Celebrations

[Christine4]

😄  I am going on a cruise Aug 2021 on the Mariner.  While on board I would like to plan a special celebration for my sister on her 70th birthday.  Did any of you plan an extra special Occasion?  Do you have any ideas of what is possible or what may be considered too outlandish to request.  Thank you for any ideas.

[mrlevin]

Nothing is (was) too outlandish to request.  On our 25th anniversary we got Prime 7 to make us carrot cake; our favorite.  Then, we were serenaded by Ray and Nature's Rhythm.  For my wife's 50th birthday, we had a special dinner in Compass Rose (there were actually two birthdays in our group).  They came up with special menu, set up a table for 12, and we invited the Captain who accepted (Captain Knute).

 

You really want to talk to Dining Room Manager as soon as you board if you want the celebration in the restaurant.

 

Marc

[Christine4]

Thank you.  The birthday is on the second day of the cruise.  I wonder if that would give them enough time.

[Ladys Mom]

I would have your travel agent alert Regent ahead of time.  They may also do something special for your sister.  I would also contact Regent directly just to be sure, so it ends up on instructions for the cruise.  Then contact the Restaurant Manager and Customer Relations when you get on board.

[Pcardad]

Regent has a special operation department that can help but you should put your request in writing and send it through your TA. I am not certain their email is public.

[ronrick1943]

We had a Birthday, never said a thing.  However our butler (if they are good) reads your file), at dinner that night a cake was presented with full birthday surprise---got to our suite, full of balloons and Birthday sign.  Nice touch.

[Christine4]

Thanks to all that responded. My sister loves oysters on the half shell.  Do you think I could ask for that?  On that day we will be in Dubrovnik.

[BBfromCA]

Although these photos are older (2012 - 2016 cruises), it gives you an idea of some of the Birthday "surprises" I received.

[ArtsyCraftsy]

5 hours ago, Christine4 said:

Thanks to all that responded. My sister loves oysters on the half shell.  Do you think I could ask for that?  On that day we will be in Dubrovnik.

 

If they have good fresh oysters and/or know ahead of time that you want them and they have a local source for them, it shouldn't be a problem. If you use a travel agent, go through them to get your preferences to Regent.  If you don't use a travel agent, go through your Regent cruise planning specialist.  If there's a particular wine or beverage she would like you'll be able to get that as well.  Regent will do everything they can to fulfill your wishes.

 

I'll be celebrating my 70th birthday in July 2021 on the Grand Arctic Adventure (May 31 - Sep 2) and the Navigator be in Helsinki that day.  I'm trying to think of the kinds of things I'd like (I travel solo).  My Regent planning guy has told me "ask for whatever you want -- if it exists, we should be able to get it."  It'll be a fun day, for sure.  😄

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

[Kiwifromkiev]

11 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Nothing is (was) too outlandish to request.  On our 25th anniversary we got Prime 7 to make us carrot cake; our favorite.  Then, we were serenaded by Ray and Nature's Rhythm.  For my wife's 50th birthday, we had a special dinner in Compass Rose (there were actually two birthdays in our group).  They came up with special menu, set up a table for 12, and we invited the Captain who accepted (Captain Knute).

 

You really want to talk to Dining Room Manager as soon as you board if you want the celebration in the restaurant.

 

Marc

Marc, do you think that the same treatment (generosity) would be extended to a new RSSC cruiser? It is a common knowledge in the industry that "high flyers" (or rather high floaters 🙂 ) can expect more "looking after"? Disclaimer - I am not planning any special occasions, just being genuinely curious?

 

[mrlevin]

20 minutes ago, Kiwifromkiev said:

Marc, do you think that the same treatment (generosity) would be extended to a new RSSC cruiser? It is a common knowledge in the industry that "high flyers" (or rather high floaters 🙂 ) can expect more "looking after"? Disclaimer - I am not planning any special occasions, just being genuinely curious?

 

 

Definitely.  We (almost) always book Cat H cabins; we are definitely not high flyers with Regent.  I think Regent tries to keep all their customers happy so that they become repeat customers.  Of course, there seem to be those one or two that berate the staff; that definitely won't get you anywhere with Regent.

[Kiwifromkiev]

9 minutes ago, mrlevin said:

 

Definitely.  We (almost) always book Cat H cabins; we are definitely not high flyers with Regent.  I think Regent tries to keep all their customers happy so that they become repeat customers.  Of course, there seem to be those one or two that berate the staff; that definitely won't get you anywhere with Regent.

