Me&Red

Hi Bill,

Here is some info for Mariner 830:

1 BR, standard Mariner penthouse square footage and configuration, 1 bath with tub/shower combo.

No noise issues.  Except for the occasional loud conversation moving past the room, it was perfectly quiet.  No ship-related noises at all.

Definitely recommend!

Perfect location, near forward elevators.  Very comfortable room.  Would book again in a heartbeat.

Note- the bathtub is VERY narrow.  Only someone slim and nimble could use it.

5 hours ago, BarbarianPaul said:

My wife and I are postponing two back to back cruises we had planned for May. For us, it’s not as much the fear of contracting the corona virus, since we’re both healthy and on the younger end, as it is having to deal with a potential nightmarish quarantine. Knowing what we all know now, If we wound up being stuck on a ship, confined to our cabins, we would have only ourselves to blame.

 

 

I’m with you, BarbarianPaul.  We are going to take advantage of Regent’s “assurance” offer and cancel our cruise in May and re-book for next year.  It’s not out of concern for our own exposure to the virus, which can happen anywhere, but rather out of concern about cancelled ports and excursions and the potential of quarantine or challenges with flying home.  It’s disappointing, for sure, but I don’t want to spend the next two months worrying about it.

I returned today from a five-day LA-Cabo round trip cruise on the Royal Princess, a Medallion equipped ship. I give the app a grade of D-. 

I was was a part of a group of ten. All of us had downloaded the Medallion Class app on our smartphones before the cruise, and were fairly familiar with its features. We were expecting to be able to find one another and chat with each other using the app, as well as order drinks, etc. About half of us had iPhones and the other half had androids. 

One person in the group had great success with the app.  Her phone connected easily with the Medallion net signal and once she logged on, she didn’t have to do so again unless she had closed the app. She could easily find others in the group, order drinks, and get directions via the app. She was the only one. The rest of us had trouble with it, ranging from spotty connections to complete failure. When the IT person in the Internet cafe tried to fix mine, she couldn’t, so she deleted the app, and tried to reload it. It took two hours for the app to reload onto my phone,  and it didn’t work any better. When I tried to locate shipmates, it just said that function wasn’t working. 

Three of of us eventually deleted the app, as it was more frustrating than it was worth. So out of ten In our group, one had a good experience, three found it completely useless, and five had spotty and frequently frustrating experiences with the app. All the tech person could say was “there are a lot of people using it right now.”

The chat feature on the app was poorly designed. It doesn’t give any notification when a chat is received, so you have to go into the app and look for messages.  The messages don’t have a time/date stamp, so there is no way of knowing if the message is two minutes, two hours or two days old. 

Princess claims that that bar staff will have devices to scan medallions or recognize you when bringing drinks ordered through the app. That is simply not the case on the Royal, at least not now. If ordering directly from wait staff, they had no scanner, but they asked for your cabin number. If ordering via app, they could get the drink to the right table, but had no idea who had ordered it other than calling out the name. Perhaps I misunderstood how that was supposed to work, but I didn’t see any improvement in service or efficacy using the app. One person in our group ordered a drink to be delivered to the room. An hour later, the app said that it had been delivered, but it never arrived. 

The medallion worked great for opening the cabin door. It was surprisingly nice to have the door unlocked upon arrival at the door. It was pretty easy using the compass feature on the large screens in public areas, like at the elevator. 

Over all, the Medallion was a nice feature, but not worth the hype. The Medallion app is definitely not ready for prime time. They should pull it out of service and go back to the drawing board until it works seamlessly and consistently.  It’s very clear that the Medallion net signal is nowhere strong enough. I hope that you have a better experience than our group did, and suggest you temper your expectations about the app if you have a Medallion class cruise scheduled in the near future. 

Happy sailing!

LAX is undergoing major renovations, and will be for the next few years.  There are lane closures and construction.  Many of us who live in LA are planning all of our travel in and out of Orange County, Long Beach and Burbank when possible. 

