janecambridge

Just received our travel documents and am starting to mentally pack our suitcases. Although we've sailed many times on other cruise lines (mostly Seabourn), I do have a few questions.

 

1) I have read that jackets for men are not required, but will I regret not packing one for my husband?

 

2) I usually pack our mini Nespresso coffee machine. We are booked in a penthouse 1 suite and supposedly there is an Illy espresso machine in the cabin, but on the most recent coffee thread there is no mention of this. Will I regret not packing my coffee machine?

 

3) We booked our excursions back in June. We were recently informed that one of our excursions has been cancelled and unfortunately our second choice is already booked and there is no third choice that appeals to us. We are first on the waiting list. Should I make independent plans or do spaces usually free up once the cruise begins?

 

Thank you in advance for any feedback on these subjects.

We have just had a penthouse and the coffee machine was there and very good.If not ask for one.I am not sure on their rules for people using their own electrical goods on board ( fire risk etc).

My husband very rarely wears a jacket, but he took one and did wear it from time to time,just because he wanted to and it felt appropriate with my dress.But they aren't required.

Tallship is correct.The excursion list changes everyday.some are cancelled by the company,some spaces are available as people cancel for various reasons.They have also been known to add extras spaces due to popularity.So do check regularly.If the excursion is really important,go on your roll call and see if anyone is cancelling that particular trip,or book you own just before you leave.

Bon voyage...

When we landed in Miami once,our nephew ( who was 7 at the time) had his backpack sniffed out by a beagle.

We were all marched to one side and told to remove the food from his backpack.His mum insisted there was no food.On further investigation by a very irate young dog handler,they found his school lunchbox was the culprit but all it had in it was his colouring pencils!!! Those dogs have good noses.Beware.

As for as the UK class system goes I am afraid you (and Downton) are out of date. These days in the UK accent means nothing and when it does mean something there is almost a reverse prejudice against those who sound like a "toff". There are so many "self made men" (and women) there now that things have changed a lot... not to mention footballers! It certainly used to be the way you described when I was at University there. But not any more. And that, I think, is a very good thing.

Yes you are right about the UK.It has changed a lot.We live in Cambridge,a beautiful city.You can go in a pub or restaurant,be dressed up in a ball gown or jeans and every one accepts you for who you are.

We have flown upper class transatlantic for our last two flights.We could do that with air miles.It was great.We are just ordinary folk- nurse and electrician.

Never judge a book....and all that....

One thing ( and there were more then one) I disliked with our recent Regent cruise,was the way the maître de (prime 7) looked us up and down (twice) when we went to asked for a table.Most uncomfortable.We were penthouse and even our butler asked on our behalf.

We met some lovely people on that trip and they could have been multi millionaires for all I know but we really enjoyed their company.

In fact we were invited,personally, to a master suite for cocktails and canapés.

TC2 ...we take people as they are and we never expect anyone to "live up to our expectations"..

Funny thing is...we had a big problem once on an Antarctic trip with Princess.We were apologised to and compensated more then adequately.We also had a problem one evening on Cunard in their dining room with a very offensive passenger on the next table.Again we were apologised to and compensated to.

Regent...problem...nothing....!

Travelcat2 I agree with you about not being that enamoured with Prime 7.It was always a big subject ( and issue) on Navigator this fall.Most people we met seemed to find it important to get an extra booking in Prime 7.it appeared to be a snobbery thing.

I did not rate the steak tartare appetizer ( boring and no garlic) nor the crab leg with the steak ( pre-frozen so tasteless),nor the dessert.The steak was excellent though.But we had great steaks in Sette Mari.there was no atmosphere in Prime 7 either.Service was poor.would give up my reservation to someone else if we booked again.

We much preferred to sit outside in Sette Mari every evening.

P.S. The crown grills on Princess was far superior to Prime 7 even though they charge a little extra..

You can use that roll call or start another. We had to cancel the cruise, and we were the only people on the roll call.

 

It sounds like a great itinerary and a great ship. Our reasons for cancellation were personal, and had nothing to do with the great experiences we've had on Regent.

Sorry you had to cancel your trip.Wishing you the best for the new year.

