Hello,

I just got the best response email ever from Ngaire and have a few questions for the experts here in the forum.

We are wanting to go on a world cruise and Regent seems the best for many reasons. Thank goodness for the internet and forums. We think we have found the best one here and also you guys seem nicer and more helpful than most. If we can't make the 2008 WC we will for sure do the 2009. San Fran is the perfect leaving point for us.

Okay now let's get down to business and get this figured out so we can start packing..LOL.

After many hours the Penthouse seems like the choice for us, the dining table at the balcony looks very nice and we get butler service...that can't be bad at all.

The big question for you guys is what deck do we want and what room do we want? Decks 6-10 has me totally confused. Please help me on this.

Thank you for your helping a newbie.

Ciao for now.

Which ship are you thinking? We've done a Penthouse on both Mariner and Voyager, and neither of them have an actual dining table,the Butler can and will move the table from the sitting area, and put the top on, so it actually is a nice dining table. The PH's on Mariner, are much larger and so spacious I could not believe but it did not have a seperate dining table, just what I mentioned above. Same with Voyager. But Voyager PH's are smaller, although larger than the regular suites, the layout is really nice since you can close off the bed area and still have access to the sitting area, bathroom and deck without disturbing someone sleeping. On Mariner, the PH's were actually somewhat the same layout as a regular suite layout, but it was twice the width, and you still had to pass thru the sleeping area to get to the bathroom, closet, and sitting area/deck.

Now as to deck, we were on deck 10,suite 1005, forward on Mariner and loved that area, there are actually only 5 or 6 suites on each side and it was so quiet and almost like an exclusive area, that was our only PH experience on Mariner.

On Voyager, we did a PH on deck 8 toward the back, suite 862, and are doing 861 for our upcoming CROSS Grand Crossing. With Voyager, you have to deal with a vibration problem that seems to be worse from about the laundry rooms aft - many threads and discussions on this - so we went with the info and made sure we booked forward of the laundry room. We loved deck 8, but many people feel that lower decks are more stable and for a WC, that should and would be a major consideration. I'm sure others much more experienced than I, will chime in with very helpful information and actual experiences on various decks.

Whichever year you go, whichever ship you choose, I hope you have a wonderful trip and hopefully you will share it with all of us via "seamial".

Hi JoAnn

The voyager is the next one coming up in Jan from San Fran, so for now that is the ship.

Would you go with deck 6 and not have many cabins like the higher decks have??

I went back to regent's website and you are correct about the dining table, I was referring to the little table at the balcony that looks nice, but now I see a sofa also. I am looking at your room 862 and it's at the back of the ship and near the laundry room, is that what you mean don't go further back?

We never thought about the "Laundry Room" but with doing our own that would be a plus not having to go from room 818-821 all the way back. Would that really be a big deal?

So on deck 6 the laundry room is in front of the penthouse suites is that the problem you were saying about vibration? It's nice to not have so many cabins...don't know if that matters.

I will have a professional writer with me so be ready for in depth "Seamail". LOL.

Thanks again for your help and opinion.

Buenos.

P.S. What is the difference between Class D and Class C?? I can't tell, they all look the same.

P.P.S. Do any of these come with bathtubs?

Hi Panamaman -

OK so you are looking at Voyager, I'm green with envy!! <img src="http://smileys.sm...i%253D4%252F4_6_217v/image.gif">
Now to your questions.
According to many of the discussions of vibration on Voyager, the general consenses is that the further aft you go from about the laundry rooms, the worse the vibration gets, so when planning our 2005 cruise we decided to use that as a basis for selecting our cabin. We were quite happy with 862 and the general location, its quiet back there, but still close to the elevators. We picked 861 for CROSS this year, based on the same criteria. It was really nice to have the laundry room close by. I don't think the laundry room has anything to do with the vibration, other than that seems to be a point where it begins, and on deck 6 the laundry room is more forward than on the other decks. I think if you are concerned about the vibration, then you might want to stick with one of the first PH's on that deck. Many of the experienced WC's love deck 6. We have not been on deck 6 on Voyager. We will be on deck 7 next year for B2B, and for that cruise we have a midship location, 747 I think. I need to check out those G's on deck 6, as they are very popular with the B&K cruisers, but I worry that I will feel claustrophobic on that deck - just some thing I have in my mind, so as I said, I need to check it out while we are on in Nov.
The difference between D and C is location, and the C cabins have larger than normal decks, but they are on the back and as mentioned previously there has been a lot of discussion about the vibration which seems to get worse at higher speeds, otherwise they are the same cabin.
As far as I know, all cabins on Voyager come with a seperate shower and bathtub, very nice bathrooms.
If you have anymore questions on the PH's let me know - even though they are not much larger than the standard suites, the layout is what we love most.

