ON cruiser

We are also on this cruise. There have sure been a lot of changes, far more than what I perceive as 'usual', to this itinerary. The first bunch included shortened port times, due to either later arrivals or early departures in various ports, including Hamilton, Halifax, and Charleston. For example, in Charleston, we now leave at 2PM instead of 4PM for a very truncated stay. Other ports were substituted--we had looked forward to Fernandina Beach; Jacksonville, a more business-like center, is less interesting--although it may be lovely. I wonder if these changes were due to an attempt to save fuel and thus costs due to slower sailing. Considering that the original arrival and departure times were based on established knowledge of the geography and tides, etc., what other reason for these fairly extensive changes? If there is another or more accurate explanation rather than my speculation, I would be pleased to hear it from Regent. Those changes led to cancellation of some tours with, as other have pointed out on the other, related thread, no options available for those whose tours were cancelled due to itinerary changes. The lack of available tours in some ports, such as Quebec City, has existed for some time. We had to call to just get on a wait-list for either of two tours. I agree with those who have made the point that all inclusive tours means at least some reasonable choice. On this cruise the choices are slim indeed, or none at all. This latest, last-minute change of cancelling Great Stirrup Cay is disappointing to us and to our friends whom we suggested try Regent. Freeport is nothing special and I do not relish lining up on the ship to try to find a substitute (nothing is available on-line and I doubt it will be at this late stage). Lining up is in my view the antithesis of a "luxury experience". Again, if there is a good explanation for this change, I would be pleased to know it. But the timing is unfortunate. For those who have in the other thread noted that the "T's and C's" allow Regent to make port substitutions and cancel tours, I agree. They can. More importantly, in my view, is just because something legally can be done is if it should be done, from a moral and ethical perspective. While we will no doubt have a good time, the itinerary we are going on is quite different from the itinerary that we booked. Again, we are experienced cruisers (on other lines, HAL, Seabourn, and three so far on Regent). So what is happening here, the number of port changes and tour changes, we find very unusual, and disappointing and disconcerting. That said, we do look forward to returning to the Navigator, which we much enjoyed in 2019.

Well, I am more optimistic that a 12:10PM flight out of Vancouver may be doable. If you arrange when on board to be in the first debarkation group, getting off, say, by 9AM (it might even be earlier), and in a cab by 9:40, you should be at the airport in an hour. Would not that leave enough time, if you have your boarding passes and drop your bags, to make the flight? Only you can decide if that is too stressful or not, and you should have a "Plan B" if things fall apart. Good luck!

Hi Bill & Mary Ann; having read your great threads for years, I also much appreciate your descriptions of shipboard life and the experiences you have in ports on your various cruises. Regarding this World Cruise, I am sorry that some things (in particular, the food) are not up to snuff. As you know the hotel manager Henk M quite well, perhaps he should be made aware of these issues, as after all, its not only you who feels this way. If you talk with him, he may be able to address and improve the issues so to make the remainder of your cruise better. I hope so, anyway! All best,

Unlike HAL, the US Dept. of Transportation has made it clear to Southwest, and Southwest has in many media statements agreed, to compensate those who suffered due to their operational failures. With respect to the poster above, I see no equivalency with what the original poster experienced with HAL and what happened to them, and many others, on southwest.

@mrlevin, In Georgia Peach's thread, I just posted a mini-review or my experience on Splendor. If you are onboard now or soon, suggest you give Gino a listen...we often headed up to the Explorer's Lounge pre-dinner or after show--Gino is great, and also very knowledgeable about music. Members of the orchestra are often found in the Meridian Lounge or the lounge on deck 4--with one or other of the cast singers. Also enjoyable. But I know what you mean re the duo--we enjoyed that in the "BC" era.

