With free excursions, what is everyone going to use their Amex shipboard credit for?

Three things

WINE , WINE AND MORE WINE. from the special list.

What about cash? Can't we still "charge" $400 a week?

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Eugene

Spa!! Or as a little bird suggested...a deposit on another cruise!!

Darn!!
Does not look like we get any on "FUN"

Wrote Ngaire and of course, the cruise we booked for 2009 doesn't include the free excursions. If it is offered to most 2009 cruises, then it should be offered to ALL 2009 cruises. This economy is bad; I would think Regent would treat all cruisers the same with their promotions. Judy

Judy, it's probably like their free air and 2 for one specials, they might be tying to fill up the underbooked cruises?

The thing I've always liked about RSSC excursions is that they didn't try to pack too many people into any given group. That way, you have room to spread out and a more personal experience with your guide.

However, during the DC there were some instances where this was not the case. It could, however, have been the nature of the ports where this occurred (many of them just getting started on this tourism thing). But it also could be a sign of things to come. I did discuss it on my comment card--really, my only negative comment on the whole DC experience.

I'll be curious to see if RSSC is able to maintain that edge where the excursions are included. Of course, the Alaska cruise I'm signed up for isn't part of the included excursions. But there were so many other credits and discounts that I'm not at all bothered by it. But I'll be interested to see what others' experiences with it are.

Well, on the bright side, we seem to have lucked out for all three of our B2B2B segments on Navigator (17 July, 24 July, and 31 July)
Greg

What am I missing? I only have heard about free excursions for guests on the full 100+ day cruises. Have they expanded free excursions to regular cuises, such as the 10/30/09 Istanbul to Civittavecchia cruise that we're taking on the Mariner?

Yes, some regular cruises will include excursions. Ngaire sent an email to clients about selected cruises in 2009 in which the excursions are included. I'm afraid I deleted mine so I don't know if your cruise is among them.

I thought it was for "full fare" cruises.

Although this sounds very attractive, I wonder how they can make it fair, considering the variable cost and duration of many excursions, and the capacity control. I also wonder how they will keep size under control: it would be tempting to just up it. I see it excludes certain types, but I wonder about the Concierge Choice ones--presumably they are not included either.

It would certainly be a zoo trying to get these excursions booked.

I wonder what does "full fare" means in this context? It wouldn't be Brochure price, would it??

Full fare means the price that every regular passenger would pay. Travel agents or Regent staff can get on at reduced rates on a stand by basis these passengers would not be included.

Curious why they don't just offer shipboard credits. Perhaps even ones that are only good for excursions, if they need to keep the spa separate. I think this promotion is going to be difficult to manage, and will open up more ways for pax to be dissatisfied. I know, if you offer credits, then there will be people that claim they can't use them because they arrange private tours. Can shipboard credits be used for simple currency withdrawal?

To paraphrase ol' Abe:

You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.

Spot on Pam!!!!

Nancy

I happen to be booked on one of the cruises that will offer free excursions. I was most likely planning on organizing my own, but will certainly now take advantage of this offer. I am not expecting the overnight off the ship to be included in the freebies.

Some of you may remember that when the Song was in Asia (maybe Africa as well) the excursions were complementary (nothing that involved air or hotel off the ship). They were just like I had come to expect of RSSC, well run and never crowded. What I particularly liked about having the excursions included was that I chose what I really wanted to do as price was not a factor.

To answer Marc's question, I'll use the Amex credit for Spa or an onboard booking.

Spa, wine and song.

Cheers, Anne

We changed our date from May to Sept for the free excursions and another 10% off. We are going to be on the Navigator 9/4 sailing- Monte Carlo to Athens.

Happy Sailing.

Leftover shipboard credit? I would have all my dirty clothes dry cleaned and laundered so I could just come home and put them away without doing loads of laundry :)

Now that's a great idea, Karen!

Karen, you are on to something, what a fabulous idea!!!

The laundry does such a nice job folding the clothes, too. Much neater than I can do!

Now THAT idea deserves a free drink the next time we meet....Clean clothes when you arrive home....priceless.

Our Karen has another great suggestion. See, I told you all, she is not just a pretty face. ;)

We're not on the B & K email list. Does anyone have a list of cruises with free excursions? Maybe we can switch from our 10/30/09 Navigator cruise (if it does not have free excursions) to a cruise that has them. Is this a Regent deal or a B & K deal?

It is a REGENT deal just not out yet but should be shortly.

ALASKA – Seven Seas Mariner
June 3, 10, 24
July 1, 8, 15
August 26
September 2

MEDITERRANEAN – Seven Seas Navigator
July 10, 17. 24, 31
August 7, 14
September 4, 11, 28
October 16, 30
November 8

EUROPE AND THE BALTIC – Seven Seas Voyager
June 26
July 24, 31
August 7, 14, 21, 28
September 25

ASIA PACIFIC – Seven Seas Mariner
September 16
October 1, 17
November 1, 18
December 2

TROPICS – Seven Seas Navigator
December 18

We're not on the 'free' list but do get an onboard credit. Karen, you are a genius! Never gave the laundry a thought - I've given up trying to make myself look good, so my clothes may as well!

Lee -

You are correct. On the Sep 9 sailing that we are on, excursions are not included but combined with Amex we do receive 1200 in OBC.

Either way it is a great year to be cruising.

Tina

We received an email from our TA stating that we have the free excursions on our 10/30/08 Navigator cruise.

