Voyager 2010 Fall Crossing

[WesW]

Rachel, for the first disembarkation on Regent after 7 cruises we were not staggered by luggage color...we were all let off at once (about 8:45a.m.)..consequently, there were about 150 of us merging on 3 customs/immigration desks...porters were not to be found...took us 30+ min to clear, sorry, did not notice any global entry kiosks.

[OrpingtonT]

I endorse what Wes says. The disembarkation procedure at FL was like nothing I have experienced before. An announcement was made that the authorities had given the OK for disembarkation and everyone was free to leave the ship. Long, long queues formed at the gangway entrance, back into the Constellation theatre and round the other side also. We waited, seated, up on deck 5 for about half an hour before joining the reduced line. In the customs hall, we couldn't get a porter to help with the luggage, which was sorted tidily in rows according to the colour code. Eventually the Regent rep waited in line for us until a porter became free and a glance at the paperwork saw us through and out of the building. Our bus to MIA, via Aventura Mall, came along about 10 minutes later. Though it sounds, and seemed a chaotic mess, we were on our way by around 10 am after the initial ship clearance started around 9 am, so it was not really too bad. I, too, did not see any global entry kiosks, we just entered any (the shortest) lines.

 

We did not object to our stay in the Mall and got to MIA just as the BA check in opened. A miserable shared lounge but comfotable seats kept us until our flight, on time, and arrival in London to cold, frosty weather. Now the payback. All the unpacking and tidying up bits and pieces, not to mention the 5 hour time difference to cope with. All well worth it though.

 

It was a superb cruise. I know many things are subjective and I am not Regent's fiercest critic, but everyone did try so hard to please the guests. The guests were generally a pleasant smiling lot and helpful to Barbara and myself. As far as food was concerned, we ate once in La Veranda and were disappointed with our main course , though the antipasta buffet was a good standard. Our Compass Rose experience was uniformmly of a high standard. Since we started cruising on Regent in 2006, It is my belief that Compass Rose quality has improved each year now to a standard that means the specialist restaurants are no longer that much special. It is good to have a change to a steak house or classic French I suppose, but I no longer seek extra bookings. I don't want to miss the excellent fare in Compass Rose.

 

My other pleasures were seeing so many staff I had met before, especially Chimi, a waiter on our first cruise, now a senior officer covered in gold braid, the Dining Room Manager. I would like to think our post cruise card comments helped.

 

the CC get-together was good, though in my senility, I did not remember all those I met. But I do remember Colonel(Ret.)Wes, a thoroughly nice gentleman, always ready to help others. It was a privilege and pleasure to meet him and Ida, good company and good fun.

[Hambagahle]

Wes, Tom - your arrival sounds like a nightmare. What could they have been thinking of? I have never exer experienced anything but an orderly disembarkation, by colours on the tags.

 

RachelG - are "Global Entry Kiosks" restricted to American citizens?? If not, how do you get authorisation and where might one find one??

[dd@sea]

We too are using the Global Entry program. I think it is only for US citizens and only at airports in US which require immigration. It certainly relieves standing in line and processing through immigration. You must apply, pay $100 non refundable (good for 5 years) and have an interview before being granted global entry. At the interview, if granted, a 'chip' is put into your passport. We have used it twice since our June application upon reentry into the US. However, go to this website for the information: usa.immigrationvisaforms.com

[ededmd]

Glad you are home safely, and Orpington has reported in to me as well indicating their safe return to the UK.

Got a question: did you notice if the customs/immigration in Ft. Lauderdale has global entry kiosks? We just got our approval, and that would certainly be convenient.

 

There is a Global Entry kiosk at FLL.

[RachelG]

There is a Global Entry kiosk at FLL.

 

I know that there is one at the airport. At the cruise terminal would be great as well.

 

As dd@sea said, it is only for US citizens as of now. There are kiosks at all major airports in the US that have you going through customs. We haven't used ours yet, but it seems it will be a great timesaver.

You have to fill out a pretty thorough questionaire. Includes listing every country you have visited in the past 5 years. That was a long list for us. They do a background check, then you are "invited" to an interview if you pass.

[bobgail]

Hi everyone: i finally had time to read all your posts and am very impressed with all the details and your collective patience in writing so thoroughly.

 

This was our first Regent cruise and we loved it! The highlights that come to mind would be the very spacious cabin, the wonderful staff ( Dionne, Chris and Nicola most especially, followed by the dance crew kids in all their roles ), the excellent food ( loved Prime 7 as a standout ), the "strangers" we shared dinners with who were delightful without exception, the tea times and trivia games followed by a fun session of bingo, Liars Club, Harry Mauer, the Crew Capers and the whole, relaxed but fun atmosphere that pervaded the ship.

 

No one has mentioned the Bridge program led by Barry and Mary - their lessons were interesting and very informative and the duplicate bridge sessions were terrific! It was a cruise highllght for us.

 

I'm sure when I finish posting, I will remember many other highlights, but these are the ones that first come to mind. We certainly look forward to sailing Regent again n the future..

[Hambagahle]

Thanks for the clarification on the Global Entry programme. Since I am not a US citizen I can't use it and the cost would not be economical for my husband (who is a US citizen) as we only go to the US when we take a US-based cruise... And it would be adding more cost to the $$ that the US now charges me to get the Travel Authorisation!! (Sometimes I think that the EU should institute that for US citizens as a reciprocal measure. But I suppose they are too smart! Don't want to discourage American tourists from coming to Europe!)

 

Anyway it sounds like an improvement on the old hand scan machines that they had when we lived in the US - and which never worked anyway.

[WesW]

Hi Bob & Gail; sure enjoyed meeting you (at our CC get together) and then seeing both of you on board, and alas, in the disembarkation line at Port Everglades. Bunch of us who sailed on this crossing are booked on the Mariner crossing in November....but our plan is to transfer the Mariner TA booking when the summer/fall 2012 itineraries are released in March/April.

[Avondale]

Must agree with everything Wes & Orpington had to say about this Cruise.

This was our 5th cruise with Regent and the Food & Service was the best ever. I do have to disagree that the disembarkation was a problem. Except for those who did not wait for colors to be announced. There is aways a mad rush to get off the ship once in port. We had a 1430 flight, so we were in no rush. As we were told we went to the theater to await our color being called. We sat and watched CNN. 'tiil our color was called. We then made our way to the "shed" where we spent two mionutes to clear security.

I know it said all could go ashore early, but past cruisers should have known better. If they had waited they would have been let off in an ordinarily fashion, according to color.

Let me say again this was the best cruise ever.