The not too controversial Explorer live holiday report!

[Buglady777]

Thanks, kjbacon, for all the food info! We are on the Explorer TA to Rome in March (snagged the aft  suite too!) and are going to take your recommendations to heart.  We can make our reservations as of today, but have a question maybe you can answer.  Is the main evening entertainment later in the evening (9-ish) so as not to rush us through dinner?

[Zqueeze1]

You guys are doing a wonderful job in this thread.  You food pics are making me gain weight.  Love reading this thread. Anything Mudhen said about me was derived while she was wearing beer goggles. Lol. 
Z and TB

Edited December 27, 2021 by Zqueeze1

[kjbacon]

11 hours ago, Buglady777 said:

Thanks, kjbacon, for all the food info! We are on the Explorer TA to Rome in March (snagged the aft  suite too!) and are going to take your recommendations to heart.  We can make our reservations as of today, but have a question maybe you can answer.  Is the main evening entertainment later in the evening (9-ish) so as not to rush us through dinner?

Yes, evening entertainment is at 9:30, no rushing needed. Hope your trip is wonderful!

 

6 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

You guys are doing a wonderful job in this thread.  You food pics are making me gain weight.  Love reading this thread. Anything Mudhen said about me was derived while she was wearing beer goggles. Lol. 
Z and TB

Thanks, Z, and I’m gaining enough weight for both of us. I’ll be extra cautious in my dealings with Mudhen today lol!!

 

The food on this ship is too good. My clothes are tight but what can I do. Yesterday’s lunch was fabulous with fried seafood and a creamy pasta dish with prosciutto and sage. The pasta has been amazing and yesterday, my husband asked if they ever do a pasta dish with garlic oil and shrimp and the answer? The chef made it for him on the spot and he said it was delicious. Wish I had taken a picture because it looked beautiful.

The canopies on the Observation Lounge were a bit of a miss with beet mousse topped with feta and a mango maki roll. I love beets but well, not these beets!!

Dinner in Pacific Rim with new friends made for a wonderful night all around. Almost every dish was outstanding with the only weak link being the fried rice. Among the dishes we had were duck and watermelon salad, seaweed salad, tuna tartare, California rolls, shrimp tempura, veggie pad Thai (spicy version on request), Korean lamb chops with Brussels sprouts, coconut tres leches, and chocolate indulgence.

 

Pacific Rim is two for two!! Tonight, we will give Chartreuse another try. Our port today is Dominica and we plan to do the whale watching tour. Hope everyone has a great day!!

[kjbacon]

Can you imagine a more lovely spot to have breakfast?

 

I decided on a healthy breakfast and my egg white and veggie omelet was delicious. 

 

A quick mention to all the vegans and vegetarians out there … lots of choices on all the menus and each one I’ve tried has been very good. We are pulling into Dominica!

 

[kjbacon]

The Captain says we have 6 positive covid cases, 3 passengers and 3 crew members.

We may have had quite a bit to drink after hearing his announcement. Can’t say I’m sure what happens next.

 

Dominica is beautiful and if you want to see whales, I recommend the whale watching tour. We saw a good dozen sperm whales, moms and babies, very close to our boat.

Our second meal in Chartreuse was much better than the first. We had a great group of friends and a fabulous time was had by all! Most of us started with a soup course and it seems to me that the gals all got the mushroom soup and the guys all got the lobster bisque. Both were fantastic and both served in two parts with the hot broth added at the table.

Several people had the escargots and the report was that the dish was unusual but delicious. We both had the crab, daikon, and melon salad and loved it.

 

My main course of chicken with morels was a miss, dry and overcooked, but my husband enjoyed his main of lobster and scallop mousse.

 

We both had the cheese plate for dessert and no one has a better cheese course than Chartreuse.

Before we went whale watching, we had the Moroccan themed lunch at La Veranda and it was very good. Every dish on this plate was delicious, chicken thigh in harissa sauce, harissa paste, pomegranate hummus, fava bean hummus, lemon mint couscous, fruit and nut couscous, and chickpea cassoulet. Note that other than the chicken, everything else is vegan. Regent is doing a really good job with plant based dishes but I think they need a vegan breakfast meat (or at least a turkey based one).

 

Today’s port is St Vincent and I’m not sure whether or not we will disembark, given the covid update. Either way, greetings from St Vincent and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[mrstanley]

kjbacon:  Are passengers wearing their masks?  Are they wearing them on tour buses?

