as a reservation at LeMeridian Nice using 12,000 SPG pts for 11/8/12. We'll decide as it gets closer without any penalty.
Marcie
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230308
01/04/12 09:54 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Well you certainly are covered Marcie, nicely done!! lol.
As of now we are just doing the one included night, but if a lot of the group goes into Nice a day or two early, then we probably will do that too. We do have to see what Jack and Laura, and Jim and Jill want to do as well.
What is everyone thinking at the end? We plan to spend a couple of days in Rio, again not sure what the Dreyfus's and Glanville's will do, so will be doing and air deviation. Anyone know of good hotels and maybe a good private guide/driver? I know there is a nice Marriott.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230309
01/04/12 10:05 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
"Book Now, think About it later" is my middle name...just ask Ngaire or Tom.
As for Rio, we'll leave day/night of disembarkation as we've been there several times.
Marcie
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230310
01/04/12 10:30 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991 |
We're also booked at the Le Meridian in Monte Carlo for 11/7 & 8. Since we stayed in Nice after WINES, we'll stay in Monte Carlo this time--I love wandering around the marina there, checking out the big yachts -- plus the hotel is very close to the port which makes it nice.
Peggy
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230311
01/04/12 11:01 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Interesting Peggy, since you are using Regent air, you are not doing their hotel. Was the Le Meridian that much less? Do you get two nights for the approximate amount of the hotel credit? I'd have to give that some thought, as the extra night would certainly help the jet lag recovery.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230312
01/04/12 03:07 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
cruiser
|
|
OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Originally posted by cruisinfanatic:
Regent only offers the Fairmont in Monte Carlo for pre cruise. Room type is decided by cabin level. Concierge and above get higher level rooms, in this case.
In most embarkation cities there are two different hotels, again determined by your cabin level, in a few cities it is the same hotel, just different room levels -- at least that is what I was told today. They no longer offer pre cruise options other than the included hotel in embarkation cities I was told and I didn't think to ask if one can add extra nights to their included hotel or not. JoAnn, I would check Regent site . For peons, the hotel is now the Marriott or the Columbus Monte Carlo. :(
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230313
01/04/12 05:22 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929
Ngaire
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,929 |
The hotels change and not guaranteed to be the ones on the list on the web or that may show up on a guest reservation early on. They reserve the right to make a substitue and often that happens. A hotel fills and they have to find another one or they simply decide to use a different hotel. If they have complaints I know they change. It is all subject to change! You just get what you are given when you do the included night.
If you are platinum and using RSSC air and want to come in a day early you do not have air deviation fee and unless there is a LONG expensive transfer you are better off doing your own hotel.
If you are NOT Platinum and are doing RSSC air and have to pay the air deviation fee of $125 pp each or $250 for to come in a day early then the situation is not as clear. The price you get direct with the hotel you have to consider that $250 cost and the transfer costs as well. Also remember to confirm your own rate includes taxes and breakfast.
If you are doing your OWN air then most of the time you should just do your own hotel.
If you can use points you should do your own hotel.
LONG transfers for instance London to Southampton change the dynamics as to buy that transfer is pretty expensive then the RSSC hotel program is probably best for everyone.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230314
01/04/12 07:24 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 672
FDV72
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 672 |
Marcie:
Did you look at the SPG Cash and Points option for Le Meridian Monte Carlo? We are staying there for two nights in April for our cruise and the points and $150 option seemed much better than the 20,000 points per night.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230315
01/05/12 03:07 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Marc - i had not noticed the hotel change, its hard to even find that particular info, LOL. I only talked to an agent, as Jim Glanville was asking if there were any other options in London other than the hotel they were assigned. Also, our invoices all show the Fairmont from Regent for Grand Prix.
Thanks for that info though, still trying to figure out what we might want to do.
Frank thanks for that info, we don't have a lot of SPG points, but I will give that a look.
Good points to consider Ngaire, as in this case the transfer from Nice to Monte Carlo might or might not justify using Regent hotel and transfers, I think it is about 1/2 hour between the airport and Monte Carlo if I remember right.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230316
01/05/12 07:44 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991 |
Joann, we're using SPG points. Actually, we're using the points and cash option, as that seemed like the best deal to me too. The transfer from the Nice airport to Monte Carlo is about 100 Euros ($130 or so) for a private car and 90 Euros for a taxi. That's kind of pricy, but not too bad if you can share with someone. Anyway, our total cost for two nights including the transfer will be around $430, plus breakfast (less if we can share the transfer to Monte Carlo). The hotel credit is $600--so we'll come out a little ahead.
Peggy
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230317
01/05/12 08:28 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
Oh right I forgot many of you have/use spg points. We don't have enough built up yet. It sounds like you got a good deal Peggy.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230318
01/05/12 09:41 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026
Fogmalkin
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,026 |
We're booked at le Meridien Monte Carlo for one night precruise.
I looked at the points and cash rate (8,000 pts and $150) which is a good deal. Because I hoard points for air I'm tentatively going with the "senior" rate (it quotes 60+ or an AARP card) at 191 Euro a night which was about $247 including tax but not breakfast yesterday.
