Hi Susan, glad you came out of lurkdom. You've chosen two wonderful future cruises. Looking forward to more posts from you.

Hi to all of you. What a great site!
We are planning a "dream" cruise for our fiftieth anniversary next year and RSSC seems to be the safest no-disappointment option.But we know so little! We made one cruise 10 years ago to the Greek Islands on Rennaisance and had a good experience at a time we really needed to get away. But now we need a fail-safe experience. This site has already answered some questions and raised some precautions, but we still have more:

--How soon in advance should we sign on the dotted line and put down the required deposit? Everything seems a bit iffy with travel now because of the world recession.

--Ten years ago we found (on the Rennaissance internet bulletin board) great info on the in-port tours and on better alternatives than the cruise line offerings. From what I've read there is a queue from the RSSC land options and there are tips for how to guarantee the best options. How does that work? This web site seems to be helpful. Are there other sites as well?

--The local RSSC TA may or may not be swift on these matters. Any suggestions? Is a local agent you can eyeball across a desk the best choice?

We would be grateful for any and all tips, including what choice of a cruise. We have been thinking one that began or ended at or near Monaco or Nice would give us a nice few days ashore.

Jim&Ann

Welcome, Jim&Ann! An RSSC cruise would be a wonderful gift to yourselves for a 50th anniversary. My husband and I never thought we would be cruisers, and we just happened upon RSSC and now have withdrawal pangs if we don't have a cruise booked. We cruise Regent every year or two and truly love the experience.

As for your questions, I would say to go ahead and book a cruise whenever you have decided on an itinerary. There is no real reason to wait. The suites lower on the ship (and lower-priced) tend to fill up first, and the rooms are all the same size and quality until you get to the penthouse level. (Plus, for our taste, we actually prefer to be lower and closer to the water.) So there's no real advantage, in my view, of booking higher on the ship unless you plan on a penthouse or larger room, which of course is a nice choice too. Booking early has no disadvantage that I can see. Also, if your plans need to change you can change or cancel a booking. You don't enter a penalty phase until 120 days before the cruise.

As far as a travel agent, I strongly recommend using an agent that has lots of experience with Regent. It will come as no surprise that we use Brown and Keene (the sponsor of this forum), a top producer for Regent, and we believe we have gotten many advantages because of our choice. Ngaire Keene and the others on her staff know the ships intimately and always are ready to answer questions and make recommendations based on your personal preferences. I can't say enough good about them. Even if you choose otherwise, however, I recommend using a travel agent with extensive experience with Regent. I firmly believe the choice of a Regent expert is more important than being across the desk from the agent when you make your booking.

Hope this helps. Again, welcome to LCT -- and Regent!

Welcome Jim and Ann! As for advice, Priscilla was spot on with her reply! Let us know what itinerary you decided on when you make up your mind!

I can't add to what Priscilla posted, she's covered the bases. Welcome to LCT, JIm and Ann. You've picked a fabulous way to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary.

Jim & Ann - Welcome to LCT. I enthusiastically second Priscilla's suggestion that using an experienced Regent agency, such as Brown & Keene (the best), is more important than being able to meet with the agent in person. Most of B&K's loyal clients live a long ways from Dallas and still get the best service imaginable from that group of talented and tireless ladies.

As for a good cruise in 2010 that ends in Monte Carlo, have a look at this one:
Dover to Monte Carlo Cruise

We took it (in the reverse direction) a couple of years ago and loved it. Fantastic ports, our favorite Regent ship (Voyager), and some great promotions right now, with air and excursions included.

Happy cruising. Cheers, Fred

Welcome to LCT, Jim & Ann. You have gotten great advise already. Hope what ever cruise you decide on you will have a wonderful anniversary cruise, and you will post and let us know how it goes.

Glad you found LCT Jim and Ann - you can't go wrong with the advice and help given on this board. Fred's suggestion of the Dover to Monte Carlo cruise in 2010 is great - we've booked it already! I live a long way from Texas but always book my cruises through Ngaire. Lee

Wow! Thanks everyone for the amazingly quick feedback, and especially to Priscilla for the detailed advice. Also to Fred for suggesting that specific cruise, and to Lee, who is coming from Sydney to be on board then. We already feel welcome.

Tomorrow I'll start talking on the phone. My first thought is, hey, why wait? There's a similar trip (11 days) this September. Maybe we should celebrate our 49th and come back again next year! Ann's head is swimming a bit, but we'll see.

