Mudhen

Excellent! thank you for the replies!

One of the things that Regent did that I so enjoyed was their "block parties". Do they still do that?

Fair winds and following seas, Jackie and Dennis.......

Will be awaiting your blog and maybe the occasional email...haha

Check out all of the bars and keep us posted as to the best one(s)!

Have one for us; we'll be thinking of you!

Linda

As my step dad used to say "some people aren't having fun, unless they're not having fun...."

It seems I have started a semi-s**t storm.

 

I humbly apologize.

 

:D:D:D,

Scott

Things are kinda different over here on the Regent board, as opposed to the Crystal forum, aren't they?!! The closest thing to this board that's on Crystal's, is the mini s--t storm about "flunkies" from the Edie thread (giggle). Oh, but then there's clothing debate....lol!

As someone who's cruised both and LIKES both lines, the Regent kids are a knowledgeable bunch, but they do get there panties in a twist fairly often.

Don't let 'em scare you!

Be still, my heart! HENDRICKS! Will have our TA request some for us. Thanks for mentioning it!

Here! Over here!......we've had wonderful experiences in Prime 7 on the Navigator, Voyager and Mariner. I'm a crab leg gal and I've never been disappointed! I actually prefer Prime 7 over Signatures......go figure!

I agree totally with "Baggy". We use both Regent and Crystal. We go with the itinerary and the price at any given moment. Feel we can't go wrong with either, although each line has it's own "flavor".

In the pros for Crystal, I had forgotten about the Bistro......that's a really nice thing! Always something interesting, from sweet to savory AND you can get a nice glass of wine to accompany your treats as well as wonderful coffees, teas, etc. Loved the bistro!

Been there, done both, like both. It's like comparing apples and oranges. We're on an April cruise on the Mariner and a late summer TA on the Symphony.

Pro's for Regent.....bigger cabins, dine when you wish (no fixed seating times), very inclusive; air, tours if you wish, included pre cruise hotel (conceirge level and above)

Pro's for Crystal.....better food and presentation, better wine, better ship design, better service, better entertainment, better bars.

The above are only my opinions so are totally subjective. We enjoy Crystal's "included wines" more than Regents, but that's a crap shoot and can vary. Two of Crystal's biggest detractors are the two fixed dining times unless you do the reservation daily thing and the size of the cabins. Neither have been any sort of a problem for us. Even though the Crystal ships are older, I prefer the deck plan and the style of the ships as opposed to Regents.

I have to agree with everything that Jackie said above. Knowing both ships and lines fairly well, I'd choose any of the other Regent's ships for a TA rather than the Navigator. Crystal really shines on TA's, and we're booked on the late Aug. Symphony TA, however Regent can be a good value with included air and excursions. No matter what you choose, passengers will be in for a treat sailing with you guys!

WOW!

What are you guys doing over here??!!! Like everyone else, I thought I'd made a mistake and had punched in the Crystal board!

I'd have to agree with all that's been said about the Navigator. Been on her a couple of times.

Although our pockets aren't deep enough to book one of the "big" suites, I think itinerary, time of year and how many sea days would have to be big factors.

After having done Crystal, IMO, I think it would be a step down from what you're used to. Don't get me wrong, I love Regent (we're off on the Mariner to the Med in April), but the Navigator is a little ship. Our daughter and I were on the Navigator for an Alaska trip. While we loved the itinerary, we couldn't find a bar that we liked (no Saloon or Cove on this one). Thought it was a little close with a full boat. Only one specialty restaurant (Prime 7 and not one of Regent's best) not counting the evenings where there Veranda becomes Sette Mari.

Probably TMI......sorry for rambling!

Been there, done both Regent and Crystal. Hard to compare. Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses. TC did a good job of summerizing what's wrong with Crystal. Smaller cabins, fixed dining times or by reservation, extra pay for speciality restaurants after your first two times that are complimentary. I prefer Crystal's food (in general) over Regents. Like Silk Road and the sushi bar on C. Entertainment is better. Bars; a slight nod to Crystal for the Saloon and Mark Ferris. I also like the layout of the ship more on C. Longer, more narrow(?) not as "short and fat" (haha!) as Regents ships. Regent's cabins are MUCH larger, cabin layout better. Shore excursions, even the ones you don't pay extra for are well done( I think).

Track is fast out there for the "big 4"....Regent, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal. Pick what you like. After doing general math, they're all pretty close in price.