Panamaman -

All the Voyager suites have a bathtub and a separate stall shower; only possible difference is the suites fitted out for disabilities.

I'm one of the mid-ship deck 6 "G" category fans. Why? It's less expensive (other than the H category suites), it's mid-ship, it's close to the public areas, and with fewer cabins in that area it feels a little more private than the longer unbroken hallway areas on the higher decks.

Happy deciding!

Cheers, Anne
Cheers, Anne

I knew some of the more experienced cruisers would chime in with good input.

However the PH B's are the same price no matter which deck you are on, unlike the standard cabins that are priced differently by deck. However, the PH's on deck 6 may well offer less motion, and the added benefits Anne mentioned above.

On the Voyager it is important not to go too far aft. As for the deck, the lower down the more stable it is. As they say when you go on the upper decks, you will "Pay to SWAY." We always go as low as possible and as close to the center of the ship as possible. Everything else works itself out.

Buenos,

Thank you very much for all the information. We have some more talking to do now on what's available and then decide from that point.

Are many members here going on the WC 2008 and the WC 2009? I wish they would go to South Africa..oh well cant have my cake and my champagne..or can I?

I hope this next question will not get me in trouble, but here goes. Please give me a good answer...LOL....so I can pass it on to my friends who will be joining us.

They were on the main site at Regent and I was here with you...is there any difference in booking with you guys versus through the main site.

Please tell me the advantages and the comparison if that is allowed so I can show them. I already know where I am heading.

Let's assume we are doing the WC2009 out of LA and in a Penthouse B or G class.

Hi Again,

I have been voted out 3-1 that the large balcony will be fun for parties and drinks with the other couple and whomever we meet. We are young and a little noise will not bother us since we will be making some ourselves...hehe. It's looks quite nice to be on the back and in room 1055 and have that little piece of heaven.

The 10k difference for the butler can be used on many other things, shopping comes to mind.

So i think we like to have the back of the boat
and the BIG Balcony.....thoughts are welcome.

Thanks guys.

Wow, lucky you!

Brown and Keene is a great travel agency. They are the ones that host this board. Yes, there are advantages to booking with a good TA over booking directly with the cruise line. Expert advice about cabin selection, excellent service, other incentives. I believe if you book directly you can then transfer the booking to any agent you like. I choose B&K, even though I'm in Canada and they are physically in Texas.

Wandra,

TELL ME, TELL ME the other advantages, I am so excited.

I looked on the site for info on phone calls and internet and could not find any. I hope the rooms are wireless.

Ciao.

Well, I'm not a sales person for B&K. I suggest you talk to Ngaire about this yourself, or click on the "Brown & Keene" link at the top of this page to check them out.

As for perks in general, you will get plenty I assume if you do an entire WC. I believe the ship is entirely wifi now.

I'm really glad that someone can appreciate the aft cabins--I too like to make noise, and I'm not so young!

Wandra,

The last time I took a cruise it was a 10 days on Celebrity and my extra's were more than the 2k I paid for the cruise. The internet room killed me.

That is great news now that it's all WIFI. I can see myself at the pool doing my trading while having a cocktail.

I hope someone posts with experience from the back of the boat..

Are there any pictures from members of the rooms?

Take care.

Are you on the entire World Cruise?? There are LOTS of regulars who go each year and have the same cabin each year. I'm assuming you've found out if it is sold out or are you currently wait listed or ????. Maybe I'm reading more into this than there is but August is late for signing up for the 2008 WC and cabin choices may be very limited.

The entire ship is Wi-Fi but you still have to pay for your minutes until you reach the Silver Tier level (you'd hit this while you're on the WC). Some areas of the ship will surely have better internet connection than others. We were in #645 on '07 WC and the internet worked perfect (right above Club.com)

PanamaMan, if you want South Africa, the Navigator's 82-day "Discovery Cruise" has stops there. See http://www.rssc.com/specials/detail.jsp?offerId=1612963

Can you explain or tell me where to read about the levels (Silver, Gold) ect ect.

Thanks.

It centers around the number of nights you have cruised on the link. Here's the line, PMan. http://www.rssc.com/ssstiercard

PM: I have a great TA she will answer all of your questions - email me

Whoops here is site: keene@brownandkeene.com ask for Ngaire (Ni-Ree)

Beth,

Thank you for the link. So I assume the WC get's me free internet and 3 hours of phone use and silver level since it's 100 plus days.

