Explorer G2 Cabins

Just looking at the G2 cabins on the Explorer and the balcony size seems to vary from 55-108 square feet. I've looked at the deck plans and can't seem to see which cabins would have the larger balcony. Would appreciate any insight and would also be interested in knowing if there is any advantage between the G1 and G2 for the price difference. Thanks in advance.

The "G" category suites have been an issue since the ship was launched. Our TA (who sells a lot of Regent cruises) recommends against any "G" category suite.

We were fortunate to be able to tour all of the Explorer suites in July and must agree that the "G" suites are "tight". If you are used to staterooms on mainstream or premium cruise lines, this may not be an issue. However, on the Explorer, the "F" suites have a huge walk-in closet, large balcony, double sink bathroom with a large shower and bathtub. The "G" suites have a tiny closet and, if I remember correctly, a small bathroom with only a shower.

Having said all of that, the only difference I can see between "G1" and G2" is the location. One is aft and the other is mid-ship. If you decide to book a "G" suite, I would book the least one expensive one.

Lastly, really hope that you are working with a TA that regularly books Regent. Many people have worked with a local TA that they have used for years but are not familiar with Regent or other luxury cruise ships. IMO, it is invaluable to have a TA that can give you sound advice about Regent (plus, most luxury cruise line TA's give a rebate on your cruise and may also give on board credits). So, as a long time Regent cruiser, I strongly recommend against booking with Regent directly.

Feel free to ask more questions -- there are more and more of us that have sailed on the Explorer and have first hand knowledge of the ship.

This is a really easy question. The large G2s are aft facing. We are in 787 next month. We will have three adults (combined age 198) so can give the definitive report as to whether these cabins are too small or not.

Thanks Travelcat2 for your detailed response. I have only sailed on Crystal and from what I can see the G cabins on Explorer are larger and more spacious than the verandah cabins on Crystal so the size won't be an issue for us. There is a hefty price difference between the G and the F cabins, or at least there is on the cruise we are looking into. We are definitely using an agent, same age who has booked us on Crystal and they are specialists in luxury cruising and book a lot of Regent cruises. I will ask if she knows which rooms in G2 have the larger balcony - there is a vast difference between 55 sqf and 108sqf.

Hi, we are on Explorer now, and staying in a G2 suite, that has been quite harshly criticised on these boards.

We haven't sailed with Crystal, but recently had a ship visit on Crystal Symphony where we were surprised, shocked even at how much smaller the lead in balcony suites were compared to Regent.

We have been in G grades on both Mariner and Voyager and had no issues with either.

We preferred our bathroom on Mariner with a large shower rather than a tub that we don't use. So, when booking Explorer, a G2 (we didn't like the position of the available G1's) seemed fine, as the square footage, according to the brochure/web is the same as Mariner.

I have no doubt that this is the case, but, on Explorer the shape is long and fairly narrow, which means it feels smaller.

That said, the suite is lovely, the bed is super comfy, although the shower room (with a largish shower) is quite compact as is the 'dressing cupboard' - as I recall these are pretty similar in size on Crystal

Would we book a G2 again? Yes, depending on the length of the cruise and the cost versus the larger ones.

Happy to provide any further details if required..

We have several cruises booked on Explorer and we're usually looking in F and above, mostly because we like the layout and the bed facing the window - but not having sailed on Explorer yet, we can't really pass judgment.

Our April cruise, we're in an F2 and we booked my mother and her husband in a G2 (we're generous, but not THAT generous :p) so we'll be able to compare the differences first-hand. Frankly, I don't expect to see a huge difference, but if the price is reasonable, I'd pay a bit more for the extra space and/or larger balcony...but if it's a big jump in the fare, I'm sure I could easily sail in a G cabin - I'm usually out and about anyhow.

All a matter of personal taste and what folks are comfortable paying, and I'm sure Regent knew that when they were designing the accommodations.

The "G" suites are the same size as all lower category suites in the Mariner. Perhaps it is the furniture or the layout because the Mariner suites seem considerably larger than the "G" suites on the Explorer. The bathroom and closets on the Mariner are also larger and it still feels roomier.

We spent some time chatting with other passengers in a "G" suite and the living room area didn't seen as cramped as the bedroom area.

