kbarnum

I'll give your suggestion a try. Thank you!

On 12/21/2023 at 10:16 AM, Ken the cruiser said:

 But if anyone has any questions about the Flora or cruising the Galapagos, please feel free to ask.

 

 I really enjoyed reading all of this and seeing the pictures. We leave for this trip next Friday the 29th. The only thing I can't seem to find is a copy of the wine list for the Flora. I was just curious what the choices are. If you or anyone knows where to find one we would appreciate it. 

Thank you all and Merry Christmas.

First cruise since covid. Family of four. Caribbean out of Lauderdale in December. How do we pass the covid test? What are the requirements? I have 8 home tests that joe sent Me. Do I take a picture, do I bring the test with me? 

15 hours ago, gretan said:

Kbarnum - We are on the same cruise as you next week with our 7 year old son.  We are Elite, but it’s our first Celebrity cruise in 8 years. We were in the Royal Princess in September and my son was finally mildly interested in kids club due to the video games (we don’t do them at home... yet).  Do you remember if Celebrity has gaming terminals for the kids?  Secretly hoping they do so Mom and Dad can have a little adult time.

 

Thanks!

They do, they have a lot to in general and the councilors are typically really fun too. Celebrity typically holds less kids then a RC or Princess and Disney is an absolute zoo. Thanksgiving cruises have a higher percentage of children then your typical celebrity cruise, but should be much more tame then the regular lines out there. Maybe we will find you on the cruise? Hope you guys have a great time. 

Been on all the above, I feel and the kids confirm they like Celebrity's club the best. Currently ages 11 and 9 but have been on multiple lines, multiple times from age 1. Only minor gripe is they keep the age groups in the category, meaning if the kids want to be together they may not be able to based on the ages of separation between the programs. I attached a flyer I found online, not sure how old it is, but looks like I remember. We are heading out again next Friday for a 9 night ABC Southern Carib. I can report if any changes when we return. 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/11025200_CEL_KidsProgram_flyer.pdf

We do this and have saved money vs the port and had great service getting to and from the car to the ship. The bus is clean, frequent and has plenty of room. Picks you up and drops you off with your luggage at the trunk of your car. 

https://www.pnf.com/airport-parking/peg-fort-lauderdale-cruise-airport-parking/park-n-fly-ft-lauderdale-cruise

We are on the ship. Saw the USCG pull up the body about 2-3 miles of the Port side of the ship at 10:40 ish this morning. We kept in the search and rescue loop for about an hour and a half before we continued on. Capt. says we are going to Victoria to pick up the pilot and heading on to Vancouver. Never been on a ship with a MOB. We all wonder what the story is. Not much information to be had due to the obvious privacy issues.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

The sombrero is OK, but no cultural appropriation, please!

I am an American, wearing an Mexican Sombrero In Canada. Sounds like a promotion of NAFTA...

Ok, that’s it I will be on the Mariner in 3 weeks. You will recognize my by my sombrero. NEVER taking it off.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I am on board in regards to the backwards hats and covering up swimwear around the dining. I do have an issue with jeans being banned. It is a pretty modern look to wear a high end denim with a sport coat. If you look on the Nordstroms site it is a very common look for people in their 30’s and 40’s. If you are wearing a overall nice put together outfit do they really come after you in regards to the pants? The styles do change over the years and I have some jeans that cost more then suit pants. I think it looks sharp and modern.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

As someone with their first Regent Cruise coming up and the amount of money this costs vs other lines I am sad to hear this. Besides the cabin, which I know you are disappointed with, getting past that are there any positives you can give. I saw you like the food and the internet connection was solid. We don’t care for shows in general. How were the excursions and the overall experience. Sometimes the initial disappointment can spin the vacation negative. I saw you make the best of it, give me the good news! What did you like?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you all for the information. The archive of activities from LynnRuns what pretty spot on what I was looking for, thanks again! The tail of the thread did get noticeably more civilized. Doyousea, great input as well, the behind the scenes tours would be perfect for them. Hope they have as much fun as you seemed to have. No matter what we always make the best of the situation and am sure we will make memories. These trips are always 90% your attitude and most miserable experiences are self inflicted!

