It's all good on board the Splendor!

[boblerm]

14 hours ago, SnoBirdCruiser said:

Good Evening boblerm

Nice to see someone from Cruise Critic is aboard.

We are Pat(SnoBirdCruiser)  and Ray and we are on until March 24th.

Is there a meet and greet?

I haven't signed up for one.

perhaps we can meet for a drink at one of the bars....We are also at the pool everyday,at least we hope to be). The ship is the destination for us.

Cheers,Pat

Hi Pat,

They are not doing Meet and Greets at this time due to you-know-what.

We are on the pool deck pretty much all the time when we are not on tour.  You can recognize us from my profile pic or the one at the end of post #1.

Bob

[Gpilon]

2 minutes ago, boblerm said:

Hi Pat,

They are not doing Meet and Greets at this time due to you-know-what.

We are on the pool deck pretty much all the time when we are not on tour.  You can recognize us from my profile pic or the one at the end of post #1.

Bob

Bob....who is the Captain, and also the CD on Splendor at this time?

 

[boblerm]

11 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

So we want to insure that Regent is requiring full vaccination documents for ALL, before we consider booking.

I'm not sure what makes you think that this is not the case.  I inquired at reception just to make sure and was informed that proof of full vaccination is required for all passengers.  That means 3 jabs for adults, 2 for children as a 3rd dose has not been approved.  But as this is very important to you, don't take my word for it, call Regent or have your TA do it to verify.

 

You should also be aware that at least on this cruise, virtually no passengers are wearing masks, and the lounges and theater are often pretty packed, and this at approx. 2/3 capacity, which will only be going up.

 

 

[boblerm]

9 minutes ago, Gpilon said:

Bob....who is the Captain, and also the CD on Splendor at this time?

 

The CD is David Niven ( not to be confused with this guy)

 

Can't remember Captain's name, I'll get it for you shortly.

[boblerm]

We have so far dined at Prime 7, Compass Rose and Pacific Rim, and can honestly say that we have not had even one course that did not meet our expectations.  Service remains outstanding.  Details with some corresponding food porn pics will be posted at a later time.

 

Yesterday we were in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, we had an excursion to a nice beach, but the ride to and from was long and bumpy, the provided lunch was just ok.

 

The internet speed continues to be impressive, it is truly not horrible!

 

Some excursion tidbits-

 

I was told by Destination Services that the Smartguide app for listening to tour guides on your phone is not being used in the Caribbean, but will be used in Europe.

 

They are not giving out plastic water bottles, you refill the Vera water canister in your room, refill stations throughout the ship. 

 

Some excursions that are shown as wait listed online were available upon embarkation, I suggest checking in with Destination Services on day 1.

 

Some issues and possible solutions

 

1) The light switches in the rooms   😠!!!!!  I tried to memorize what each one does on the first day, shortly determined that wasn't going to happen.

Potential solution-  trial and error works just fine.  It takes some time, but I eventually get to where I need it to be in terms of which lights are on and which are off.  Sigh.

 

2)The coffee is La Veranda is... how shall I say it?...icky.

Potential solution- ask your sever for "Americano".  You will get a cup of seriously decent coffee.

 

3)The chocolates left on the bed at night is....I think the technical word is....stinko.

Potential solution-  as difficult as it may be, do not, I repeat do not go back to your room at night hungry.  Forewarned is forearmed.

 

Bob

 

 

 

 

[docmark]

Just to add/confirm above, in our recent Explorer cruise in January, I always ordered Americano coffee (everywhere)and enjoyed it....AND agree 100% with "night time' chocolate!!

[UUNetBill]

1 hour ago, boblerm said:

2)The coffee is La Veranda is... how shall I say it?...icky.

Potential solution- ask your sever for "Americano".  You will get a cup of seriously decent coffee.

 

3)The chocolates left on the bed at night is....I think the technical word is....stinko.

Potential solution-  as difficult as it may be, do not, I repeat do not go back to your room at night hungry.  Forewarned is forearmed.

 

Bob

Bob, I disagree with you 100% - the coffee is stinko and the chocolates are icky.  How anyone can think the opposite is just beyond me...

[Gpilon]

Our Virtuoso TA here in Savannah is hosting a Cruise Event this evening at our Club, and it should be interesting speaking with the Regent Rep. 1 wee3k out from our Splendor sailing next Thursday. 

 

[rkaratsu]

2 hours ago, boblerm said:

1) The light switches in the rooms   😠!!!!!  I tried to memorize what each one does on the first day, shortly determined that wasn't going to happen.

Potential solution-  trial and error works just fine.  It takes some time, but I eventually get to where I need it to be in terms of which lights are on and which are off.  Sigh...

Ha ha, they obviously used the same lighting schematics on the Explorer!  Just when I thought I figured out how they worked (in PH-C cabin), they seemed to magically reprogram themselves.  (I also wished for the bathroom, there was some kind of dimmer switch or a separate night light or separate light for the toilet closet.  "All on" or "all off" is pretty harsh at 2am in the morning... 🙃 )

 

But I can solve your coffee conundrum:  Drink tea! The Twinings collection is very good (as long as you don't confuse the English Breakfast decaffinated version with the real stuff.)

[UUNetBill]

32 minutes ago, rkaratsu said:

Ha ha, they obviously used the same lighting schematics on the Explorer!  Just when I thought I figured out how they worked (in PH-C cabin), they seemed to magically reprogram themselves.  (I also wished for the bathroom, there was some kind of dimmer switch or a separate night light or separate light for the toilet closet.  "All on" or "all off" is pretty harsh at 2am in the morning... 🙃 )

 

But I can solve your coffee conundrum:  Drink tea! The Twinings collection is very good (as long as you don't confuse the English Breakfast decaffinated version with the real stuff.)

