alainciao

I wholeheartedly agree with Rachel's raves for Jean Ann Ryan's production of "Film Flashback" last night. Songs from a great group of '80s films were performed, including "Top Gun," "Risky Business," "9 to 5," "Footloose," "Fame," "Flashdance" and "Blues Brothers." I think that a JAR star has been born in female vocalist Joanne Bacon, who can really belt, and has a great stage personality to match. Hard to believe this is not only her first Jean Ann Ryan contract but also, at 22, her first professional gig! Looking forward to watching all the JAR shows again next week.

Rich

Rich,

I totally agree about Joanne Bacon. We were mesmerized by her performances! A star is born. She was the highlight of our trip, well, AFTER meeting Z and TB:)

Just got off the Mariner but am posting here for reasons you will understand. I think the ambiance of any cruise ship is important and the art on that ship is an important aspect of this for me. FDR has a rep for good art, mostly because of the Riviera and Marina? ( I haven't been on the Marina). We also sailed on the Mariner in October of 2014. In approximately Dec of 2014 Regent changed out the art on the Mariner. Timing? Soon after the deal I think. There was some good art on the Mariner which was perhaps worth something. This trip the art was gone replaced by pretend art, the slashed color variety. It was so bad that upon disembarking yesterday I noticed that a pretend art painting in front of the forward elevators on deck 11 was peeling off! It was wall paper! Luxury is a feeling. Regent and Oceania are losing it. Now, the reason I posted here is this: " Has the art on the Riviera, which has been praised by many, been changed?" Those beautiful tropical landscapes in the spa area and the interesting South American art in the Horizon lounge, and many others. If so, I think the message is clear. Interested in your comments.

TC,

We just spent 4 days in Istanbul and it was fine. Nothing negative at all. My first time here and I loved it! Little hazy and muggy but that will probably be gone by the 16th.

We'll, this certainly a bad situation. Not for us on the Mariner but for the unfortunate refugees fighting for their lives. We board tomorrow. How about we CCers get together at the observation lounge after the safety drill and develop a plan to give something to these people? Can we take one port's budget ans somehow get it to someone who can help these people? For crying out loud, let's try something! After the safety drill! I don't want to skip this port. I want to do something however little in the grand scheme.

I agree also, Pingpong. The few comments here have helped me clarify my thinking about how to view cruise pricing. I was focused on brochure fares. I think a good way to look at brochure fares is as the cruise line's wishful thinking. Then reality bites. What is going on now in near term fares is tremendous add-ons, not fare-cutting per se, but very significant increases in the value proposition to fill ships. Full disclosure: I'm on the Mariner in Sept because of the included business fare (now gone). The mantra that is now being disproved is that you get the best price by booking early. That's my takeaway. Over and out.

Good points and I agree. However, it may be my imagination, and I have not done a spreadsheet, but it seems to me that Seabourn and Crystal prices are beginning to look relatively more attractive than Regent. Maybe I'm dreaming but could supply demand be at work?

Is there anyone else out there who wonders why the drop in oil prices and the strength of the dollar has not resulted in lower pricing for cruises late this year and next year, especially in the Med? These drops have been on the order of 20% (euro) to 50% (oil). That should result in some price decrease.:confused:

Freddie,

Just two things I wanted to tell you about Seabourn. We've only sailed once on the Quest, 42 nights Singapore to Venice, a wonderful cruise. Your review tells me you care a lot about the ambiance of the ship. Seabourn is modern and sleek. Art is minimalist and minimal. Also, be careful of the forward veranda cabins on deck 5 where the balconies get smaller and smaller as you go forward toward the anchor! Other than that we love Seabourn.

Hi Freddie,

Great review! I have been waiting to see a Crystal review just like this. I think you have Pat or my email, please drop us a note. I'm wondering about the dogs! Also, we're booked on the Encore in Feb. 2017.

Stan

Thank you all for your inputs. When I read that the "underground city" has air shafts as deep as 300 feet, I thought that could be a LOT of stairs, 30 stories worth, but that doesn't sound like the case.

We are looking at the Sept 6 Mariner Istanbul round trip with a Capadoccia pre-cruise. DW wants to know about the physical challenge of the cave tours, etc. Anyone with info on this extension? Thanks! BTW this cruise now has "free" business class air.

That's what I find interesting, conceptual-not final with steel already cut. Regent has had detailed suite information on their new ship, the Explorer, readily displayed for several months. In my mind it raises a delivery question. Hope I'm all wet.

It's on the web site, albeit a bit obscure. Try Plan a Cruise>eBrochure>Seabourn Ships>Accommodations & Deck Plans

Thanks, Secoma. I tried that and it seems to just have the little sisters and the O class. I looked around but couldn't find the Encore.

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. I wonder why Seabourn doesn't have this on their website.