In the Loop Travel has a nice ship tour of the Mariner since the refurb on you tube. I for one have been waiting for some reviews or feed back on the ship AFTER the refurbishment. I wanted to let the forum know just in case anyone was in...my boat and looking for some info on mariner after the refurb.

Looks like they did a nice job.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

My TA had $1000 in on board credit. They managed just to cut a check back. That way I can either run a tab and pay it back, or not. I am not obligated to be forced to come up with ideas to spend it. See if yours will convert it. Different agents have different programs, doesn’t hurt to ask.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

To be honest (and not trying to be mean), even if Regent did have a program on port days, it is concerning that parents would want to leave a 12 year old on the ship while they go off and see amazing things (things that children would appreciate so much). If parents do not want to spend time with their children, perhaps they should have left them with a grandparent or someone that cares about them. I was upset when the poster mentioned leaving their 12 year old "somewhere" and being able to contact them with walkie-talkies.

Agreed. Didn’t read it that way. My kids are short of that age. Independence is also important as they get older. Communication as well. I also meant no disrespect. Just can’t assume everyone’s situation. Thought the reply was a bit harsh, just my interpretation. No harm.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You should plan on having your kid spend all his time time with you. Since you are choosing to bring him on a luxury cruise line to satisfy your own desires it is YOUR responsibility to see that he is taken care of. If you want a full childrens' program I urge you to reconsider cruise lines and find one that caters to your son's needs instead of your own.

That was an harsh reply, You don’t know the poster, do you? Satisfy your own desires? Maybe the desire is to spend time and show the kid Alaska. Don’t be bitter, it give luxury cruisers a bad wrap. Be encouraging and kind, most people that bring kids on such a level of cruise are educated and aware thus try to proceed with caution to the other passengers. Jeez. Relax. This particular itinerary encourages family and offers a kids club.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Those ages are much better than younger children. As long as children are watched by their parents, it should be fine. Must admit that I'm curious why you would select Regent over other cruise lines. Does included excursions play into your decision? The reason that I ask is because we will be on NCL's newest ship, the Bliss next week. The ship will be doing, Alaska once it gets through with the christening of the ship.. Although we love Regent, we are intrigued with the racing track, amazing slide and even paintball. So, if they interest us, I can only imagine how children would appreciate this. I'll be posting either after the mini cruise or during the cruise on the luxury board (because we will be staying in the Haven -- a place where you can get a 2 bedroom suite for la lot ess than a Regent suite).

Alaska is a long way from Florida. We wanted to have a longer trip with more ports and the smaller ships population is what I was really going for. I wanted Alaska to be an intimate experience. Never been a fan of the super huge amusement park ships, focused more on the destination then the ride. Have been considering something like that for a Caribbean spring break cruise though, just for a fun week for the kids. When is your cruise on the Bliss? I’d like to subscribe. Regent is my first NCLH experience, we like Celebrity but am open for new ideas.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Still think that it depends upon the age of your children (which we still do not know). And, unfortunately, as mentioned above, there will be passengers that are unhappy with any children being onboard (this isn't just with Regent but is also the case with any luxury cruise line). I recall vividly that a couple that was unaware of how many children are on summer Alaska cruises, were celebrating a milestone anniversary. They were appalled that there were children on the dance floor late at night - rolling around the floor, etc. It ruined their special vacation.

 

 

 

BTW, the most welcoming luxury cruise line for for children is Crystal. They advertise this fact al the time!

Well lucky for everyone, my kids don’t roll around the floor! They are 10 and 8. Old enough to know better. Like the previous post, they tend to win over the doubtful. All that aside, if anyone out there has a current day planner or any current information on the club...let me know! Thank you TC2.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Bringing kids on a trip like this is nothing like bringing the plague. Well behaved children enjoying themselves with other children or with their families are a pleasure to see. But for sure there aren't the same kinds of programs or the volume of programs on a Regent ship as one might find on some other cruise lines. I hope that you won't go with the idea that people will be unwelcoming.