That's another one of those little Regent 'tidbits' you pick up over the years - take some of the battery operated motion sensitive lights with you (tealights or mini night lights) and keep one or two in the bathroom.  The blue nightlight in the hallway outside of the bathroom is perfect for me to GET to the bathroom at night, but you're right - any light at all is too bright at 2 AM.  Something that sets up a gentle glow when you walk in is very welcome...

[Gpilon]

5 hours ago, boblerm said:

The CD is David Niven ( not to be confused with this guy)

 

Can't remember Captain's name, I'll get it for you shortly.

Bob…..happy to hear it is a different David Niven. Otherwise i would suspect it would not be a real lively cruise. Enjoy the rest of yours and kindly ensure there is Champagne left over for our March 17 one. 

[flossie009]

Hi @boblerm,

Thanks for the blog. we can't wait for our next Regent "fix"

 

5 hours ago, boblerm said:

The CD is David Niven ( not to be confused with this guy)

Should be no confusion, as I think the CD's name is David Nevin (even though spellcheck/autocorrect doesn't like it). He is a fabulous singer; don't miss his show.

[cindyah88]

6 hours ago, boblerm said:

I'm not sure what makes you think that this is not the case.  I inquired at reception just to make sure and was informed that proof of full vaccination is required for all passengers.  That means 3 jabs for adults, 2 for children as a 3rd dose has not been approved.  But as this is very important to you, don't take my word for it, call Regent or have your TA do it to verify.

 

You should also be aware that at least on this cruise, virtually no passengers are wearing masks, and the lounges and theater are often pretty packed, and this at approx. 2/3 capacity, which will only be going up.

 

 

The definition of "fully vaccinated" is 2 jabs, at least with Pifizer and Moderna . The booster is not required. 

[flossie009]

On 3/9/2022 at 6:38 PM, cindyah88 said:

Personally, I'm way more concerned by the mere fact that a child is onboard, rather than their vax status.

 

Never a problem on Regent. They have a designated staff member to root out any problems:

 

Sorry, I just couldn't resist 🤣

[Pudgesmom]

1 minute ago, cindyah88 said:

The definition of "fully vaccinated" is 2 jabs, at least with Pifizer and Moderna . The booster is not required. 

On our upcoming TA in April, everyone is required to have a booster. 

[cindyah88]

27 minutes ago, Pudgesmom said:

On our upcoming TA in April, everyone is required to have a booster. 

I believe that's an EU requirement. There are lots of articles online about which cruise lines require the booster and Regent, nor Norwegian is on the list. And since I'm panicking a little bit, haha, (our cruise is next week) I have scoured the regent Sailsafe pages and cannot find the word booster or anything about 3 doses. Have placed a call to our Regent TA just to be sure. I'll update y'all after I hear, since I'm sure everyone wants to participate in my pre-cruise drama😜

[boblerm]

5 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Bob, I disagree with you 100% - the coffee is stinko and the chocolates are icky.  How anyone can think the opposite is just beyond me...

Bill, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one! 😁

[boblerm]

2 hours ago, Gpilon said:

Bob…..happy to hear it is a different David Niven. Otherwise i would suspect it would not be a real lively cruise. Enjoy the rest of yours and kindly ensure there is Champagne left over for our March 17 one. 

Thanks, I shall ration my Champagne rations just for you. 

You are welcome. 🙂

 

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

Hi @boblerm

 

Should be no confusion, as I think the CD's name is David Nevin (even though spellcheck/autocorrect doesn't like it). He is a fabulous singer; don't miss his show.

Arrrgh! 

Yes, David Nevin is correct! 

However.,the phrase, "Should be no confusion", does not compute for a person of my mental status! 

[seasickphil]

According to our last communication from Regent regarding our cruise next month, is that a booster is necessary if your 2nd dose was more than 270 days prior to boarding.

 

[boblerm]

5 hours ago, docmark said:

Just to add/confirm above, in our recent Explorer cruise in January, I always ordered Americano coffee (everywhere)and enjoyed it.

And to think that it took until my 11th Regent cruise to figure this out! 

Edited March 10, 2022 by boblerm

[cindyah88]

Just off a call with Regent rep. Regent is not requiring covid booster. Certain ports do, so if your itinerary requires it, then yes. But there will be ample notice I was told. Again, just for clarity...Regent, in general, does NOT require covid booster.  Crisis averted. For me anyway!

[seasickphil]

3 minutes ago, cindyah88 said:

Just off a call with Regent rep. Regent is not requiring covid booster. Certain ports do, so if your itinerary requires it, then yes. But there will be ample notice I was told. Again, just for clarity...Regent, in general, does NOT require covid booster.  Crisis averted. For me anyway!

It must be different for us from the UK then as i said we, according to Regent are required to have had the booster.

[islandchick]

As far as I can tell Regent is only requiring boosters for certain cruises. My TA in April happens to be one thank goodness. If you aren't boosted you might as well be not vaccinated at this point (unless you just got vaccinated recently). 

[cindyah88]

6 minutes ago, islandchick said:

As far as I can tell Regent is only requiring boosters for certain cruises. My TA in April happens to be one thank goodness. If you aren't boosted you might as well be not vaccinated at this point (unless you just got vaccinated recently). 

Yes, like I said earlier, the EU requires a booster, as do several cruise lines, but not Regent at this point, unless the itinerary calls for it. And just fyi, my husband and I had a natural booster - that is, actual covid, back in early January. And with that, I'm out. Enough of the covid talk for me. Safe travels everyone!

[boblerm]

@Gpilon, I almost forgot, the captain