napria

40 years ago on our honeymoon to Hawaii, our luggage was lost.  Our hotel had a dress code in the restaurant for dinner.  As a new bride, and after flying more hours than I’d ever flown in my life, I tearfully explained that we were on our honeymoon and our luggage was lost. The Maitre’d seated us in a back corner of the restaurant and we got our dinner. Our luggage didn’t catch up to us for two days.

I now always travel with a few changes of under garments in my carry on bag, as well as a lbd (little black dress).  It’s a thin, sleeveless dress that can be dressed up with a necklace or scarf.  
 

Travel insurance covers anything I would need beyond my contingency plan, and fortunately the ships have stores.

GeezerCouple, thanks for clearing that up.  I wasn’t sure if I could say who the broker is, but it is indeed TripInsuranceStore.

Thanks also for letting me know that you’ve successfully used them.  I think we’ll go with them.  That’s one thing off my mind after a very chaotic day.  

The broker is recommending Travel Insured “FlexiPAX”. I’ve never heard of them, but I downloaded a 57 page pdf.  The broker was recommended on CruiseCritic, and I’ve seen great reviews on multiple sites (including Trip Advisor, Yelp and Better Business Bureau)

I’m wondering if there’s an advantage to purchasing insurance from our Travel Agent, who is with a Luxury Travel Agency, vs. using a trip insurance broker? I have quotes from both, and researched the broker (who has numerous positive reviews across multiple websites), and no surprise the broker’s quote is a few hundred dollars less, with better coverage and better terms.

I got horribly seasick on my last cruise, going from Ft. Lauderdale to Bermuda.  The sea was relentlessly rocking the ship from side to side the entire trip.

I didn’t try any meds because I was told that by the time you feel seasick it’s too late for them to help.  I got partial, temporary relief from ginger ale and saltine type crackers.  Green apples did absolutely nothing.

As a desperate, last ditch measure I visited the Spa for acupuncture.  I didn’t think it would do anything, but hey, what did I have to lose except time and money? Miraculously it worked.  By the way our 20-year old daughter was also with us and feeling worse than I was (and I was pretty sick).  She also was helped tremendously by acupuncture.

It worked for us.  Your mileage may vary.  Good luck!

Thank you all.  This is very helpful.  I should have thought about wanting (needing) to disembark after 7 days at sea. 
 

Our travel agent booked both trips. First the Southampton to NY, then when I realized that flying and all associated costs (booking a hotel for the pre pre-cruise day, meals, transatlantic airfare vs.airfare to NY) would be slightly under the cost of booking the same class/stateroom over… well we didn’t think too hard about it.

Should we do something to “link” two trips together? I’ve read conflicting things. Some have advised that we turn in our room keys at Southampton and get new before disembarking for sightseeing, some have said that our room keys will remain the same for the entire voyage as long as it’s booked as one trip. 🤔

We’ve booked an Eastbound TA on Queen Mary 2, New York to Southampton (sorry if the origination/destination are obvious), and then a “cruise” from Southampton to Belgium, Norway, Iceland and back to NY.  This is our first time on Cunard and first back to back cruise.

Would it be better to stay on the ship in Southampton? Is it difficult to get back on if we decide to get off and explore?  We’re in a sheltered balcony (Britannia class), as I thought low and central would be best for me. I’ve been seasick on my last two cruises, which were small, Silversea ships.  But better safe than sorry.

I appreciate your kind thoughts, advice and patience with this question from a newbie.

The butler service on Silversea was underwhelming.  I’m sure others appreciate it, but as nice as it was we didn’t feel we’d miss not having one.  The cabins are all lovely, and although PG would be comparable, we decided to play it safe a book a sheltered balcony on deck 5.  I have been seasick on both of my previous voyages and I’m hoping with the lower cabin and the larger Ocean Liner (as opposed to a cruise ship) I’ll be ok. On that note, I’m hoping the spa on board the QM2 has acupuncture.  It was the only thing that cured my seasickness on our cruise to Bermuda.

