WORLD CRUISE - 2nd segment

[forgap]

Embarkation day was our most dramatic day. The night before, we had scheduled a lovely Indian dinner orchestrated by Anthony, our favorite waiter in Compass Rose, and Bejoy, the Butler of of our friends with whom we were traveling. It was stellar, all the better with the fantastic wine pairing suggested by Lacsman, also our favorite sommelier. Dinner was flawless, but, Cher, my best friend, complained of a sore throat.

 

By very early morning she was having trouble swallowing and went to sick bay at 8 am. Mind you, we had to be off the ship at 8:45. Dr. Delgado diagnosed strep throat and put Cher on IV antibiotics. So, we had a rental car waiting, we didn't want to leave our friends without knowing our next step and whether further treatment was needed, and we needed to disembark. Davor, the General Manager, was the most gracious and said that luck was with us and we could stay on board til we had a better outlook on how Cher was progressing. Jamie, Our Cruise Directer, stowed our hand luggage at reception and kept checking on our progress. The Reception staff called the rental car company for us but no one was answering because it was Sunday, and finally, Davor went off the ship to look for the rental car people and get a cell number so we could call the contact directly. This is why I love Regent!

 

So, the end of the story was that I had to leave the ship and secure the car, the antibiotics finally kicked in enough for Cher to leave the ship, our luggage was released from security, and we traversed the invisible frontier of New Zealand without going through any sort of immigration.....did I mention it was Sunday?

 

We had a great trip and I will write a brief pro's and con's when I get home and a more thorough blog with pictures. I promise I'll post the link! Thank you for all the positive comments as you travelled with us!

[Anna B.]

Terrific reading and wonderful photos! Thank you so much! I, too, have stopped reading that "other" blog. A political crack pertaining to the Oscars was the last straw. This is not where I come to hear political opinions, whether I agree with them or not. It's where I come to vicariously enjoy visiting exotic and faraway places.

[Kwaj girl]

Terrific reading and wonderful photos! Thank you so much! I, too, have stopped reading that "other" blog. A political crack pertaining to the Oscars was the last straw. This is not where I come to hear political opinions, whether I agree with them or not. It's where I come to vicariously enjoy visiting exotic and faraway places.

 

 

Agreed! A travel blog should be about TRAVEL. <Have you ever seen such a "Debbie Downer"? Sheesh>

[Anna B.]

Agreed! A travel blog should be about TRAVEL. <Have you ever seen such a "Debbie Downer"? Sheesh>

 

 

Exactly :rolleyes:

[forgap]

Terrific reading and wonderful photos! Thank you so much! I, too, have stopped reading that "other" blog. A political crack pertaining to the Oscars was the last straw. This is not where I come to hear political opinions, whether I agree with them or not. It's where I come to vicariously enjoy visiting exotic and faraway places.

 

 

I had to laugh at this! It's always interesting to me to try to see things through someone else's lenses, but, really, I'm not sure if even friends and family are interested in Atkin's bars and tuna sandwiches!

[flossie009]

forgap,

Thank you for a perfect blog from your cruise, and looking forward to a round-up of final thoughts on your experiences :)

 

 

Agreed! A travel blog should be about TRAVEL. <Have you ever seen such a "Debbie Downer"? Sheesh>

 

Perhaps some people find it therapeutic to put all their glass-half-empty feelings out on the net :confused:

[forgap]

We arrived home late Saturday after 30 hours in transit from Aukland to Atlanta. Remarkably, we seem to have missed winter completely and returned to tulip magnolias and azaleas in full bloom!

 

We spent a week in NZ after disembarking - three days in Waitomo and Rotorua before the leisurely drive back to Aukland. This is not cruise related, but we went on the "Spellbound" tour of the glow worm caves which I highly recommend. It is low key tour of private caves and we saw some remarkable things. Feel free to ask me questions, if interested, in the highlights of our post-cruise. One last thing, though, we rented a fabulous Airbnb in Aukland. Two bedrooms with a large patio with a view!

 

 

As you know, this cruise was part of the world cruise and I don't think I would do that again. I would say that 75% of the passengers were doing the entire World Cruise. We were traveling with friends so we had our own group, but I did think that this cruise was less friendly than previous cruises. This held true even on excursions where you can usually strike up some friendships. The passengers also skewed much older and many were on walkers, canes, or scooters. (And one passenger hung a large Trump banner from the balcony at every port, which just seemed inappropriate no matter where your politics lie.)

