A Great Deal.....But

Regent Seven Seas Mariner has some great deals going on at the moment for a couple of cruises departing Barcelona next April. If you have always fancied the real deal when it comes to luxury cruising now is the time to book either of these cruises both offer 10 nights over to Istanbul, departure dates 2nd or the 30th April. lead in prices for their Veranda cabin with flights are at prices you would expect to pay for a similar cruise with say Princess or Celebrity both 4 to 5 star lines, the Mariner of coarse is six star and all inclusive, and when I say all inclusive I mean all inclusive, gratuities, food, drinks from the bar and shore excursions, which thinking about it is why you would take a Regent cruise, the ports of call are a major part of a cruise.

But .... there is a down side to the excellent prices as I discovered the other day whilst booking one of these cruises for a customer, the flights offered inclusive are not at particularly good times, unless you are prepared to pay a supplement. The flights I was offered were great for the journey out but the flights home from Istanbul were not, either 8.50 am in the morning, a very early start or 17.35 which on the face of it sounds OK, possibly giving you time to take in a quick tour of Istanbul, traditionally cruise lines with late flights would offer tours to passengers on later flights, but not on this deal, astoundingly passengers on this flight are bused to the airport a 9.30 am and left at the airport to their own devises, not very six star. With no left luggage facilities available at the cruise terminal, I am told because of security, the option of forgoing the included transfers and arranging your own is not open either. The resolution to pay for the 13.55 flight at a hefty supplement. Takes the gloss of what are still extremely good deals, so remember a good deal awaits but be prepared to compromise with travelling arrangements, its still worth it