DeepFreeze63

Just finished a tour lead by CD, ACD, and SH using the new Regent app, "Art Experience" - terrific entertainment (using one's phone; not IPad "yet"). Starts in Atrium and progresses as you visit the specific art piece (Phase1 has only 12 of the 1600pieces on the Grandeur as of now). As you scan the art, a few-minute film is brought up highlighting the artist, the process of creating the art, and its inspiration - very well done! Was enthalled with the magnificent tapestry ('The Enchanted Tree") in Atrium.

Took Regent Choice excursion to Sevilla. Pricey but worth it to DW and I as a great 1st visit. Nice bus; 25 guests, good guide (on the talkative side); scrumptuous multi-course lunch at nice Tapas Bar (with free flowing wine) on a cool, cloudy, long (8 hours) day. Of course, the venue is magnificent!!! Eye candy buildings and decorations everywhere. Walked at 10,000 steps but only a few vertically. As usual, the terrific Regent beds let me recover so no aches (legs or head) this AM.

I expect my 2 Grandeur cruises in 2024 to be even better. The workmen will be gone; the "nits" fixed. The film crewS have already departed and the Card Room once FILLED with video/camera/equipment is now a lovely room that is FILLED with puzzles and games. The Fabrege Egg has not yet appeared and its pedestal in the Reception area looks like a prop from a Tom Cruise spy film, The new Production Cast numbers are permanent and the new menus are being "rolled-out" across the fleet.

Had a great time on our unexpected seaday! Two lectures (morning and afternoon) by Dr. Sherry _______, a cultural preservation expert and a GREAT presenter. Also watched another of the new Regent/PBS videos on the suite TV - there are 12 - essentially very interesting and educational travelogues. Had lunch in Prime 7 and tried one of the new "decadent" (Regent's adjective) courses - the best fried chicken that I've had in a while - comes with creamy mashed potatoes topped with bacon specks and leeks. Prime7 decor is different than that of Splendor - more inviting and relaxing for me. Trivia in OL which handles crowds very well and chairs not as heavy as on Splendor and Explorer. Our team got "skunked"; suffered a multi-part question (and points) about Shakespeare's plays! Attended the 4th of the four new production numbers - another WOW! The cast of 4 singers and 8 dancers is, for me, the best in our 25 Regent cruises. Also they have been rehearsing these numbers for 4 months. Automatic doors from Pool Grill to La Verandah appear to be fixed; not sure about doors to restrooms. Suite clocks "Haven't yet arrived" - not a big deal for me as I could never read them at night. In addition to the blue nightlight in the entryway, the suite bathroom now have an under-the counter light (subdued but adequate)that remains on when the suite is powered - very helpful for late night visits.

Just got a seaday as Marseille was cancelled - VERY high winds and boiling seas. Good test for a new ship. many workmen on board; focus seems to be automatic doors on Deck 11 and restroom doors. At Thanksgiving inner last night, I had delicious turkey (light and dark), sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, terrific stuffing, and wonderful pumpkin pie. DW (a carnivore} says "Regent has upped their game on food". Have been trying many of the new courses announced in their press release/video - had a spectacular halibut entree in Chartreuse. PS- clothing REQUIRED on aft Spa deck BUT is optional in the Men's (and I assume Women's) special showers and saunas.

In Ajaccio, Corsica - a very nice port of call, especially on a sunny, cool November day as the only (and last of the year) cruise ship! Very French, very Napoleon - oriented , with lots of nice shops (even had "Black Friday" sales) and terrific cafes. Ate lunch on aft deck with mountain ring as a backdrop; many peaks had some snow - postcard photo ops. Fixed seperaters (the "Tea Houses" on the Splendor} are gone; now, remotely operated, vertical blinds available for wind protection of middle tables. Banquets are gone; all tables have very nice deck chairs. Half of the tables under cover. Seem like many more tables than on Splendor.

Yes, the infinity pool on aft deck of Spa is gone. Now there are 3 jacussi (spell?) - a long, rectangular in center and a normal size (but curved to fit ship's stern shape) on each side. Loungers half in sun and half shaded. Haven't tried water yet; maybe this PM as day is warming up.

Good hunch! Just had breakfast in CR (sea day); sat on sunny side - vertical, adjustable, remotely operated blinds as shades. We had sea views and comfort. Ps: my nits (above post) are now fixed.

Am on board. Ship is a SUPER WOW! MY favorite ship was the Splendor (3 cruises) but now is the Grandeur - after 2 days! CR is like a fairy tale setting and food has been outstanding. Several workmen aboard fixing things as Grandeur gets accustomed to the seas. My specific nits are : door bell inoperative and toilet is finiky. First night we had one of the 6 new production numbers - high energy pirate theme - terrific. Internet AOK but we're in Kotor and surrounded by mountains.

Regent website today issued a press statement (Press and News section) that they have taken possession of the Grandeur. "Cruise Ports" tracking shows her still in Ancona. We're packed and, volcano willing, will leave Thursday PM for Venice and Saturday transfer to port of Trieste. We've been on Explorer and Splendor (including the inaugural cruise) and are "anxious" to experience the Grandeur.

It has been $200 per passenger per segment.

