GOARMY

Or, as Teddy Roosevelt opined (not totally in jest): "I stole Panama, fair and square." That is why McCullough's book is so instructive as to the political and military calculations "TR" made while assigning construction of the Canal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. GOARMY!

Five times through the Canal, four of which were on Regent ships. Combination of 'Carib to Pacific; and visa versa. Next-up: January, 2025. Grandeur, L.A. to Miami. Regent passages included having one of the Guest Lecturers present briefings in the Theater two or three days prior to entry. Commentators referred to David McCullough's classic: "The Path Between the Seas". Chapter, a verse or two, and pictures. The first time through, I brought that heavy book onboard. In addition, Regent boarded a local Commentator on the morning prior to entry. The ones we heard had detailed Canal experience as Engineers and Pilots. Their ongoing commentary from the Bridge was accessible to folks observing happenings while on-deck, as well as those in Suites. Added to the experience. GOARMY!

GMIAC: One other point: Do NOT rely on someone at the Reception Desk to give you accurate information on this aspect. Recent (February) cruise ending in Polynesia. Filled out the End of Cruise Disembarkation Form as to method of departing Mariner. We were Independent Travelers. Responsible for getting ourselves from ship to airport. Had significant OBCs (nonrefundable) to use up before departure. Had planned to use these for transfers. Reception advised we could NOT use OBCs because they could only be used while still on the ship. Went to Concierge. He quickly sorted this out. YES. Sat at his desk as he readjusted our Account to reflect same. Regent transfers are, shall I say, significantly pricey. So, it "pays" to double check this aspect out a few days prior to debarkation. GOARMY!

Stefken: You will enjoy the Victoria and Alfred Hotel. Stayed there, pre-COVID, at the suggestion of our TA, for several days on our own before transfer to Regent's assigned downtown hotel; then onward for a precruise Safari prior to boarding Mariner. Excellent Waterfront location. Many fine restaurants in easy walking distance from V&A. Concierge very helpful in facilitating local tours. Upon return from Safari segment--boarded Mariner at a Waterfront Pier. V&A was only three blocks away. GOARMY!

Pack Leader: Grandeur and Splendor offer H-level veranda Suites to attract guests traveling solo. A smart business decision. This is another demographic reality. GOARMY!

Wendy: Correct. The only culinary "classes" we have experienced on Mariner and Navigator have been cooking demonstrations conducted in The Theater and hosted by the Chef. My wife has attended several. Who knows? Mariner is going to undergo a major refit in late 2025. Word is it will add another specialty restaurant. Perhaps that could be a venue for hands-on culinary classes--rather than creating another separate, single-purpose room as is the current case for Explorer, Splendor, and Grandeur. Of course, given the layout (separate cooking stations) for a culinary class, that would take some tinkering. Just a thought. GOARMY!

Bruce61: If I can remember to do so--I will do so. GOARMY!

snorkel-- No need to plough over the same ground on this often-commented topic. There will be Beverage Request Form, regardless of ship, on your online booking under "Customize Your Voyage" IF you are in Penthouse and above. Suggest you review another recent CC Thread, which should address follow-up nuances. That is-- May 2nd Thread titled: "Mini-Bar Selections". That inquiry generated 30 replies over the next few days. Happy review. GOARMY!

mrlevin: Pass on our regards to Brandon. We met him a year ago aboard Navigator on BtB NYC-Montreal-NYC segments. Two delightful dinners with him--the last being a themed South African meal he thoughtfully put together. My wife being a gourmet cook certainly facilitated dinner table banter. Hold onto positive thoughts re: Greenland (and Iceland). Will be on Splendor in less than two weeks for visits to both. My concern is volcanic activity at Iceland. Jim and Sue Redmond, WA GOARMY!

Gpilon's and Doleabludger's comments need little amplification. This topic periodically resurfaces every two or three years on CC Regent Threads. Old news and posts remain similar to more-current comments. Nothing has changed much related to Miami Port. Having contributed earlier cautionary entries, no repeat other than--based on our three debarkation experiences--schedule NO departures from Miami Airport before 1230H; schedule NO departures from Ft. Lauderdale Airport before 1300H. Our fourth arrival at Miami will be in January 2025 following a Grandeur cruise. No issues there. We are extending our stay three days to stay with relatives residing nearby. GOARMY!

