Dinner guests

[Suzez]

As we have never sailed with Regent before, our first cruise with them is April 2016. I would like to know how the dining works in the Compass Rose. Is it like anytime style dining where you just turn up and they seat you either with others or just as your own group? We do like to share a table with fellow passengers sometimes. Or just have a table for two as well.

[kvisf]

You have it exactly right. Choose your own time to dine, and tell the maitre'd how you would like to be seated -- table for two or sharing -- and you'll be accommodated according to your wishes.

[Suzez]

You have it exactly right. Choose your own time to dine, and tell the maitre'd how you would like to be seated -- table for two or sharing -- and you'll be accommodated according to your wishes.

 

Thank you, that's just what I was hoping for :)

[Sirius Cruiser]

We have just booked the beautiful new Explorer for the Panama Canal trip (!) which we have done on Queen Victoria twice, in both Princess Grill and Queens Grill in 2009 and 2011. We had the same table, waitstaff and could order anything we wanted (especially in Queens Grill) and have dinner at any time between 6:30 and 9pm. Will we have this much freedom as far as time and ordering on Regent? The idea of choosing French cuisine on a particular evening, for example, several months in advance is somewhat daunting! It's nice to decide only several hours before. And then, will we have trouble booking a specialty restaurant that day or even more than once in the cruise for that matter?

How would you compare the QM2 & QV Grill experience to Regent?

[Suzez]

We have just booked the beautiful new Explorer for the Panama Canal trip (!) which we have done on Queen Victoria twice, in both Princess Grill and Queens Grill in 2009 and 2011. We had the same table, waitstaff and could order anything we wanted (especially in Queens Grill) and have dinner at any time between 6:30 and 9pm. Will we have this much freedom as far as time and ordering on Regent? The idea of choosing French cuisine on a particular evening, for example, several months in advance is somewhat daunting! It's nice to decide only several hours before. And then, will we have trouble booking a specialty restaurant that day or even more than once in the cruise for that matter?

How would you compare the QM2 & QV Grill experience to Regent?

 

We only have the option to book Prime 7 on Navigator as there is no Signature on board. Having only been Princess Grill on Queen Mary 2, which was very good. I would imagine Regent to be at least on par. As for booking in advance. I too would like to know others thoughts of waiting until we are on the cruise, will we get a table? I think it's best to book something and see if you need to change once on board. Thats what we would normally do on other lines, so far we have stuck with our booked times.

[Pies4u]

I posted a response to the QG/Regent comparison on a roll call thread yesterday. We have been on 3 Cunard trips in QG and recently had our first Regent experience, on Mariner.

 

The advantage of the Grills on Cunard is that you have an assigned table waiting fir you every evening had the same, dedicated attendants. The level of attention, service and, indeed, cuisine is exceptional by anybody's standards. There are few land based restaurants that can equal the QG on food quality or service to be fair!

 

Regent provide a completely different offering - but you will always be accommodated according to your preferences in the Compass Rose. The speciality restaurants offer a variation - you will have 1 pre-booked, set time, meal in each. Prime 7 is, effectively, a more formal steak house. In the UK I don't think we go in for that style much tbh but it is highly popular with Americans. I thought the portions were gigantic but the service levels are superb. Signatures on Mariner is an outstanding dining venue and the food quality is generally as good as QG, but they did have a fairly bland & tasteless duck item on our first visit. I have never had anything but exquisite food in the QG.

 

Overall, they are 2 different experiences but both high standard and the service is very good on both. You just get a wider variety of staff serving you , you'll sit at different tables and that makes it a contrast to Cunard. Both are excellent.

 

If push comes to shove, I'd say Cunard has the edge in style but is more formal - I quite like that. My wife thought Regent was better and more friendly & relaxed. Food varies too much to comment - not had a bad meal on Cunard, had 1 slightly less than perfect course on Regent - nothing between them really.