@Boatmans LadyFriends of Bill W., refers to one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Hello Georgia Peach (and all); as someone on the Splendor from Barcelona-Miami, it was so nice to re-visit the cruise with this thread now that we are home and unpacked, returning to reality after a lovely cruise. Georgia Peach, your blog is a pleasure to read. And, from your photo, I think I encountered you and your hubby in the elevator one evening--you were both looking sharp as you were on your way to dine with a retired Admiral (?). I was the chap walking with a cane, which I use for better balance when the seas are a tad rough. Mostly, my and my wife's experiences were similar to yours. We did find occasional lapses in service in Compass Rose where at breakfast there occasionally could be long gaps in service, or at dinner when, occasionally, the timing was off. But not always, not major, and the fact that the servers were so willing to please, and so pleasant, well, that makes up for a lot. On other occasions, however, the service (and food) in that venue were great. Our favourite resto overall was Prime 7, whether at dinners or lunch. We did try Setta Marie, and the food and service were excellent, yet it can be a noisier venue when full. Pacific Rim, contrary to some reviews, we found to be excellent on both occasions we dined there. Chartreuse was also very good. While I found the bar staff great, and with occasional service offered when lounging at the pool, some mixed a better drink than did others. As Georgia Peach suggested, one time when my dry martini was swimming in vermouth, I asked for a "do-over", resulting in a much improved version. Only if we mention (nicely) the occasional glitch does anyone know to fix it. The weather this cruise was fantastic! We also packed for cooler weather, so the laundry had to constantly wash my few short-sleeved shirts. It was also, for the most part, calm--only a few days of rougher seas, but even then, nothing too severe. The entertainment in various venues was very good. Some cast members can really sing. The guest performers who we saw (we dine later and do not rush a meal to attend a show) were excellent. One night at the cast "Broadway" show, which was very good, the lead singer carried on in a lounge with some members of the orchestra (they were all great) for a fantastic session of songs including by Elton John, and Sinatra, etc. It was standing room only, and a great way to cap the evening. Gino, the pianist and vocalist in the Explorer's lounge, is also not to be missed. He is very talented, takes requests, and is very approachable and friendly to all in attendance. We also enjoyed Bob, the lecturer on music history and related topics. An interesting speaker with topics to whom many could related. A nice way to spend some time in a later morning. As to the San Juan fiasco, the only criticism of Regent is that there should have been better communication and updates provided to those of us seated in the waiting area. As for the one couple who detained us all, from what I heard they may well have been fined (if so, good). But as others have stated, the process is out of Regent's control, including that the two elevators in the building were broken, making it very hard on those in wheelchairs, etc. US citizens may wish to voice their views of this process to their elected officials. After all, in other first US ports of entry, the officials would come aboard to inspect if necessary and, if my memory works, on some occasions, all they would do (pre-Covid) is simply review the passports. When I asked a Regent officer why we had to go outside, she told me that this is what the San Juan officials insist upon. Apparently, they do not want to board the ship. At least we could walk off in Miami without a passport check (albeit the announcements were that we needed to have our passports ready for inspection). We met many lovely people on this crossing, and it was sad that the party ended last Saturday. But, we are on the Navigator in May, from Miami to Montreal (my home town), an eclectic itinerary. Perhaps on that cruise, Georgia Peach, we will meet. Yet due to the often slow internet (my experience when I did my daily email check to ensure no office crises, nor cat and dog emergencies), I did not try to read much else. It was nice to stay off the computer for a few weeks! In addition to our May cruise, which was booked some time ago, we visited Eddie, the very knowledgeable future cruise consultant on Splendor, and ended up with two more bookings in 2024 and 2025. So, as we "put our money down", it must mean we enjoyed the product this time. Wishing everyone smooth seas and following winds.

Thanks for providing your travel blog. It was a most enjoyable read. Best regards, ON Cruiser

Hope you stay healthy! I am really enjoying your great descriptions and photos of the ports and the ambience of the ship. Thanks for taking your vacation time to do this. ON Cruiser

Thanks, Sapphire 45; the Sofitel is a nice, 4 star hotel, newer than the Omni which is almost across the street from it. Both are well-located on Sherbrooke Street near Peel, in the downtown core (not "Old Montreal"). It is interesting, however, that Regent is not using either the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons. Both of those are true "5 star" hotels. The Ritz is a classic old hotel that, about 10 years ago, was closed down and gut-renovated. The Four Seasons recently opened in Montreal, just a few years ago, and I hear it is lovely. Both of those are, unless there are specials to be had, out of my league, price-wise. Yet for those with the coin, and who wish to spend it, from what I hear they are both very nice in their own ways. Both are very well located, again in the downtown core.

