Dwtlion

A person who has been in charge of social gatherings on both Regent and Oceania told me that R has more gatherings because drinks are included in the fare, whereas on O, drinks may or may not be included. O's new fare structure may complicate this further at the solo gatherings. The O host has the drinks in their budget- more gatherings=more cost. Budget/cost is not an issue on R.

I agree that R has gatherings almost every night, whereas O's gatherings are few and far between. As a solo, I wish O would up their game.

24 minutes ago, frantic36 said:

 

 

I understand your complaint but I have never heard of any cruise line that gives a discount if you book direct rather than a TA. Do you or anyone else be able to name some?

If a cruise line did that, they quickly would have zero TA's selling the cruise line.

I will be spending 24 days  doing a transatlantic next year. As usual I am planning on spending some time in the casino but do not want carry a roll of $100 bills in my travels to the ship. What are my options for obtaining Casino cash: cashing checks; using a credit card (fee?); or can I establish a line of credit like I have done on other Cruise Lines.

Seabourn's website has little or no information regarding the casino.

TIA

Just called Seabourn to check on a cruise since the website is trash. Agent said he can't help since the whole booking engine is down. He answers the phone but can't do anything to help potential or actual travelers. Unbelievable!

Memo to self: hide liquor on the next to last night.

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

We were on her in 11/2022. She seemed find to us. But then we were on Riviera 12/2021 and 10-11/2023, both pre-and post-refurbishment. In many ways we preferred the pre- to the post-. But then I'm not a fan of what I view as akin to "Scandinavian minimalism". Some of the changes seemed to have been done entirely for looks (e.g., chairs far too short for normal people in the common area near where the quartet played). 

There is a valid reason for the low/short chairs in many of O’s public spaces. The shorter the chair, the lower the center of gravity; hence the less chance of the chair/occupant falling over in rough weather. I personally hate the low chairs in Horizon, but it’s a fact of life for O.

If the pool attendant reserves the chairs, the GM needs to be informed. Pool boys have no authority to do this-period.

Inernet updated to Starlink?

I wish someone would explain to me why a 7-day cruise is worth the same as a 24-day cruise under Oceania's program. Makes no sense. But 25 days is worth 2 credits. That 1 day becomes really important with the Oceania Club.

9 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Christina Hill? If so, she’s great! 

I agree. 

1 hour ago, mrlevin said:

 

 

If anyone has any specific questions I can try to answer.

 

Marc

While not important to most, those of us who will be traveling solo would like to know who the Social Hostess and Ass't cruise Director are on board.

6 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

My two cents.... "why do people care what other people wear?"  Doesn't matter.

When we book Regent we pay to have a total experience.  Part of that is the decorum around the ship. The "promised" experience and decorum includes the dress code. The Dress Code is very  specific for both day and night If you don't want to follow the dress code, find a cruise line that is more in sync with your desired vacation experience.  That's it.  Doesn't matter why I care or even IF I care, what matters is it's Regent's ship and as such it's their right to make whatever rules they want.  When you agree to cruise with them you agree to abide by the rules.  So be an adult and abide by the rules. Not that hard folks. 😏 

Amen!

35 minutes ago, Nachosdelux said:

 

 

End the cruise in Vancouver, quick taxi to airport, and much shorter travel day getting home.

 

Ideally, I would do Vancouver Round trip (back to back) if your time and budget permits.

If you look at the air flights from Vancouver, you will see it is almost impossible to get a flight to the U.S. on the day you arrive. Most flights leave early in the AM-can't disembark & get to airport in time. I personally have this issue next month.

1 hour ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

One thing we didn’t like is that there is only one elevator for the whole ship on Deck 5, aft, and it is right outside the  theater.  You can imagine the long waits and crowds

I believe the Vista lounge/theater is in the front of the ship where there are 4 elevators. There are 2 elevators aft that only go as low as deck 6.

I have a late fall '25 TA scheduled on Seabourn that was originally scheduled to end in Barbados,

About 6 weeks ago they changed the itinerary to end in San Juan. I guess they learned the issues with Barbados.

Today I thought I would check the O website to see how the bookings are coming on a cruise I have booked starting May 1,2025 (22 days Miami to London). Lo and behold the website says every category for this cruise is now waitlisted. I also checked a longer Cruise on Vista leaving on the same date and that was also waitlisted. If these two cruises are really waitlisted, it sets a record for Oceania which frankly I don't believe. Personally I smell a charter on the Miami-Lisbon leg, but so far, I have been unable to uncover one using my trusty search engine.

Given Oceana's well-deserved reputation of waiting to the last minute to inform booked passengers of cruise cancellations and major itinerary changes, I would like to find out ASAP so I can book an alternative. My TA is attempting to gather some information (nothing yet), but I would be curious if anybody on the blog knows (no speculation please) what is happening to this itinerary.

27 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

 

If TV is part of the problem, should be fairly easy to fix I would think? Especially if they are aware of the issue and admit there is a problem.

I do not know of any 42"+ flat screen that has speakers in the front.

Having been on Vista, I believe the issue is both the TV and the lack of insulation between the walls. The speakers on the TV are located in the back of the TV- just like your big flat screen TV at home. This cause's the sound to bounce off the common wall before entering the room.

1 hour ago, Pcardad said:

And you will get twice the nights credited to your RSS account.

Only if you pay 200%. If you get a special offer reduced fare (25% supplement), you will only receive days sailed-not double.

If the question involves port docking or tendering, I ask reception. They generally can answer these questions. I have found destination services is generally clueless on almost any question-including O's tours!

Frequent Oceania single cruiser looking at returning to Seabourn. How does Seabourn treat singles-anything special? Pre dinner gatherings? Group[ dinners once in a while? Searched this board, but no info I could find. TIA

Put your phone in airplane mode and  then select wi-fi calling and you will pay nothing. Did this all over Europe this Fall on Vista. 

On Vista in September with the prestige package the max was $18 per drink. However, there were exceptions. When no Bulliet available, Woodford Reserve was offered under the package.

Interested if anyone has comments/review on Regent's other pre/post cruise tour "Tokyo and Hakone"

that is also offered on Japan cruises. Would welcome your comments.

Be aware there may be some unintended consequences when Regent goes to satellite internet as I posted the following on Oceania's CC blog last month:

Currently on Vista on a B2B. While the internet is much faster, there is an issue, I believe, no one has mentioned. The issue is that the internet satellite servers are located in Spain. As a consequence many sites you select will either not respond or say in several different ways that because you are in a foreign location, the site’s server will not respond. For example, USA Today. Another “benefit” of the Spain location is that a lot of ads are in Spanish as well as some sites you select. Some Google sites are half English and half Spanish- go figure.

Currently in Canada and the issue remains. The LYNC rep on board confirmed to me this issue. Hopefully, when we hit US waters the servers may switch.

 P.S. Switching to a phantom IP address (NORD VPN) did not solve the issue.