The 2009 Portsmouth to Monaco trip indicates on the web site that at this point we would be on stand by in every stateroom category. Is this because they have not yet reached the penalty deadline when they will get an idea of the dropouts? The cruise is Sept. 7. When will they start opening it to stand-bys?

I'm trying to figure out how to get our pic online. I have pics of us on the computer, but they don't have their own URL. I'll need a techie to get it done.

Thanks to all of you. we are pumped!

Jim&Ann

You can send your photo to Karen and she can put it in for you. Or go to the section Custom Avatars and there should be instructions on how to do it yourself.
Karen is the easiest way. :p

Jim and Ann, I would be happy add a photo for you, just send your picture of choice to karen@brownandkeene.com

Thanks very much, Betty. Will do.

Jim and Ann, I think a 49th anniversary as well as a 50th on a Regent ship cruising to interesting ports sounds as good as it gets. Keep us posted on what you decide!

Thanks to Debbie Tate of Brown and Keene we are wait-listed (at the top!) for the Portsmouth to Monaco cruise that starts in England on this September 7. I expect we'll hear around June 15.

This chat room and all of your advice made it happen. So thanks. We'll see you on a cruise (maybe for our real 50th, or 51st!)

Jim&Ann Doyle

Welcome Jim & Ann, Debbie is a great asset to Brown & Keene and a fun fellow-passenger too. Your trip will be a good one I'm sure.

Love your avitar too...what kind of dog do you have?

Jim & Anne - We know four delightful people from Maui and a wonderful couple from Bellingham (not far from us here in Washington state) who will be on your September cruise. If your waitlist clears (and with the LCT juju we know it will do so), send me a private message and I will put you into cyber-touch with those fellow passengers.

Don't worry about meeting strangers on-line. In this case, you can communicate in advance, meet for a drink on the ship, and then, play it by ear. If you hit it off, great - you can go to dinner together (one of the many advantages of open dining). If not, you can have a drink and then say, "Hi." when you happen to pass one another in the hallways of the ship. No pressure at all. This ain't high school, where you're forced to be part of the "group".

We've met people on roll-calls with whom we've stayed in constant contact and others with whom we've done the "Hi"-thing in the hallways and not had any further contact. One of the great luxuries of the Regent experience is the flexibility to do your own social thing as you wish, not as the ship wishes or as any group wishes.

Happy cruising on the wonderful Voyager.

Cheers, Fred

By the way, is that little pooch you're holding in your photo a Bichon Frise or a Maltese?

Welcome Jim and Ann - yes Debbie is the best!!!!! We booked with B&K, 6 yrs ago, and never met anyone in the agency before booking - bliss since - and have met such wonderful folks - ENJOY!~!!!

Jim and Ann, We're neighbors (Gail lived in Bethesda for many years). We've used B&K since 2002 and have never looked back. We're booked on cruises through 2010 with them and have gone to Africa with them twice on Safari land tours. Don't go by what the Regent Web site says in terms of cabin availability; it's often incorrect. Call someone at B&K to double-check.

If you have any questions and would like to talk in person before moving forward, drop me a line and I can give you my phone number.

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

Eugene (and Gail)

Welcome Jim and Ann.
LCT is a super place to get to meet people.
Debbie is wonderful and just wait until you meet her husband Russ!!

Yea, Jim and Ann! So glad to hear you are booked -- well, almost anyway; I'm sure you'll get on if you are at the top of the waitlist and you have Debbie at B&K on the case! Your choice of itinerary sounds great.

Thanks to petlover, Freddie,joannapv,Dreps and JimB for your messages since I last posted. We haven't heard yet but I will chat with Debbie tomorrow. Ann says "Wow! They all sound like such nice people.!" And it's great to hear that one of you is a neighbor and another has several friends taking this cruise. I'll be in touch as soon as we hear.

Now, as for Molly the Bijon Frise:
Neither Ann nor I grew up with dogs nor did we know enough to get one for our girls. Six years ago Ann announced she needed the dog experience and had read a lot about a breed called Bijon Frise. My response was "Are you nuts? The kids are grown and gone and we have nothing tying us down. Ask your friends about raising a puppy at your age." Once I had relented, I said "You can't get a bichon. That's a cat-dog. No man can walk down the street with a cat dog."
Molly came soon after. After a few weeks of "She's your dog" I saw that this little gal had more personality than I knew, that she greeted us like we'd been away for a month when we returned from the store, that she had a range of noises that amounted to carrying on a conversation, and that she expected to be treated as an equal member of the pack.