I agree. It was mentioned on the Oceania thread. Perhaps they meant aspirin and other over the counter medications.

I hope not.Aspirin will thin the blood and could react with other medication or could increase the risk of bleeding.

This is true but it is best not to bring politics into the situation as this is about cruising, etc. I still feel that the best time to visit (or cruise on one of the small non-U.S. based cruise lines) to Cuba is now. As mentioned on another thread, it is the people of Cuba that are most important. If you do visit, take clothing, and other items that are needed. If you can take medication, that is needed as well.

Giving your medication to others is very unwise.:(

Penthouse suite on Navigator made no difference on a weeks cruise.Only one reservation in Prime 7.

Go with star clippers.IMHO they are better than Regent and they go to Cuba.

Great small ships...

Just an FYI re HAL....they allow smoking on their balconies :(

That's me out the picture then...

The quality of various things on our mini Disney cruise beat Regent at times!!!!

We loved it with our grandchildren.

TC2.

You will be up and about in no time.make sure you follow the physiotherapy exercises as instructed....! I was on Navigator with a' mechanical' knee brace after stem cell surgery to my knee ( new option instead of replacement).i came across some really lovely caring people.So thanks to anyone who met me.

Your posts have been really good and thanks to you and computer works for the info.

Look forward to any more threads onboard any Regent ( or other) ships.

Merry Christmas everyone and good health for the new year.:D

The lamb looked like it was encased in a suet crust..

Thanks for the great thread.Being across the atlantic,all you Americans tend to post in the middle of my night,so I get up each day ( sometimes 6am for work) looking forward to the posts.

Unhappy with Regent I think I may now look into Oceania.

Main course: Osso Buco on Saffron risotto. This was cooked to absolute perfection (10 out of 10). It as fabulous!

 

While waiting for our dessert (tera misu -- spelled like a two year old would spell it - blame it on the wine), the Maitre 'D gave us some Parmesano Reggiano (sorry - horribly misspelled). We also had biscotti (not impressed). The dessert was 10 out of 10. Service by Nelson was amongst the best we have received at sea. We look forward to returning to Toscana and will ask for Nelson to be our server.

 

Tomorrow is St. Kitts. This is the first port where we will put on mosquito repellent (the type with the ingredient specifically for the mosquito problem there and in St. Barts).

 

Going to try to send photos:-)

We stopped at St Kitts Christmas Day last year and got bitten almost to death.Wish we had taken our mosquito repellent.Not the place we thought it would be at all.good wi if at coffee stops but very dirty little town.

As for the food pics,thanks.Apart from the cypress salad and polenta,it looked great.

We had Luke warm red onion soup on Navigator.It was in a posh bowl,the colour of cement and no little dressing on top.Vile....

Keep posting.Very interesting...

We did have suckling pig one day on the pool deck.It was cold unfortunately.it was on the menu for the Special German day lunch.It was also our Remembrance Sunday and the Americans Veterans Day.!

portofinoitaly: I appreciate that you are being open minded (I could learn from you:-). Agree that I was a bit too passionate on the Ebola thread. There was no doubt in my mind that Regent would do the right thing. It simply did not happen fast enough for some people.

 

This morning I am simply taking in the beauty of the Riviera. We had breakfast in the Grand Dining Room. It is simply magnificent. This ship was the vision of FDR -- his "footprint" is on every part of the ship. For those of you that will be on the Riviera someday, take some time to look at the details. Even the artwork that many do not like is amazing. There is a different theme in every part of the ship. I will forward a couple of photos from The Terrace Cafe to computerworks. While I would not want them in my home, I enjoy looking at them

 

We are going ashore in a few minutes. We are in St. George, Grenada - it is reported to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. My DH has a special affinity for anyplace that was/is British. This island is known for spices. If we can legally take them in the U.S., we may purchase some.

 

When we stop in the Caribbean ports on Oceania or Regent I am reminded of how the company attempts to avoid docking at the same time as mega ships. It is so appreciated by many of us who prefer not being in port with 5,000+ other cruisers. I wonder if NCL will want Oceania or Regent to dock when a NCL ship is in port? Hope not. Perhaps I am over thinking this and need to get back to food.

