SadieC

Great photo!  Thank-you very much!

Would this make the balcony area a little bit smaller?

It's our first time on Silversea and very much looking forward to it!  Usually booking on Regent, I am not very familiar with the ships.  Booking Alaska on Silver Muse for summer of 2024 and things are already very full.  Anyone know if suite 601 has an obstructed balcony view?  Much appreciation for any advice.

Hi everyone,

We have been able to get so many amazing tips from this forum, I am hoping that someone out there will be able to help us now.

We are scheduled for an Alaska cruise in August which we have very much been looking forward to.  This is our second cruise on Regent and we've been counting the days until we leave.

Unfortunately routine gallbladder surgery this week, has found multiple tumors which has turned out to be ovarian cancer.  We unfortunately do not have travel cancellation insurance which I know was a very poor decision.  Is there any chance hat Regent might allow us to transfer this cruise to a later date?  Any ideas how to proceed?

I agree with many of the posters re the wine selection particularly within the so-called Premium package.  Have only been on Celebrity, completing more than 10 cruises with them  Thought we'd try something new for a special anniversary and just got back from Regent Cruise line to Tahiti.  Wow!!  Talk about premium wine choices for everybody that wants it.  Almost the same price as our Celebrity cruise to the Panama last year too, once you add in all the add-ons like excursions and drinking plans.   

Does anyone know how the Mariner is doing now?

Great Question! We've done many cruises on Celebrity, but have become tired of the "extras" that are now not so cost effective. Dining Room has changed and even Specialty Restaurants and just not what they used to be. Last cruise was a Royal Suite on Celebrity for the Panama, but once you add in all the extras and excursions I'm just not sure of the value anymore. Looking forward to trying something new with Regent and enjoying a smaller ship. :)Thanks in advance for any advice for this newcomer to Regent! :D:D:D

We upgraded from a Celebrity suite to a Royal suite for no cost last November for the Panama. We already had the Go Best package and all that stayed the same. Was great!

That being said, going to try Regent Mariner this November for a change. Love the fact that everything is included, but have always been loyal to Celebrity up to this point-but things are definitely changing that's for sure.

Thanks everyone! Have ended up booking with Dora and it looks great!

Just tried yesterday to book two shore excursions on our Panama Cruise in November, and was told that the two I was interested in were not included in the sale. So maybe not "all" shore excursions?

You may want to post this on the Florida Departures board for more response.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

Thanks for this advice!

Thanks so much for this! Having never been before, would you have any recommendations ...restaurants, things to do.. see etc.? We have reservations at the Inn at Pelican Bay.

Very much looking forward to our Panama cruise in November, and have added on an extra five days after the cruise to explore Naples Florida. Any advice on what the hurricane damage might have been there? Should we postpone that part of the trip and visit at a later date?

We would very much appreciate any alternate ideas that may be appropriate. Infinity docks in Fort Lauderdale the end of November and we are flying out from that airport five days later. Many thanks!

Very much looking forward to our Panama cruise in November, and have added on an extra five days after the cruise to explore Naples Florida. Any advice on what the hurricane damage might have been there? Should we postpone that part of the trip and visit at a later date?

We would very much appreciate any alternate ideas that may be appropriate. Infinity docks in Fort Lauderdale the end of November and we are flying out from that airport five days later. Many thanks!

Thanks very much everyone for the responses! Such a gift to have CC'ers with experience give us words of wisdom as we newcomers forge new experiences.

SadieC--we will be on the same cruise with you. This will be our 5th time doing this cruise. Mexican ports are easy to do on your own. Tours can be arranged right off the ship. Be sure to go to Lands End in Cabo. As for Antigua, I recommend that you take a ships tour. They are very similar to the private ones summarized by previous poster. Keep in mind that it will be a long day to visit Antigua and that ships tour provide the peace of mind of not missing the ship. We have visited all of these ports before on prior canal crossings and I feel strongly that ships tours are the way to go if you want to visit Antigua--which you should! As for Costa Rica, you have that covered. If you want a tour in Colon, I also recommend sticking with Celebrity. Cartagena you can do on your own. My only caution there is (unless you want to shop for tacky souvenirs) is to tell your guide that you do not want to visit The Dungeons!