Thanks, Portolan, for confirmation of the e-address. Much obliged. Still hope to hear about the Montreal hotels which Regent habitually uses, if anyone may know.

Hello folks; two questions in this thread for those experienced Regent cruisers, which I am not as my wife and I have only done two Regent cruises, in the "BC era" (=Before Covid): for our 2019 Regent cruise from Dubai to Singapore, given some dietary and other "special requests", I utilized an e-address, "specialrequests@rssc.com", and dealt with a very helpful lady named Joslyn, who was based in the Miami office. Given our pending November cruise from Barcelona to Miami on Splendor, I sent an email to that e-address, yet so far no reply. No bounce-back, but I'm wondering, given all the changes, if that e-address is still valid, or if valid, still monitored. Anyone know? Or, anyone know of an alternative email address? Next May 2023, we have a cruise from Miami to Montreal. While I know Montreal well, and we do have a hotel there that we habitually use (the Omni Mt. Royal, a decent 4 star hotel), it would be useful to know which hotel(s) Regent uses in Montreal, for comparison purposes. Anyone know? Thanks for your anticipated help and assistance. Regards, ON Cruiser

For what it may be worth, we stayed at the Electra Palace hotel in Autumn 2018, and it was great. Had a junior suite, very comfortable and a huge balcony. Restaurant was excellent--outdoor dining option (albeit smoking is allowed on the terrace so be careful where you sit) with killer views. Were we to return to Athens, and I hope at some point we do, we would return to the same hotel.

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip--it is a pleasure to read your reports. Born in Montreal, I am also pleased that you enjoyed your visit there. The restaurants in Montreal that you review I look forward to trying in future. Thanks for the good ideas! Glad the Navigator is in good shape, and that for the most part you are enjoying the dining. It is encouraging as we are doing the "Miami-Montreal" cruise in May 2023 (before that, however, we are on Splendor from Barcelona to Miami this November). Wishing you continued smooth seas and interesting ports of call.

Bill and Mary Ann, just a word of thanks for your great daily descriptions of ship-board life and what you do during the days in ports. I always enjoy your writing. Regarding your hotel director Henk M., ask him about his lovely watch collection, some of which he showed my wife and I many years ago when he was HD (and Crystal was GRM) on the Noordam, during a transatlantic cruise. I doubt he would remember us, however, given the vast number of people he meets. Hopefully your sailings continue to be enjoyable, including the longer trip to Hawaii!

Hope all is well with Copper 10-8, as we have not heard from him in a while. I enjoyed the vicarious travel through this thread, thanks Copper, and hope you and your bride enjoyed your cruise!

Again, I could not say it any better than Ping-pong in post # 24, above. The original poster also has summed it up that Regent did re-book all but three couples who were on the cancelled flight. Clearly, Regent knew that it was their task to do so. Yet three couples, the original poster amongst them, fell through the cracks. For these folks, Regent needs to take ownership and make it right. I am surprised that they have not done so. To the original poster, as others here have suggested, go to your credit card company, the one you used to pay for the cruise, and initiate a dispute. Hopefully that will get Regent's attention. Also, as others have urged, write to senior executives about this, asking for a reply. I hope you come back to let us know how, or if, this satisfactorily resolves. Good luck!

I'm with Ping Pong's post # 12, above. While we certainly can all be educated about checking such matters, it appears that Regent dropped the ball here. So, why have they not made it right for the original poster, including an apology?

Thank you, Ready2go11, for taking us along on the Zaandam, a ship I recall with fond memories. I have enjoyed your posts. Kudos to the hotel director for meeting the passengers and offering a candid explanation of the current challenges. Wishing you safe travels home!