GOARMY

Rothko1 28-total years combining Active and Active Reserve duty home and abroad. Initially, Infantry as a Platoon, then Reconnaissance Platoon Leader with 1st Infantry Division ("Big Red 1") in Vietnam. Then, onto 1st Division ("Danger Forward") slotted as Assistant Order of Battle Officer to finish out that '68-'69 deployment. Numerous Stateside assignments following permanent switch to Military Intelligence. Assignments in D.C., Arkansas, California, and at the Army's Intelligence Center and School, Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Retired in 1993. GOARMY!

Rothko1: To broaden the range: Over 10 years ago, probably about 15--while aboard a Seabourn ship, heard a morning announcement into all Suites from the Captain advising anyone having information concerning "an incident" which occurred in The Casino the previous night to report what was witnessed to a ship's Officer. We were NOT in the Casino. Two days later--announcement from the Captain, again to all Suites, that the individuals involved in the incident had been, since the "incident", restricted to their Suites. This was one day before end of that segment. Of course, the unofficial rumor mill had run rampant in the interim. Apparently two guys traveling together had gotten into an argument with a third guy. A fight broke out. One fellow sustained an eye injury; another guy an arm injury. The Captain added that, in accordance with protocol, these individuals would not be allowed to book another cruise on any Seabourn ship. BtW: We were on the same flight back to the USA following debarkation with two guys--traveling together a few rows up. Recalled seeing them previously during the cruise. One sported a big patch covering half his face; his buddy had a medical bandage wrap covering a hand and wrist. I doubt they sustained such from hitting each other. How about applying the equivalent of a TSA "Do not Fly" List to such miscreants? GOARMY!

Rothko1: See penultimate sentence in Post #3. GOARMY!

Roxydog15: Assuming you will be on Explorer. We join that ship, again, in September for a cruise to Japan. Explorer has a special desk in the Reception area to handle Specialty Restaurant reservations. Make an early visit to that location, particularly if you are seeking a second reservation. Everyone gets a shot at one dinner at each venue. People do not show up; people cancel--which is the proper thing to do. Which creates opportunities. If all else fails, check in, in person, at that particular specialty dining front desk around the time you would like to be seated. You may have to "share" a table with someone else. And/or, Staff will let you know when something opens up. In the interim, advise which cocktail lounge you will be in. They will come and get you. Having to "stay in the MDR" [Compass Rose] is hardly a penance. CR is great on all Regent ships we have been on over these past many, many years. GOARMY!

As usual, Pcardad cuts to the chase. Nothing to add. GOARMY!

bitob: Subject to correction, see my Post #14. One per segment. GOARMY!

mrlevin: Yes. I should have clarified that two of those three Sundays were in Port. Coming this September-October: Explorer from Vancouver B.C. to Tokyo. Two Sunday at-sea days. Looking forward to the one Sunday specified for that Brunch. I understand the protocol is to offer one such Brunch on a segment even though there may be two such sea day Sundays during that particular itinerary. GOARMY!

FWIIW: Just completed B/t/B segments on Navigator which included three Sundays. No "spectacular" Sunday brunch ala Explorer and Splendor. Had to settle for champaign and caviar, as usual. Plus, the usual great breakfast options always available at La Veranda and Compass Rose. Oh my, how we suffered (NOT)! GOARMY!

This is a Brunch. Based on experience(s), we eschewed any breakfast. Saved tummy space for the elaborate Brunch service in Compass Rose, which began first-come, first-seated open seating around 10:00 am. Just enjoy the experience, which we anticipate will be fully replicated when we are aboard Explorer for a September-October cruise to Tokyo. GOARMY!

Just returned from B/t/B Navigator segments from NYC to Canada; then back to NYC via Bermuda. Excellent series of lectures by a Canadian lady covering periods of history involving French and British interactions--military and political--in the Maritime areas of Canada; visits of British Royals to Canada and the United States; WWII conferences at Quebec City involving Churchill and Roosevelt; and aspects of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II policies toward Canada. One particularly interesting one was Prince Charles' (now King Charles) travels to Canada and the U.S. over the past 40 or 50 years. Well-attended. Met our expectations of the presenter's professionalism and knowledge on topics relevant to the area(s) we have cruised in over many years with Regent. GOARMY!

gkbiii: The physical fight I witnessed on Mariner (or was it Voyager?) six or seven years ago was all-about--no surprise--a deck lounge. Just-walking in the area when observing two guys yelling at each other on either side of the lounge both were trying to simultaneously occupy. Yells devolved into an exchange of punches, some of which landed. They then got into a wrestling match until both fell on the deck. Staff intervened. An Officer arrived, ordering them to return to their Suites. The Officer asked me and two other passengers who observed the situation to write down what we had seen. He obtained our Suite numbers. Received a message later that afternoon in our Suite to meet with either him or another senior Officer so a record could be made. Did so. A bit later--comes an announcement to all Suites from the Captain asking anyone who had observed the event to contact him, or a ship's officer. Perhaps others did. Next day, Captain made another general announcement advising the miscreants had been restricted to their Suites; and would remain so until the ship arrived at the next Port. They would then be offloaded for return at their own expense to wherever they came from. MOST important: Captain advised they would not be allowed to book another cruise on any Regent ship. No-doubt, alcohol probably was a contributing factor. GOARMY!

