Camillus112

Hambagahle, where does this cruise end?  I thought Barcelona, and hope I am wrong since Spain closed all its ports due to National Emergency.  Wishing you an excellent cruise!!!

26 minutes ago, Zqueeze1 said:

I think the portions are actually spot on.  It allows us to get something g else we may want to try without being too much 

Z and TB

In our first Regent cruise, on the Explorer and ending March 2nd, my DH would always order two main dishes and we would share...of course I would order my selected main... and it would be great.  We enjoyed being able to try several extra apps and mains.  We did a lot of gym and pool exercises, though, and did not gain extra pounds.

Hello Gcto,

We did receive the mid-cruise assessment form, but I was unable to do the on-line, on-cruise final review.  Why?  The last two days I tried to meet with the computer person who would help me (and provide a computer), but his hours were not consistently kept, and I was not ready to forfeit my last days on the cruise trying to catch up with him.  Ergo, I did not submit the review.  I hope you did.  

7 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

We have had experience with Silversea and Crystal.  Not exactly sure what "professional" means in terms of service.  It seems as if some people prefer more formal service than Regent has (Silversea is more formal but the actual service is pretty much the same as Regent).  We have only taken one Crystal cruise and found the service to go from the top (above Regent service) to below Regent's service (in other words, a bit inconsistent).  We prefer knowledgeable , intuitive but friendly service.  Regent meets our criteria perfectly.

 

In terms of embarkation, IMHO, Miami is one of the worst cities in the world for this.  Most of the ground staff at MIA are unionized so Regent is not permitted to help (or do anything else).

As I said, we found staff attentive in their desire to serve, but not very knowledgeable on ship details (where can I find...?); on what could or could not be served or substituted; etc.  Crew at La Veranda were mostly new and some had language difficulty.  I think subsequent training will make them fine professionals in their field of work.

I referred to the Regent contractor and their disorganization in preparing for transfer to the port, not to port union workers.  

All in all, we enjoyed the cruise.

Hello Jerry,

We were also in the cruise ending last Monday in Miami.  I agree it was a very nice cruise.  In my mid-cruise evaluation I commented on the difficult embarkation due to the incompetent contractors used for transport to the Miami terminal.  Although we found all service persons were very attentive, they were not as professional as those on other luxury lines (SB, SS, Crystal).  Some Regent regulars commented that many of the experienced crew were transferred to the Splendor.  Albeit these comments, we highly enjoyed the cruise...especially with the great weather that allowed for many hours in the pool...and pool deck bar...and grill...

Just got off Explorer as you are coming in... oh, oh, sounds as if it’s the reason to... 😊

We left the ship in great shape and hope you both enjoy the excellent weather we had for the last ten days.  My lasting thought upon debarking was that Chartreuse is the crown jewel on a regal ship.  Enjoy!!

3 hours ago, ali1936 said:

Hotel and embarkation on 2/21/20 in Miami was appalling, not up to Regent standard. Waited for 2 hours in terminal to board the ship. Awful
 

 

Sorry to hear that.  Thanks to suggestions on this board we boarded late and all was fine BUT I should have been able to board at the regular time with no problem, as I have done on other lines of choice.  The cruise, however, is wonderful!!

23 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Do yourself a favor and just take a Cab or Uber to the port.  Last month all the busses from the various hotels seem to arrive at the same time and it was a zoo.  We had to take a number and waited about 45 minutes just to stand in line.  It was one of the most unorganized embarkation that I have ever experienced.  Certainly did not negatively impact our cruise.  The disembarkation was one of the best we have ever experienced.  
Enjoy your cruise.  The widest  variety and highest quality of food that we have ever experienced.  Be sure to check out the culinary experiences if they are available.  

After reading your recommendation I was ready to cab it to port, but DH said that we would meet the people rush if we went earlier, and best to be the last ones in a leisurely manner.  He was right.  We learned afterwards that lines were never-ending and people were upset.  We boarded late and hungry, but very happy!

22 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

My response may be a bit late since it is already "tomorrow".  IF you booked air through Regent, they will be aware of your flight delay and will be at the airport to pick you up..  Suggest that you contact the hotel and let them know of your late arrival (if you have not done so already).  The "Regent Representatives" at the hotels are contractors - some are better than others.  At this point, I do think that perhaps contacting t he hotel regarding late arrival as well as perhaps trying to reach the Regent Representative (hours tend to be during the day at the hotel).

 

Hope this works out easy for you and that you enjoy every moment on our favorite ship!

Thanks Travelcat2... We made it to Miami, though too late at night to be able to register.  All was resolved this morning and our luggage is now en route to the ship.  We were assigned the last group for transport, so we will be on board!!  Thanks for your response.

