Ngaire - On my previous Regent cruises I have not given much thought to the relative final cost of booking early vs. waiting for specials as the sailing date got closer. For 2010, I suspect that the economy make present a much more compelling case than before for specials and fare changes as sailing dates get closer. My question: If I book at the currently offered rates is there any adjustment if the same cruise is later changed to a special rate (or free air, etc.)? I should know the answer to this, but... Thanks.
Tim

Tim, I can tell you that I have just gone through that exact kind of situation this week, and while no one from Regent initiated the re-pricing from the higher rate at which I originally booked to the lower current market rate, when I brought the price change to their attention, they did re-price my itinerary, saving me thousands of dollars.

I can't speak for either their formal policy, or their consistency on this issue however, but I'm very satisfied with their response.

Cheers,
Ken

The cruise that we have scheduled in August has had three reductions since we booked it on board last March. They were a larger early booking discount, application of Seven Seas Society savings, and now free excursions. Our travel agent has made sure that we have gotten all of them applied.

Dick

I have a similar question, but kind of the obverse. What are my chances of losing some considerable saving by waiting to book 2010? Ngaire has said somewhere that the free air *may* go away after March 31st, and the free excursions might go away at some point later, but maybe not. And the early booking savings might change.

My dilemma is that I really don't want to book Alaska June 2010 this early, although I will if I have to. I guess another consideration is getting the choice cabins on Navigator, minimum balcony. Again, I think the risk is hard to calculate.

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.

Wendy,
This is why we booked the 2010 Aust/NZ cruise. As soon as I saw free air we went ahead an booked. That way we got the cabin we want and all the freebies being offered now. Who knows when Regent will change the offer. If they take away the air, we are ahead and if the offers continue to get better we will get the better price or what ever else they include. You can always cancel if you have to. The least expensive cabins go quickly and remember the Navigator is a smaller ship.

Carolyn

That is why my sister and I booked for Alaska (Wendy--7/7/10). I really need to be midship

Linda was so great about everything

Thanks, Ngaire, will show this thread to Jim and David.

It is obvious that cruise lines face a dilemma with respect to last minute bargains - there are few things as perishable as a stateroom after the gangway is pulled up. Getting any revenue in excess of marginal cost makes sense - except that it enrages all those who paid higher fares. And everyone will wait to book the next time - bad for the cruise line.

Along with you, we are awaiting the outcome of the question - will we benefit from fares that have seemingly been reduced? We always book early because we are a bit picky about our space. We are currently booked in an OS on the PG for a 3 week B2B If it came down to a choice of saving some money or holding our space, we would choose the latter. But, we would be one of the "enraged" clients.

So, we'll see.

Ted

Ted, I don't blame you--sometimes the cabin is everything. Hope you enjoy that owner's suite, it sure is nice being at the bow of the PG!