labonnevie

No.

We had an 8:30 am flight. We got to the airport at 6:30. It was a long walk from checkin to the lounge. The lounge was long and narrow. It was hard to find where to get various breakfast offerings. Eggs were one place, breads another. The place was packed, we had to wait for a place to sit. When we did, an air conditioner was blowing directly on us. When our flight was called, it was only a short walk, but then we waited for 30 minutes to board, standing as there were no chairs. Other than that, it was perfect. 🤨

Memory is the second thing to go. At the moment, I can’t recall the first.

Best Alaskan excursion I have had (only two Alaskan cruises) was from Juneau. Helicopter up onto Mendenhall glacier. Then hiking on the glacier, using crampons and poles. One of my most memorable excursions in 20+ cruises.

We flew Emirates Dubai to Los Angeles this past December. It was the only nonstop for that route and we had to pay Regent a $1600 pp upcharge. At 16 hours, versus a minimum of 22 hours including a transfer, we felt it was worth it. Thoroughly enjoyed Emirates, although not really impressed with the lounge in Dubai. Also made use of the included limo pickup in Dubai and at LAX. That was very helpful.

Second the recommendation for the Alvear Palace, wonderful hotel, although it is not central to most tourist sites.

We stopped at Belfast years ago on the day of the Orange marches. It was…uh, interesting.

In 2018, we wanted to take our family on an Alaskan cruise for our 50th. Total of six adults and six kids (ages 2 to16). Couldn’t make it work on Regent due to the three per cabin. Used HAL instead in two high end suites for less than the Regent price. Kids enjoyed it more than they would have enjoyed Regent.

Make sure you get to Iguazu Falls before you embark in BA. It is hard to find words to describe how magnificent they are. Not sure what Regent’s pre cruise land tour includes, but in the past I believe some have included Iguazu. BA itself is beautiful and worth a few days minimum. Personally, I would rather spend time in BA than Rio, but Rio is worth a day or two.

The entertainers on Navigator in November were the best we have ever seen on 20+ cruises. Some of them were staying onboard through March. Glad you enjoyed them as much as we did. Unfortunately we didn’t have Ray.

Suggest starting a Roll Call.

Exactly our experience. In April, we flew LAX to Tokyo for our Explorer cruise. Regent’s flight credit was $5500 when we made our reservation (it later increased to $6000). We booked ANA business class on our own for $4300. Nice little savings. However, I am certain that if we had been flying from the east coast, we would not have been able to come close to Regent’s credit. Flying to Istanbul and home from Dubai in November/December we couldn’t come close to Regent’s air credit. Net: your home location and embarkation/disembarkation ports probably has a lot to do with whether you can meet or beat Regent’s air credit for a given cruise.

Best mushroom soup. Ever.

Dinner in the Platka is always fun. If you can time it right, the changing of the guard is entertaining.

I think I said that.

In April we disembarked in Yokohama, not Tokyo I know, but it was one of the slowest disembarkations we have ever experienced. Not sure why but it was painstakingly slow. It may have been partly due to Japanese immigration.

Any MaiTai’s?

But we only need 30 nights to get to leather luggage tags/Platinum status!

Wow! That is quite the incentive for me to spend thousands to get to Platinum. Need to go make three or four more bookings!

Sorry to hear that. We have had no problem getting a list of included wines sent to our cabin the first day on board. We just find the sommelier and request it (11 Regent cruises).

Easy to get tables for two in Compass Rose just about any time. Easier to get tables in the specialty restaurants at the time you want if you agree to share. Tables for two are limited. For Setti Mari we often opt for the second seating, about 8 or 8:15 to avoid waiting for the opening seating at 6:30. The restaurant is also quieter later. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

Suggest you reserve one specialty restaurant for the first night. Easier to get time you want, even easier if you agree to share. Then you can decide if you want to return later in the cruise. You can only make one reservation for each specialty restaurant before you board. In the Compass Rose (MDR), every night one side of the menu is the same every night, the other side changes nightly. If there is anything you want, they will make it for you, given 24 hours notice and that they have the ingredients. The included wines are generally good, not wow. Have the sommelier send a list of all the included wines on board to your cabin on embarkation day. That way you can pick what you like from day one, as they only offer a couple of included wines each night. But if they have it, you can order any wine on the list in any restaurant any night.

Definitely not true (11 Regent cruises). While we prefer to share and have met innumerable wonderful, outgoing, fun fellow passengers this way, we have never had a problem getting a table for two. Many of the tables for two in the CR are at the windows.

TMI