Lunch options on EXPLORER

Good afternoon,

I have read in a few places that Compass Rose is not normally open on EXPLORER for lunch. Yet, I have read that lunch is sometimes served there. Which leads me to the question, if anyone has experiences on EXPLORER, what are the lunch options? I am hoping that Regent's new ship does not just relegate everyone to a buffet lunch. Sometimes, in the midst of a Sea Day, a nice, elegant, leisurely lunch is a perfect way to spend part of the afternoon. If anyone has examples regarding lunch, that would be great. Thank you!!!

We have sailed on the Explorer four times. The lunch options, IMO, are better than on Regent's other ships. On most days, in addition to La Veranda and the Pool Grill being open, either P7 or Chartreuse or one (they alternate days on which they are open). Most of the time, on sea days, both P7 and Chartreuse are open. CR is typically open on Sundays and, if Sunday is also a sea day, Regent puts on a magnificent buffet brunch (many times better than anything that is offered in La Veranda). In addition to the omelet station, they have a crepe station, an area with sashimi and sushi, a mountain of crab and shrimp (separate "mountains"), a fresh juice bar, do it yourself Caesar salad area..... it goes on and on.

In any case, you will have great dining choices for your cruise! Hope that you enjoy all of it:D

Thank you. That does sound great.

I second Travelcat2 - we enjoyed many wonderful lunches on the Explorer! We typically don't like a buffet lunch and so we alternated between Chartreuse and P7....one of them would be open each day for lunch and it was never an issue getting a nice table. Food delicious, service with a smile. A real treat!

We have sailed on the Explorer four times. The lunch options, IMO, are better than on Regent's other ships. On most days, in addition to La Veranda and the Pool Grill being open, either P7 or Chartreuse or one (they alternate days on which they are open). Most of the time, on sea days, both P7 and Chartreuse are open. CR is typically open on Sundays and, if Sunday is also a sea day, Regent puts on a magnificent buffet brunch (many times better than anything that is offered in La Veranda). In addition to the omelet station, they have a crepe station, an area with sashimi and sushi, a mountain of crab and shrimp (separate "mountains"), a fresh juice bar, do it yourself Caesar salad area..... it goes on and on.

 

In any case, you will have great dining choices for your cruise! Hope that you enjoy all of it:D

We just returned from the Explorer and I echo what Travelcat2 said. We loved the Sunday brunch and although we did have lunch in the speciality restaurants twice, other than the Sunday brunch, our favorite was La Veranda because it had so many choices.

And I happy to hear that, sounds great to me. Also looking forward to Sunday Brunch. Not to many months until my first cruise on Regent.

I second Travelcat2 - we enjoyed many wonderful lunches on the Explorer! We typically don't like a buffet lunch and so we alternated between Chartreuse and P7....one of them would be open each day for lunch and it was never an issue getting a nice table. Food delicious, service with a smile. A real treat!

We're not big on buffets either, but when we found we could order certain fun items from a menu at the Pool Grill and have them delivered to our table instead of doing the buffet bit there, we had to try the lobster nachos. TC2 had mentioned them and was not impressed, but we were curious. We thought they were actually pretty good, and it was nice to be outside. You can dine al fresco at La Veranda too, but we found more shady tables at the Grill if you (obviously) don't go at peak lunch hours.

We're not big on buffets either, but when we found we could order certain fun items from a menu at the Pool Grill and have them delivered to our table instead of doing the buffet bit there, we had to try the lobster nachos. TC2 had mentioned them and was not impressed, but we were curious. We thought they were actually pretty good, and it was nice to be outside. You can dine al fresco at La Veranda too, but we found more shady tables at the Grill if you (obviously) don't go at peak lunch hours.

Perhaps I should have said that people that are used to authentic Mexican food would not like Regent's lobster nachos. That would be like having Kahlua Pork cooked on the stove:D. I am curious if there was salsa available for your nachos. As most people living in states where Mexican food is wonderful, there is no such thing as great nachos without salsa or jalapeño peppers. The white sauce that Regent put on the nachos was, IMO, gross. It is suppose to be melted cheese. Glad that you liked it but it is not for us.

Have to agree with travelcat about the lobster nachos. Just not good. I guess someone was trying to be "creative" , but this dish is a fail.

Love excellent Mexican food, but have never had any on Regent with the exception of some good guacamole (depends who is making it though).

We were 14 days on Explorer and usually ate at the pool grill. I ordered from wait staff and actually never used the buffet. Once in a while, if it was busy, DH would go up and order something to be brought to our table. Just love to be outside. On our next cruise (in September) I am looking forward to the Explorer brunch as we're lucky enough to have a Sunday sea day. I LOVE sea days - food, drink and the casino! ;p

.... On our next cruise (in September) I am looking forward to the Explorer brunch as we're lucky enough to have a Sunday sea day. ...

You won't be disappointed, it really is amazing - the only drawback is the need to make so many difficult choices! ;)