 

The big negative, though, was the weather which is just the luck of the draw. We had wind and waves for many of the sea days so the upper decks were closed and even sitting on the balcony was unpleasant and a little scary. I was also seasick on many days and finally discovered that wearing 1/4 scopolamine patch all the time seemed to do the trick.

 

My final negative was the ship itself. This was our second time on Navigator, all other cruises on Voyager. Even in calmer waters, the Navigator bobbed like a cork. In rough waters, she was a fun-house ride. The public spaces are crammed with furniture and too much real estate is allocated to the card rooms and casino, in my opinion.

 

On to what I liked! I loved the new menu and I never grew bored with the food. They even mixed up the venues, offering pool side dining with special menues at night. The deck BBQ in Papeete was spectacular! The staff in all venues was professional yet friendly and personal. Even the waiters in training were delightful. There was a particular odd looking, somewhat shy waiter in Compass Rose who spoke very broken English who was teamed up with a more experienced waiter. Initially, his job was to give us the menu and offer us water and bread. My best friend is very gregarious and started joking and laughing with him. You could see his confidence grow and he practically skipped to the serving station.

 

We had our favorites, of course. Anthony, one of the wait staff, was wonderful (he designed an Indian menu for us on our last day) and Ley remembered us from a previous cruise (always nice) and never steered us wrong on a menu special. Laksman, one of the sommeliers, was thoughtful in his wine pairing selections and never steered us wrong. Alex (bar staff) was a delight and seemed to be everywhere, pitching in when needed and always with a smile. Finally, what can I say about our lovely General Manager, Davor? He is the consummate gentleman, always greeted us with a smile and conversation, and saved the day on our difficult and delayed disembarkation.

 

We chose this cruise expressly because of the itinerary. We had dreamed of sailing the South Pacific and this ticked all the boxes. We did not have one bad excursion. I'm not a huge fan of mob tours and I often moo under my breath when I encounter tours of which I am not a part. That being said, there always seemed to be room on the busses, and we got to do and see things that would have been difficult to plan on our own. The excursion staff was wonderful, especially Anna, who always seemed to have a thumb drive loaded with pictures that she graciously shared with us when our own devices failed!

 

I've rattled on for quite a bit. If you have any specific questions, I'll try my best to answer. I'll leave you with a beautiful sunset.

 

[WesW]

Jennifer (and Georges), Welcome home.

 

Thanks for a terrific blog, and we agree 100% with your comments about booking another WC segment.

 

Can't wait to see the blooming Azelas but hopefully not lawns that need mowing :)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[RustyRollock]

There is something about world cruises that brings out worst in too many people and not just on Regent. It's almost though the pax doing the whole trip begin to think it's their private charter and they become actively hostile to anyone who dares to "intrude". I've never seen so much unnecessary rudeness and will never sail a world cruise segment again no matter how great the itinerary.

[liptastic]

Thanks for taking the time to post and share your lovely photographs. You were able to take us along with you during your cruise.

You certainly had a lot of rough weather to contend with. Thanks again, Jean.

[Travelcat2]

There is something about world cruises that brings out worst in too many people and not just on Regent. It's almost though the pax doing the whole trip begin to think it's their private charter and they become actively hostile to anyone who dares to "intrude". I've never seen so much unnecessary rudeness and will never sail a world cruise segment again no matter how great the itinerary.

 

 

I have read this before (previous years) and agree - we would not sail any "segment" of a world cruise. It seems that some people feel that "segmenters" are not worthy of being on the ship.

[Gilly]

Well, not only are we booked on Navigator for the first time next year, our chosen itinerary also happens to be a segment of the World Cruise:o Thankfully, we've sailed segments before and I think I can recognise the behaviour patterns already. Since we are sailing with friends on that cruise, I know there will be at least four people who will be resistant to any hostility and quite prepared for whatever challenges might present themselves!

 

Jennifer, thank you for concluding your cruise reports today. I miss your sunny outlook and was hoping someone would take up the cheerful baton from you in Auckland but it seems not. Here's hoping that it's not too long before someone on board Navigator lets us in on the fun. Good to read you are safely home, too.

[Kwaj girl]

Well, not only are we booked on Navigator for the first time next year, our chosen itinerary also happens to be a segment of the World Cruise:o Thankfully, we've sailed segments before and I think I can recognise the behaviour patterns already. Since we are sailing with friends on that cruise, I know there will be at least four people who will be resistant to any hostility and quite prepared for whatever challenges might present themselves!