I wouldn't even feel entirely comfortable with 12:40 out of LAX during Thanksgiving week.  It's not unheard of these days for it to take an hour to get to the terminal after leaving the freeway at LAX.  Try for a different airport or book a little later.

Thanks for your thoughts, GoArmy and RallyDave. Here’s my challenge:

Our flights were booked through Regent Air, and since Air France still shows this as a connecting flight, Regent won’t make changes without a big fee. There is an earlier AF flight that leaves at noon from Athens, but Regent won’t let us book that because it’s earlier than they allow. 

We we could have chosen flights that leave Athens later than 1pm but connect on the East Coast, but we strongly prefer a direct flight from Europe to LAX.  We may need to do that anyway. 

Thanks for the info info that we won’t need to go through immigration at CDG. I thought that we would, since we’ll be leaving Schengen/EU with that flight.  And Sky Priority should shorten the security line??

I’d still love to hear about anyone’s experience with Meet & Greet services at CDG. I’ve only flown through there twice. 

My TA, who is with one of the luxury agencies, is monitoring things for us. 

Thanks!

My apologies if this has been addressed in the past.... and thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

We are returning from Athens to LAX in early June on Air France, connecting at CDG.  Air France has tweaked the schedule and we now only have 75 minutes to get through immigration and change terminals at CDG. (Originally had been 2 hours.)

I know that there may be further tweaks that improve the connection time, but want to be prepared.

Does anyone have experience with any of the concierge, meet & greet services at CDG to help us make the connection?  There are a variety of options, including the Air France Meet & Greet.

I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts.

We added a second cruise creating a back-to-back for our very first Regent experience in 2012. On the changeover day, we packed up our toiletries and emptied the drawers, putting those items in a suitcase. Valuables were checked with the purser. Crew handled everything else. Before we left the ship for the day’s adventures, we were given our new key cards. Upon our return, everything hanging in the closet, shoes, books, suitcases, etc had all been moved to the new room and put away. It couldn’t have been easier. 

Have a a great cruise!

I brought a friend on board when we arrived in New York, the evening before we disembarked.  Filled out the form, etc., which included friend's passport, which was required to board.  They said there would be a charge for the meal (we ate in Compass Rose), but it was not added to my bill.

It's great fun to show off a Regent ship!

We've cruised on several Celebrity ships, always in a suite, and have thoroughly enjoyed them all.  But we will always prefer Regent!  Here are the things that have made Regent better for us:

• Included business class air to Europe. (especially important since we are on the West Coast)
• Included specialty restaurants, which are far better than Celebrity's.
• Size of entry-level suite, including walk-in closet and separate shower/tub (in all suites on Voyager, and many if not most on other ships); my spouse prefers baths.
• Compass Rose is at least as good, if not better, than specialty restaurants on other cruise lines.
• The ship is smaller, which means smaller numbers of people, which means you see people many times during the cruise and can actually make new and lasting friendships - or at least companions for the length of the cruise. 
• We actually like it that there aren't things like wave pools or rock-climbing walls.  It's quieter and more understated on Regent. (that may not be a plus for everyone - especially if traveling with kids - but it's good for us)
• Included premium beverages, and no showing/swiping of key cards, signing or receipts to mess with.  That includes the mini bar in the suite, all bars, espresso drinks, bottled water - everything.  On our first Regent cruise I asked our steward for vodka and Bloody Mary mix.  The next time I returned to the room, there was a liter of Absolut and a bottle of Mr & Mrs T sitting on the counter.
• Gratuities are included.
• Shore excursions are included.  This works for us.  We are usually satisfied with the complimentary excursions, although we've opted for the "select" tours a few times.  We've also made our own arrangements for excursions.  The thing that we like is that there is always the option of a free excursion in every port.  We can choose to take advantage of it or not.
• Travel agent always adds a nice amount of on board credit, which we use for spa treatments, shopping, or private excursions.