Suzanne
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230319
01/05/12 04:55 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
we will probably go in 2 nights pre - not sure Nice or MC yet, we do love Nice,but can figure it out - out of Rio same day been there - we have SW pts
Joanna
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230320
01/05/12 08:45 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967 |
I do prefer Nice, but I'm on my own for air and hotel. I just like the town been there at least 4 times, and love the flower market in the morning, and just the whole "thing" about Nice rather than its more expensive cousin. Just me. Oh, you MC lovers talk me out of it. I am game for that, too.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230321
01/06/12 06:29 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569 |
Originally posted by jhp:
Oh, you MC lovers talk me out of it. I am game for that, too. Talking, Talking, Talking Come on Olivia join us all in MC!! (Though I love a great flower market in the morning too!)
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230322
01/06/12 06:30 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569 |
dupe sorry (I must do something wrong each time the "flood control" message pops up as I always get duplicate posts Sorry Karen
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230323
01/06/12 06:48 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558
TedC
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558 |
Monte Carlo has some beautiful gardens - open all day!
 "Life is far too serious to be taken seriously."
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230324
01/06/12 08:50 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
I love that flower market in Nice and since I bring flowers onboard its a great stop on the way to the ship.
Looks like though everyone is opting for Monte Carlo on this one, so we likely will too. Maybe we can organize a dinner on the 8th or something. Now I just have to find someplace in Monte Carlo to get flowers before boarding. :D
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230325
01/06/12 10:40 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
haha...as if we didn't have enough hotel options already, I added one more...M.C. Le Meridian using 8,000 pts plus $150. Starwood is going to think Mr. Matassa is a very busy man!
Marcie
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230326
01/06/12 12:28 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434
Dreps
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434 |
Marcie, I did the same thing the afternoon. I'm surprised *Wood don't see a conflict. Really not sure what we're going to do, so seems reasonable to keep options open. (What was strange is that I tried to just change the all-points reservation for the points/cash option, and the representative couldn't even see that option. So I went back online and ended up with the two reservations.)
--------------
Eugene
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230327
01/06/12 01:26 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 637
Tom G
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 637 |
I booked the Meridien MC for one night pre cruise. The senior rate that Suzanne found seems pretty good.
Does anyone have information and recommendations on hotels in Rio? So far I've come up with hotels that are charging between $700-900 a night for their least expensive rooms. That seems incredible. Tom.
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230328
01/06/12 02:34 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
WELL...much as I love Nice looks like MC is the place to be - booked 2 nights 7 and 8 - using pts -
Joanna
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230329
01/06/12 02:47 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
Big OUCH Tom....do you have points you can use? sounds like a good time for those.
Marcie
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230330
01/06/12 05:03 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658 |
We need Rio options too, as we plan to spend two nights, and our friends may want to stay even longer, but boy looks expensive. We have Marriott points, and that looks like a nice location. But like Tom, if anyone has any better suggestions, we are open.
JoAnn
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230331
01/07/12 02:41 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434
Dreps
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,434 |
As I posted on CC, we had reservations at the Arpoador Inn but never used them because we canceled the relevant Oceania cruise. It gets good reviews and is supposed to be in a relatively safe, convenient area. I don't think it's anything fancy, but it was very reasonable. Some of you might want to check it out.
We plan on flying back the day we disembark, having just been in Rio a at the end of LLAMA. The other thing I recommend if you want to get out of Rio is a day trip to Petropolis (the Imperial City). We and the Byrnes went there and it was a welcome relieve from the heat and congestion of Rio.
A word of warning. Do not use the ATMs at the the Rio airport. Both the Byrnes and we had our credit/debit cards compromised. The only reason that we needed cash was because, the luggage storage counter would not take credit cards--suspicious, isn't it?. (I think that I posted at the time, but in my case, my credit union did not figure out what was going on, and almost $10K was accessed over a period of time. The reason that I didn't notice was because it was from an overdraft account--very clever.)
-----------------
Eugene
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230332
01/07/12 09:15 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569 |
Suzanne, Thanks for the heads up about the senior rate at La Meridian... We got it too. staying there the 7th and 8th.
We don't get in until 7:45 the night of the 7th so should be at the hotel by 8:30 or so in time to meet any and all for drinks. Got our flights on British Air using points both ways. We are business going out and coach back (via American) but were able to use points both ways and still have enough points for TAJ next year.
Question: We have a 7 hour layover at Heathrow... any one know what the club access is like there?
Question # 2: Any one else on the BA flight from Heathrow to Nice that gets in at 7:45 pm on the 7th and want to share a taxi inoto MC? If so, let me know as you get your arrangements made.
Now I can concentrate on packing for ZODIAC..Yiippee!
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230333
01/08/12 08:59 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991 |
Arlene, we'd love to share a transfer from Nice to Monte Carlo, but have to wait until Feb. when we can get our air from Regent. I have my fingers crossed that we can get something on AA/
BA but we'll see--Regent doesn't usually use them.
Peggy
|
|
|
|
Re: GRAND PRIX Air
#230334
01/08/12 09:03 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
cruiser
|
|
cruiser
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991 |
Oh. forgot to mention--AA just redid their Business Lounge at LHR, the new one is very nice, but won't be in the same terminal as the BA flight from LHR-NCE. The BA business class lounge is really nice too and closer to your departure gate. With a long layover, you could probably spend some time in both.
Peggy
|
|
|
|
|
|
