Live from Mariner - July 9th Civitavecchia to Venice

[englandsrose]

Hi - for those actually on Mariner at the moment, are the hair dyers in the suites any good - I use a fairly powerful one at home for my long locks, but don't really want to bring it with me. Also what plug sockets are suite - are they all US 2 pin, as I will need to bring an adapter. (I am from the UK where 3 pin are standard)

 

Thanks

 

 

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[trvlrs]

Hi - for those actually on Mariner at the moment, are the hair dyers in the suites any good - I use a fairly powerful one at home for my long locks, but don't really want to bring it with me. Also what plug sockets are suite - are they all US 2 pin, as I will need to bring an adapter. (I am from the UK where 3 pin are standard)

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

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They have European and American electric outlets so no need to worry about an adapter. I brought my own blow dryer because we were traveling before the cruise. I will try the ship blow dryer tonight and I will let you know if it is powerful enough, no problem

[trvlrs]

Contrary to what I had heard, the laundry room was a breeze never a wait and always empty until today. Durres is a port where most guests decided to stay on board, at the pool or in the laundry room.

We took a walk in town for about an hour and it is now off the bucket list. Not sure why this is a stop for Regent and a long one!!

 

Sitting at the pool and sipping piña colada. Life is good...ciao

[rarin2go]

Hi - for those actually on Mariner at the moment, are the hair dyers in the suites any good - I use a fairly powerful one at home for my long locks, but don't really want to bring it with me. Also what plug sockets are suite - are they all US 2 pin, as I will need to bring an adapter. (I am from the UK where 3 pin are standard)

 

EnglandsRose - There are no UK 3 pin sockets in the suites. Only 2 (round) pin Continental European and 2 pin US sockets, so we take 2 adapters so we can use either type. HTH.

[trvlrs]

Hi - for those actually on Mariner at the moment, are the hair dyers in the suites any good - I use a fairly powerful one at home for my long locks, but don't really want to bring it with me. Also what plug sockets are suite - are they all US 2 pin, as I will need to bring an adapter. (I am from the UK where 3 pin are standard)

 

Thanks

 

 

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Hello - I looked at the sockets closely. It is 2 and 3 prongs american and 2 prongs European. You will need an adapter for the UK electronics. There is a 3 prong European (round holes) but it is three in a row not a triangle so I am not sure what country this would be for.

The blow dryer is good but basic. I have shoulder length fine hair and it is blowing softly. It would do if I didn't have mine.

For your long hair, you probably would want to bring yours. Hope this helps ....

Edited July 15, 2014 by trvlrs
Correction

[englandsrose]

Tvlrs - thank you so much - I will be sure to pack mine. 2 weeks today and we will be on board - the count down is on......

 

 

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[Gilly]

Englandsrose, following a suggestion here, we bought one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Earthed-Extension-Moulded-American-white/dp/B002HJ6BO6/ref=pd_cp_ce_0 and have found it incredibly useful during our last two cruises.

 

Have a wonderful time. Wish we were coming too - we have a long wait until we board Voyager in Hong Kong next year!

Edited July 15, 2014 by Gilly
corrected url

[trvlrs]

Tvlrs - thank you so much - I will be sure to pack mine. 2 weeks today and we will be on board - the count down is on......

 

 

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You are very welcome!!! Enjoy your cruise.... Sadly, ours will end in a few days.

Bring a warm jacket or wrap. the hallways and lounges are quite cold in the evenings.

[englandsrose]

Thanks Gilly I have ordered both a US and European version - very useful....

 

 

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[trvlrs]

Our cruise is coming to an end boo hoo hoo....all good things must come to an end. Got up at the crack of dawn to watch our grand entrance into Venice :) almost there!!!

[trvlrs]

A great trip which left a bad taste in the mouth of the last 50 or so passengers. Shame on you Regent!!

 

Let me back track one day to explain the chaos which started on Friday, the day we docked in Venice. It would probably have been forgotten but we had a lot of time to sit around at checkout and ruminate about it.

 

It all started when Regent was not allowed to dock closer to town and had to dock at the cruise port because of the " Redentore feast". Totally understanble...These are reasons beyond Regent control but not to offer a shuttle back and forth to town is unacceptable!!!! Two years ago, we docked at the same port when we sailed Celebrity equinox and they had a shuttle that went back and forth from the port to San Marco (10 minutes). It was very easy to get back to the ship for a rest if needed. After all, we are paying for the night in Venice and it should feel as comfortable as a hotel if not better. Otherwise, what is the point?