I'm not sure if being able to view all categories of suites on the Explorer and make comparisons has made me pickier or not. I don't care for the PH suites either (smaller closet and bathroom than "F" suites), but if I didn't know what the "F" suites looked like, I'd likely be fine in a PH suite.

Hi, we are on Explorer now, and staying in a G2 suite, that has been quite harshly criticised on these boards.

 

We haven't sailed with Crystal, but recently had a ship visit on Crystal Symphony where we were surprised, shocked even at how much smaller the lead in balcony suites were compared to Regent.

We have been in G grades on both Mariner and Voyager and had no issues with either.

We preferred our bathroom on Mariner with a large shower rather than a tub that we don't use. So, when booking Explorer, a G2 (we didn't like the position of the available G1's) seemed fine, as the square footage, according to the brochure/web is the same as Mariner.

I have no doubt that this is the case, but, on Explorer the shape is long and fairly narrow, which means it feels smaller.

That said, the suite is lovely, the bed is super comfy, although the shower room (with a largish shower) is quite compact as is the 'dressing cupboard' - as I recall these are pretty similar in size on Crystal

Would we book a G2 again? Yes, depending on the length of the cruise and the cost versus the larger ones.

Happy to provide any further details if required..

I am glad to see this post. We are booked in a G2 cabin in May and I was concerned about some of the comments which have been posted. Sounds as if you are pleased. Enjoy your cruise.

I'm also glad that you posted. It is also good to see Crystal passengers giving Regent a try.

Hi, we are on Explorer now, and staying in a G2 suite, that has been quite harshly criticised on these boards.

 

We haven't sailed with Crystal, but recently had a ship visit on Crystal Symphony where we were surprised, shocked even at how much smaller the lead in balcony suites were compared to Regent.

We have been in G grades on both Mariner and Voyager and had no issues with either.

We preferred our bathroom on Mariner with a large shower rather than a tub that we don't use. So, when booking Explorer, a G2 (we didn't like the position of the available G1's) seemed fine, as the square footage, according to the brochure/web is the same as Mariner.

I have no doubt that this is the case, but, on Explorer the shape is long and fairly narrow, which means it feels smaller.

That said, the suite is lovely, the bed is super comfy, although the shower room (with a largish shower) is quite compact as is the 'dressing cupboard' - as I recall these are pretty similar in size on Crystal

Would we book a G2 again? Yes, depending on the length of the cruise and the cost versus the larger ones.

Happy to provide any further details if required..

Thank you so much for responding whilst you are on board. Do you know which G2 cabins have the larger balcony - is the balcony in your current room one of the smaller ones? I'm also interested to know if you have had any experience of the loud whistling noise that was mentioned in a recent review or any soot on the balcony.

Thank you so much for responding whilst you are on board. Do you know which G2 cabins have the larger balcony - is the balcony in your current room one of the smaller ones? I'm also interested to know if you have had any experience of the loud whistling noise that was mentioned in a recent review or any soot on the balcony.

Hi again

Ours is one of the smaller balconies, I believe the larger G2 balconies are Aft on 7, 8, 9. We do not care for Aft suites, in my experience of 30+ cruises, with many, many different lines, that area is more likely than any other to suffer vibrations.

I believe it was an Aft suite that suffered the soot problem too - I guess it gets pulled back in somehow:confused:

We are forward in 618 and have not noticed any soot. There is no noticeable whistling, although we have noticed the odd creak and crack.

Did not stay in an aft G2 cabin, but spent several days at the infinity pool on 5 Deck at the stern. The deck 6 - 8 G's were above and slightly forward of the infinity pool. There was no apparent vibration, and in fact it was amazing how little wake there was at 20 knots. Any significant vibration should have caused some surface disturbance of the water in the pool or in my drink, but there was none. Of course at times there was some sloshing as the ship rolled. Most of the time the seas were 3' - 6' or less, so there was little motion.

When the ship berths/unberths one can hear/feel the thrusters, but that's normal.

Never saw any soot either. However, at some points of sail/apparent wind speeds it would seem possible for the engine exhaust gases to sully some portions of the ship.