[Travelcat2]

I strongly recommend that you book reservations in Prime 7 online - as soon as the reservations open for your cruise. While you could get a reservation once on board, there is a high probability that you may not get the time that you would like and/or the size table that you prefer. Reservations on board are easier to get if you are willing to share a table. IMO, it is better to get a reservation in advance and see if you can change it once you are onboard.

Edited June 3, 2015 by Travelcat2

[Sirius Cruiser]

Thank you very much for your insightful comments and comparisons!

[Troban]

Book as soon as you can. We were only able to get in once and it ended up a share which turned out nice. We were put on wait list for a second seating within 1 hour of getting on ship, it never happened.

[Sirius Cruiser]

I am getting the feeling that we will have to get a specific time (reservation) for every dinner no matter where we dine except for the pool deck. That can't be true can it? What am I missing here?

[kvisf]

In Compass Rose and Setti Mare at La Veranda, you do not need reservations, simply show up when you want to dine. In Compass Rose you'll usually be accommodated promptly, though a short wait may happen at peak times, depending on your seating preference. Setti Mare is a smaller venue and some wait time may be necessary, depending on when you arrive. In Signatures and Prime Seven, reservations are required. In addition to the one in each venue that you are "guaranteed" and can book online in advance or onboard, you can request additional reservations once aboard, on a space available basis. Success in getting additional reservations will depend on how full the ship is, and your flexibility as to time and seating arrangements. Making your guaranteed reservations as far in advance as possible is a good idea in order to have the widest choice of dates and times, but you will still be able to book onboard if you haven't booked online, just with a narrower choice of dates and times.

[Travelcat2]

I am getting the feeling that we will have to get a specific time (reservation) for every dinner no matter where we dine except for the pool deck. That can't be true can it? What am I missing here?

 

Not true at all. Compass Rose and Sette Mari do not take reservations. It is first come, first served. Some times are most crowded than others but you can dine when and with whom you choose.

 

The Navigator is unlike the other ships - mostly because it is small and only has one reservation restaurant. Currently, the Navigator mainly cruises in Alaska and the Caribbean -- both fairly short itineraries. Since the Prime 7 is not large, it is difficult to get more than one reservation. When the Navigator begins longer European cruises, hopefully there will be more availability in Prime 7. Note: We are not fans of Prime 7 and once is actually enough. We can get excellent steaks in Compass Rose. Plus, Compass Rose features one item per night from Prime 7. Also, keep in mind that you can special order food 24 hours in advance. Therefore, if you would like Beef Wellington, Chateaubriand, lobster, etc. in Compass Rose.

[Sirius Cruiser]

Thank you for your post! We were having second thoughts about the Explorer booking thru the Canal (very beautiful ship and nice deck plan - hope it isn't too Vegas however) and concerned that we'd be tied to alerts on our watches or we'd miss dinner!!!

We're booked on QM2 this Christmas - New Year and wanted something for next! But we have to fly to New York to catch up with her and fly home after.

We like the idea of getting off at the "Left Coast" so we don't have as far to travel to get home. The Explorer seems a perfect plan!

Again, thank you!

[mborchgardt]

Also, keep in mind that you can special order food 24 hours in advance. Therefore, if you would like Beef Wellington, Chateaubriand, lobster, etc. in Compass Rose.

 

We have been on Regent twice but have never special ordered for dinner. Is this fairly common? Who would be the right person to ask? Could your butler arrange or would you need to speak with someone in the dining room? Are they happy to accommodate these requests? I don't think we would want anything exotic, but chateaubriand is one of our favorite foods and it would be nice know that we could have that "on demand" (with 24 hours notice of course) on our cruise next year.

 

Any other suggestions on awesome things to special order?

 

Thanks.

[Sirius Cruiser]

Some of my own favorites are Escargot (every meal - my favorite), Lobster Thermidor and Newburg, Filet of Sole, Duck a l'Orange (flaming), Crepes Suzettes. I like many of the flaming dishes done beside our table or neighboring tables. Great fun!!! I assume/hope Regent does this too, Yes?

