NDOMA

True. I meant that the coveted semi-private shaded loungers often had the same people or objects on them each day beginning very early a.m., with those loungers being held by the occupants for several hours as they went to lectures, lunch, tea and etc. We enjoy using our balcony, so it didn't irritate us, but we heard a few grumbles from others trying to find a spot to sit in the shade.

I wish I had a Passages from our cruise earlier this month so I could post the wording of a daily notice requesting passengers not save the loungers. There is also a tiny notice posted on the pool deck on the Grandeur, but it is very easy to overlook. Every sunny day, some passengers rose early to place items, or themselves, on the coveted semi-private shaded loungers, preventing others from using them. It was usually the same people, over and over.

I just asked my husband the K2 question and he knew the answer. He is so good at geography! We were recently on the Grandeur and were doing quite well at Trivia the first few days until blatant cheating began. We were quite surprised one group used a cell phone right in front of the crew member, another team had eight people a couple of times, and by the end of the cruise the majority refused to let another team grade their answers. No surprise that we suddenly no longer came in 2nd or 3rd. Why do people do that? Surely the points and trinkets aren't worth cheating for.

I'm sorry you had a rocky start to your cruise. I believe others have posted that it began about 36 hours late? How has your experience been onboard these past couple of days? Compensation, from Regent or your travel insurance, is definitely something you need to pursue. I hope you can relax enough to enjoy the time you do have onboard. All travel, whether with cruise lines or airlines, is prone to disruption. We have had delays to Regent cruises that were outside of Regent's control, so different than what you are experiencing (twice there were airport strikes in France so we couldn't fly in to join the ships), but nevertheless distressing. We were able to relax, though, and enjoy the experience onboard before returning home to follow procedures to recoup money lost in the delay. It's frustrating for you, but please try to enjoy your cruise.

We were on Regent in Japan September of 2023 and I found passengers dressed up more than on Regent Caribbean and Alaska cruises, just like they do in the Mediterranean. The weather was cool and rainy, and I thought the main dining room was often chilly. With laundry included, you will likely have space to bring a sports coat or suit jacket in case you feel you need it to keep warm.

Stingray City was one of the included / no fee excursions on our Regent cruise at the beginning of this month. I found the platform difficult to balance on, but guides were very helpful. The water was churned up and silty because most passengers stood, clustered around the back of the ship because guides were feeding the rays and taking photos. Snorkeling just a short distance away really increased visibility. Plus, I'm short and could barely touch the bottom with my tippy toes!

I did notice the Coffee Connection on the Grandeur this month played modern songs, by artists like Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, Adele.

The metal ones provided are too big and clunky for me to take on excursions. And maybe it's just me, but when I try to drink from them I often drench myself!

We just disembarked the Grandeur and I was served a scallop in Chartreuse that was "off" and tasted terrible. Our server saw my reaction to biting into it and brought the scallop to the chef. He came out an apologized, and I hoped he would carefully inspect future seafood. "Super fishy" smelling / tasting crab should never have been served.

Be aware, or 'beware', that the cube seats in the cold room are heated, but only in the middle!

I agree with NYC-London. Three weeks ago, Regent had us in the Biltmore for our pre-cruise overnight. We let Regent take our luggage, but we took an Uber to the ship. We found it much more convenient than the bus.

We had a lovely Grandeur cruise these past two weeks, but I agree that Compass Rose was especially loud when it began filling up. My impression was that it might have been in the design of the curved "posts" (not sure what to call them) holding up the ceiling, that perhaps the sound was redirected back down. While the piped-in music was a bit too loud, becoming distracting, and repetitive, being on a loop, at least some newer music was being played. We were in our early 50s when we began sailing with Regent, and the music seemed aimed at passengers much older than we were. It seems it has only been in the past two or three years that the music has been updated.