We hope to be arriving tomorrow (weather permitting) to the Regent hotel in Miami (Conrad) and we have hotel to Explorer transfer included for the next day.  Due to inclement weather in Syracuse we may be arriving very late at night, if at all.  Does the Regent representative leave a way to communicate with very late arrivals?  Should we arrive the day of embarkation, we will most probably go directly to the port.  My question deals with late night hotel staff on previous day not aware that we are paid for!!

4 hours ago, DaveFr said:

I think you’re referring to “The Bridge on the River Kwai” staring Alec Guinness. 😉

 

Dave

Correct!  My confusion.  I did remember a famous war movie, and I looked it up...The Guns of Navarone.  One of his best known films was Around the World in Eighty Days.  

Wasn't David Niven an actor, way back in the 1960's?  I remember a famous war movie...about a bridge...  Maybe the CD is his son 😁!!

51 minutes ago, FlyingScotSailors said:

 

ps: Ann just received an email from our electric utility that we have a power outage at home. Certainly good to be here!

I see you are from Saratoga.  We are just west of Syracuse and had a power outage as well, for about 30 minutes... not that bad, thank goodness.  We did invest in a powerful generator, and to think I complained so much about the cost!  

Lois, I am sure you will have a very enjoyable cruise.  In terms of activities in recurring sea days, you may want to look at Crystal in the future.  I was amazed and delighted with the many and different offerings...from cooking classes, yoga and cardio classes, ballroom dance classes, wine tastings, three/four enrichment lectures per day...and of course trivia, knitting, bridge games, and so much more.  For unaccompanied dance lovers, Crystal provides "ambassador hosts" who will twirl you like the good old days.  I love the uncrowded, relaxed feeling of Silversea and Seabourn, but Crystal is a lot of fun.

Thank you so much for re-living my wonderful stays at Barcelona.  We have stayed at a hotel just in front of the Barrio Gotic Cathedral and have enjoyed so much the Picasso Museum and La Boquería.  Wish I was there with you!!!

12 hours ago, spinnaker2 said:

 

I stand with you all the way!  God help us.  

Talking about shopping in Málaga, if you are into shoes, there is a shop in a corner after a block up from the Calatrava port that carries lovely styles at very reasonable prices.  I bought a pair more than two years ago, have gotten many complements, and they still look like new.

42 minutes ago, Hambagahle said:

For what it's worth I think the reason the 6 Feb cruise is not called "Maiden voyage" is that there is a mini cruise from Ancona to Barcelona before it, maybe for Regent staff so that shouldn't count, and then of course the "Christening Cruise" on 21 February out of Miami.  Whatever it is called you are on it and that is wonderful.

Lovely to know both Splendor and Explorer will meet on February 21st!!  We will be boarding the Explorer on that date en route to the Caribbean, and will be sure to salute and congratulate all those boarding the Splendor on that date.... I wonder if in nearby terminals...  Bon voyage and look forward to your postings!

Thanks, Gilly, very helpful photo and information!  Glad to find out I will not have to lug my hair dryer!

39 minutes ago, Gilly said:

 

In the UK, it is against building regulations to place a conventional electrical power socket within 3 metres of a water source, which effectively means you'll never be able to use a hairdryer in a British bathroom (regardless of the gender of the architect or the class of the hotel).

Yes, I understand.  However, there are now special switches that have been manufactured to code.  One of these is installed in my bathroom.  May main concern was having no vanity in the room, plus having no British, European, or American switch near the only mirror (in the hallway) which I would have to use for my hair blower.  

2 hours ago, kjbacon said:

There’s also two wall mirrors and a shaving mirror in the bathroom.

Thanks all for the information.  Now, since ships and most hotels have not installed the newer waterproof electrical switches in the bathrooms, in order to use hair blowers I assume there would be standard switches near the room mirrors, especially the vanity mirror.  BTW, I recently stayed at a 5* hotel in London with no vanity mirror nor usable switch... Ah, men architects!

Oh, this is better!  I like to see the whole of me 😆. 

So, do I understand that the only wall mirror would be in the bathroom?  Thanks for your help.

I would also like to know if the Penthouse C has a vanity, regular mirror, and make-up mirror,  as I have had in PH's in other lines.  This will be our first cruise with Regent.

I have taken several Seabourn cruises and all, but one, were very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the one-off also involved the stewardess.  She was talked-to by the head housekeeper upon our complaint, but always found ways to not keep us satisfied (extra toilet paper not replenished, etc.) .  We asked that she be changed but to no avail...seemed a logistical problem for management... We will be returning to Seabourn at some point and only hope for a better trained and better tempered stewardess.