CJANDH

Thanks for that. Really is hidden away isn't it.

It was actually a perfectly calm day. What you are looking at is the wake from the ship.

Maybe a dumb question. However looking at the Crystal website I don't find a list of inclusions. Am I right in assuming that all drinks at the bars and dining venues are included?

Yes If the chair hogs don't get them before breakfast!

Review of Grandeur 918 Grandeur 918.xls

We don't have to endure it at all. The ultimate action is to cancel your cruise and switch to a cruise line with more customer friendly HQ policies. I hate their arrogance.

I agree. The most likely reason the pool was closed would be the need for a thorough cleaning because someone "contaminated" it.

We were on that same bus as you. Most of us had booked a beach break and got what we booked. I am guessing that you guys were given tickets for the wrong bus.

I am currently sailing the Aegean Sea on Regent SS Grandeur. But I could still hear the sigh!! Which Cocoon are you booked in?

If you will be off the ship during the day I would not worry about the noise. The suite itself is wonderful and the noise issue we had was almost entirely in the day. We had a lot of tender ports that made the thruster problem an issue in the day. If your ports are more "docked" you will not have a problem. The ship is wonderful; the suite is over the top good and the food is outstanding. Keep your booking and enjoy. Chris.

We were in the Cocoon Residence below you on the 6th deck. It was noisy, both from the pool below us and the constant use of thrusters to maintain position at tender ports (rather than use the old fashioned anchor). You will be a few levels higher and may not suffer as badly as we did. It also depends on the number of families on board. The kids love the small aft pool!!!

I am not sure it is good strategy to try to build your business by cannibalizing your existing business.

Maybe because they can then increase the number of staterooms! Just a thought. 😁

We are on board now and there have been no food issues. Service in Compass Rose was a bit hectic last night with a full restaurant and perhaps a lower than usual complement of wait staff. But despite being a little stressed they all maintained a happy face. So far (after three days) I would say that everything is up to normal Regent standards . . . . except the weather that is way too hot for June in the Med!!

But what makes you think it is like Silversea? They are very clear that the Blackstone charge is refundable if not used. The Regent wording is not clear. They talk of a "voucher" for the service, which if you don't use it you might lose it.

I can understand that if you have no dietary restrictions. But as I don't eat seafood the choice was not that great. I know it is my problem not Explora's, but I am not alone in having some things I cannot eat. A change in menu once in a while helps overcome this. I do accept that with a constant menu the chefs should be better able to "get it right".

You might find that the never changed menus get a bit boring for a 14 night cruise.

Thank you for your insights Jersey42. I will certainly look at GeoBlue next March when our renewal comes up.

Can you expand on that a bit please. I sailed in a Cocoon Residence and did not find value in the high expense. But I wasn't miserable. Just disappointed. Was it the suite itself that they disliked or more?

I did. The evacuation coverage is the same. The medical is $100K versus $50K. The premium is in fact a little higher (not a deal breaker) and it does have deductibles that the Allianz plan doesn't. The little extras in the Allianz plan (lost luggage, small cancellation/trip delay etc.) are nice but not important. Overall, I would be happy with either plan. I am just pointing out that there are inexpensive ways to cover for catastrophic events if you are willing to self-insure for the trip cost itself.

Yes.

Medical: $50,000 Emergency Transportation: $500,000 My US medical insurance does not cover me outside the country. Premium: $419 for the two of us for a year.

Those are some issues that I would not like either. However, you found so much wrong that it makes me think that you didn't manage the problems in the best way. I have always found that being nice to the "servants" is a better way to get results than constantly complaining. I have sailed SS many times and have had issues sometimes. But never heard anyone having such a litany of problems. The crew are always the best part of cruises for me and I hate to see such vehement criticism being published.

Wow Lookingtocruise. I have never read such an awful review. It seems that nothing is good enough for you. Reading it over a second time it seems that you alienated everyone you met. Sounds like Disney might be a better choice for you.

I purchase an annual policy from Allianz. It gives me good coverage for medical and emergency evacuation, but only token coverage for cancellation, trip interruption, etc. I am okay with this as I am willing to take the risk of losing the cost of the cruise, but not the mega costs associated with medical emergencies. The policy costs me less than $500 for the two of us. An annual policy covering cancellation for multiple cruises would be hard to underwrite as the risk would depend on how many trips at what cost. Not likely to be available.