Responding to Ship Traveler and cruiseeJ: Can only speak from experiences with our TA. Your TA, if utilized, may have a different method of returning unused refundable OBCs. Our TA offers an alternative to taking cash off the ship. Do nothing. Within a week or so, the amount of refundable OBCs will show up as a credit on the credit card one used to make the booking. We have always taken the cash. That is just us. Do whatever is comfortable for you, should this option be available. BBWC: Well, then we were told a bit of a fib as to the first-ever wine dinner. I am shocked, shocked! Our group thought we were really, really special. GOARMY!

Jim B: Really, really want a BLT? Try Room Service, available 24-7. GOARMY!

jeb_bud: Running into a little glitch attempting to respond directly to your Post "27". So--scan through my earlier attached text. --------- Depending on the cruise--and a "special" Regent incentive to entice booking--the nonrefunable, repeat nonrefundable, OBC can be significant. That is totally SEPARATE from any refundable OBCs obtained via a TA. Just-completed a Navigator B/t/B originally booked through our TA (one with significant personal experience on Regent ships) about 18 months ago. Regent's enhanced nonrefundable OBT was around $1,800.00. Wanted to fill-up those segments. It worked, as we were at full passenger capacity. Use it or lose it. We used almost every penny of Regent's money. Did so via wife's spa treatments, my haircut; and some jewelry. Most-significantly on Regent Special Wine Pairing lunches; and a FIRST-time ever on any Regent ship--an elaborate dinner "Connoisseur Wine Dining Experience" staged in a separate venue and hosted by the Executive Chef and Head Sommelier Emiliapo Chumacera. Food and Beverage Manager Brandon Haylock advised us (at a nice dinner with him) the Staff worked on every aspect of this event for weeks. All costs were covered. Walked off the ship with cash obtained by cashing-in our TA's separate refundable OBC on the last cruise day which exceeded $1,000.00. Exact amount will not be disclosed. Never had to use any of that money during our two segments. That why we have used the same TA for the past-many years. GOARMY! -------- O.K. Trying to complete the response. Again---two SEPARATE sources for OBCs. These are INDEPENDENT from each other. One from the TA, if utilized; the other directly from Regent which serves as an initial incentive to sign-up. This pertains to folks who choose not to use a TA as a facilitator. No TA--no second source of OBCs. Of course, prior to beginning our segments, our TA had sent us a Summary Sheet containing the exact amount of those Refundable Credits. It is ALWAYS important to double-check, once aboard, with Reception Desk to confirm amount of funds shown for each separate-separate account. The amount of refundable Credits (provided by our TA) was exactly confirmed. Regent will drain-down the NON-refundable account first; then, utilize the Refundable account (via the TA). Should the client expend BOTH--then, Credit Card the client posted upon boarding will be accessed to assure that when one leaves the ship, nothing is still outstanding. In that event, the client will receive a Statement indicating the amount of funds which will be charged to that Card. Hope this clears this up. If not, we will try this again. GOARMY!

Depending on the cruise--and a "special" Regent incentive to entice booking--the nonrefunable, repeat nonrefundable, OBC can be significant. That is totally SEPARATE from any refundable OBC obtained via your TA. Just-completed a Navigator B/t/B originally booked through our TA (one with significant personal experience on Regent ships) about 18 months ago. Regent's enhanced nonrefundable OBT was around $1,800.00. Wanted to fill-up those segments. It worked, as we were at full passenger capacity. Use it or lose it. We used almost every penny of Regent's money. Did so via wife's spa treatments, my haircut; and some jewelry. Most-significantly on Regent Special Wine Pairing lunches; and a FIRST-time ever on any Regent ship--an elaborate dinner "Connoisseur Wine Dining Experience" staged in a separate venue and hosted by the Executive Chef; and Head Sommelier Emiliapo Chumacera. Food and Beverage Manager Brandon Haylock advised us (at a nice dinner with him) the Staff worked on every aspect of this event for weeks. All costs were covered. Walked off the ship with cash obtained by cashing-in our TA's separate refundable OBC on the last cruise day which exceeded $1,000.00. Exact amount will not be disclosed. Never had to use any of that money during our two segments. That why we have used the same TA for the past-many years. GOARMY!

TS: Just-returned from a B/t/B on Navigator, and catching up on CC Threads. Regarding Estonia, and particularly the "Soviet Past" excursion: Did that when aboard Explorer on a 2019 B/t/B in The Baltics and British Isles. One of my interests is WWII Diplomatic and Military History. So, took that 5-hour tour. Sobering, including visits to a former prison in which Soviet units interrogated, tortured, then murdered numerous Estonian resisters. Their photographs were posted in a Memorial within that complex. Also, a visit to a nearby Military cemetery containing memorials to other victims of Stalin's hatred. Our Guide was the grand daughter of one of the victims. She provided a political context for that country's 20th Century history and specifically the period from 1939-1940 until Estonia was able to break free from either Russian--then German--then Russian domination--during WWII and finally regain its independence following the demise of the "old" Soviet Union. No wonder Estonia eagerly sought, and obtained 2004 membership in NATO. GOARMY!

