On board: The Regent Experience Through The Eyes of a Newbie

[Joanandjoe]

We've gotten off the main point, which was supposed to be the first impressions of a new Regent cruiser, not hotels in Sydney. Having said that, I hope management is reading this post, and is aware of the complaints about hotels in Rio and Sydney.

 

The complaint about the Sheraton Rio mirrors our complaint about the hotel when we ended our Transatlantic cruise last year in Rio. The hotel completely messed up our shared day room reservation with two other couples, then compounded the crime by changing the room while half of our group was in the room and half was touring the garden (which we did not find at all lame, even in the rain). Meanwhile, the poor people who had booked transportation with Regent were stuck in the same inadequate room as Snackdaddy, with inadequate refreshments and no real place to rest. The hotel obviously cannot handle a Regent crowd, and should be taken off the Regent list.

 

As for the main point of Snackdaddy's posts, we're glad they enjoyed the cruise, despite some shore excursion hassles. The overall Regent experience is terrific; but they need to improve their hotel program (including restoring one free hotel night, possibly without a credit if the room is not used, for suites below concierge level), and their "free" shore excursion program, either by offering more choices (so that there aren't 500 people taking the same excursion, as happened to us in Recife), or by offering a credit for opting out of free shore credits (and paying for ones that are taken). The peripheral services that are provided by third parties, rather than by Regent, can make or break one's impression of the quality of one's cruise.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Joanandjoe

[TPAtravelfan]

DP and I are boarding Voyager on February 1 in Sydney. We have previously disembarked the Voyager there in 2012. Both times we have chosen the Park Hyatt which is an impeccable hotel. On our previous visit, the renovations which closed the hotel for a year, were not yet complete. We were walked, the first night of a three night stay, to the Four Seasons. It was a 5* dump.

 

In Rio, where we recently boarded the Seabourn Quest for their inaugural Antarctic voyage, we booked our own hotel - the Copacabana Palace - and it was nearly flawless. We took a cab to the port when we were ready to check out of the hotel and boarded with no issues.

 

So back to the OP's issue. Two points: 1)You are always better off not being corralled with the rest of the passengers pre-cruise. There will be plenty of time to develop camaraderie onboard and it won't be based on your bad experience at a 4* hotel. 2)Regent is a 6* line. No pre-cruise hotel will compare to your onboard experience. Perhaps this is by design?

Edited December 18, 2013 by TPAtravelfan

[Catpow]

Sydney is expensive, and always has been. The Four Seasons is an international chain catering for (mainly) international clients and presumably can rely on companies like Regent trading on their good name to book multiple rooms. We would not stay in such a large and impersonal establishment, but we'd be booking one room not 200 in the middle of the summer school holidays. Sydney will be busy and may be hot, certainly warm. But compared to (say) the humidity of Singapore you will have already encountered, it will lovely on the harbour and the Hunter Wine Tour will be fine - the air is much dryer there and your lunch venue is very likely to be air-conditioned. You'll probably have lunch at the Hunter Valley Gardens or similar and the wineries you visit will be 'boutique' and well set up for your visit. Don't stress too much over the hotel - the location's attractions and eateries will make up for any shortfalls. And try a Flat White coffee - maybe you can influence Regent to make them on board.:o

[Travelcat2]

Sydney is expensive, and always has been. The Four Seasons is an international chain catering for (mainly) international clients and presumably can rely on companies like Regent trading on their good name to book multiple rooms. We would not stay in such a large and impersonal establishment, but we'd be booking one room not 200 in the middle of the summer school holidays. Sydney will be busy and may be hot, certainly warm. But compared to (say) the humidity of Singapore you will have already encountered, it will lovely on the harbour and the Hunter Wine Tour will be fine - the air is much dryer there and your lunch venue is very likely to be air-conditioned. You'll probably have lunch at the Hunter Valley Gardens or similar and the wineries you visit will be 'boutique' and well set up for your visit. Don't stress too much over the hotel - the location's attractions and eateries will make up for any shortfalls. And try a Flat White coffee - maybe you can influence Regent to make them on board.:o

 

Thank you so much for the information:-)

[xrvlcruiser]

Hi Candy!

 

Best to Paul . . . miss you guys.

 

Peggy

Edited December 19, 2013 by xrvlcruiser

[Catpow]

Peggy,

 

Will send email soon with news.

 

Candy and Paul

[newlondon]

Catpow, Great to see some others enjoy Peggy. A start in the right direction.

My problem, however, is what does one do about dealing with on going questions?

Peggy has consistently said-let's deal with current problems.

If we do, what is the current decision?

[Travelcat2]

Catpow, Great to see some others enjoy Peggy. A start in the right direction.

My problem, however, is what does one do about dealing with on going questions?

Peggy has consistently said-let's deal with current problems.

If we do, what is the current decision?

 

I think that everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Peggy enjoys her:)

[xrvlcruiser]

I'm blushing. . . .

[newlondon]

You should be and you deserve the kudos:)

[xrvlcruiser]

Love you all!

[newlondon]

Back at You:)

[Snackdaddy]

Greetings,

 

We returned from our first Regent cruise and are hooked on the Regent Experience. And I must say, the Sheraton in Buenos Aires had their act together. After taking a post-debarkation Regent City tour we arrived at the hotel at 1:30 pm and learned that our rooms were ready and our suit cases were already in the room. Nice! I will post a more comprehensive review when the dust settles.

 

Be well.

[Thundery]

So happy that you have taken the time to post and that the Regent Experience meets or exceeds expectations. It is unfortunate that the people hired to represent Regent at the Sheraton Hotel were not on top of things. I hope you will make a note of your experience at the Sheraton on your mid-cruise review.

 

Your onboard experience is what hooked us on Regent many years ago. It is the onboard staff that makes the experience as great as it is. You obviously pay attention to detail (like the tissues in the bathroom that we also appreciate).

 

Just a tip for while you are onboard presumably eating too much...... remember that you can order an appetizer size entrée or a entrée size appetizer. Sometimes we get two appetizers instead of an entrée..... or, when lobster is involved, we get a double portion. Lastly, you can order just about anything in Compass Rose if you give them 24 hours notice.

 

Really looking forward to your review when you return. I'll probably be reading it from the Voyager...... we board next Friday:D

We've been on the Voyager sine Dubai. Would love to meet yoi

[Travelcat2]

We've been on the Voyager sine Dubai. Would love to meet yoi

 

Hi. We are usually are at the bar in the Observation Lounge at 6:00 p.m. or, give us a call... suite 782.

 

Jackie and Dennis

[Thundery]

Will try tonite

Have dins in Signatures at 7:30

Will have a black and white dress on

Room 832