 

Jennifer, thank you for concluding your cruise reports today. I miss your sunny outlook and was hoping someone would take up the cheerful baton from you in Auckland but it seems not. Here's hoping that it's not too long before someone on board Navigator lets us in on the fun. Good to read you are safely home, too.

 

 

Gilly: We will be onboard for the entire WC next year but please don't lump us in with the "full WC snobs". We'll be there with the Champagne to greet you when you board! 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾 🍾

[forgap]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. I wanted to clarify that no one on the cruise was rude, just distant and not particularly outgoing. I thought, at first, that it was because we were traveling with our friends, but even my best friend, who is much more gregarious than I am, found her overtures to others were received in a friendly manner but not reciprocated. We had dinner with others on three occasions which was lovely, but this is in marked contrast to other cruises where it seemed our dance card was always full. On past cruises, i felt like I needed a bio sheet so as not to be repetitive. ("Where are you from? How many Regent cruises? Where did you meet your husband? What did you do for work?" ). Not so on this cruise! I felt that the most gregarious person was the ship doctor (not to us as we didn't need her services) but I saw her make her rounds every morning and it seemed she was up close and personal with just about all the World Cruisers!

[Gilly]

Kwaj girl, I know that not everyone falls into that same WC mentality, of course! I think too, that attitudes change as the cruise progresses and people begin to acquire routines. Hopefully, by the time we board (in Singapore) the dull people will have taken to their rooms and only the live wires will be out and about. :cool:

 

See you on board!

[irishwitchy]

I was also hopping someone was going to pick up where you left off! The another blog was getting a bit better since getting the New Zeland, but seems to have changed to today again to the bad. Get back on the ship now! Thanks again for sharing, because you did the stuff I would have done.

[Travelcat2]

I also didn't mean to sound as if I am painting all world cruisers with one brush. We have a friend onboard -- she would be friendly to anyone on the ship.

 

In the past I have heard that the crew also gets close to the WC'ers and some have sections in CR throughout the cruise that they tend to stay in. I suppose it is typical for the longer cruisers to have patterns and relationships set up by the time segmenters get onboard. Many WC'ers have sailed together for years (when Regent wasn't doing world cruisers, they moved over to Crystal and are now back on Regent).

 

We all have our preferences and mine is not to sail on a segment of a WC. On the other hand, we would not sail on the Navigator - especially after reading how much difficulty the passengers and the crew had in terms of seasickness, etc. during part of the WC. IMO, the Voyager (used to do WC's) is a much better choice than the Navigator.

[newlondon]

Kwaj Girl, Being a personal friend of Gilly and her Hero--we spent time with them in the UK-- be ready for two live wires;p.

Also because I didn't find this out until we got home her Hero is an MBE. Practice your courtesy:D

I'm not giving away his name because that's Gilly's choice:D:D

[Kwaj girl]

Kwaj Girl, Being a personal friend of Gilly and her Hero--we spent time with them in the UK-- be ready for two live wires;p.

Also because I didn't find this out until we got home her Hero is an MBE. Practice your courtesy:D

I'm not giving away his name because that's Gilly's choice:D:D

 

 

"MBE" :confused:

[newlondon]

Most excellent order of the British Empire, bestowed by the Queen.

[Kwaj girl]

Most excellent order of the British Empire, bestowed by the Queen.

 

 

For real? Or is this an "Ex-cu-u-u-u-u-se-----me"?

[Travelcat2]

For real? Or is this an "Ex-cu-u-u-u-u-se-----me"?

 

I checked with my British DH and what newlondon states is true. However, I believe that the "courtesy" part was meant in jest:)

[Gilly]

Bill, if you know who were reading this, you know how he'd blush! Kwaj Girl, we look forward to meeting you (again...but not in Code Red conditions this time, I hope!)

[newlondon]

Gilly, Of course I do:evilsmile:. Your hero can take it though:halo:

Tc, You got it.

[Crooz_N]

We arrived home late Saturday after 30 hours in transit from Aukland to Atlanta. Remarkably, we seem to have missed winter completely and returned to tulip magnolias and azaleas in full bloom!