I encourage you to give Regent a try.  My guess is that you'll be perfectly comfortable in a deluxe veranda, although you won't have a butler at that level.  Do the math, and you'll see with so many things included, especially air, the price won't be all that much more.  Good luck and happy cruising!

We always tip both the driver and the guide, usually in the range of $10 for the driver and $20 for the guide (for both of us).  If our transfer is just us (from the airport to the hotel), we tip as we would a cab.  The large group transfers from hotel to ship we have not tipped.

Just want to report that Regent Air just came through with our exact requests.  We had some specific concerns: European flights direct from/to West Coast; arrive as early in the evening as possible in Jerusalem; total flight time under 20 hours each way, etc.  We were given our first choices (LAX-SFO then non-stop on United Polaris to Tel Aviv; Air France from Athens connecting in Paris), and we even got first class on United from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Given that most flights to Israel from LA require connecting on the East Coast or arrive very late at night/very early morning, and that most afternoon flights from Athens also fly to the East Coast, paying the deviation fee to ensure flights that work for us was worth every penny.

7 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said:

If you can, would you please post a close up photo , or give a description of how the Medallion attaches to a wrist band:

i.e. fits into the silicone opening? magnets? some other sort of attachment apparatus like on a watch,? etc. 

 

Thanks

If you go to YouTube, you'll find several videos featuring the medallions.

On our first Regent cruise, in our non-butler room, I asked the steward for Bloody Mary fixings; mix and a liter bottle of Absolut were in the room that day.  As Travelcat said, prepare to be spoiled.

We go back and forth - Regent, Celebrity, and Princess are our most frequent, but have also sailed Norwegian and Carnival.  It all depends on who is going and why.  Sailing with a bunch of friends just for fun or sailing as a family gathering are different kinds of experiences than the two of us traveling to see the world.   We sail with Regent when it is the two of us and we're going overseas.  We'll grab a week out of LA on Princess when it's convenient or with friends and family.  I like Celebrity in the Caribbean because we can get to Miami easily and inexpensively, and we don't go on daily excursions there.  And we have lots of easy options for Pacific coastal re-positioning cruises if we just want to be on a ship for a few days.

Wherever you go, and with whichever cruise line, have fun!  Happy Sailing.

4 hours ago, rallydave said:

Just a small suggestion.  If you have United miles, Turkish is a Star Alliance partner of United and even when there seem to not be any low miles free business seats, seems Turkish is often available and if so you can take a credit for your flight home and use miles on Turkish.  Just have to check on the United site at the 330 day mark and book the return and then at the 270 day mark have your TA deviate for the flight to TLV and get the credit for the return.

Great idea - thanks!

5 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

I know that Regent has used Turkish Air on some routes in the past as there have been positive reviews from passengers.  Assume that you will be deviating. I always  recommend having at least two choices to present to Regent through your TA and you can make this your first choice.  

 

 

We will definitely be deviating  (or, as I prefer- customizing); we’ve done so with our previous Regent cruise, and with great results. 

I’m hoping to fly nonstop SFO-TLV on United’s Polaris, and return on Turkish Air. I’ll find out if this works come August. 

And thanks, Travelcat2, for the link to the date calculator. It’s now marked on my calendar. 

Has anyone been able to book with Turkish Air with Regent?  I'm researching options for flights from LA to Tel Aviv, and Athens back to LA for next spring.  I always try to get an international carrier with direct flights between Europe and LA.  We've done Air France to CDG and Lufthansa to FRA.  I'm looking for more convenient departure and arrival times, and Turkish Air looks promising.

I'm trying to post the screen shot. Haven't done that on these boards.

Hmm, apparently not. https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/m6RkGCbjlbmy2BUwUum1PhrAzn5fy7AQ4o6XVXhdqu0

I'm calling BS on this. Either they doubled the price OR they aren't selling tickets. Can't be both, cause how would you have a price without a ticket to buy?