A "Bridge [service cut] Too Far" for us would involve those two evening turndown chocolates on the Suite bed. Should Regent take that particular 'perk away; and we will be away for the duration. Lest one take the above too seriously: consider the context of applying a Bridge Too Far analogy to any contemporary situation. Genesis is Cornelius Ryan's 1974 book by the same title. WWII's "Operation Market-Garden". That particular bridge was at Arnhem, Holland. Had the opportunity to visit that historic site--and travel on a portion of the road leading to it several years ago. Sobering. Do a Google. Let us keep 1st World "things" and problems in perspective. Having cruised on the other 5+star lines on pre and post-Pandemic segments--no second thoughts as to continuing devoting the majority of our SKI (spending the kid's inheritance) dollars on Regent. In two weeks: early at London for a few days before boarding Splendor Best. GOARMY!

chamima: US dollars are fine. GOARMY!

Retired: If you are doing your own flight to Rome, you are responsible for arranging the transfer to Regent's assigned hotel. Once there--Regent will take care of next-day's transfer from hotel to Port. Likewise, you will be responsible for transfer off the ship to airport upon completion of cruise. chamima: Regent will take care of your transfer from Rome airport to Regent's hotel; later transfer van (or bus) to Port. Regent will also handle your transfer from ship to whatever airport you will utilize to return home. GOARMY!

Didogaribaldi: With the caveat that a cruise segment of 16 days or more will have two "Formal OPTIONAL" designated nights: Yes. The tuxes do appear (about 15% of gents, me included, don them). Some guys will actually jump the shark by wearing a sports jacket. Even see a few adding a tie. Ladies seem to exceed their spouses or significant other in dressing in a manner befitting honoring the 5+ star service we have always experienced on Regent ships. That is easy for me to opine, as my wife of 54 years was a model both before and following our marriage. GOARMY!

LoveChops: Did Explorer's Vancouver, B.C.-Tokyo cruise last Fall. This included three-day "Vibrant Tokyo" post-cruise add-on with stay at Hilton Tokyo. Hotel was fine; separate breakfast area venue for Regent guests. Included Breakfast buffet was massive as to choices. Had dinner one night at one of the three specialty restaurants. Best French Onion soup I ever had--to include those enjoyed during earlier stays in France. Convenient location as to other dining options both in adjacent metro area and at the atrium located directly beneath the hotel. One quirk: Our room was on the 22nd (or so) Floor. Learned, in the mornings, to go UP in an elevator before going DOWN to lobby for breakfast; or to a lower floor reception room used to gather, and brief, guests before a morning or afternoon tour. This assured us not having a long wait for boarding an elevator during "rush hours". . We were O.K. with the tours. Interesting sites within the greater (and it is a REALLY greater) Tokyo area. Lots of walking, often up a series of steep steps to a Temple, or Shrine. Guides were fluent in English, kind, and responsive when responding to questions. Explorer was, as usual, in good shape. Great Staff. Top service. Hope this helps. But, as always, YMMV. GOARMY! .

Second DeepFreeze's observations. Yes, cold exterior conditions when jogging on Deck 12. But, could repair to the wonderful, and steamy Infinity Pool; then to the adjacent steam/sauna room. There is no way to predict sea conditions at any time of year, on any cruise. When at sea, "Ship" can happen. Mitigate adverse responses to rough seas by booking a centered and lower Deck Suite. Explorer is our favorite Regent ship. Well, will board Splendor for the 1st time in a few weeks. So--bottom line is the favorite Regent ship is the one I am currently on. GOARMY!

We are experiencing same situation. Our TA contacted Regent yesterday. Response was to check back next week (try Tuesday or Wednesday) when Regent anticipated being able to have resolved this nagging glitch. GOARMY!

We have celebrated significant milestones in our lives when aboard Radisson/Regent. You can't go wrong in ANY dining venue whether Compass Rose (CR) or one of Grandeur's three other specialty (reservations required) restaurants. Want "bells and whistles" if celebrating with friends also-aboard? That would be CR. The CR basic menu features selected entrees from the other restaurants each night. Or, should you want a special meal to go-along with your birthday celebration--give restaurant management at-least 24-hours notice. A quieter venue? Prime 7. Table for two. Special wine. Suggest advising your Travel Agent of this event well in advance of the trip. The "word" will be passed along. GOARMY!