 

We spent a week in NZ after disembarking - three days in Waitomo and Rotorua before the leisurely drive back to Aukland. This is not cruise related, but we went on the "Spellbound" tour of the glow worm caves which I highly recommend. It is low key tour of private caves and we saw some remarkable things. Feel free to ask me questions, if interested, in the highlights of our post-cruise. One last thing, though, we rented a fabulous Airbnb in Aukland. Two bedrooms with a large patio with a view!

 

 

As you know, this cruise was part of the world cruise and I don't think I would do that again. I would say that 75% of the passengers were doing the entire World Cruise. We were traveling with friends so we had our own group, but I did think that this cruise was less friendly than previous cruises. This held true even on excursions where you can usually strike up some friendships. The passengers also skewed much older and many were on walkers, canes, or scooters. (And one passenger hung a large Trump banner from the balcony at every port, which just seemed inappropriate no matter where your politics lie.)

 

The big negative, though, was the weather which is just the luck of the draw. We had wind and waves for many of the sea days so the upper decks were closed and even sitting on the balcony was unpleasant and a little scary. I was also seasick on many days and finally discovered that wearing 1/4 scopolamine patch all the time seemed to do the trick.

 

My final negative was the ship itself. This was our second time on Navigator, all other cruises on Voyager. Even in calmer waters, the Navigator bobbed like a cork. In rough waters, she was a fun-house ride. The public spaces are crammed with furniture and too much real estate is allocated to the card rooms and casino, in my opinion.

 

On to what I liked! I loved the new menu and I never grew bored with the food. They even mixed up the venues, offering pool side dining with special menues at night. The deck BBQ in Papeete was spectacular! The staff in all venues was professional yet friendly and personal. Even the waiters in training were delightful. There was a particular odd looking, somewhat shy waiter in Compass Rose who spoke very broken English who was teamed up with a more experienced waiter. Initially, his job was to give us the menu and offer us water and bread. My best friend is very gregarious and started joking and laughing with him. You could see his confidence grow and he practically skipped to the serving station.

 

We had our favorites, of course. Anthony, one of the wait staff, was wonderful (he designed an Indian menu for us on our last day) and Ley remembered us from a previous cruise (always nice) and never steered us wrong on a menu special. Laksman, one of the sommeliers, was thoughtful in his wine pairing selections and never steered us wrong. Alex (bar staff) was a delight and seemed to be everywhere, pitching in when needed and always with a smile. Finally, what can I say about our lovely General Manager, Davor? He is the consummate gentleman, always greeted us with a smile and conversation, and saved the day on our difficult and delayed disembarkation.

 

We chose this cruise expressly because of the itinerary. We had dreamed of sailing the South Pacific and this ticked all the boxes. We did not have one bad excursion. I'm not a huge fan of mob tours and I often moo under my breath when I encounter tours of which I am not a part. That being said, there always seemed to be room on the busses, and we got to do and see things that would have been difficult to plan on our own. The excursion staff was wonderful, especially Anna, who always seemed to have a thumb drive loaded with pictures that she graciously shared with us when our own devices failed!

 

I've rattled on for quite a bit. If you have any specific questions, I'll try my best to answer. I'll leave you with a beautiful sunset.

 

 

We were one of those "301" world cruisers on board and now home almost a week still reeling with adjusting to reality. Finally unpacked all the luggage and the laundry task at hand.

 

Enjoyed reading your posts on this segment and, yes, we did have some lousy seas. You should have been in our Grand Suite forward. When that bow came up and slammed down; a few time during the night felt as though I would go "airborne".

 

Understand why some prefer to not do a WC segment however we befriended several along the way and missed them terribly when it was time for them to disembark. Sometimes it comes down to choices between a segment and itinerary. Also, fortunately, we were not among those who relied on wheelchairs, walkers and canes and a significant reason why we did this trip now. So respect their continuing endeavor of travel however some tours were imnpacted by those who should not have attempted the tour. Don't know how Regent or any line can manage that any better. If a passenger believes they are able to do a tour it's a dicey situation for Regent. Clearly on some tours there were those who should have never attempted the tour.

 

Davor is, IMHO, the best GM in the industry. We also enjoyed Elvis as we have on previous trips. So many to mention. Daniela, Concierge, is a saint and should be the highest paid on the ship with the challenges she deals with daily. Juliana in Destinations was magnificient and Jamie and Dana were on top of eveything as usual. Very professional folks. Alex, Elena, Satush, Georgio and on and on and on. Douglas is a first class DR Manager, Rickie a class F&B Manager. Look forward to sailing with them again.