 

Instead Regent was in a hurry to get rid of us which really turned a 10 day trip into an 8 day trip. The walk from the ship to the people mover (train) took us 20mn (at a good pace). I hate to think how long it took the elderly or if they were able to walk. We then had to pay to get on the train or walk another 15 or 20 minutes before getting to the edge of Venice (piazzale di Roma). From there to San Marco square was a little over an hour walk or hop on a vaporetto which were ridiculously crowded because of the holiday. Anyway, it took us about an hour and a half before we were able to join our relatives who were in town and we arrived exhausted. By then, it was 11:30am and the ship was a long long long way away for any kind of rest. Spent a lovely day in town but were pressured to get back to the ship to put our suitcases out before 9:00pm. We were told the night before and in print that we would not be able to stay in town because the ship had to move at 10:30pm further out, to a port with no transportation. Basically, we were robbed of an evening in Venice.

 

Needless to say, we rushed back, packed quickly, put our suitcases out when the cruise director announced on the loud speaker that suitcases needed to be out by 10pm. Once again, total miscommunication on the part of Regent....Ok, up until now we were taking the entire thing as just part of a travel adventure.

 

Fast forward to Saturday morning....We were given disembarkation time the day before starting at 4:00am and up until 8:00am. We chose 8:00am because we had made independent arrangements. They changed our time to 8:30am "color pink group 3" but we needed to vacate the cabin by 8:00am. No problem so far....

 

We sat in La veranda for a while and at 8:20am we headed to the meeting point at the constellation theatre. Only one person from the destination desk was there trying to process everyone. So far everything was going according to plan....color tags were being called but not "pink group 3". Some had prepaid for taxis and were starting to worry the taxi would not wait. Bare in mind, the Regent shuttle was a 30 minute ride back to where we were docked the day before at stazione maritimi. So if you were given a disembarkation time of 8:30am + a 30 minute ride would bring you to the port at 9:00 am. Give yourself a few extra minutes and most had taxis booked for 9:15 and 9:30am.

 

By 9:00am we were still sitting in the constellation theatre with NO explanation whatsoever. The destination desk person when questioned would answer and I quote: " not everyone in your group has checked in, and you should be next". Then she would announce a different group. There were no apologies and no sign of any person in charge. I walked up to the gangway which was next door to the Reception desk and found "Michelle" not sure what her position is. She was always standing there to greet you in and out but could never answer a question. She always shrugged her shoulder and referred you to the reception or destination desk. Why does she stand there? I never understood.

 

Ok....so I come out of the constellation theatre and of course Michelle is standing there as usual. I asked her if there was anyone in charge who can let us know what was going on but as usual, she shrugged her shoulder because it is not her job. This is where I lost it. I asked her to get busy and get someone in charge who would get into the constellation theatre to let us know what was happening and offer an apology. Any well run company would communicate with their customers or would at least utter the words: "we are sorry for the delay". NOT Regent. "I am sorry" is too good for them. The destination manager was out by the buses and he was called. He asked me what was the problem (as if he didn't know). I asked him to come in and let us know what was happening and to at least apologize for the delay. He said he would but he never did. He radioed the person sitting in the constellation theatre and asked her to apologize. She uttered the word "sorry" once. Fifteen minutes later we were still there and her explanation when asked again was: "not all the guests have checked in".

 

Now someone please tell me, how is this our problem????? If 50 or so passengers are waiting in the theatre for 45 minutes why is it our problem that 2 or so passengers have not checked in!!!!! I went out to use the restroom and Michelle was standing there with two officers. I am going to assume the GM and Ben (he is usually behind the reception desk). Michelle points at me, in a subtle way, but enough to make me furious. I turned around and said it's been 15 minutes since our last conversation and no one from your management team has apologized to your guests. The GM stepped in and said: " if you have a problem talk to me not Michelle". I said: "Fine... I want to know when I am leaving the ship and I expect some form of apology for the delay. I was given an 8:30am disembarkation time. It is 9:20am and we are still sitting with No explanation." I added: "it would be nice if you would come in to the theatre and you would apologize for the inconvenience. It does not take much to say I am sorry. Needless to say, the words "we apologize" or "we are sorry" are too good for any of the officers. We finally left the ship at 9:25am with arrival at the port at 9:50am.

I can promise you, that everyone on that bus was livid.

 

In my opinion and others, Mariner at the moment is very poorly managed. It lacks good communication with its guests.

When things are good, they are good but when something goes wrong Regent doesn't know how to handle it.

 

We were the lucky or rather the unlucky ones. We had a lousy check-in which we were about to forget followed by an even worse check out. Shame on you Regent for treating your guests that way!!! Why are your officers so arrogant? Why is the sentence "we are sorry for the inconvenience" so difficult to utter? It would have calmed all us down. Instead, you had everyone sitting down reflecting on everything bad that happened rather than remember the good times.

 

What a waste of $3600.00 (the last two nights)!!! A floating hotel in Venice, it wasn't. In a hotel, we could go and come as we please, and we would pay a fraction of that price. Never again will I sail with Regent with a two nights final destination. Celebrity wins that round hands down.