We've booked a veranda cabin on Encore in Feb 2017. Really looking forward to it. I've not been able to find any room size information. They look about the same as the O class (which we have sailed) but I was wondering if anyone has seen actual square foot information. Thanks.

I will be boarding the Quest in two days, I'm hoping I don't get placed next door to a smoker. If i do, and said smoker smokes incessantly on the balcony I will implore said smoker to limit the times and duration. Should that not work, I will make his life miserable....

Kevin,

I hope you realize you have identified yourself as a self centered person who is intent on harassing a non-suspecting passenger who is probably looking forward to their SB cruise and has no idea there is a fanatic next to him who will harass him even though he is obeying the SB rules. Your comment is discouraging. I believe you and others have noted the fact that you have paid to be onboard. I was not aware that smokers cruised for free on SB.

Maybe I'm wrong but when I saw this category I thought it was a new category and the OB stood for obstructed balcony. This is appropriate for the few cabins on forward deck 5 which have a reduced balcony because of the curve of the bow. 501 and 502 being greatly reduced. It makes sense that Seabourn would break out these cabins into a separate category.

I think you should try Seabourn and expand your horizons. We sailed 41 nights on the Quest in 2013, Singapore to Venice. Sailed the Mariner, Lisbon to Miami in 2014. The Mariner is a beautiful ship, I think nicer then the O class of Seabourn, they are very modern and minimalist. 450 passengers vs 700 is noticeable and we like that a lot. The veranda suite is very nice and roomy. I give the edge to Seabourn for service. Food is equivalent. Good on both. Less choice in restaurants, however. We didn't care for Restaurant 2 on the Quest. I used to consider Regent my favorite line, but now give the edge to Seabourn. Flexibility as to excursions on Seabourn is a plus. Seabourn is not stuffy.

One improvement I would like to see is a re-arrangement of the Bar in the Observation Lounge. The bottles are kept in cupboards when the Bar is not in use, and have to be brought out by staff. The result is that in bad weather during the day the only Bar open is the Patio Bar, in the open air, as either management or staff are unwilling to go through the procedure to open the indoor Bar. Yes, the Square is available, but it is not set up for for a proper g and t or whatever. Bars should be able to be closed up without having to move all the bottles. Do hope this has been noticed by the designers of the new ships.

This is the most intelligent, important, and inspiring post I have ever read on CC. Lincslady, I hope we sail together someday!

Well, in hopes of gaining Regent's attention on the included wine issue, I'll add my two cents. I also asked for the included wine list on the first day. The wine waiter said I would get it in my room. Not. I asked again later and still never received the closely held secrets. Clearly, they wanted to serve certain wines and NOT others on the list. Several times we had to go thru the "only for you" routine when we asked for wines we knew were included. This is so obviously "cost cutting in action" that it is an insult to the luxury marketing hype. And to us. This kind of "in your face" treatment is a very negative experience and directly leads customers to reconsider their options. I don't want to slam the whole cruise, but this issue needs immediate action. I agree with others above that there must have been staff cuts in the dining rooms as they seemed overtaxed. This was our first TA and, as Responder said, there were some problems that created an excess of sea days. We learned we need to be proactive (activity wise) on a cruise with many sea days. There were good things: great housekeepers, a fun Country Fair, the last night Beatles rock night, Krew Kapers, Bond Martini night, enthusiastic entertainers and fun fellow cruisers.

We're on Regent Mariner right now and were on the Riviera in January. The Jean Ann Ryan ensemble is excellent. They are on both lines. Also, on a small ship it is easy to get to know these young entertainers who are really nice. That adds to the cruise experience.

We are booked on the second Insignia World Cruise in 2015 starting in July. However, we are on a 35 day leg from Hong Kong to Capetown. It occurred to me that the full world cruise passengers will have the artist's loft pretty much tied up so the segment cruisers would have no chance to sign up. Any thoughts?

I'm on this cruise. I was just thinking, what if we do stop in Dakar. And what if some people choose to go ashore and some don't. I wonder how these two groups of people will treat each other.

I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living

John D. Rockefeller

Beware of little expenses; a small leak can sink a large ship

Benjamin Franklin

Thrift is not an affair of the pocket, but an affair of character

S.W. Strauss

Papa,

Good question about why size makes a difference. I'm glad you were on a Uniworld river cruise since we were also and I'm sure you enjoyed the intimate gathering of passengers. On a large ship I find it is much more difficult to quickly develop these relationships. You might meet someone who's company you enjoy and never see them again! Numbers also come in to play around the pool where bad manners can create unwanted situations. Lines do not add to a luxury experience. Having said this, I repeat, I like both lines, but prefer the smaller ships. Since you are looking at the Med, I would say this gives Oceania an advantage since there will be many excursion options presented by fellow passengers. The Med is a great place for independent excursions. By the way, you can't go wrong with either line! Food and service is exceptional on both.