Tentative cruiser here.  My husband and I started to sail on Silversea just before everything came to a halt in 2020. We did 2 cruises and had a third booked on Regent’s new ship Grandeur for this past February but cancelled because I retired and we moved to another state.  As a wise friend once said, you need to let the money tree grow back after pruning it too much.

Well we decided it’s time.  The 14 day Queen Mary 2 TA with a stop in Iceland seems very interesting, and Iceland has been a bucket list destination for me.  We booked it.

Now we’re thinking about going over from New York on the QM2 instead of flying. Our travel agent has a hold on the same cabin.  Is it worth it? Is the Queen Mary 2 exciting enough to stay onboard (except for shore excursions) for 3 weeks?

We have our first Regent cruise booked for February of 2024.  Having sailed Silversea twice before and thoroughly enjoyed those cruises, I’ve also been wondering how the two compare.  My TA said that the major difference is “passengers don’t get as dressed up on Regent.”  I’m kind of sad about that because I love dressing up, but it will definitely be easier packing when we don’t have to worry about getting my evening gowns and my husband’s tux packed.  And he’s certainly glad not to have to wear the tux.

Can anyone confirm waters?  My husband prefers Fiji Water, and we purchase it in bulk at home but when we went on our Silversea cruises, Fiji wasn’t an option.  I forget what we ended up choosing instead.

Paid our deposit today.  Still waiting for the Grandeur Roll Call.  And the Grandeur brochure.  This is going to be a long 2 1/2 years of waiting for me.  You all seem to cruise so much more often.  We just started in 2018, and have only been on 2 Silversea cruises.  I’m having a hard time containing my excitement.  Does the uber-excitement wear off after a few more cruises?

40 minutes ago, Gpilon said:

Nice itinerary with at sea days. We've also put a hold on a suite for May 30 along with April 24. The Jan. 8 Panama Canal cruise has all the "named suites" deliberately being held by Regent at this time for loyal, past clients and credits. This is the one we really want so are waitlisted and hope to hear within a few days if the waitlist clears for our suite category.

“Named” suites are too rich for our blood, especially on a 12 day cruise.  That’s fine with me, though.  I really like the orientation of the bed in the Concierge Suites.  And I’m hoping to spend time in the demonstration kitchen, listening to enrichment lectures and generally enjoying the ship and meeting our fellow passengers. And that itinerary! Can’t wait to see the ABC islands! This will be our 4th time back in St. Barth (can’t complain there), and we’re hoping to see Virgin Gorda Baths this time in BVI.

My husband and I are booked on the Feb 5 cruise.  My TA sent confirmation from Regent with our suite number.  So excited for this cruise!

I’m not starting a roll call here….  Just wondering when it will be started in the Official place, since bookings opened today?

 Thanks

10 hours ago, Jimmcdaniel said:

After seeing your post, I looked at the deck plan. The "plunge pool" doesn't look any smaller than the pools on Explorer or Splendor. Maybe it will be like a lap pool?

I might be wrong, but I think I saw a preview picture or video (I know it hasn’t been built yet but Regent has preview videos out on YouTube).  If I’m not mistaken, the main pool is the same size as her sister ships, but the fore and aft areas of the pool have HUGE tanning ledges (very shallow ends).  About 1/3 of the middle is deep enough to swim in.  Again, I could be mistaken.

18 hours ago, bitob said:

The ship is beyond gorgeous.  I just want to experience that ship for our first Regent cruise.  We are aiming at booking a b2b2b.

This will be our first Regent cruise. Looking forward to the gorgeous new ship and Regent’s next level of inclusiveness. (Shore excursions and flights!)

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

The ships have stability planes that can be extended to minimize the roll side-to-side. It is up to the captain to make the call to use them or not. They cost the ship fuel economy and that is a very big line item he is accountable for so they do not always get used.

My expectation for the cruise we’re interested in is they wouldn’t be used.  We’re looking at February in the Caribbean.

Honestly, I’m not really concerned about the stability.  We requested Deck 6 (lowest guest suites), and the suites in the category we requested seem to be above the engine/under the stacks)

I’m more concerned with overall thoughts and impressions on sailing in the Grandeur, and A new ship in general.  TIA

4 hours ago, JMARINER said:

I have done 2 Transatlantic crossings on the Explorer, the Grandeur's "sister" ship. I think the ship rides much better than any other ship I have sailed (100+ cruises).