[forevertravel]

We were on the Venice to Monte Carlo cruise two years ago and Regent didn't dock near town. As far as I know they always dock at the cruise terminal. We were in Venice the night we checked in. I can't remember if they had shuttles to go to St. Marco's the following day because we went on one of Regent's tours. On the day we checked in we took a water taxi from our hotel (we went early and didn't book hotel with Regent) to cruise terminal. Those passengers who had been booked by Regent the night before (at that time Regent offered a free hotel night the night before to all passengers...we took the credit and booked our own hotel) were taking to ship in a water taxi. I guess I don't let little things bother me and I wouldn't be as upset as you're or saying "never cruising with Regent again". Comparing Regent with Celebrity is like comparing apples to oranges. Celebrity with all those passengers and nickel and diming passengers for everything does not come close to Regent. Again, we only cruise with Regent and have never experience issues that would upset us that much. Disembarkation can be smooth or have wrinkles with any cruise line. I'm sorry it left such a sour taste for you. The beauty of cruising is that there are many cruise lines to satisfy different passengers.

[commodore2010]

We are sailing in September embarking in Venice. Never been there before so I didn't know about the different port areas. Will have to look into that.

 

I would have been upset about the Venice port/overnight issue. Maybe it was out of their control, but RSSC could have arranged a shuttle to town.

[trvlrs]

We are sailing in September embarking in Venice. Never been there before so I didn't know about the different port areas. Will have to look into that.

 

I would have been upset about the Venice port/overnight issue. Maybe it was out of their control, but RSSC could have arranged a shuttle to town.

 

They have the stazione maritimi where most major cruises dock and we were scheduled to dock at San Basilio. As I said, it was beyond their control and totally understandable but they should have at least offered a shuttle service.

The ship docked near us, I forget now but I believe It was Royal Carribean, had a shuttle service.

 

September is a great month to visit Venice, you'll enjoy it!!

[RachelG]

I am really confused as to why you couldn't just get off the ship whenever you wanted if you did your own transfer arrangements. My husband and I always do our own transfers, and we just leave when we are ready. No reason to wait for a color group. Have never done that after our first cruise when I realized there was no need to wait.

We now also carry our own luggage off so we don't have to have it out the night before. I can understand some people are physically unable to manage that, but even so, all the luggage is out there. You just have to find yours.

[trvlrs]

I am really confused as to why you couldn't just get off the ship whenever you wanted if you did your own transfer arrangements. My husband and I always do our own transfers, and we just leave when we are ready. No reason to wait for a color group. Have never done that after our first cruise when I realized there was no need to wait.

We now also carry our own luggage off so we don't have to have it out the night before. I can understand some people are physically unable to manage that, but even so, all the luggage is out there. You just have to find yours.

 

You are right RachelG but because they had to move the ship out to a shipyard not for passengers, they operated limited shuttles and no one was allowed to leave the ship unless their color and group was called (we couldn't go anywhere even if we tried. We were in the middle of nowhere). They had three groups with pink colors, group 1, 2 and 3 (All the independent travelers). We had number 3. Someone in our group was getting very nervous. They had a 9:15am prepaid taxi waiting at the port which was a 30 minute ride away and an 11:30am flight. They attempted to leave on a different shuttle but were denied and told they needed to wait. What was so terrible about boarding on a bus with group 1 or 2?

My issue is the way it was handled. You were treated like kids NOT paying guests and not once a person in charge came in to say, we are really sorry for the inconvenience, please bare with us.

 

At check in the same thing happen. Imagine standing 3 to 4 hours in a line that was snaking in the heat of Rome in July with not one Regent representative around. They never apologized or mentioned it. I thought it was normal procedure and thought we were lucky on our last voyage not to encounter a check in line. Turns out it is not the norm. Would it have been so terrible for the captain to apologize or the cruise director or anyone else over the loud speaker once everyone was on board?

[trvlrs]

We now also carry our own luggage off so we don't have to have it out the night before. I can understand some people are physically unable to manage that, but even so, all the luggage is out there. You just have to find yours.

 

The luggage were at a different port which was 30 minute away. I think the problem stemmed from not having enough shuttles to handle everyone. I could be wrong.

[RachelG]

Wow, my husband would have been having a fit, and I would have been talking to someone in charge. That is just not an appropriate way to treat paying customers.

[trvlrs]

Wow, my husband would have been having a fit, and I would have been talking to someone in charge. That is just not an appropriate way to treat paying customers.

 

My point exactly!!! And we can't really blame the poor souls trying to do their job. This was definitely a management problem. I am angry at the officers of this ship.

