I do not have all the answers nor do I have a crystal ball.

My instinct is that you should book BEFORE 3/31/09. Lock in the free air promotion (or air credit) and the 50% or 2 for 1 fares and the free shore excursions.

At this point in time I have been able to get everyone the new lower rates by an adjustment or a rebooking situation if the fares have gone down. Will that be the case forever - I honestly cannot say but I do know that Regent wants to take the model that the early bookers win. If economics cause them to reduce at a later date they could be forced to do that but I still believe old bookings would be adjusted, I just have no way to guarantee that.

AFter 3/31/09 some cruises will probably be extended at the same rates, some will have the discount reduced to a lower amount or even the air promotion taken away. It will all be supply and demand. This will continue to change as the ships get more bookings.

The Free Shore Excursion program I do not think they will take away. However, they say "capacity controlled" so if a ship really sells out they may pull it but I do not think that would be for quite some time.

2010 is booking surprisingly well. I know we have been making far more bookings than I thought I would. I think most people want to lock in their cabin choices, and the current offer now. The feeling is that by 2010 probably the financial situation may have improved and if not the cancel penalty is simply the $100 per person that is transferable to another cruise anyway.

We all have to go with our instinct on these situations. Personally I like the "sure thing" rather than the "maybe" and I still believe, though cannot guarantee, early bookers will get any new reductions anyway so it is a pretty sensible thing to book early.