The internet is very important for business so I am very excited about that.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

Buenos Noches.

My understanding is that you won't get that from the outset--only starting on the segment after you pass the given milestones.

That is correct Crystal. He will have to complete 25 days of sailing and then at the beginning of the NEXT segment he will move into Silver status with free internet.

I promise this will be my last question on this.

Let's see if I have this all figured out. The ship has W.I.F.I all over and in the rooms but there is a charge for it till I hit 25 days. Some rooms have better signal than others. Can you hardwire in the rooms or is it only Wireless?

How is it charged to me by the minute, hour or day?

What is the charge for this?

Thanks and will not talk about this anymore.

Below is a link with all the information from my web site.

http://www.bkrssc.com/I_Internet_Service.htm

Once you reach 25 days of sailing with Regent the NEXT segment you move to free internet.

For 2009 World Cruise
The first segment is 20 days
The second segment is 12 days

You would then be at 32 days and free internet would start at the beginning of third segment.

You dont change plans in the "middle" of a segment it does not start until the next segment begins.

To the best of my knowledge you cannot hardwire a room now that they have wireless.

On the 2006 World Cruise, RSSC had a special Internet package of 10,000 minutes for $600 or 6 cents per minute. Internet was very slow and wifi was available just about anywhere we tried on Voyager. (We did not try on the Pool Deck!) Signal strength varied throughout the ship and throughout time, but always very slow. I am sure Ngaire will advise you if you contact her to book, but keep in mind that it can be well worth your time and money to take a short cruise on RSSC prior to booking your World Cruise. As a past passenger you are entitled to discounts and also you may be entitled to onboard booking discounts by finalizing your booking while onboard an RSSC ship. Combined the discounts can be worth the trouble of taking a preliminary cruise up front, also, then your free Internet might start one segment sooner!
Debbie

P.M.,
Are you booked or at least waitlisted for the 2008 World Cruise? If not, stop worrying about WI-FI and hurry up and book or you'll be shut out.

Hi Debbie,

The 10,000 minutes for $600 didn't exist on the 2007 trip . . . we "paid" $200 for some number of minutes (Marcie??) but of course since many of us had gratis Internet, it really wasn't a charge.

Are you still going on the SA trip in January?

Peggy

Hi Peggy, Still on for Mariner's Circle South America and very happy we did not wait another year!

Debbie

lET ME chime in for a moment. I love the set up of the Penthouse suites, but I found the butler was really nothing special.
I am sold on "c" Horizon aft cabins. I love the large balconies. However, if you can get either of the end cabins on deck 8 do it. They have a huge balcony and it wraps around. The only problem with deck 10 is that you are right below the Portofino restaurant, and there may be noise with chairs and walking around up there, as well as the aroma of the food cooking.
You will love the Voyager anyway.
Lynn

How do the other perks work? For example, are the pressing benefits per suite or per person? Are they per segment or per total cruise? We have 149 days with Regent and are thinking in terms of a lengthy cruise—Asian Pacific in the fall. I guess that once we have reached the 200 day point during the cruise, all laundry and pressing will be included. Is that accurate?

The benefits read as if they are all per suite and per segment. In answer to your particular case with 149 nights and Asia Pacific it looks like you would reach 201 nights in Singapore after 4 segments and that your complimentary laundry benefits would then kick in on the 5th segment leaving from Singapore. I have never used the pressing benefit so don't really know from experience. But, have had the experience of tier benefits are not in effect until the segment after the target number of nights is reached.
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

And we're looking at the Mariner in 2009 as a definite possibility . . .

Peggy

After looking carefully, we too like the itinerary of the Mariner better with more new places we've never been. With the way the stock market has been going, it's probably just a dream anyway.

The stock market will come back. It is the nature of the beast - up - down - up - down.

The Navigator trip next fall is looking better and better!

We agree with Peggy and think the 2009 Mariner world cruise has a great itinerary and a good possibility for 2009/
Elaine

Ardis, Are you talking about the Discovery Collection? So far, I think there are 6 (or 8) of us LCTers booked.

Marcie-As one of my former partners in Miami used to say, "Try not to let your income interfere with your standard of living!"

Both of the 2009 WC's look rather routine. The Navigator is not really our favorite ship but the itinerary is amazing. We are doing the Voyager 2008 WC and are gathering information on the Discovery Collection. The facts that it has South Africa and also an overnight to Luxor is included make it very attractive. We travel for itinerary, not ship,