If everyone was tested prior to leaving Miami where did these three passengers pick up Covid?

Are passengers allowed to go ashore without being on a Regent tour? 

 

We were on the September 11th Splendor cruise. Many passengers refused to wear masks on the tour 

busses. Too many people on some the shore excursions. Crew enforced nothing.

 

We are booked on the Feb 3 Splendor cruise. I'm really nervous.

[kjbacon]

1 hour ago, mrstanley said:

kjbacon:  Are passengers wearing their masks?  Are they wearing them on tour buses?

If everyone was tested prior to leaving Miami where did these three passengers pick up Covid?

Are passengers allowed to go ashore without being on a Regent tour? 

 

We were on the September 11th Splendor cruise. Many passengers refused to wear masks on the tour 

busses. Too many people on some the shore excursions. Crew enforced nothing.

 

We are booked on the Feb 3 Splendor cruise. I'm really nervous.

I’d like to tell you that there’s no reason to be nervous, but I can’t. Whether you can go out on your own depends on the guidelines of the individual ports. The tour busses are almost full so you cannot social distance and mask compliance among passengers varies. Our experience with the locals has not been good with wearing masks, most of them don’t. In my opinion, that is how covid came on board. My guess is that if we were all tested, it would be much higher than 6 positive cases.

[RetiredandTravel]

I'm sure the positive cases are very concerning, safe and healthy travels.  Hope it doesn't negatively impact your trip.  If you need to spend more time in the room you have the right one. 

 

Overcooked chicken just isn't acceptable in a specialty restaurant.

 

Thanks for the updates & pictures.

 

 

[cwn]

2 hours ago, kjbacon said:

I’d like to tell you that there’s no reason to be nervous, but I can’t. Whether you can go out on your own depends on the guidelines of the individual ports. The tour busses are almost full so you cannot social distance and mask compliance among passengers varies. Our experience with the locals has not been good with wearing masks, most of them don’t. In my opinion, that is how covid came on board. My guess is that if we were all tested, it would be much higher than 6 positive cases.

Thank you for your reporting and pictures of your cruise. It is very fair and honest about the good and not so good. It is a difficult time to cruise with this new Covid variant. Sounds like you are still enjoy it though and the food looks great.  

[LouChamp]

Thanksgiving you for sharing your report.  While been there done that on the ports, I can never have enough pf the food pictures.  All blessings 

[ronrick1943]

WOW!, Thanks so much—great photo’s….happy you enjoyed the cruise.

[kjbacon]

We have 3 more confirmed cases for a total of 9 and some more restrictions in place. As I said before, that number would be higher if we were all tested.

 

While this is not a situation that I want to be in, I’m in it and can only work with what I have. We are choosing to stay upbeat and make the best of it. We are still having a terrific time enjoying new friends, great food and drink, and beautiful warm, sunny weather.

 

Yesterday, we enjoyed sunrise over St Vincent and delicious breakfast burritos.

We opted out of our shore excursion because we are not ok with the bus situation. We had a lovely day at the pool and the spa. Lunch is La Veranda was Cuban themed and it was good, not great. This plate is a beef empanada, smoky red pepper sauce, corn with peppers, Cuban fried chicken, sofrito, jalapeños, and tequila red snapper.

 

We had a bit of a stormy departure from Saint Vincent.

We had a wonderful dinner with our new friends, John and Linda, at Prime 7. Despite all my food porn lol, I usually eat a very clean almost vegan diet but put me on a regent ship and I’m eating like a schizophrenic!! Last night we split tuna tartare, crab cakes, clam chowder, ribeye steak, and the 14 layer chocolate indulgence dessert. Most of it was fabulous.

Today, Saint Lucia and we hope to go on a snorkeling excursion. Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

[gcorgain]

Kjbacin,

 

Thanks for all the great photos and bringing us along on your journey. Can I ask what the additional restrictions are?

 

regards,

Greg

[1982CruzStart]

Thank you for all the wonderful photos and commentary. 

[kjbacon]

3 hours ago, gcorgain said:

Kjbacin,

 

Thanks for all the great photos and bringing us along on your journey. Can I ask what the additional restrictions are?

 

regards,

Greg

Greg, last night the announcement stated that beverage service at the shows would be stopped. I read on a thread about the mariner that the corporate office wants the New Year’s Eve party broken into 3 separate venues.

Karen

[gcorgain]

Thanks. Starting to feel like death by a thousand cuts. Nothing here that is too horrible, and all understandable, but unfortunate, nonethteless.