"We met a couple on the tour we did in Athens who are on for 33 days. She said they were in one of the specialties and waited 45 minutes for their entrees. At that point they stood up and left. She said “no one cared that we left” and staff just stood and watched them go with no comment, interest or apology. I find that pretty shocking. We are relatively new to R but I honestly can’t imagine that happening on an R ship, based on our experience, which is that they would be full of consternation and fully stressed to have their guests walk out. And if it did occur, I am positive that you would receive a call of apology. This couple did not." Last year on the Splendor, my wife didn't feel well but I persuaded her to join me for soup in CR. She had soup and we started to leave. The CR staff were all over us! What was wrong? What could they do? After my explanation, my order was delivered to our room. Way to go Regent.

In the last 2 years, we have been able to deviate and fly non-stop, Regent Business out of Dulles to Southampton (Heathrow), Lisbon, and Copenhagen without an up-charge. From Stockholm to Dulles, we had to connect in Frankfort. Up-coming cruise, to Venice (Trieste) we could only get a connection; we chose Munich (without an upcharge).

You will probably get more responses if you provide more details. For me, I've assumed that you are on the 7-day Splendor cruise in October 2024 (great time to be in Rome and Athens). I have visited Rome and Athens extensively. I have taken many Regent pre- and post- cruise tours BUT always they were "included" - the pre/post for the 10/24 Splendor are at least now extra cost. I would pick the Athens post-cruise because (your specifics might change the recommendation): 1. the new Acropolis Museum is AMAZING and you'd be going there without jet lag. 2. The outside of Athens activities are interesting in themselves and you have never been to Greece. 3. The Athens option is $1,000 cheaper.

I am going to do either the cruise that you are interested in or the cruise following; we will have done at least 30 Regent cruises by then. The Bangkok to Doha cruise fits my requirement for booking either a Concierge suite or an included Regent pre-cruise tour. It is difficult/lengthy to get from Bangkok to the port. It will be the our first time on the Navigator; yes, both itineraries are terrific.

I follow "karissaeats" on UTube; she has over 1 million followers as she tries food around the world AND she has a sub-topic titled "life of a singer on a cruise line" It's her activities on the Splendor - great short videos of behind the scenes as well as in public spaces! I was in awe of her crew cabin and the female dressing area backstage.

We just got our boarding passes for the inaugural on 11/18. DW commented that she intends to take "scads" of photos - on a Splendor cruise/vacation in summer she took about 4000 for consideration in her photo album; we'll learn how to post some.

Yes and No! On our 25 Regent cruises we have: declined an "included" pre-/post- tour and taken a credit upon booking (almost always S750 p.p.); taken "included" tour upon booking because I found them to be cost effective at $750 pp and convenient/enjoyable (Lisbon, Athens and Cape Town) come to mind; and few, if any, pre-/post- cruise added cost Regent tours - although they look nice there are plenty of other options that were better for us.

We are booked on Grandeur from Athens to Barcelona in August 2024 and signed up for "Silk Road to Baku". Started having second thoughts about this pre-cruise excursion early this year with trouble in Armenian province but mainly concerned about plane flights. Will make a decision after I see the available flights in January, 210 days prior to embarkation Otherwise, would love to visit Azerbaijan and excursion looks to be well crafted.

Yes, but let the local tour organizer know when you aren't going on the Regent tours. We are doing Vibrant Tokyo post-cruise on 04/01/2024 and plan to go out out on Regent bus and stay in both Ueono Park ( National Museum) and Ginza and come back to hotel on metro/train. Can get a lot of good tips on UTube! We plan to do Shinjuku area by night probably with local guide - did this 5 years ago and had a fantastic night adventure.

Yesterday, Regent put out a press release (see "Press and Media" on their website) about the art on the Grandeur and an app which will be available upon the inaugural cruise for details on the art and artists. We had fun on our with CD John who put together a scavenger hunt booklet using photo snippets of about 50 pieces of art on the Splendor - not easy but great fun and Regent points for completion!

Strong magnets - normal magnets don't work well on Splendor walls. Sweaters for very cold public areas on Splendor (all Regent ships) Pre-typed address labels - Regent supplies and mails ship postcards - as many as you want. They are delivered as much as a month after you disembark; fun conversation item.

We have done many Regent pre- and post- cruise excursions. Did the Tokyo pre-cruise several years ago and that tour as presently offered looks exactly the same (we will do it again post-cruise in March). It is leisurely which was great for us pre-cruise with 13-hour flight and 12 hour time difference. Hilton Tokyo was nice; being near (15 minute walk or 5 minute hotel shuttle.) to Shinjuku Station area was exciting - we did an independent night tour of area with "Tours by Locals" - a WOW!

We have done 25 Regent cruises; many were in Concierge to: avoid the deviation fees by coming in 1 day before embarkation; get the transport from the airport in "difficult" cities, or a large balcony in the newer ships. Otherwise it's an F cabin for us as number of internet connections was not a consideration for us. In your situation, I'd probably go Concierge if an desireable suite location was available.

YES ! It will. Consider staying in BsAs a couple of extra days, Terriffic weekend fairs near graveyard where Evita is entombed (Friday afternoon and all Saturday) and near Pink Palace on Sunday. Igazu Fall is spectacular (easily done on one's own from domestic airport); stay on grounds.