englandsrose

I would try Regent - relaxed dress code and a similar experience I think. 

Hi- has anybody who was booked on the Cancelled Mumbai to Dubai cruise received their refund yet? We booked through a travel agent and they advised on Monday that they had still not received the refund from Silversea and we should expect it within 4-6 weeks. Just curious if I am being spun a line by our TA.

thanks 

22 minutes ago, Poskashflo said:

It implied all ports, much like Malaysia did. Secretary of Health. He did add that India will be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow to reassess their decision, whatever that means.

information is sparse as it is a weekend. I’ll keep you apprised as announcements are made on board.

Thank you - much appreciated 

Did the Captain say that all Indian ports were closed including Mumbai - we are due to leave for a golden Triangle tour in about 6 hours before joining the ship next week - this is naturally a bit concerning....

Rome/Civitavechi is boarded in the hall - we were there in the summer boarding Voyager. Monte Carlo boards in the theatre (or it did last time we embarked there). Hope this helps

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Normally they won't be added to the streaming channel until they have been broadcast. If you can access anything currently on the streaming channel then it's safe to assume you will be able to see the documentary once it's on there, so it's worth testing out on one of the shows already showing if that makes sense.

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All just to confirm I did only receive it today and literally posted within about 5 minutes of getting it. Happy viewing :-)

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Just received this from Regent UK! Interesting that it being televised in the U.K. Rather than the US....

Explorer features in very own documentary

View as web page

Regent Seven Seas Cruises[emoji768]

THE MOST INCLUSIVE LUXURY EXPERIENCE[emoji769]

Graham's Pick of the Week

Explorer at sea

Exciting news for you. This Friday night (2 December) Channel 5 will be showing the first episode of a two-part documentary on our very own Seven Seas Explorer and what it takes to build the world's most luxurious ship. It will be a really interesting insight into the vision, challenges, and delivery of this amazing ship. Please tune in, or if you are busy, don't forget to set your recorder.

The first episode, which is at 9pm on Friday, begins with CEO Frank Del Rio outlining his vision for the ship and joins him in a personal quest to acquire £5 milion worth of art, fit to adorn the floating palace of luxury. The episode goes on to illustrate the meticulous planning taken by the ship's interior designers as they try to balance unparalleled opulence with the engineering practicalities of a 6-star floating hotel.

With the steel structure assembled, the second episode, which airs 9pm Friday 9 December, picks up the story eight months before the ship's maiden voyage. To minimise vibrations on board, specially designed propellers are delicately installed and then it's a race against time for the 1500 workers to ensure that all the luxury fixtures and fittings are up to standard, ready to welcome the first guests on board - a challenge that could have cost the company $25 million in reputation if not met. This episode also charts Seven Seas Explorer's essential seafaring milestones and requirements, such as her first nail-biting manoeuvre afloat, and the ship's sea trials, which, among other rigorous assessments, include the testing of the anchor and launching of life boats.

For those of you who have been fortunate enough to cruise on Explorer, it will be a nice look back to the very beginning of her life and for those who haven't, well I am sure this will tempt you to pick up the phone and make sure you are booked - Explorer is rapidly becoming the 'must do' product in travel.

Look out on Saturday morning as I have a special Pick of the Week for you featuring Seven Seas Explorer.

I had exactly the same issue a few weeks ago on my Apple MacBook Pro - it then cleared itself somehow after a few days! I could access it from my iPhone and iPad just not my laptop. Still have no idea why

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Final thoughts on our Navigator cruise as I sit waiting to get off - I will try and put my ramblings into some semblance of order. Excuse any typos I am typing this on my phone.

Restaurants

La veranda - food and service for breakfast and lunch outstanding - we always managed to get a seat and it never felt particularly rushed.

Sette Mari - we dined there on 4 occasions - absolutely stunning - food and service impeccable. A lovely ambiance and very relaxing dinners.

Prime 7 - ate here twice - excellent food and wonderful service - again lovely relaxing dinners.

