Rare Noxequifans Posted June 29, 2015 #26 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Like many things on ships some will use the places/items some will not the cost is buried in the cost of the cruise There is a gym... lots of people use it lots of people do not People are still paying to have onboard the ship :rolleyes: If you do not like the lounge do not go there Agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChatKat in Ca. Posted June 29, 2015 #27 Share Posted June 29, 2015 The coffee is better at Barista's. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wripro Posted June 29, 2015 #28 Share Posted June 29, 2015 TC2, Do you honestly think that people who book the owner's suite on the new Explorer will not get preferential treatment? Perhaps they won't have separate check-in lines but there will be tiers of benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilin jack Posted June 29, 2015 #29 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Ladies and gentlemen....this is your Captain, for those flying in first class, our flying time will be two hours and 37 minutes. For those in coach, flying time will be four hours and ten minutes..........:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChatKat in Ca. Posted June 29, 2015 #30 Share Posted June 29, 2015 TC2, Do you honestly think that people who book the owner's suite on the new Explorer will not get preferential treatment? Perhaps they won't have separate check-in lines but there will be tiers of benefits. Having sailed on Regent enough times, they know your name when you board, what stateroom you are in and even your drink preferences. I think they keep notes on the frequent guests. Imagine my surprise to have the cocktail waitress bring me a Grand Marnier when they were taking orders before the evening's show. It had a been at least a year since I had seen that waitress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted June 29, 2015 #31 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Just look at your key card--that tells it all. Right on the key printed in black if you get a gold key. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted June 29, 2015 #32 Share Posted June 29, 2015 A couple of responses: Mura: This has been our experience. The over-the-top butler service that we received in our Vista Suite was better than we get on Regent in a Master Suite (equivalent to Oceania's Owner's suite). Our butler walked us to dinner every night -- he knew what lounge we would be in so he could escort us. I am not complaining about the service -- we just did not see all the butlers doing the same for guests in other cabins. wripro: Your question made me laugh. I suppose that spending $10,000/day should get you special treatment. Anyone staying in that suite already gets amazing benefits - even an area in the suite set up as a mini spa so Canyon Ranch employees can go to the suite and give massages, do hair, etc. They also receive a private car for excursions at each port. ChatKat in Ca. - While I do not disagree with you, Regent uses the same coffee as Oceania (I verified this while on the Riviera and Regent's Mariner) -- it just tastes different. ronrick1943: The only thing Regent's keycard tells you is what level you are in the loyalty program (the card color matches the level - Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium). It does have your name printed on it but nothing else. When you scan it, some of the other information is available. However, it is rare to have your card scanned (other than when you board or disembark the ship). smilin jack: Your post is my absolute favorite:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChatKat in Ca. Posted June 30, 2015 #33 Share Posted June 30, 2015 A couple of responses: ChatKat in Ca. - While I do not disagree with you, Regent uses the same coffee as Oceania (I verified this while on the Riviera and Regent's Mariner) -- it just tastes different. The coffee in Barista's is Illy Coffee on Oceania. It is not Illy coffee elsewhere on the ship. It was no Illy last time I was on Regent in the Coffee Corner but the Coffee on Mariner in the Coffee Bar where the computer room was on that ship was not Illy then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally_bushy Posted June 30, 2015 Author #34 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) As the OP of this thread my question was simply to obtain some details, not start a war on class distinction and not who should get what and whether they deserve it Whether people want to pay more and get more is a personal choice. Some people fly first/business class for the comfort and not because they land one second before the other passengers. Some people drive luxury cars because they want to. Next I will be told my favourite colour (green) is wrong, it should be blue! Everybody has their own set of values and I welcome them all. I don't like other views being labelled "wrong" Edited June 30, 2015 by wally_bushy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 30, 2015 #35 Share Posted June 30, 2015 The coffee in Barista's is Illy Coffee on Oceania. It is not Illy coffee elsewhere on the ship. It was no Illy last time I was on Regent in the Coffee Corner but the Coffee on Mariner in the Coffee Bar where the computer room was on that ship was not Illy then I think you are incorrect it is Illy on the rest of the ship the machines are programmed differently than in Barristas so it does not taste the same You can ask when in the Terrace what name brand of beans go in the machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted June 30, 2015 #36 Share Posted June 30, 2015 TravelCat, my response to your comment about the butler service in the VS is that you simply had a very attentive butler! It was not because you were in a VS, it was because your butler went beyond what is expected. We've been in a VS on Marina twice, an OC once, and while we had wonderful service from our butlers we weren't escorted to dinner each night! In fact, I have to say that I personally don't think I would want that service ... We did appreciate it when Howard went back to our suite to get our forgotten bottle of wine and our butler personally carried it back to the restaurant. It did make Howard a little superfluous, I guess ... Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 30, 2015 #37 Share Posted June 30, 2015 TravelCat, my response to your comment about the butler service in the VS is that you simply had a very attentive butler! It was not because you were in a VS, it was because your butler went beyond what is expected. Mura But the difference is you did not seek out the GM as soon as you boarded ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted June 30, 2015 #38 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) but the difference is you did not seek out the gm as soon as you boarded ;) LOL ! Who is the GM and why would we care?? Edited June 30, 2015 by orchestrapal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted June 30, 2015 #39 Share Posted June 30, 2015 but the difference is you did not seek out the gm as soon as you boarded ;) lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred 15 Posted June 30, 2015 #40 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Oh my.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChatKat in Ca. Posted June 30, 2015 #41 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I think you are incorrect it is Illy on the rest of the ship the machines are programmed differently than in Barristas so it does not taste the same You can ask when in the Terrace what name brand of beans go in the machine If so - the coffee is certainly a different blend of bean and not in the huge cans that they use in Baristas. The machine setting there is called Live Human Barista. Mostly from Italy. Probably can have buttons pushed by rude people but mostly have a smile on their face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercafe Posted June 30, 2015 #42 Share Posted June 30, 2015 We were in a CC room once, went to look at the lounge. It was nice but I found no need to use it. It was a inside room which did not look like a place I wanted to hang out in. During the two weeks onboard we had no problem getting what we wanted using the resources available to all. As a side note the GM is the general manager. I think some people who post lots on CC have a very inflated option on how much influence they have on the cruise line. Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted June 30, 2015 #43 Share Posted June 30, 2015 If so - the coffee is certainly a different blend of bean and not in the huge cans that they use in Baristas. The machine setting there is called Live Human Barista. Mostly from Italy. Probably can have buttons pushed by rude people but mostly have a smile on their face. The human Barristas do a better job of making coffee than the programable machines in the other venues :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted June 30, 2015 #44 Share Posted June 30, 2015 If so - the coffee is certainly a different blend of bean and not in the huge cans that they use in Baristas. The machine setting there is called Live Human Barista. Mostly from Italy. Probably can have buttons pushed by rude people but mostly have a smile on their face. Same huge cans - same blend (Espresso). Took photos on both ships. Do prefer coffee made by Barista in the Coffee Connection on Regent to the rest of the ship. However, when my DH uses a coffee machine, he puts in a shot of espresso prior to putting in the coffee. Coffee in the morning is prepared differently on Regent but I do not have details. Do not disagree that the coffee is better on Oceania - but do find it odd that the same beans can taste so different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted June 30, 2015 #45 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) As a side note the GM is the general manager. I think some people who post lots on CC have a very inflated option on how much influence they have on the cruise line. Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app Is your pronoun "they" referring to the CC posters or the GM? Although I don't care to use the lounge much I did notice when I was on the ship that had them, there was generally a pretty good crowd there. Not for me. Edited June 30, 2015 by ORV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 30, 2015 #46 Share Posted June 30, 2015 This is getting ridiculous. My experience is that it's OK to have but wouldn't pay extra for it, used it maybe once a day on three cruises. Concierge can be helpful if it's something your butler can't tend to. The door is a pain to open and if you have something (coffee and pastry) in your hands, you can't get out the door without some help. So out of a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 5. ok, fish out of water here (first cruise on Oceania coming up) What does the concierge do that the butler doesn't? I'm a tad confused. On HAL we had a concierge but it seems the butler tends to a lot of those things so I am a bit perplexed. I am not sure what we will do with a butler, but we certainly don't want to ask anything of him/her that should be done someone else. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercafe Posted June 30, 2015 #47 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Is your pronoun "they" referring to the CC posters or the GM? Although I don't care to use the lounge much I did notice when I was on the ship that had them, there was generally a pretty good crowd there. Not for me. Sorry, I was referring to CC posters. Sent from my XT1032 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Noxequifans Posted June 30, 2015 #48 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Shortly after you get to your cabin/suite the butler will introduce himself. As a part of the welcome he will acquaint you with his services. You then have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StanandJim Posted June 30, 2015 #49 Share Posted June 30, 2015 ok, fish out of water here (first cruise on Oceania coming up) What does the concierge do that the butler doesn't? I'm a tad confused. On HAL we had a concierge but it seems the butler tends to a lot of those things so I am a bit perplexed. I am not sure what we will do with a butler, but we certainly don't want to ask anything of him/her that should be done someone else. :confused: LOL, you're asking for advice beyond what any of us could possibly offer, because although the duties of the Butler are nominally more "Suite-centric" than those of the Executive Concierge, there is also a great deal of overlap. Both Butler and Concierge, for example, might be involved in doing research or making arrangements for you "off the ship", but who actually does it will be up to your personal preference and the extent to which those employees are being utilized by other Passengers. Obtaining extra Specialty Restaurant reservations, on the other hand, would normally fall under the jurisdiction of your Butler, but you may find the Concierge to be more forceful and adept at the process, and therefore choose to go that route. Like anyone in a position of authority, you will first need to assess the abilities of the individuals involved, and then get them to produce for you. Ask questions before giving instructions; the staff know the ins and outs of how things are accomplished on the ship.....give them a chance to make that work for you. You may feel like a fish out of water at first, but the crew has experience in making their passengers feel at home and comfortable. They have been through the same procedures dozens (sometimes hundreds) of times before; they know what you are going through and they WILL help you......IF you allow them to do so. Don't be afraid to speak up, or to ask why something is or isn't happening. Remember, the only purpose for any of the staff to be on the ship is to make your cruise more enjoyable, but they are not clairvoyants. What thrills and delights Passenger A, may be the worst nightmare of Passenger B. Communication is key, and since the staff cannot demand that you sit down and listen to them, it is the Passenger who must take the bull by the horns and make their needs known. The people who are least happy with the Butler system are those who arrive with preconceived notions, and then sit like lumps while the cruise whirls around them without saying a word. Don't do that to yourself. It really isn't as complicated as I've painted it here, but you should go into it knowing that some effort is required on both sides to achieve best results. Good luck, and I wish you a fantastic trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 30, 2015 #50 Share Posted June 30, 2015 LOL, you're asking for advice beyond what any of us could possibly offer, because although the duties of the Butler are nominally more "Suite-centric" than those of the Executive Concierge, there is also a great deal of overlap. Both Butler and Concierge, for example, might be involved in doing research or making arrangements for you "off the ship", but who actually does it will be up to your personal preference and the extent to which those employees are being utilized by other Passengers. Obtaining extra Specialty Restaurant reservations, on the other hand, would normally fall under the jurisdiction of your Butler, but you may find the Concierge to be more forceful and adept at the process, and therefore choose to go that route. Like anyone in a position of authority, you will first need to assess the abilities of the individuals involved, and then get them to produce for you. Ask questions before giving instructions; the staff know the ins and outs of how things are accomplished on the ship.....give them a chance to make that work for you. You may feel like a fish out of water at first, but the crew has experience in making their passengers feel at home and comfortable. They have been through the same procedures dozens (sometimes hundreds) of times before; they know what you are going through and they WILL help you......IF you allow them to do so. Don't be afraid to speak up, or to ask why something is or isn't happening. Remember, the only purpose for any of the staff to be on the ship is to make your cruise more enjoyable, but they are not clairvoyants. What thrills and delights Passenger A, may be the worst nightmare of Passenger B. Communication is key, and since the staff cannot demand that you sit down and listen to them, it is the Passenger who must take the bull by the horns and make their needs known. The people who are least happy with the Butler system are those who arrive with preconceived notions, and then sit like lumps while the cruise whirls around them without saying a word. Don't do that to yourself. It really isn't as complicated as I've painted it here, but you should go into it knowing that some effort is required on both sides to achieve best results. Good luck, and I wish you a fantastic trip! such good advice. thank you :) That makes a lot of sense. I didn't want to come off as a new person on board, but they will know I am anyways, so we will ask. We don't anticipate wanting a whole lot in all honesty, but I was trying to differentiate between the two. We'll listen and learn and ask. Thank you again for your tremendous help :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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