Whistling balcony doors; slamming closet doors; reopened interior doors between common area and bedroom in PH Suites resulting in--more slamming nighttime noises. Yes to all three on Explorer back in 2017 when on a series of inaugural cruises. Engineers were a common sight in hallways vising Suites and making quick fixes. Ours included. Whatever they did solved, more or less, the balcony door issue while allowing us to utilize that area. When last on Explorer in late 2023--no issues with closet door. That jam worked. Silence at night as to sliding balcony door. Nary a whistle heard even in windy, rough weather. Granted, our PH was centered, and lower. Reference 2Sailing nomads Post #5: Still had to confront the interior door issue. "Solution" was keeping doors open at night and placing a heavy chair in the track. Restricted further slamming. When at sea: Ship happens. GOARMY!

A quick addendum to my earlier Post. Our stay--and watching the Super Bowl was in February, 2024. Most important is Wendy's comment as to climate and humidity. Weather the day of our stay fluctuated from driving rainstorms and severe winds to a blazing sun. Our concern was how that might affect our UA flight. Ultimately, it did not. One other memory: Interior hotel hallways were clouded by water vapor. Walls were wet. It was THAT humid. GOARMY! .

mj: You did not provide more specifics as when you will arrive at Papeete. That tempers following remarks. We ended our Mariner WC segment at Papeete on 01/12/2024. Concierge. Utilizing an old-Army "SWAG" [Scientific Wild-*ss Guess]--opine Faaa Hilton Hotel for those Concierge guests arriving a day early in French Polynesia. Our experience. Upon departing Mariner, a short van ride--with others--down the waterfront from Pier to Hilton. That trip took about 15 minutes. Regent had arranged guests leaving Mariner for return to wherever we came from accessing a "day-stay" at Hilton enabling use of Lounge, Pool, and Restaurant prior to onward late-night flights. Ours was back to SEATAC on a UA flight departing shortly after Midnight. So-- We booked a full day Stay at that Hilton. Well-worth the money. That enabled my dear wife to relax in our air-conditioned Suite; take naps; enjoy two delightful meals (lunch and dinner) with me at Hilton's restaurant while-- in the interim I enjoyed watching the Super Bowl Game piped-in to a gigantic Lobby screen. Along with about 100 other folks. Hilton staff provided popcorn and snacks. But, as usual, I digress. Due to propinquity to Cruise Terminal, would put a bet down on that Hilton for your one-night stay prior to boarding. Do a Google. It will show Hilton's location to be, literally, adjacent to the end of airport runway. HOWEVER--also based on past experiences at Papeete on earlier Radisson/Regent and other Lines: There are a plethora of top-hotels available. Not all are as close to Terminal as Hilton. So--as you are Concierge: keep in touch with your TA and/or Regent as your departure date approaches. Cruise documents will show which specific hotel will be your refuge. One other Note: Be prepared for HOT, really HOT and humid conditions. GOARMY!

Well, ladies: I will gracefully fall on my (sheathed) sword. At-least I had the correct family. GOARMY!

Lady Meer: Well, actually, No. The Queen's husband was Prince Albert of Sax-Coburg and Gotha. For obvious reasons, that Cape Town hotel shorted his name to Albert. GOARMY!

Lonedaddy: Quick answer is Yes at the Waterfront as to where our Mariner ship awaited our arrival. Cautionary Note: Our experience was shortly before the Pandemic. So--others might comment as to more-recent post-Pandemic experiences. As to other aspects of your Post: Our additional luggage (those not-taken on the pre-cruise Safari described in Post #7) had been dispatched from Regent's assigned downtown-area hotel where we stayed the night before beginning the Safari to somewhere--I known not where--while we were at Camp Figtree. Whatever--the point being those bags were there for us to unpack when we entered our Mariner Suite. Regent is responsible for luggage you tag at Regent's assigned hotel and leave for pick-up by hotel staff from your room on day of hotel departure. This has never been an issue. An aside: We could see our Victoria & Albert Hotel (see Post #7 for context) at the Waterfront Port upon return from the Camp Figtree pre-cruise Safari and subsequent to boarding Mariner. GOARMY!

Blacklane. Good service. GOARMY!