We were impressed with the docking in the Caribbean.as you say,avoiding the bigger ships.

Unless they have live frogs on the ship.:rolleyes:

No they are frozen,covered in garlic and taste like chicken apparently.so why eat something that is held down,had its legs chopped off whilst still alive and left to try and hop away.then frozen to lose its flavour so smothered in sauce.?

When the French were top of the league for cuisine,they were just a snobby form of appetiser,and still are.

Suite travels,I think there is a bigger issue here then my post.

Let's get back to Travelcats postings and say thanks for them.Im really enjoying them and now I know how you must feel.;)

Jacquie, I hope you are not avoiding the frog's legs because of the name. Absolutely a delicious and not heavy specialite. Breaded tender meat with garlic, does not have a buttery sauce.:D

They are slaughtered when alive.gives the diner the best texture? Yuk...

Just back from Navigator,Western Caribbean.No BBQ... I was looking forward to it...:(

Well, shoot. that is discouraging.

We all have different expectations...

Maybe ours was too high.Dont be discouraged because we were on a sailing that I now read on cruise critic,had a ' different clientele' then it usually would..

If the price was right and the itinerary,we may contemplate giving it another go and asking for the things we didn't get but expected.!

We cruised RSSC for more than ten years and were loyal. We sailed more than 150 days. However, after two lengthy cruises on the Mariner we said never again. Food, service, tours,et al were poor. We find Celebrity to be superior in all respects. And we now are loyal to Seabourn for luxury cruises. We just returned from A 36 day cruise on Seabourn Oddysey which was the best cruise ever.

 

And when we complained to Regent? Well, basically they said we don't give a damn. Worst travel customer service ever. If Regent improves under N C L I hope folks will let us past Regent cruisers know

 

 

 

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We have only recently done our first Regent cruise and we were disappointed.I have read as many postings as I can to try and give myself a different opinion.I wondered if I was missing something and being too 'picky', but time and time again I am reading postings like this.

We much preferred Star Clippers and Cunard.

Yes there were very good things about our Regent cruise,but absolutely not worth the money one pays.

I am enjoying this comparison thread.

Just off Navigator for our first cruise with regent and I kept comparing with cunard and royal clippers.

It's healthy to do this and learn from it.Keep up the posts.

To be honest the advertising for this ship makes it sound like ultimate luxury, but that is what we were expecting on Navigator.

I am very interested to be able to compare the two.

Sorry.Cannot see the menu very well.bit blurred...

From what I have seen and read, the included wines on luxury cruise lines are about the same caliber as Regent. Yes -- there have been comments on other boards as well.

 

In terms of handing out a list of included wines, while it makes sense in a fine dining restaurant, it sounds like more than cruise ships could handle. Since math isn't my thing, I did a very simple calculation in my head. Assuming that CR seats 400 guests at a time (may be more), and each 4 guests have 1 bottle of wine during dinner (many of us have more than 1/4 bottle of wine with dinner and some do not drink wine), that would be 100 bottles of wine that need to be on hand for dinner service. The wines of the day are ready to pour and they have a good stock of them. When we order something different, many times the sommelier must go to the wine cellar and get the wine. Now, try to imagine handing every guest a list of 30-45 wines at dinner. Instead of the majority of guests ordering the wine of the day, it is possible they would need numerous bottles of each variety on hand.

 

Service in CR is challenging when the dining room is full. I can't imagine how this would slow service down. When we sail on Silversea, there we are not given a "included" wine list. Perhaps this is done on other ships. In any event, the cost to sail on Regent is high enough and I would not like to see it go any higher due to wine costs. Most people have OBC's and can certainly use them for higher quality wines -- it isn't much different than having them included.

 

Note: Just thought that it would probably be doable to list 3-4 red wines and 3-4 white wines on the menu instead of one. We would like that very much.

But isn't the list of included wines something that very passenger should know about. Isn't that a difference between Princess and Regent,say?

It was just one of a list of things I find to be lacking in a 6 star luxury cruise line( and I can list the others on a different thread)..