On Board Explorer

I hope to post some random thoughts but this is not a blog and not a comparison w the two other lines we sail.

- Miami's weather had turned cold and there was misty rain. Arrivals were huddled outside the building as there was no seating area available. Boarding began at noon w a security person opening one rope to permit a few handicapped passengers to proceed. A man pushed against another rope w loud voice asking..hey, we're in a suite. Aren't we supposed to board first?! There were many desks set up w verbal directions for suite pax to come here and ' all others' go over there.

Actually this might work better if the directions followed airline customs

Of a premier access line without the dismissive verbal slant.

-Onward, boarding a Regent ship is always a gracious experience. There are many personnel near the entry, welcoming you aboard, offering glasses of champagne, checking hand luggage and directing you to various destination.

We chose La Veranda for lunch. The tables are nicely spaced, well dressed a cloths and glasses. Service was excellent. There are some different stations as well as grilled and carved items. For us, preferable to lifting lids on chafing dishes. I would still give Crystal the edge for much of the cuisine and definitely for the salad bar.

Explorer is sparkling clean...seems well staffed with competent, warm, friendly staff. Since folks usually inquire, I will add management staff names tomorrow ( w paper in hand) but so far

Capt. Rosario 'Saro' Vasta

Cruise Director Andy Heath w wife Tammy as Social Hostess

Exec Chef Aurelian. #2 man the charming Chef Stephane

Franck is the GM

Staff Capt is A Singh

F&B Enes Stronjic

DR Mgr the ever dynamic Vladimir Cavic

I didn't go to the shows of magician and ventriloquist w great enthusiasm but was surprised that the former was good and the latter,

Quite good.

Beverly has a soft delivery style in Observation....Boogie and Kasia more upbeat in the Explorer Lounger and guitarist Alex in the Meridien where it is easy to chat w friends.

Looking forward to more random thoughts. Thanks. Enjoy.

Hi Paula, was on Explorer for 26 nights in November and December. Sure do miss her. Thanks for sharing your cruise. You are correct about the Meridian Lounge being a better place for conversation and cocktails. That changed due to people wanting to dance, so we moved to the Observation Lounge. So nice to have options!

Have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to whatever thoughts you have time to post.

Staff Capt is A Singh

F&B Enes Stronjic

DR Mgr the ever dynamic Vladimir Cavic

 

I didn't go to the shows of magician and ventriloquist w great enthusiasm but was surprised that the former was good and the latter,

Quite good.

 

Beverly has a soft delivery style in Observation....Boogie and Kasia more upbeat in the Explorer Lounger and guitarist Alex in the Meridien where it is easy to chat w friends.

Hi Paula, If you don't mind, will you ask Vladimir whether he will still be there for the Mar /18's crossing. Thanks

Rosie

The weather on the eastern coast of the US seems to have extended

Down into the Caribbean...or whatever. Day 3 was mostly rainy . Today we were due to tender into SBH but the Capt felt that the conditions were not safe, so off we went. He had also stated that the forecast was for deteriorating conditions and indeed, the day was rainy and unpleasant.

Service could not be more available, competent or pleasant...just a delight. The dinners have been excellent plus we have been enjoying lunch in one of the specialty restaurants. The room service menu seriously needs attention. Today they had crepes at tea time and yesterday, cupcakes although we sampled neither so can' t comment.

We cruised her a month ago, had a super cruise---thinking you will also. Thanks for posting, looking forward to additional postings. Rick

I didn't go to the shows of magician and ventriloquist w great enthusiasm but was surprised that the former was good and the latter,

Quite good.

 

Beverly has a soft delivery style in Observation....Boogie and Kasia more upbeat in the Explorer Lounger and guitarist Alex in the Meridien where it is easy to chat w friends.

One of the singers from the Constellation, Dan Middleditch, performed an Irish guitar/singing set in Meridien one night on our cruise a couple weeks ago. It was fantastic! If you see it coming up I highly recommend you check it out.

Rosie, Vlatimir will be on the TA.

We did catch the very spirited pub night.

There seem to be more young couples on board, a slightly more diverse population. I think that they are going to need to change some of the lounge music. In Observation the singer has a lovely voice w a repertoire reminding one of the 60's....Boogies and Kasia often sing songs from the 50's. The CD sang 3 songs in his show, the modern of which was Edeilweise from the Sound of Music.

Service is excellent and does not appear stretched.

There is still an occasional time when the food is tepid rather than warm-hot.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank Paula, he is my long time friend, enjoy the remaining of your cruise.

Rosie

HI Paula, echo the thanks for posting while on board. Hope y'all have a terrific Explorer voyage (know you will).

Today we are in Antigua where it is deciding between being a sunny day w a few showers or a mostly rainy day. The deck chairs are nice and damp but we muster on.

I apologize for forgetting her name, but last night's show featured a very talented pianist. She invited requests from the audience ,took 10 and sat down and played them in reverse order. Fabulous talent. Tonight is a production show, Parisian.

We have enjoyed the expansive Compass Rose menu and flit from one side to the other in selecting. I do wish that the food arrived a bit warmer and that the condiments and sauces arrived with them, not after a pause. The quality of the meats has been prime and the fish cooked to order. Kudos to the chefs.

Off to lunch. The on deck buffet is my least favorite spot. I am forever puzzled by their composed salads..fried eggplant w yogurt dressing, BBQ chicken salad drench in mayonnaise being 2 examples.

I will be on the Explorer 2/19, and I was thrilled to see that Vladimir will be onboard. I was on the TA on Oceania Marina and his friend, Boris, was the DR Mgr. Boris went home when we got to Miami. Boris said Vladimir was on the Explorer.

My late husband and I sailed with him multiple times (Oceania & Regent). It is amazing how he remembers so many.

My friends just got off and headed home for a couple days, then on to LA to join the Navigator for the first leg of the World Cruise.

Any suggestions about the Explorer? Are there many Cruise Critic members on board? We should have been on the inaugural but I lost my husband and I cancelled. I have been on the Voyager and Mariner--not the Explorer or Navigator.

Have a wonderful trip.

Curious about the casino---what kind of poker is avaliable ---

any hold em tournaments on sea days?

thanks

Please send hugs to Vlad!

Sheila and Herb

Sorry, we are not casino folks. I believe I saw a notice in the daily news about some slot and poker tournaments. Perhaps someone else can answer.

Explorer has a wonderful crew and service is amazing. My bet is that they will be #1 in that category next year, I do think that they could have one additional pool deck server but otherwise we're unindated w service.

Please send hugs to Vlad!

Sheila and Herb

+2 Susan & David

We ARE casino people. There is 3 card poker, blackjack, craps and yes there are hold'em tournaments on sea days.

Hi Paula, Was wondering what line you went on and just happened to browse and find you here. Can't wait to get a lengthy email once you return. Our March cruise will be here before we know it. Sounds as if Explorer is doing a lot of things right. We had dinner with another friend last week and discovered that she too is on board during our cruise. It will be her second cruise on Explorer and she raved about it.

Christie

One more thing Paula. Can you find out if they do a special wine luncheon? We attended one while on Mariner. It was worth every cent they charged and the food pairing was spot on. It was the highlight of our first cruise with Regent. Would love to have the opportunity to do it on Explorer.

Hi Christie,

We just arrived home this afternoon so a private email will follow soon.

I wish that you had asked me this question a few days earlier, while I still had the print out. They did do one. Unfortunately I didin't pay much attention to the wines altho I recall the champagne as Moet. The foods all can be found on the regular or specialty restaurant menus, i.e. did not seem to be created for the luncheon. The price was under $200 pp if I recall correctly.