Ray Solaire is on vacation. He left Navigator on May 31st at NYC--the day we boarded for our current B/t/B. Have cruised with him many times past. A great fit for Navigator. Sorry we just-missed him this time around. He will be back aboard Navigator in August. GOARMY! .

For us, all-time incentive record to rebook was for a Voyager extended cruise from Sydney to Singapore. Offers to cancel and rebook a cruise we had arranged to join with my brother and his wife and mutual friends began three weeks before getting on a series of flights from Seattle to Sydney. Stared with full refund plus $5,000. Last offer made three days before getting on the plane was--- $23,500 in addition to full refund. Did not take it, nor did anyone in our group, no-doubt because we had planned this particular cruise for about two years. Otherwise, had it just been the two of us, would probably have taken the bait. And, of course, that segment was completely booked. GOARMY!

Ditto to above comments. My wife descended the stairs at the drydock. I remained at street level. Excellent tour. This was when aboard Explorer. Tea and scones was aboard the only battle cruiser still in the water which participated in WWI's Battle of Jutland. More history. Highly recommend it. GOARMY!

Efficient, friendly Staff at all venues, as usual. Food and Beverage Manager Brandon Haylock particularly of note. Pleasant dinner with him a few nights ago. He picks up on the "little things" as to quality of wines. Followed his lead in this regard. Looking forward to tomorrow's wine pairing luncheon which he is coordinating. GOARMY!

No issues when we were last onboard which was October-November '22. Reminders were posted in "Passages" from time to time as to what NOT to flush. Well--that reminder is also "posted" on the toilet's lid. GOARMY!

snoozecruise: Have done Regent's shore excursions on turn-around day two or three times. Nothing as independent travelers. We wanted the assurance of knowing that should there be an accident; vehicle breakdown, or such--that Regent ship would not begin the second segment without us. Most-recent was pre-COVID in Fall, 2019 aboard Explorer. At Southampton for turn-around before beginning second leg of a cruise which, for us, began at Stockholm two weeks earlier. Nothing was available until we were onboard for the first leg. Made some inquiries. There were several other couples in the same situation. So--Regent arranged a five-hour Southampton to Winchester Town and Cathedral Tour. No additional charge. Very-nice. Everything went according to schedule. Time to reboard for a late lunch. Avoided the usual "crunch" of folks just-boarding. Nice way to spend the "downtime". So--check this out, again, once you are onboard. Maybe something will be offered, maybe not. So-much depends on the Port, local infrastructure, and availability of local Guides, vehicles, and such. Post-Pandemic hangovers have put a real strain on Port services we used to take for granted. GOARMY!

puppyluv1: You are not being negative. You are describing a situation which has never happened to us during a 23+ year history with Radisson/Regent. Suggest you review this reversal in fortune with your Travel Agent. Hopefully, your TA will have had experience with the Regent product to include actually being onboard from time to time. This would be in conjunction with being your advocate acquiring a similar Suite category (Penthouse) on the new booking with no increase in cost. Expect other CC'ers who HAVE gone through this experience to share same with you--as to what, if anything, Regent did to mitigate the situation. GOARMY!

PaulaJK: Based on past experiences in Venice/Fusina--one pre, and one-post-Pandemic: Here is simplest and best recommendation. Stuff continually changes as to any Port. Venice is a prime example. Long-gone are the days (early in the morning) when we transited The Canal, at-about 2 knots, gliding past St. Marks Square enroute to docking two kilometers from city center. Therefore: DO NOT rely on anecdotal comments on this Site. They are worth what you pay for them, mine included. Direct your questions directly to your Travel Agent--hopefully someone who has actual experience not-only putting clients aboard Regent ships; but being on those ships. If this is not an option: Contact Regent directly. You have plenty of time to have these questions answered. I cannot over-emphasize this enough. You are paying for this trip; that includes getting specific information DIRECTLY from Regent on each and every matter outlined in your message. In the interim, others may chime in. GOARMY!

Well, based on recent postings, we just made it over the wire before change in procedure. Our "old fashioned" documents (have not been in a leather binder for the past year's cruises) for upcoming May 31th Navigator sailing(s) beginning at NYC arrived via FedEx on May 5th. Will have to adjust to yet-another "paperless" reality. As usual, my dear wife will handle all the technical ramifications of this reality by downloading and printing out whatever we have to download and print out incident to preparing for this September's Explorer Vancouver-Tokyo adventure. Fortunately, already have the leather tags. Somehow, somehow, we will find time to ruminate on this while enjoying our first glass of bubbly on the 31st. GOARMY!