Thanks so much for this great information and looking froward to hopefully meeting you on the cruise! It's great to have experienced cruisers like yourselves and ones previously posting, to help out those newbies like ourselves!

With Antigua, we are seriously considering the Celebrity excursion "Antigua-Self Guided"-Celebrity organizes the hour and 1/2 bus ride and they provide a map, and off we go!! Is that a safe option?

Also, we are thinking about the "Fort Lorenzo and Gatun Locks" Celebrity tour in Colon. So many different options that's for sure. Any favorites there would be so welcomed.

Have posted as well a few months ago in the other various port forums, but have found that there is little traffic so to speak, with responses to my newbie questions. :o:D

Very much appreciate everyone's advice!!

In the final stages of researching excursions for our Panama Canal adventure in early November. Ports include Cabot San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Quetzal Guatemala (Antigua?), Puntarenas Costa Rica, Panama Canal/Colon, and Cartegena. Though I think we will just explore the Mexican ports on our own, I would so appreciate any advice that you might have.. These are all brand new ports for us and because of that, I have been thinking of going through Celebrity for some of the excursions. Have booked a private tour (Thumbs Up 10 in 1 Tour) in Costa Rica, but otherwise nothing for sure. So appreciate all ideas and any recommendations!:D

Wow everyone...thank-you so MUCH!!! This is more information in a few hours, than I've had in a few months on that other forum. I felt guilty taking up port excursion info on this board, but am just thrilled with your responses. Much appreciated!

Hi everyone! Posted this question a few months ago on the Columbia sub forum, but very little traffic it seems to provide advice.

We are on Infinity on a Panama cruise in November and we are looking for any recommendations from those that have already visited this wonderful city. Am thinking of the Hop On Hop Off excursion through Celebrity, but am open to any suggestions! :D

Hi Cam and Nancy, We are on this Panama Canal cruise with you and also in a Celebrity Suite. We agree with

what TommyD3 and chemo have posted. Our experience has been that we were contacted 2-3 weeks prior to

sailing. The shoreside concierge will not provide information about non-ship excursions, but are helpful with

onboard special requests and reservations. Looking forward to meeting you in Michael's Club!

 

Mike and Mary

Hi Mike and Mary! Thanks very much for this and look forward to meeting you both in November:D. Haven't got all excursions sorted about, but am working on it. Are you doing any excursions through Celebrity?

Cam and Nancy

Just received an email that we have a shoreside concierge available to help with shore excursions, dining reservations or beverage packages. Is this new? We are in a Celebrity Suite for the first time on our Panama cruise, and wondering if this might be a suite perk?

Just wondering if anyone has used this service and if so, how best should we proceed? Would love some ideas for excursions-especially for Cartegena, Colon and Puerto Gautemala from Celebrity's point of view.

Looking at options for touring Cartagena and have appreciated all the threads so far. Has anyone ever used Hop On Hop Off as an option? Looking at that, or perhaps Dora the Explorer. Appreciate any recommendations!

LOVE the link Ann!!! So informative and very much appreciate you sharing this with us. Heading on a Panama cruise in November and this helps so much with the planning. Our ports are a little different with Celebrity, but 4 ports are the same. Again many thanks!

Thanks everyone! Very much appreciate all the advice and on "count down" to our Panama cruise in November.:D

Celebrity management was able to come to the rescue and retrieve our booking after all.. Customer service by Carmen at Celebrity was wonderful.

Booked CS 8104 this afternoon, and let the FV go. Very much looking forward to experiencing the "suite" experience. and am so very thankful to all of you for your assistance!

P.S. Pardon my strange question....but can the butler provide a "happy hour" drink in our suite if asked? Never had a butler before. :D

Celebrity management came through big time, and was able to retrieve our lost reservation for a Celebrity suite. We normally travel concierge class. What differences will we see? (besides the obvious-bigger stateroom/balcony) What exactly does a butler do? This is a cruise to the Panama that is booked for the beginning of November.