Problems or errors do occur in every company but it is the way they are handled which defines how good they are

[Travelcat2]

I think this was a "perfect storm" situation. Even at the best of times, Venice is a challenging port. And, Regent cannot get all the shuttle buses that they need without advanced notice. Regent employees on board should have at least tried to get information for all of you. In terms of "Regent Representatives" outside of the ship - they "work" for Regent one minute and another cruise line the next. Unfortunately, Regent cannot do anything about these "representatives" or the lack of shuttles.

 

We would have been extremely upset under these conditions but probably would have telephoned a taxi cab company so we could extricate ourselves from the madness.

 

Sorry that your experience was so poor. It is almost guaranteed that this situation would not repeat itself.

[trvlrs]

I think this was a "perfect storm" situation. Even at the best of times, Venice is a challenging port. And, Regent cannot get all the shuttle buses that they need without advanced notice. Regent employees on board should have at least tried to get information for all of you. In terms of "Regent Representatives" outside of the ship - they "work" for Regent one minute and another cruise line the next. Unfortunately, Regent cannot do anything about these "representatives" or the lack of shuttles.

 

We would have been extremely upset under these conditions but probably would have telephoned a taxi cab company so we could extricate ourselves from the madness.

 

Sorry that your experience was so poor. It is almost guaranteed that this situation would not repeat itself.

 

Totally agree with you. It was an unfortunate situation which was mishandled and probably would not happen again. I do not blame Regent but rather the officers in charge of the ship. They were too arrogant to offer an explanation or an apology. I am still in disbelief.....

 

Calling a cab would have been a good idea but we had no idea where we were nor did anyone give us this information. We were told, we were 30 minutes by car from Venice in an industrial port with no passenger services. So, I doubt a cab would have been allowed in there.

 

I needed to vent and I did. So thank you all for listening....

[PaulaJK]

While I sympathize with Regent IF their docking plans were unilaterally changed at the last minute, nonetheless, you were on an itinerary that included the opportunity for 2 days in Venice. The GM needed to be on top of this w, the company and transportation/shuttles should have been provided.

The walking,etc involved in getting into Venice center was arduous.As many others, we would have been extremely unhappy about this.

 

I gather from the posts that Regent had stationed a staff member at the gangplank and that one was not permitted to disembark the ship until their color was called. We have experienced this with Regent. At one unfortunate disembarkation from Regent we ended running through the airport while our names were being called at the aircraft door [announcing that they were closing it]. It is not a happy happening.

 

It sounds as though Regent really failed to deliver in these circumstances.

[trvlrs]

While I sympathize with Regent IF their docking plans were unilaterally changed at the last minute, nonetheless, you were on an itinerary that included the opportunity for 2 days in Venice. The GM needed to be on top of this w, the company and transportation/shuttles should have been provided.

The walking,etc involved in getting into Venice center was arduous.As many others, we would have been extremely unhappy about this.

 

I gather from the posts that Regent had stationed a staff member at the gangplank and that one was not permitted to disembark the ship until their color was called. We have experienced this with Regent. At one unfortunate disembarkation from Regent we ended running through the airport while our names were being called at the aircraft door [announcing that they were closing it]. It is not a happy happening.

 

It sounds as though Regent really failed to deliver in these circumstances.

 

Indeed, Mariner GM was not on top of things in this particular situation.

 

I am sorry you once experienced a similar situation at disembarkation. The feeling you get in your stomach at the thought of missing your flight is horrible. Glad it ended well....

[gnomie1]

My point exactly!!! And we can't really blame the poor souls trying to do their job. This was definitely a management problem. I am angry at the officers of this ship.

Problems or errors do occur in every company but it is the way they are handled which defines how good they are

 

 

I am curious as to who the GM was on your cruise? We were on the Mariner last summer and our problem was that management, both the GM and the CD were incompetent and had a great deal of trouble telling the truth. The previous winter we had been on a wonderful cruise and the difference in management was quite obvious - when things go well, it is wonderful. When they don't (and lately is seems like there are a great too many times when it doesn't), one wonders why they spent so much money for a "Luxury" vacation when it reality it was far from it.

 

gnomie :)

[trvlrs]

I am curious as to who the GM was on your cruise? We were on the Mariner last summer and our problem was that management, both the GM and the CD were incompetent and had a great deal of trouble telling the truth. The previous winter we had been on a wonderful cruise and the difference in management was quite obvious - when things go well, it is wonderful. When they don't (and lately is seems like there are a great too many times when it doesn't), one wonders why they spent so much money for a "Luxury" vacation when it reality it was far from it.

 

gnomie :)

 

I really don't know the name of the GM but the CD was a young woman by the name of Therese Blackett (not sure if I misspelled her last name). Didn't see much of her except on TV, in the constellation theatre and once in the Horizon lounge during trivia.

 

The management team makes a great difference...