Many thanks to LCT members for starting this post. Our cruise has the best of all worlds: Regent luxury and all inclusive, plus an overall cost (including tips, drinks, and excursions) that's probably less than a mini-suite on a mass market line.

I love the look of free! Sounds like a great perk. But I have a hard time imagining how this will work. Some people on a bus who have paid and others who have not? Will the "free" busses be full? Or will they be only partially filled as per Regent's current policy? It will be most interesting to see how it all works out.

I wonder that as well; but at least I don't have to worry about paying for the excursions while others are getting them for free.

I suspect that thy'll either have to enlarge the tour groups, have extra buses, or limit people to one freebie per day.

Here are some more details on my web.

http://www.bkrssc.com/2009_Free_Shore_Excursions.htm

Here are some of the free shore excursions offered.

Seven Seas Voyager Baltic and Mediterranean cruises

June 26: 14 nights roundtrip Copenhagen
July 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21: 7 nights Copenhagen to Stockholm (or reverse)
August 28: 10 nights Stockholm to Southampton
September 25: 7 nights Venice to Istanbul

Among the wide selection of complimentary shore excursions in the fairytale kingdoms of the Baltic and Russia are:

An evening at the ballet, a visit to the famous Hermitage museum, or a tour of Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia
A walking tour and concert or a countryside fishing and lunch tour in Tallinn, Estonia
A city tour by sea and visit to Fortress Island, or a Sailing Adventure tour in Helsinki, Finland


Seven Seas Navigator Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises

July 10; August 7; September 4; October 16: 7 nights Monte Carlo to Athens
July 17; August 14; September 11: 7 nights Athens to Istanbul
July 24: 7 nights Istanbul to Venice
July 31: 7 nights Venice to Monte Carlo
September 28: 7 nights Athens to Rome
October 30: 7 nights Istanbul to Rome
November 8: 7 nights Rome to Funchal
December 18: 10 nights roundtrip Fort Lauderdale

Here is a selection of exciting complimentary excursions from the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and the tropical paradise of the Western Caribbean:

A visit to Ancient Pompeii or a scenic Riviera tour from Sorrento, Italy
A tour of the glories of ancient Ephesus from Kusadasi, Turkey
A tour of Hidden Sicily from Taormina
A visit to Malta’s hidden treasures in Valletta
A tour of Alexandria’s Library and Museum
A tour of ancient Rome from Civitavecchia, Italy
A tour of Mayan ruins and New River cruise in Belize
A visit to Q’eqchi indigenous river community in Guatemala
A stingray sandbar swim and snorkel in Grand Cayman

Seven Seas Mariner Alaska and Asia Pacific cruises

June 3, 10, 24; July 1, 8, 15; August 26, September 2: 7 nights Vancouver to Anchorage (or reverse)
September 16: 14 nights Anchorage to Osaka
October 1: 16 nights Osaka to Hong Kong
October 17: 15 nights Hong Kong to Singapore
November 1: 17 nights Singapore to Sydney
November 18: 14 nights Sydney to Auckland
December 2: 19 nights Auckland to Los Angeles

Guests on these cruises can select from an enticing list of complimentary tour options in the 49th state and the capitals of the Pacific Rim including:

A native canoe adventure or an adventure hike to Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau, Alaska
A Klondike zipline tour or a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railroad in Skagway, Alaska
A sea otter and wildlife quest in Sitka, Alaska
A tour of the Peace Park in Nagasaki, Japan
A full day tour to Hanoi from Hong Gai, Vietnam
A kangaroos and koalas tour in Melbourne, Australia
A Maori cultural experience in Wellington, New Zealand
An off-road adventure in Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Guests wishing to take advantage of this extraordinary value are required to reserve and deposit their cruise by March
31, 2009

It gets better: on-board the Voyager New Years cruise we were given a sheet that said "All published sailings in 2010 will start with an exceptional 2-for-1 pricing", "All sailings offer free air fare from select US gateway cities in 2010 - or a respective air allowance," and "For a limited time (book by March 31, 2009) we are offering free unlimited shore excursions across all published 2010 dates. This offer is capacity controlled and certain restrictions may apply."

My guess is that the move to free excursions is permanent. Remember that when they segued to all-inclusive (WRT alcohol) there were several all-inclusive voyages one year and then total inclusivity the next as the pattern seems to be for shore excursions. All driven, of course by economic concerns.

That is wonderful news Scott.
I've already emailed Linda to say that as soon as the 2010's come out, my sister and I are on for Alaska. I so enjoyed the region during my first visit, and with free excursions and hopefully good deals, I'm ready to go back.

Wow, that sounds nice. But booking by March 31st for free excursions sounds a long way out for 2010. I for one, at least, am not ready to book for 2010, so I guess I'll miss out.

But I am thinking about Alaska for 2010, so you never know...

Not for me as I usually book far in advance anyway so that would work out well for me!

FYI -- the requirement to book by March 31st, for the 35 sailings in 2009 offering free shore excursions is still in place,

For 2010 the 3/31/09 deadline has been dropped.

IT IS NOW FREE SHORE EXCURISONS ON ALL 2010 SAILINGS THERE IS NO DEADLINE TO BOOK FOR THIS OFFER. IT IS NOW PART OF THE INCLUSIONS JUST LIKE THE ALL INCLUSIVE DRINKS AND TIPS.