Linda VH

We get OBC's for using our AMEX card to book through our TA. We use it to buy premium wine at dinner. The prices (for the wine) are very reasonable and my DH really likes Duckhorn Merlot. We go to the casino but use cash. Have never tried to use OBC's

Just love the Azores! Reading along and glad to hear "our" Explorer is still wonderful. We'll be on for the Christmas cruise for our 3rd time! Have a wonderful time!

Reading along! Probably will never get to the Amazon except vicariously through your posts, so thank you. We're on a Christmas cruise on Explorer and expect children but our Sept. Explorer - Southampton to Barcelona had 1 child (the captain's son).

We sailed on Explorer last November for 14 days. Because I was recovering from radiation we only went ashore twice. We had a blast even staying on board. So much so that we're book in September (Southampton to Barcelona) and May (Lisbon to Southampton). Yes I know they're some of the same ports but in May we're going with a small "gourmet" group so we'll be doing alot of thing differently. We just love Explorer.

On Explorer we made no reservations but were escorted to the same table each evening - wonderful service!

We sailed on Silver Spirit and it really turned us off Silversea. We are Regent all the way! If my relatives plan a cruise on Crystal we would probably join them (sailed Crystal and liked it but not as much as Regent). We are sailing Explorer again in September and May :D

We use the Concierge cabins for the 10% discount to wine at dinner. On Explorer they have some really nice wine and we end up using our OBC's that way. We had to be waitlisted on our Sept.22 cruise on her and scored an F1 but we are waitlisted for concierge for the stated reason as the cabins are identical

7 Portes was recommended for traditional Catalan food and wonderful Paella. We are planning on going at the end of our cruise but have never been.

We were 14 days on Explorer and usually ate at the pool grill. I ordered from wait staff and actually never used the buffet. Once in a while, if it was busy, DH would go up and order something to be brought to our table. Just love to be outside. On our next cruise (in September) I am looking forward to the Explorer brunch as we're lucky enough to have a Sunday sea day. I LOVE sea days - food, drink and the casino! ;p

This probably won't matter to a lot of people BUT there is no casino. We love the casino (hope Tony is still pit boss on Explorer when we get on).;p

We do a concierge suite for the 10% discount on purchased wine. We always have a large OBC so DH delights in ordering a special bottle of wine at dinner. I'm the drinker in the family so certainly enjoy the wines and spirits Regent serves that are included as well.

I would take the later flight. On our cruise in November they had a "medical emergency" in the terminal and we were delayed by over an hour.

Thank you!

We were just on a 14 day southern caribbean (Miami to Miami) on Explorer. I am just recovering from radiation treatment for cancer of the larynx so I'm subject to fatigue. For this reason we only went ashore at 1 port (Martinique). We enjoyed our days on board in port and quite a few people were also on board. DH loves the jigsaw puzzle (near The Cafe/Coffee Connection) and I read. Good lunches at the grill, etc.

Leave your luggage outside? I don't remember that. Is it new?

I'm sure you'll get comments from many of the people here who also regularly cruise Silversea. We have only sailed on Silver Spirit and were so put off by the whole experience we will not return. Not only did they not "know our names" they were, in the main, surly. I was very excited to sail Silversea but, along with other people we sailed with, found it wanting in both service and food. I guess that's what keeps the various cruise lines running. Different strokes for different folks.

In my family it was not called "stealth hearing" it was "she can hear the grass grow". Unfortunately, DH cannot so I'm glad they'll adjust the sound level.

Voyager is our favorite. That may change as we have an upcoming Explorer on the 4th of December.

YAY! Love these live blogs - thank you in advance. We're sailing on Explorer on Dec. 4 and it will be fun to hear about her ahead of time!

We just did a port intensive in the beginning of August with a couple of days to decompress on both ends. I think it depends on what you're looking for at a specific time. We just booked the Explorer for 14 days in the Caribbean. Starts out with two sea days then 1 in the middle and two at the end. Perfect! Especially since we've been to all but one of the islands. I'll be recovering after having radiation on my throat and will need the rest. That won't keep us out of the casino on sea days though :D

Forever: Absolutely agree about "some people not being on the same cruise". On our recent Silversea cruise we were very disappointed in the food but I read reviews of the same cruise where people raved about the food:confused:

Thank you for your report(s). We're booked in a D for our 14 day Carib cruise and I'm so glad it's comfy.

Have a wonderful cruise!

I don't mind the term newbie at all and wish I had the advice about table numbers on our first Regent cruise. I went up and ordered eggs and was asked my table number - duh - did I know it of course not - hadn't even noticed there was a number on the table lol! Retraced my steps and went back up. It wasn't that big a deal but without some coffee......:D

I went back to read reviews on our recent Silversea Silver Spirit cruise. Everybody liked it far more than I did - won't sail them again and have booked Explorer. Just goes to show you how subjective things can be.