Poss, you are kind. I don’t think that people will be unwelcoming. Even if there were no formal club for the kids, I believe we would be taking them along anyway. We have had these kids all over the globe and they are fine with the travel. Lucky boogers. I am an avid planner. I love to know what to expect. Just digging for information. Celebrity is our usual go to line. First time on Regent. Not sure if its the demo, but the main lines have more input on CC. Guess it may be a numbers game on who posts.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We had been on Mariner to Alaska with our 2 sons. One a newly mint teen and the other a few years older. My younger son really enjoyed the activities. Each night he would receive a note in the cabin for the next day. He met some kids and seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. The older one went to the older teen group I think only once and did not go back. He had just finished competing at the junior olympics the before our flight to Alaska and then we spent a lot of energy hiking in Denali -- I think he was perfectly happy catching up on sleep and hanging with his family. We had a great time off the ship and spent some fun family time on the ship.

 

We found the kids on the ship really well behaved. Some of the other passengers not so much - which seems was not an anomaly given some other threads I recently read about passenger behavior.

I do recall you answering to my original query a few months back. I appreciate the feed back. I waited until the Alaskan itineraries we’re back in rotation hoping someone current has a day planner or some additional information since we are 6 weeks out. Thank you for your posted reply, I do appreciate it.

I do get the feeling that bringing the kids on a trip like this is like bringing the plague. Fortunately they often befriend the critics.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I did not forget, just did not get what I was looking for. My children are very important to me and our travels I believe impact them positively. I like to establish expectations before the trip so as not to be disappointed and to be prepared. As we get closer to the trip I wanted to reach out again or see if anyone had any information to give. I am sure all will be fine, just looking for tips for the trip. Thank you for responding. I agree we will be fine.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I was also wondering if anyone had any feedback on the children’s program on the Alaskan sailings. I have read reviews that said there were 80 minors on board. I was curious to the venue and the activities and what to expect for a kids program. We are on the Mariner 6/30 sailing.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I was noticing that between the May 30th sailing for 7 nights and the June 20th Sailings for 7 nights, there are two weeks missing. June 6th-June 19th. Where is the ship? Is it chartered? Just curious.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I purchased a couple hundred shares of NCLH after I booked my Alaska Cruise. After final payment I filled out the forms and sent in my statement. It is an 11 day cruise so I was hoping to get a simple $100 OBC for each of our two rooms. I was denied the credit because my travel agent is so good that the deal I received was not eligible for the shareholder credit.(I don't know what my travel agent knows) ML has a target of 72 on the stock. I just wouldn't buy it counting on a credit. In the scheme of the world if really doesn't bother me much, but when you spend 30k on a vacation, to block you on a technicality for a $200.00 OBC is petty. Not the first class experience I would think. Just my two cents on their shoreholder benefit.

Yes - they advertise children's rates during the summer and school breaks but they do not provide the level of entertainment that NCL (for instance) does with their 2 deck racing cars that are as much fun for adults as for children. And, this is not something new. Regent/Radisson used to offer free fares for children. They do encourage children on special cruises but thankfully do not offer anything for children the rest of the year.

 

 

 

IMO, anyone under the age of 18 needs parental approval to do anything and parents should be aware of where they are all the time. Also, having raised teenagers, they are more likely to get into trouble than young children. Our "cruise from hell" had children between the ages of 11 and 18 and they were like a "gang". Unfortunately, there are few places for older children to just hang out so they hang out in places not meant to be for children. I blame the parents for booking the cruise and not supervising their pre-teen and teenage children. I do not feel the same about children supervised by the Mariner's Club personnel or are with their parents. My biggest fear for teenagers is being unsupervised and having the opportunity to go into their suite and doing things that they should not be doing.

 

 

 

I suspect that cruisers are beginning to understand that luxury cruise lines are not ideal for children since luxury cruise lines are having difficulty filling their ships. Last summer and this summer have less bookings than on Regent's other itineraries. There is obviously a reason for this.

I understand your point. We are always respectful of others in regards to having our children present in “adult” situations and typically shy away from those occasions. We do want to give them experiences to broaden their outlook in this world. Your “cruise from hell” sounds like a Stephen King plot line, I am sorry it was a bad experience. On the other hand there are some good kids out there that can fit in to these situations. Just because you can afford a luxury cruise doesn’t mean you respect the rights and feeling of others. We do. I haven’t been through the teenage years, hopefully we stay the course! Thank you for the input on the thread.

Sent from my iPad using Forums