Grand Suite 901 or 1015 on RSSC Explorer

[demainmann]

We are debating between the grand suite on the bow of the ship with side balcony and below the bridge (901) or on the starboard side with side balcony below the pool deck(1015).. We would appreciate all advice. Even though, it  is the newest ship in Regents fleet we prefer to hear it first hand.  Thanks, Cathy

[Travelcat2]

Hi Cathy - you have presented us with quite the dilemma.  As you noted, both 901 and 1015 have possible issues with what is above the suite.

 

We have stayed in 1201. on Explorer and loved the balcony (although the back isn't usable while the ship is sailing (too windy), the side portion of the deck fine).  You do feel the "motion of the ocean" more in the forward suites but we still like the location.  I have no clue whether or not you would hear anything from the bridge.  Hopefully they have carpeted the area as there are officers walking back and forth 24/7*.  You may want to check with your TA (that hopefully books lots of Regent cruises) to learn if they have heard any complaints about suites under the bridge.

 

We would not stay in any suite below the pool deck and especially not below the Culinary Kitchen.  There have been complaints on CC about the noise coming from the Culinary Kitchen that you would hear in 1015.  The area is not carpeted and classes are being set up fairly early in the morning that most passengers would find disturbing.  

 

Explorer is our favorite ship - we have sailed on her 50+ nights already and our future cruises are on Explorer as we find her superior to the other ships (not everyone agrees with us but it is a personal preference).  

 

Jackie

 

*We stayed in a master suite under the bridge on Navigator and it was annoying (walking back and forth above our heads).  However, Navigator is the least sound-proofed of the Regent ships so it may not be an issue on Explorer.

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2018 by Travelcat2

[demainmann]

Hi Jackie -

 

Thanks got your information regarding my post. Suite 1201 is available too so that sounds better.  - you don’t hear anything from the observation lounge ?

 

We have only had 35 nights on Regent but are booked on 3 cruises over the next 2 1/2 years. 

 

Thanks agsin

Cathy 

[morneau]

We've stayed in both Suite 901 and Suite 1200 (identical to 1201) and very much prefer Suite 1200.  The suite is larger and more expansive in feel, and the balcony, in our experience, is much more usable.  The bedroom in 901 is lovely and cozy, but there is a slanted ceiling and so not a lot of room to move around.  Suite 1200 has a larger master bedroom, and a shower with a view.   You DO hear noise from the observation lounge below (music in the late afternoon, and in the evening) but it was not bothersome to us and never prevented us from sleeping as it always ended before bedtime.  Noise in suite 901 from the bridge above was minimal (occasional footsteps).  For us, Suite 1200 is the clear winner.

Edited December 22, 2018 by morneau
grammar

[Travelcat2]

Agree with last poster.  You do hear music from the Observation Lounge but, as mentioned, it is for limited periods of time.  It is a lovely suite and we do love the master bedroom and bathroom.

[Silver Sweethearts]

If you haven't done so already, try Youtube Regent Explorer Suite 1200 for videos of the suite.

[Hambagahle]

Another issue -  Generally the suites in the front of the ship have lighting restrictions because the Bridge needs total visibility when sailing at night.  We had a Vista Suite (right in the front of the ship) on Riviera a year ago and were not allow to even open the curtains to peek out!  This was a real nuisance when we sailed from Venice in a heavy rainstorm.  Could not stand outside in the dark (which normally would have been OK) because of the rain and could not open a crack in the curtains to see the views passing by.

 

Also - furniture on our terrace was lashed down when sailing so even if there had been no wind we could not use the terrace.  This might also apply to the suites you mention.  TravelCat will know because she has been in 1201.

 

by contrast - some years ago we did a TA on the Mariner in a Seven Seas Aft suite.  We were able to use our balcony all the time.  Furniture was available too.  And we loved the views of the wake and from the side of the terrace.   Which is why we have booked 785 on the Splendour for our next cruise...

Edited December 23, 2018 by Hambagahle

[Travelcat2]

Agree that the aft suites are better than the forward suites.  They did tie up furniture at night, however, no one said that we could not peek outside.  We had a party in our suite and opened the sliding glass doors to illuminate the deck for a few minutes. The winds were so strong on the balcony, we could not have utilized the space at night.  

 

Our only complaint in 1201 was the living room - the furniture is much too large for the space and it felt cramped.  Having three couples in the suite was a difficult situation with the furniture (lack of seating, etc.)

[Hambagahle]

Just had a thought, Jackie!  (yes - from time to time...)   Maybe the reason you had no lighting restrictions in 1201 was it is above the Bridge?   The Vista suite we were in on the Rivera was below the bridge...   ??

[Silver Sweethearts]

On 12/23/2018 at 6:50 AM, Travelcat2 said:

Agree that the aft suites are better than the forward suites.  They did tie up furniture at night, however, no one said that we could not peek outside.  We had a party in our suite and opened the sliding glass doors to illuminate the deck for a few minutes. The winds were so strong on the balcony, we could not have utilized the space at night.  

 

Our only complaint in 1201 was the living room - the furniture is much too large for the space and it felt cramped.  Having three couples in the suite was a difficult situation with the furniture (lack of seating, etc.)

 

We thought that you were in 1200 and not 1201.  We remember that you wren't pleased with the launderette door making noise - and it was across from 1200.  We felt there was more activity on deck 11 under 1200 than 1201.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Silver Sweethearts

[Travelcat2]

2 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

We thought that you were in 1200 and not 1201.  We remember that you wren't pleased with the launderette door making noise - and it was across from 1200.  We felt there was more activity on deck 11 under 1200 than 1201.

 

You are right and my memory sucks.  Had to look at the deck plan on Explorer to figure it out.  

 

Gerry - you could certainly be right about the lighting restriction.  I seem to recall that the light switch would not work to illuminate the deck which is why we opened the suite doors in order to get a bit of light outside.

[Hambagahle]

9 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

You are right and my memory sucks.  Had to look at the deck plan on Explorer to figure it out.  

 

Gerry - you could certainly be right about the lighting restriction.  I seem to recall that the light switch would not work to illuminate the deck which is why we opened the suite doors in order to get a bit of light outside.

Same thing happened to us in an Oceania Suite on Riviera.  I could not turn on the balcony lighting.  I complained to the marvellous Churchill (our Butler) and he said the light - we were quite forward on 11 - would bother the bridge.  Unless we were in port etc at night we could not have lights on.  So we did as you and opened the curtains.  In the Vista suite though we had a letter on embarkation specifically asking us not to open the curtains at all at night.