[kjbacon]

We had a lovely excursion here in beautiful Saint Lucia on the catamaran tour.

After a nice, fresh and lightly dressed garden salad, I thought it best to try the sweet potato fries and they were darn good.

Unfortunately, we are starting to see some bickering among the passengers about the covid issues. Not a pretty sight.

[RetiredandTravel]

Prime 7 looks great.  We split the 32oz Porterhouse last time, it was fantastic.  Prime 7 has a fun "vibe".

 

My wife would love that chocolate cake.

 

1 hour ago, kjbacon said:

Unfortunately, we are starting to see some bickering among the passengers about the covid issues. Not a pretty sight.

 

I'm sorry but if people go on a cruise in this environment they have to expect disruptions like rules changing  &  ports being cancelled etc.

 

[kjbacon]

Two more confirmed cases give us 11 that we know about. We are not being tested at all during this two week cruise. We have seen people walking around exhibiting cold symptoms.

 

We have decided to opt out of the New Year’s Eve party and will flex as we feel we should with everything else moving forward. 
 

We had a terrific dinner with John and Linda in Sette Mari last night. It’s one of our favorite restaurants and we love the Al fresco dining. To be fair, I have to mention that service was off. The food was delicious and the company was wonderful. Antipasti did not disappoint and I have to plug the fried zucchini, wow!

 

Pasta choices were the saffron risotto with scallops (great) and gnocchi with pesto (good).

Our main courses are in contention for the best mains we have had. I had the veal chop Milanese and Jack had the grilled lamb chops which he said were the best lamb chops on the ship.

 

The dessert table looked good but we were so full that we were happy with the biscotti.

 

We are in Saint Martin today and we have decided to opt out of a shore excursion. Not sure what happens next or where we go from here. The only thing I can be sure of right now is that I’ve gained one whole lot of weight.

 

[mrstanley]

Love your pictures!  Where did these people pick up Covid???  I guess if you have seen people walking around exhibiting cold symptoms they don't have their masks on. Hard to believe that Regent is not testing people during the cruise. We know two couples on this cruise and have no intention of seeing them until they have quarantined once home. Hard to think that passengers can get off the ship and board airplanes without being tested prior to disembarking. Crazy. We are rethinking our Feb cruise.

[RetiredandTravel]

Sette Mari is our favorite, thank you for posting.  Fond memories, love that Veal Milanese.

[Cajuntennisgal]

We are boarding the Serenity on Jan 13 with nervous knots! Can you tell me if the culinary classes have been cancelled on board or shifting to “demo” only as I’m suspecting.  Makes sense to me but I can’t get an accurate answer.  Surprised that no required testing is happening on board, but we plan to stick to our suite and stay close to the ship. Buses and tours don’t thrill us right now. Will make the best of it!!! 
 

[swigso]

Hello,

can I ask a question we are thinking of booking our first RSSC cruise. We usually sail with Celebrity or Azamara mainly because of their smoking or non smoking policy.

No smoking is allowed anywhere except outside designated areas.

Does Regent allow smoking in the casino because that would be a deal breaker for us.

thanks for your help

[RetiredandTravel]

The smoking policy is in FAQ down a bit.  You can smoke in one area by the pool, easy to avoid.

 

https://www.rssc.com/frequently-asked-questions/onboard

[DaveFr]

Here’s the smoking policy from the FAQs:

 

”For the comfort and safety of all of our Guests, smoking is not permitted in any enclosed dining area, certain public venues, elevators, the Theater, and all suites and balconies, and is only permitted in specific designated smoking areas. The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within designated smoking areas only.

Cigarette smoking is only permitted in designated areas of the outdoor pool area and the following public rooms:
Seven Seas Splendor: Connoisseur Club, Pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
Seven Seas Explorer: Connoisseur Club, Pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
Seven Seas Voyager: Connoisseur Club, Horizon Lounge (outdoor one side designated area), Pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
Seven Seas Mariner: Connoisseur Club, Horizon Lounge (outdoor one side designated area), Pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
Seven Seas Navigator: Galileo's (outdoor one side designated area), Pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)

Cigar Smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club on applicable ships and the designated area on the opposite side of the Pool Bar.

Pipe smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club. Pipe smoking in open deck areas is considered an extreme fire hazard and is not permitted.

Failure to comply with the above smoking policy will result in guests being asked to leave the ship at their expense, without refund or credit for the unused portion of their cruise.”

 

You cannot smoke in the casino.

 

Dave