travelbug1976

I would be interested in hearing how much people have paid for one week aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner in Alaska. (Of course, I have seen the several specials posted on their website, and I have tried cruisecompete.com, but I just want to make sure I am getting a good deal compared to what others have paid; I've been told that booking during certain times of the year affects pricing; I'm also confused as to why I keep reading that Regent is double the price of the other cruiselines when it seems to be at least 3-4 times more expensive based on quotes I have received.) Thanks!

travelbug1976

anyone?

kfusto

You must compare apples to apples when talking price.

Regent ships are all suites so prices should be compared to full suites on the premium lines (HAL and Celebrity).

They are also all inclusive. That means no extra for decent coffee, bottled water, tips, specialty dining, wines and mixed drinks, fitness classes.

We are booked in a suite on HAL for Alaska in May and the price is about $6000. Add in the $1,000 we will spend on wines, specialty dining, t-pool/sauna, fitness classes, coffee and we are right there at what Regent costs at their 2 for 1 pricing.

travelbug1976

kfusto, thanks for the response. i think my problem was that i couldn't find any balcony suites left on any HAL northbound Alaska routes at all this summer to which to compare to -- only oceanview rooms are left. ho hum. congrats to you for getting it together in time, though. let us know how it is.

If anyone has taken a Regent cruise in Alaska, I'd still be interested in what people are paying/have paid. The 2-for-1 special right now is great, but still pretty steep for me (depending on dates and class, about $7000-$9000 for 2 people for the lower level suites, not including transportation or insurance).

Holldoll

I went on Regent from Vancouver to Seward last May. Though we eventually upgraded, etc, our original fare for a Cat G was just under $4,000 each. We loved the cruise and would certainly want to cruise Regent again, or a very comparable line.

Dreps

But Regent just posted some specials for some of their summer cruises in Alaska, with some starting at less than $3000 pp, and I know our TA would be at least 5% less than that (not including port charges or air). If you want more info, send me an e-mail: [email protected]. Holldoll saved a bundle after she corresponded with me.

Holldoll

Yes, I did save lots through the last poster--and very grateful for his help! I was just posting what the fares were in 2007 for a reference point.

BudgetQueen

HAL holds back balcony cabins for cruisetours, most often some are released and become available.

You might want to look at what group space the big agencies may have, or book with a agent who has low or no agent cancelation fees and wait it out.

travelbug1976

Thanks BudgetQueen. I checked and you were right; apparently verandah rooms are available for HAL cruisetours, but not for cruise-only. Do you know how far in advance they start releasing them, by chance? I gather from this forum that you're the expert, and I seem to recall your not being a fan of Princess cruisetours. Have you had any experience with HAL cruisetours? Or is it all cruisetours in general that you would avoid in favor of touring on your own? (I generally don't take package tours, but since this is for my parents, I'm not sure I want to leave them without some sort of organized guidance.)

BudgetQueen

I am not "against" cruisetours, but my big point is to know exactly what is being purchased, which most people do not. They then come to these boards all excited over their trips, only to find out it is not what they expected, or worse, a waste of time and big money, and tough to change.

So that is my point. HAL offers some excellent itineraries. I would suggest you pick apart tours you are interested in, important is the times in transit, and having time at destinations that are the most interest. Most do offer the necessary 2 day Denali. So good there.

travelbug1976

thanks to all. i ended up booking on Regent through Costco. they charge the same as the posted rates on Regent's website, but gave a $650 costco card, which makes it less than most of the quotes I got from cruisecompete or other agents since I was planning on getting a new laptop from Costco anyway!

kfusto

Fabulous choice! I love Regent and you will be spoiled for sure. Have a great trip!

patsy120

Ditto Kfusto! We've been on many of the cruiselines dozens of times and always happy but once we experienced Regent, it has been difficult to back peddle.