I caved. I've been her "senior adviser" (certainly not her master) ever since. I treat her with the utmost respect. She treats me as if I'm God.

They said she would need just a walk around the block for exercise. Hah! We walk the mile plus to the Post Office before my breakfast (but not before hers) and she starts her multi-range jabbering in late afternoon which means she wants an off-leash run at a nearby boys' school. Then she comes home and follows me around. If I read too long she stares at me and makes comments.

Fortunately we have found a groomer who loves Molly enough to board her in his home when we have the effrontery to cruise, or whatever.

Everybody should have a dog. My kids should have had dogs to come home to after a bad day at school. I now like all dogs, especially bichons, who are impossible not to spoil.

All the best, Jim&Ann

Jim I thoroughly enjoyed your "doggie" post and congrats on contacting Debbie - you won't be disappointed! Joanna

Jim, you have joined the ranks of we dog-crazy types who spoil our little charges and smile all the way. One wag of the tail makes it all worthwhile. Great story.

Here's hoping for good news on your Regent booking.

Ditto Priscilla ! Jim, maybe you can post a larger picture of Molly...we do fun things like that here on LCT.

Whiled the rest of the world was clamoring for information about Michael Jackson, those of you on LCT were demanding more information and photos of Molly. So, here.s Molly celebratine July 4th, and Molly checking out the action outside her summer cottage, alongside Dev, who is her older (and tolerant) sister. Enjoy!

AHHHH wonderful pixs Jim and Ann!!!!! Two beauties!!!!! No wonder you're "hooked" Where is that sweet cottage??? :app: :app:

Very cute, Jim & Ann!

Thanks for the compliments. I'll pass them on. The cottage is in Morristown, on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York, just north of the Thousand Islands and directly across from Brockville, Ontario. And right now we are getting fabulous weather.

Jim&Ann

Jim and Ann, Molly is absolutely darling! Thanks for posting her photos. By the way, we have a canine Molly at our house too, so I'm a little partial to the name.

To all of our RSSC friends:

We didn't make this year's "standby" but are now booked in stateroom G641 for the 14-day Dover to Monaco cruise in September 2010, with an additional 2 days in Nice so we can tour the Cote d'Azur.

This is seriously exciting! Can any of you join us?

Jim&Ann Doyle

We will be on TUT cruise Oct. 3rd (so are quite a few other LCTers) but I know your trip will be great and worth the wait.

Jim & Ann, You have picked a great cruise. Wish we could be there! You will have a wonderful time!

Jim & Ann,

Sorry your stand-by didn't come through. Now you have all these months to plan for your Sept. 2010 cruise. It is a great itinerary. Plus 14 nights on the Voyager will be a wonderful treat.

Hi,
I am new to this site. I love cruising and travel. I have a varied background in travel, technology, and event management. I am in Orange County, CA. I have lived in Vail, CO where I was a Director of Programs for a Jazz Festival and a computer trainer at a community college. I lived on Maui after that. When the contract with Hawaii finished my husband and I moved back to the OC, which was where I grew up.

I am in my early 40's, have a couple of kids, a dog, and two fish. My favorite luxury cruise was on Crystal. Oceania has my favorite fireplace and library. Regent has my favorite suite.

In the near future my husband and I will be putting together our version of the culinary cruise program. He is a retired executive chef and we love enrichment programs!

Welcome CruiseBuzz, you sure have lived in some lovely areas! A chef for a husband is a dream of mine, since my hubby can only master Mrs. Paul's fish stick

Welcome to a fellow O.C.'er. There are several of us here on LCT from the OC. Where do you live? Welcome to LCT...I think you'll find this a friendly and helpful site.

Welcome to LCT Carrie--CruiseBuzz. I enjoy your
many daily tweets..nice cruise holiday website as well.

Hi CruiseBuzz! Welcome to LCT!

HI cruisebizz - I am partial but this is a wonderful site!!!!! Lots of good information, helpful folks and laughs...doesn't get better! welcome -

Welcome Cruisebuzz - Do you have your next cruise planned? There are some wonderful choices over the next few years.
Your magic word for me was Vail. I am very familiar with the Jazz Festival there - although I am more of a Bravo Vail and Dance Festival person. Picked the wrong summer to not spend it in that cooler climate.
Hope to meet you on some cruise very soon.