This makes me want (even more so) for our first planned but postponed RSS cruise to happen. It is not just the cruise line - airlines, NZ border rules (currently going away and returning one must spend 2 weeks in a hotel in isolation at $3k + time off work - not a go for most not-high-fliers I am afraid 🙂 )

[Gcto]

Yes to all the above, whether you are on your first or second or 50th cruise. They will help you make it a special day. One more piece of info I didn't see above. If you require something special (like a special drink or food item) I would give them at least 2 month notice (depending on where in the world the ship will be). That will give the procurement manager enough time to get it on board. Now this is just for very special items, but it's worth to keep in mind. 

 

[Christine4]

I'm curious, what would a "very special item" be?

[Pcardad]

Something they don't normal have on board. Those items are usually sourced in the port before the day they are needed. The pre-positioned containers are usually closed out 30-45 days prior to arrival to allow for shipping to the port where they will wait for the ship. Perishable items are sourced en route as well.

[Gcto]

59 minutes ago, Christine4 said:

I'm curious, what would a "very special item" be?

:-), a certain food item not normally stocked on board or hard to get in let's say Africa or South America. Many years back we met a person on board who had requested Diet Red Bull. Ship didn't have it, but managed to get it on their return trip to Miami (back to back cruise). At that time, I met the procurement officer during a shore visit and we talked. He mentioned the 2 months preferred time for special items. Just passing it on.... 🙂

 

[BBfromCA]

My soda of choice for several years was Red Mountain Dew. I requested a few months out, and it was there.

[GOARMY]

Reference Regent's going the extra mile--

 

Our experiences with this Line go back to the olden-days when it was Radisson Seven Seas.  Uniform quality of service to the 'newbies as well as old-timers.  The punctuation point is:  "Yes, of course" to a reasonable request.  What is reasonable? 

 

What our parents taught us about exercising common sense and civility in personal interactions with restaurant wait staff, and hotel Staff from Hotel Manager and Front Desk personnel, to Room Attendant.  This directly transfers to the cruise ship environment.  A smile goes a long way.  

 

Example:  Several years back, when on a Far Eastern cruise aboard Voyager, asked for a Singapore Sling as the pre-dinner cocktail.  It did not taste quite the way I recalled from experiencing a similar brew at the Home of the Sling--Raffles Hotel Bar, Singapore.  Inquired as to ingredients.  They included a lot, but not Sloe Gin.  Just mentioned this to the Server.  No big deal, really.  May have jotted this down in Final Evaluation.  Why I did so, in the context of World issues--considering our current situation(s)--bad on me. 

 

Anyway:  Six months later, upon entering a Mariner Suite on our next voyage--there on the counter was a bottle of Dekuyer Sloe Gin accompanied by a Note from the Hotel Manager.  Recommended taking same to our favorite Ship's Bar for safekeeping.   It would be made available--at whatever location we might be at--to include in our next Sling.   Now--that is Service.  

 

As to birthday celebrations--and this is strictly a personal preference:  Wife and I have made a point NOT to ask Staff for  anything special.  This included not having the Room Attendant and/or on occasion, the Butler do the balloon and confetti treatment to our Suite.  They have enough to do.  OTOH:  We did have some special stuff laid-on to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary aboard Splendor.   That was to be during a March voyage from San Diego to Miami.   Well, at-least we got to San Diego on March 12th to await boarding on the 14th.  That did not happen, of course.  One of three cruises (one via river boats in France) canceled this year due to COVID.  Hoping for next year's April-May Explorer at Tokyo.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

 

[wishIweretravelling]

I happened to mention to an officer (who was not involved with food & beverage) in casual conversation how much I like Regent's cinnamon ice cream. That evening the head waiter asked me what evening would I like some. They made a batch a couple of nights later just for our table.

 

 

[xrvlcruiser]

Crystal,

 

I'd forgotten about the cinnamon ice cream - I put a reminder in my notes for whatever turns out to be my next cruise! Thanks for the heads-up!🍨🌍🚤❤️

 

Peggy

[daetchief]

On my 60th Birthday I was on the Voyager.  They had a special menu they offered to all the passengers. We went to Prime 7 and ended the meal with a wonderful chocolate cake with a mini candelabra holding 6 candles. [LW purchased and passed the candelabra to the Mater’e]. Then the whole ship retired to the Constellation Theater where they played dancing music well past midnight.  I thought that was over the top!  There are perks when you are born on New Years Day...