I have done Regent, Oceania, Crystal, Celebrity, Princess, Sea Godess, Norwegian Windstar, Royal Caribbean, Royal Cruise Lines, etc., etc...I can't imagine why someone would not want to cruise with me because I cruised on Norwegian. Personally I am sick of hearing how BAD they are. They are not BAD at all! I have heard about "quality of cruisers"...OMG...I can't believe it.

What a bunch of hooey......I'll cruise with you anytime! We actually started on the "Bermuda Star" back in the dim dawn and were regulars on "Chandris Fantasy Cruises", the very early parent of Celebrity. We ALWAYS had a great time. "the Quality of cruisers'?? OMG, what has this board sunk to........

We received the new mailing yesterday as well. I was not too impressed with it. Yes, I guess it gives a run down of what coming, but compared to the other 3 of the "big 4", it was pretty poor. Especially considering Regent is probably the priciest of the group. Anyway, it's here.

Perrier-Jouët for me..but, would never turn down a glass of Veuve

That's my number 2.......mmmmm!

This is Jim's first cruise. Born and raised in Panama, our family cruised often in the 1950s and 1960s as a method of transportation, out of New York and later out of New Orleans, into Cristobal (and the reverse) aboard the now defunct Panama Line. My last cruise of that series was in 1969. It's been a while for me and liners are very much changed, for the better. So, yes, we're newbies ... and not since my first cruise was in 1950.

 

Jim is turning out to be a very good sailor and I always have been one such ... so it would be apposite to say we'll be doing more of this. We've another cruise booked on Silversea in November Barbados-Amazon-Barbados; in August 2016 we're on Azamara Quest bound out of Amsterdam for the Norwegian fjords and more (Hiya, rallydave!). This July we're doing a different sort of cruise, very slow motion, aboard the barge Belmond Amaryllis through the canals of Burgundy, yippee. It's a Grand Crus cruise (so to speak) so I'd better start prepping my palate.

 

Speaking of wine, the tipple aboard Navigator has been decent and more, I've been satisfied in the main. When I want a treat, we invest in a lush St. Emillion for only $65 (yay duty free). The champers in the suite as we came aboard was The Widow, a favorable impression that made.

 

Coffee has taken a turn for the worse, regret to say. It does seem to be an issue of note.

 

More later.

Awww, "the widow'........my favorite. Almost reason enough to book a suite! have a sip for me.....mmmmmmm!

Same here, as all of the above posts. Lots of "little" flyers in the mail, only what they want to sell immediately, but no "bible" of the years worth of cruises. By the same token, I requested a 2016 "bible" from Crystal and I had one within 4 days......same for Silversea (omg, what a book!) and Seabourn too. I do understand the deal about waste and the cost of mailing these behemouth catalogs, but I'd rather have "the book" than to always be turning on the computer to looks at stuff. The track is fast out there, Regent! Send us something useful for a change!

Chach keys ! Also known as yid a ka dids !

Thanks, everyone! Will be patient!

I just came from the Regent web site and signed up for a catalog. Unfortunately I have no idea what kind of a catalog I'm going to get. I've got a 2015, but would really like a 2016 one.

There was no place to make any kind of a request for what I want. Any ideas short of a phone call? Or isn't there one published yet?

My daughter (30) and I did the Navigator to Alaska 2 years ago. We had a wonderful time.

We enjoyed champagne on our balcony, bundled in our steamer rugs. The overhang kept the rain off of us. We had a lot of that (also in May). Our steward kept the champers coming as well as several good red wines (great for cold weather on the balcony), Irish coffee, warm mulled wine, hot tomato soup and grilled cheese, popcorn, cheese and crackers, chips, peanuts, assorted beer, and formally mixed drinks (when we were in our PJs!)

Basically if you can think it up, you can get it in your cabin!

One word about May.......it's wonderful because there isn't anyone there yet (other ships, tourists) but you do run a risk of chilly, rainy weather. The cruise before ours had glorious weather.....ours was the pits, but we still had a great time! Luck of the draw........

I thank everyone for their responses. I truely appreciate your suggestions, but what we're really looking for is something relatively near the Segrada Familia. I don't believe the ramblas area is anywhere near the SF. The Hotel Constanza is winning so far. We'll also need a triple which isn't so easy to come up with. I'll continue to work on this......

Aw Geez...........

Thank you for the info!

Thanking everyone for your responses. Will continue to collect info!