 

I would tell you to definitely avoid any cabin forward of the center of the ship and also be as low as possible. The most stable part of the ship is not the center, but under the smoke stacks, which are above the engines and the heaviest part of the ship, so about 2/3 of the way to the back. 

 

For the most part, the Caribbean is a big lake with minimal waves/swells and therefore almost no motion. As I write, we have been in the Crystal Serenity for around the Bahamas for the last week, and most of the time I can  it tell if we are docked or sailing. Seas have been under 1 meter.

 

But to be absolutely safe, I would avi anything during hurricane season, August to November. 

 

Lastly, take drugs before you board and go see the ships Doc if you feel the slightest bit sick. I have gotten sea-sick before a few times and it can be beyond miserable.

 

J

Thanks.  I’ve heard all the advice about seasickness and how to avoid it, but it’s nice to know that the newer ships are more stable.  We always book on the lowest deck we can and mid ship.  I didn’t know about the stability being under the stacks/over the engines. Makes sense. Thanks.  We have a request for some specific suites.  I think we might push that request back a bit

22 hours ago, Fletcher said:

I got the full Grandeur brochure today with all the pics and deck plans.  It looks far less bling than the Splendor, which is a good thing, but the big drawback for me is the shrinking outside deck space and Regent's bewildering refusal to provide a forward-facing outer deck. There is this big Observation Bar but no outside space, such as you get on the Seabourn ships.  Some of us like to see where we are going. This alone is enough to stop me climbing aboard this ship - that, and the same-old, same-old itineraries.

Thank you for your reply on the Grandeur!  This is the kind of thoughts and comments I’m looking for!

Hi all.  I had given up cruising after being horribly seasick on my last cruise (Silver Sea Spirit) about 2 1/2 years ago.  I had always wanted to try Regent though and had a cruise booked on the Navigator but heard that ship wasn’t necessarily the stabilist ship and then the cruise got canceled anyway. Now Regent’s soon to be launched ship, the Grandeur, has crossed my radar.  I’m seriously considering booking a Caribbean cruise.  Thoughts? (On the Grandeur, not on seasickness or returning to cruising)

I saw this post after I’m home, and I agree!  Here it is:

We, too were on the Spirit, but only to Bermuda.  Work (and college for my daughter), prevented us from staying on.  Unfortunately the constant rocking got to both my daughter and myself, so we spent an hour in the spa, as side-by-side pin cushions (acupuncture).  It worked better than the Meclizine, but I now know that I don’t have the constitution for a crossing.

Still, I miss the ship and friends we met.  If you see a lovely couple named Kit and Harry, tell them I said hello.

It’s nice to be able to follow you for the rest of the journey.  Looking forward to more posts.  

P.S.  if you have dinner in Sieshein, make sure you have the signature cocktail, served in the “Medusa” martini glass.

— Anne

JP, I meant to reply to you in my previous post!  Last year’s cruise was my first cruise in 30 something years and I was so excited that I kept coming back to the SS boards.  The week long Caribbean cruise on the Wind was amazing and we signed up for a Mediterranean cruise for this coming May to celebrate our daughter’s 21st birthday.  Unfortunately Silversea cancelled the cruise.  They offered an additional percentage off as a consolation if we booked another cruise but there was nothing that fit our schedules.  I was about to give up when I saw that we could take the first leg of this TA crossing and spend a few days in Bermuda before having to get back (school for her, work for us).  

None of of us had been particularly excited since we were all looking forward to the Mediterranean for a much longer cruise.  Hence not being on the boards much.  But yesterday when we were out getting cruisewear the excitement hit us!

Oh my gosh thank you everyone!  I LOVE the photos!  She loves macarons too.  Terry, one of those desserts looks like is has a macaron as an element to it.

Yesterday we went shopping for cruisewear for her.  I saw our trip has a tea at a hotel in Hamilton and she bought a very pretty Victorian style dress to wear.

We’re re getting very excited!