Compass Rose - as previously stated the new menu along with iPads were introduced at the beginning of our cruise - there was also at least 70% European guests who are not so keen on sharing tables as well as excellent production shows at 9.30 which were very well attended. This culminated in an influx of requests for tables for 2 from 7pm onwards and a rush of complex orders on the kitchen. Coupled with the new tech and new staff (lots of waiters on first contracts) led to a bit of a disaster on occasions. Dishes were forgotten - on one occasion my husband missed a complete course. I felt so bad for Christian the restaurant manager as he was constantly trying to manage upset guests. There were nightly meetings apparently and more tables for 2 added as the cruise went by. I must admit on occasions it did feel a bit stressy in there hence why we dined in Seti Mari so often.

Entertainment and Shows

The shows were amazing - we have done several regent cruises and have never really been blown away before with JAR. These were Regent cast (Norweigian) and they did 5 shows - they were absolutely outstanding - the production, costumes, graphics and of course performers were first class - most shows got a standing ovation. They were modern and interesting and a very talented team. 4 singers and 8 dancers.

Other entertainment - they had a Belgian/French ventriloquist who wasn't to my taste to be honest - also a Russian Chelloist - again not really to my taste. Each evening there was a pianist in the Navigator Lounge who was well received and in Galileos each evening the Regent band played - they were a very talented bunch. Most evenings the Lounge was busy until quite late - another first for us with Regent when historically it's been like a ghost ship on occasions.

Bars

The bar staff without exception were excellent - the pool bar service was first class - better than any other Regent cruise that we have done previously. Evening bars were also excellent the same as any other Regent cruise

Destination Services - all Of the excursions we did especially the Israeli ones were excellent. The destination services team were also brilliant - very friendly and greeted us warmly on our return from all excursions. They get a bad press, but I can honestly say on this cruise they were excellent - friendly and helpful.

Staff overall - lots of new staff on first contracts so they are still learning the Regent way - most of them got it - some of them were having to be trained on the job - no big issues at all, (apart from Compass Rosr) but you could see that they were learning.

Internet

I was worried about this before the cruise as I needed to connect to work for emails - Internet was absolutely fine - a bit of a pain having to disconnect and reconnect as only one device pet state room - but the download speeds were fine and enabled me to see the stuff I needed to! Obviously not high speed broadband, and I had to wait for things to download but perfectly acceptable for very thing I needed.

Suite - we were in a concierge suite 726 - it was perfectly positioned and mid ships - we did feel a bit of vibration when we hit rough seas but the whole ship did at that point - lots of bangs and crashes that night. Suite was lovely I really liked the new decor and layout - and there was more than enough storage for everything. Bathroom was fine and water pressure in the shower was also good.

Summary

Regent is up to its usual standards although there are some service issues which need to be addressed in Compass Rose and I am confident they will be as long as they can retain the good staff who will be feeling the pressure because of the not so good. Navigator is in great shape after the recent refurb. Because it is a small ship we very quickly got to know people - I have to say this is probably the friendliest cruise we have ever done - everybody regardless of where they came from wanted to enjoy themselves and we had some great days and nights and conversations with new friends. The block party was well attended early on in the cruise and is a great way to get to know the neighbours.

Depending on itinerary we would of course cruise Navigator in a heart beat.

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The cruise still continues to delight! I am sat in Galileos at the moment and we are rocking and rolling a bit!

Just walked up to P7 and they will have a table for us in about 20 minutes with no reservation so I am happy!

Israel was the absolute highlight of this trip for us - everything I read or was taught as a child on religious education has come to life - truly amazing place and definitely need to come back.

Rhodes tomorrow and Patmos the day after and then onto Athens and reality and a diet will start!

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Hi I have sailed all 3 ships and I am currently sat in Gailileos on Navigator.

Lovely ship they have indeed rolled out the new menu. La Veranda is fabulous as is Prime 7. I haven't really missed Signatures.

Service in Compass Rose has been a little spotty this cruise but nothing major and has got better as the cruise as progressed. Food has been amazing.

Shower is the same size as voyager as are the suites.

I haven't really missed the observation lounge as we spend most of the days on tour or on deck and the only time we go for a drink is at night when it's dark and you can't see anything :-)

The Stars Lounge is a welcome addition and both that and Galileos have been busy most evenings

Shows have been amazing. If the itinerary is right I would sail this ship again in a heartbeat!

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There have been a few issues on this cruise

1) a lot of European guests who all turn up between 7 and 8 and want tables for 2

2) new menu with LOTS of choice putting additional pressure on the waiting staff to get it right as well as the kitchen.