According to Michael, GM, the sliding balcony door gaskets of some cabins are defective and repairs were to be made by a shipyard technician in MIA. We heard a loud whistling in 30 knot winds on the starboard side. A temporary fix was to tape the door. This happened on 3 of the 15 nights we were aboard on the recent LA/MIA voyage. We met some folks that complained about this problem to us, but never reported it. Can't feel too sorry for someone that doesn't seek a solution to a problem and complains to others about it later.

Saildude16, thanks for the update. I was fairly certain that the shipyard was going to fix the door issues as it is clearly something that has been wrong since the ship first launched. The "temporary fix" worked just fine for us and it is understandable that a new ship (even the most luxurious ship ever built), can have issues caused by the manufacturer.

In terms of the "G" suites, I am particularly interested in the Crystal passengers that are trying Regent for the first time. We have found Crystal to be priced similarly to Regent (in some cases, they are considerably more money). IMO, to really have the "Regent Experience" you need to be in a "F1" or above suite. While there is nothing wrong with the suites (other than size), the other ships are laid out so much better (especially the Navigator and Voyager). So, (again in my opinion), people new to Regent that stay in a "G" suite may think that all of the ships are like this and do not realize that all of the other Regent ships have walk-in closets and larger bathrooms - even in the lowest category.

It is really a shame that Regent even decided to make suites that small and cramped. Many of us believed that those small suites would be for cruisers that are sailing alone (still think that they should be offered to solo cruisers if they are not sold out by the date the final payment is due). .

On the other hand, Regent cruisers that are familiar with the other ships are will know that these "G" suites are not typical of Regent. I'll be interested in hearing Marq's comments regarding this suite as I believe that he is a Titanium Seven Seas Society member and therefore is very familiar with what Regent has offered in the past. He will be the Explorer at the end of next month (as will we and a group of 100+ that have sailed together previously).

He will be the Explorer at the end of next month (as will we and a group of 100+ that have sailed together previously).

Make that a "rowdy" group of 100+ :cool:

Make that a "rowdy" group of 100+ :cool:

Omg!:p

Make that a "rowdy" group of 100+ :cool:

Any of the Rowdy Crowd still onboard when we join 3/26? I am SO ready for my Hendrick's martini with blue cheese olives, but I am also considering bringing a jar of our fave garlic stuffed olives. 🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸

Any of the Rowdy Crowd still onboard when we join 3/26? I am SO ready for my Hendrick's martini with blue cheese olives, but I am also considering bringing a jar of our fave garlic stuffed olives. 🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸

We are all BOARDING on 03/26. A number of us sailed with you to Bermuda last year.

Marc

We are all BOARDING on 03/26. A number of us sailed with you to Bermuda last year.

 

Marc

Well, then... See you at cocktail hour! And maybe TRIVIA!

Well, then... See you at cocktail hour! And maybe TRIVIA!

Aren't they the same? I always have a nice scotch for trivia. :cool:

Aren't they the same? I always have a nice scotch for trivia. :cool:

Interesting, when I do trivia, I have a chocolate martini:p

Interesting, when I do trivia, I have a chocolate martini:p

Champagne at trivia for me. Then a pre-dinner shower, get dressed , and THEN time for my Hendricks 🍸🍸

yes agree Marq, very rowdy group, can't wait.:cool:

wine during trivia for me and usually most of the time. :D Got our docs yesterday finally, now time to start planning the fun. Excited to sail on Explorer and see everyone we know, and look forward to meeting some new people. I think this ship will be rockin its way (in the party sense) across the Atlantic.

Count us in too....docs arrived. Looking forward to seeing so many friends in Miami and getting back on the Explorer❤️ Fun times ahead!

I would like to correct something posted above. According to Regent's site the G suites on the Explorer are 219 sq. ft. The G (and H) suites on the Mariner are 252 sq. ft. These sizes do not include balcony.

I would like to correct something posted above. According to Regent's site the G suites on the Explorer are 219 sq. ft. The G (and H) suites on the Mariner are 252 sq. ft. These sizes do not include balcony.

I am confused because when I look at the Regent website, the size of the G suites is listed as 253 ft.², excluding the balcony. Where are you seeing the reference to 219 ft.²?