 

Also, a one-way fully refundable F ticket is the highest priced on the aircraft. Give me a date and flight and I'll prove that you can buy a one-way first class ticket on almost any UA flight that has a first class cabin, at least if we are one week or more out from departure.

Well, a little of both. When I booked the cruise, UA was selling first class, one-way tickets EWR-LAX on Oct 17 for just under $700. A few days later, they had doubled the price to about $1500 pp one way (I'm talking about the non-stop, midday flights on 757s with fully flat seats in first). About a week later, and still as of right now, they were posting that first class on those particular flights was "unavailable." (Just checked, that's still what they say. I took a screen shot and will try to post it.). The flights with stops are available, but those are not on the refitted 757s, and all at reasonable times are twice the price that was being shown a couple of months ago. It is available for round trip, but at a crazy high price. I've been flying United for business for 15 years and know most of the tricks. I'd love to be shown wrong and learn some new tricks! At any rate, I'm happy with my flight on Virgin America, which is always fun in first, especially when compared to "standard" domestic first.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but buying your EWR - LAX flight through Regent will cost you about an extra $740 per person. The air credit for that flight would be $700. So with the $699 pp upgrade charge, you are paying $1399 pp for your flight. You can book one of four nonstops on United for $659 pp. Thus, booking directly with United would save you $1480 for two tickets, less the cost of transportation to the airport.

 

The good news is that you have time to cancel the United flight without penalty, take the air credit and rebook the flight directly, thereby saving a chunk of change. :D

 

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice- it did help! While United has more than doubled the prices for first class on those flights since this conversation started, and isn't selling first on one way nonstops right now, I did snag some fun first class seats on Virgin America out of JFK. And I saved over $1000. We can still buy a transfer from Regent or just grab a taxi. Win-win. Thanks, DaveFr.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but buying your EWR - LAX flight through Regent will cost you about an extra $740 per person. The air credit for that flight would be $700. So with the $699 pp upgrade charge, you are paying $1399 pp for your flight. You can book one of four nonstops on United for $659 pp. Thus, booking directly with United would save you $1480 for two tickets, less the cost of transportation to the airport.

 

The good news is that you have time to cancel the United flight without penalty, take the air credit and rebook the flight directly, thereby saving a chunk of change. :D

 

 

Hope this helps.

Dave,

Thanks- I'll look in to that. But my point was to say that it IS possible to upgrade the domestic flights via Regent. Some of the earlier posts seems to indicate that they weren't able to do so. Perhaps I misread their intent.

This was not my experience. I booked the Navigator Lisbon-NY a few weeks ago. We are flying business on Lufthansa LAX-FRA-LIS, and domestic first class on United EWR-LAX, which is a lie-flat seat on a 757. Booked with a TA, but the option was available on Regent's online booking. It was $699 per person. Also paid the deviation to pick all the flights I wanted, given the limitations of Regent's contracts. (Would have preferred Air New Zealand to London, but that's not one of their vendors.) I logged in to both Lufthansa and UA and picked our seats. I don't know why they would not have a consistent practice.

One other question, please. Is the library open 24/7 on the honor system, like Regent, or open for check-out during certain hours, like Princess and Carnival? Or something in between?

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Hello!

We are experienced cruisers (Princess, NCL, Carnival, Regent Seven Seas) but are new to Cruise Critic and preparing for our first Celebrity cruise.

We are booked on the January 20 eastbound Panama Canal cruise aboard the Century.

From what I've read here, it seems that many people think that the Century is "tired" but still elegant. I see that she's got a brief dry-dock immediately after our cruise.

My DW most enjoys reading in a cozy spot, often the cabin or our balcony, or visiting the spa, and I like to be out and about on sea days, joining games and having some fun.

I've not been able to find daily activity guides online for a Celebrity Panama cruise. Can anyone give me an idea of sea day activities? Bridge? Trivia? Movies? Lectures?

Has anyone spent much time in Persian Gardens on the Century? I've read here that there is no therapy pool on Century - what is in the spa area that DW can enjoy?

Thanks in advance for your responses!