3) iPads being introduced and then taken away and then Introduced and taken away again. Our waiter wrote out the order tonight....

To be fair we had a 20 minute wait tonight but once seated the service was exemplary and we had a wonderful meal.

In that 20 minute wait we certainly did have another martini!

The production shows have been first class and the wifi connection had been the best I have ever had at sea - I even managed to FaceTime my dogs tonight!

Any questions please ask.

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Ok take it back - we were seated after 20 minutes

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So 7.15 and no tables for 2 in Compass Rose and no tables for 2 in Sette Marie - at least an hour wait on both - not what I would call anytime dining or luxury cruising..... There is a queue of people out of the door and unless you are prepared to share there is no chance......

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Another beautiful day at sea today - although it's a bit hot and I have retired to the air conditioned bliss of the suite.

Had dinner in Sette Marie last night and it was fabulous - service was amazing and food equally good. We also went to the show - I can honestly say the shows being put on this cruise are way way better than the JAR shows we have seen in the past (and they were good) - last nights was a song and dance show from across the world - culminating in River Dance from Ireland - they got a standing ovation - it was absolutely brilliant.

We are going to try compass Rose again tonight and I will report back.

Israel tomorrow and immigration want to interview is all individually so it's an early start tomorrow before 2 full days discovering the sites and sounds of Israel - I am really looking forward to it as its the reason we booked this trip.

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We also ate in compass rose last night and there are definately some issues - they forgot one of my husbands courses, we asked for a couple of side orders to share and they came on my husbands plate (no biggie he just passed half of them over to me) and I asked for a limoncello after dinner and it never arrived. We had a table to 2 and similar dining time. Mid cruise comments cards are here so will be filling mine in today. Not major issues but they do need to be made aware otherwise ignorance is bliss....

Another fabulous show in the theatre and Galilaoes was stilling rocking last night when we left at just before 1am.

Sea day today so will be mainly horizontal on a sunbed watching the waves....

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Confirmed it is Norwegian cruise production crew - just spoke to the lovely Sophie who comes from my home town!

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I think it might be the Norweigan cruise lines as they are billed as the regent production cast.

Eaten in la veranda tonight - perfectly paced unobtrusive service - couldn't be any better - oh and the food was great too!

We are having a fabulous cruise - long may it continue.

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Mike I have just realised who you are - I am the one you calmed down on the way up the cable car this morning!! How funny.... See you later

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Oh and the wifi isn't too bad - although downloading big emails with attachments isn't really possible - but hey I am on holiday.

If anybody has any more questions just let me know.

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Yes plenty of shady spaces on deck so you won't have any issues.

Navigator continues to delight - ate at Prime 7 last night and food and service were excellent: went to the theatre afterwards to see the first production show - it was absolutely fabulous - my husband doesn't usually care for the shows but actually said it was the best he had ever seen.

For the first time ever this cruise is predominately British (I am English). Normally when we have cruised Regent we have been in the minority. This has changed the atmosphere slightly in that the ship is a bit more lively late at night with people still being around at midnight. We all said last night that the bean counters in the US will be concerned as they had already given British guests very competitive pricing when compared to main stream lines and given that we are all staying up later we are all drinking more which will not doubt affect the bottom line :-)

I do think Regent will have a lot of converts from the UK after this cruise as everybody I have spoken to that is new is thoroughly enjoying it! Interesting to hear the more favourable comparisons with Seabourne and Silver Sea - Regent appears to have the edge over them according to people I have spoken to who have done both.

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Just a quick post as I really enjoy other reviews.

Joined Navigator today after a fabulous day and night in Rome.

Ship is beautiful after the recent refurb. Just had dinner in compass rose and new menu has been introduced today - always available extremely extensive with everything you could think of from all cuts of steak to lamb chops to lobster and shrimp plus much much more. Food was amazing and service was as good as always.

Any questions shout up and I will endeavour to answer!

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Interesting - we have just got to Rome airport as we are joining Navigator tomorrow. There are a whole bunch of UK travel agents joining explorer today - by the looks of their bags it's an over night at most....

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You can more or less guarantee good wifi and a clean loo at McDonald's - not sure that's the marketing ploy they were going for - but it works for me :-)

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