(And then there are the stories of QM2's sprinklers in the Grill being set off once!!! Will it happen this time!!! I guess everyone got wet but what a tale to tell about later!)

[ridolphi]

We have special ordered on several occassions. Just tell your waiter you want to place a special dinner order, and he/she will send the right person over to your table and they will take your order.

 

As to flamining desserts, I don't think Regent does that any longer, they use to, but haven't seen that in several years.

[vireya]

The 1st nite on a Mariner cruise, they served pistachio ice cream. It was the best ever. The 2nd nite I ordered it; they said they had none. I then asked that it be made. I guess they made a gallon of it, cuz every lunch and dinner, twas available. Try it. Youll love it

[Linda VH]

We travel with a smallish group (20 or so) and many of them like to spend a number of hours dining in CR. We, however, like a shorter dining span (we like the casino ;)) and go to Setti Mare often by ourselves. When we arrive we will often be asked if they can give us a table for four and let another twosome join us. We have met some very nice people that way.

[Travelcat2]

The Dining Room manager is the person to speak with. As posted above, just ask your server about it. Agree that we have not seen "flaming" anything on Regent and they really do not have the room to do much table side. If they have the ingredients to make what you would like onboard, they are happy to do it. They definitely have escargot:-) One of our favorite dishes on Regent is their Miso Glazed Sea Bass - cooked in a banana leaf. It is generally served once per cruise but I need to have it at least twice.

 

One thing that is done extremely well by Regent is Indian food. We have had special Indian meals prepared - usually we get a small group together so that we can try more things. I'm getting hungry thinking about it!

[Sirius Cruiser]

That's the problem with great food on cruises! One gets home and "What in the world will we have for dinner?" Appetites become jaded! I did copy the flaming Duck a l'Orange and even do it with Game Hens!!! The Miso Glazed Sea Bass sounds wonderful!

[Travelcat2]

Agree about food on ships vs. at home. The Explorer will have a Culinary Center that should be wonderful. We experienced this on Oceania -- they have hands-on classes where you can make some of the food that is served onboard. There was a class on the Miso Glazed Sea Bass but we were busy making pasta in another class. It is a lot of fun and you learn at the same time:)

[fairbourne]

Does anyone know if you can invite friends to come on board the ship for dinner whilst in a port? I've asked our TA and they thought we could but said we would have to speak to Regent directly to organise, but before I do that, I just wanted to know if anyone has experience with doing this? Thanks! :)

 

Definitely try the Miso Glazed Sea Bass - we've had it several times on Oceania and I'm delighted to read here they have it on Regent also! :D

[ridolphi]

yes in most ports you can invite guests onboard. You or your TA should call Regent, they will fax over the necessary forms and then send them back and they will notify you if your guests are approved. I think there are some ports that are closed, but we have had guests onboard a couple of times, although both times were in US ports, so international ports may have different regulations. Your TA should be able to get the information.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Does anyone know if you can invite friends to come on board the ship for dinner whilst in a port? I've asked our TA and they thought we could but said we would have to speak to Regent directly to organise, but before I do that, I just wanted to know if anyone has experience with doing this? Thanks! :)

 

Definitely try the Miso Glazed Sea Bass - we've had it several times on Oceania and I'm delighted to read here they have it on Regent also! :D

 

Just make sure to do the paperwork for your invited guests well in advance of the cruise, I think it takes some weeks to approve.

 

I love the Miso Glazed Sea Bass.

 

BTW, there is Chateaubriand (or was) at least one night, used to be the Captain's welcome. I have never special-ordered since there is so many yummy choices, but have been involved in pre-ordered Indian meals, and they are indeed lovely.

[flossie009]

We agree that the Miso Glazed Sea Bass is yummy :):)

 

If making a special order for Miso Glazed Sea Bass the kitchen needs 48 hrs notice, rather than the normal 24, because of the marinade time - 2 days of anticipation for a dish that never disappoints.