Splendor Transatlantic 04/05/22 - 04/19/22: Crystallized Foodies try out Regent...well cuz

[mrstanley]

I just heard that there is a couple in quarantine. What’s going on with the COVID issue? How many passengers have tested positive??? 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

41 minutes ago, mrstanley said:

I just heard that there is a couple in quarantine. What’s going on with the COVID issue? How many passengers have tested positive??? 

I wonder if they gave Paxlovid onboard for cases like this.  I'm thinking that it's new enough, and scarce enough, that they don't.  It would be nice to know they did when availability is better.

[pnsnkr]

13 hours ago, mrstanley said:

I just heard that there is a couple in quarantine. What’s going on with the COVID issue? How many passengers have tested positive??? 

There's been no announcement that I've heard of active cases.  We've been tracking status at the CDC cruise ship quarantine site.  We were green when we left, then it became yellow after a couple on days and then orange while in the Atlantic and has remained orange ever since.

 

[pnsnkr]

On 4/16/2022 at 12:44 PM, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 

Out of curiosity did they have the Chateauneuf du Pape or the higher end Bordeaux in Chartreuse?

 

 

 

 Yes, they did.  We also asked for it in the observation lounge and they obliged.

[Pudgesmom]

Yesterday I saw a meal being delivered to a cabin by someone wearing PPE gear. Less than a hazmat but much more than a mask. 

[chelseabelsea]

I saw the same thing- deck 8 near stern elevators port side. I suppose it could also have been norovirus. I say that because I did observe one time someone leaving the washroom WITHOUT washing their hands- gross and poor judgement…

[Techno123]

23 minutes ago, chelseabelsea said:

I saw the same thing- deck 8 near stern elevators port side. I suppose it could also have been norovirus. I say that because I did observe one time someone leaving the washroom WITHOUT washing their hands- gross and poor judgement…

One of the reasons why I always open the public washroom doors with a paper towel and try not to touch handrails, door knobs etc (not just because of Covid nor just on cruise ships but generally when out and about). 

[lprp]

7 hours ago, chelseabelsea said:

…….I did observe one time someone leaving the washroom WITHOUT washing their hands- gross and poor judgement…

It’s really disgusting isn’t it? I usually call this out when I see it - have been  doing it long before Covid - it usually results in a sheepish return to the sink, although some people get a bit narky 🙄. My DH is mortified that I do it😏

[daetchief]

On 4/16/2022 at 3:13 AM, RetiredandTravel said:

Thanks for the wine list.  Very underwhelming list of Reds at Compass Rose. If I'm looking correctly several are <$10.

Try the Cline Cashmere or Old Vine.   I throughly enjoyed them on Mariner. 

I also enjoy saving money at the Wine Cellar when I've purchased 'Buku' bottles since arriving home.

(Although they were a bit over $10.00,  but that's the price of paradise...)

[RetiredandTravel]

10 hours ago, daetchief said:

Try the Cline Cashmere or Old Vine.   I throughly enjoyed them on Mariner. 

I also enjoy saving money at the Wine Cellar when I've purchased 'Buku' bottles since arriving home.

(Although they were a bit over $10.00,  but that's the price of paradise...)

 

 

You sure it wasn't a vacation "high"?  Several years ago, on vacation in the Caribbean,  I thought Red Stripe beer was great.  When we came home I bought a six pack it was awful. 🙂

 

More Seriously.  We aren't wine snobs, our weekday wines cost $8 - 15 many from Costco.   On vacation we just like a better wine with dinner.  My argument (maybe to many times) has been that Regent and all Luxury lines should offer some wines in between  the complimentary list and the connoisseur list at dinner.  We would prefer Regent to raise the price of the cruise and offer better dinner wines or offer a package/more reasonable list with wines in the $30-$50 range.  

 

We were in Ko Olina last fall, beautiful place.  Love Hawaii and its people.

 

 

 

 

[mj_holiday]

1 hour ago, RetiredandTravel said:

You sure it wasn't a vacation "high"?  Several years ago, on vacation in the Caribbean,  I thought Red Stripe beer was great.  When we came home I bought a six pack it was awful. 🙂

It is a possibility that the stuff you got at home was past its date, use to happen alot with imported beers.  This doesn't seem to be a problem now.  Might want to try one again.

[pnsnkr]

Day 6 - Sea day Sunday, The Brunch

 

"Yay, the Sunday brunch is back!". The excitement was palpable in at least one suite the night before when DW was thrilled to see the invitation from the Culinary Team to join them for a "gala brunch."  Our previous cruise experiences of such gala brunch events have been underwhelming so please excuse me for not sharing the excitement with DW.  Let's see what Regent can deliver.

 

The previous night was the second time that we had to move our clocks forward by an hour and so wake up time was also appropriately delayed.  But, we did manage to squeeze in coffee, fresh juice and a few doughnuts for room service breakfast

 

 

The doughnuts were alright, though definitely better than the consistently stale ones we had on the Crystal Nassau cruise.

 

Before long, it was time to head over to Compass Rose for the brunch, our first visit to the venue.  

 

We were seated by the window after a short wait. Drinks orders taken and I ventured out to take a few pictures.  Regent did a stellar job with the decorations, the food presentation and the variety of options.

 

 

 

The seafood spread looked quite inviting and included king crab legs, so we loaded up our plates for a sampling.  Unfortunately, the crab legs were completely soaked and inedible.  What a waste of a great product.  The shrimp was delicious and the sushi was good.  Crystal offered better sushi. 

 

 

They had prime rib and salmon en croute.  Regent did an amazing job with the salmon, one of the best we've had. We also tried the smoked salmon and it was very tasty with rich smoky flavor.

 

They had a crepe station so that would be our dessert.  Delish.

 

Overall, it was quite well executed by Regent.  Too bad about the crab legs. 

 

Today was cheesecake tea but we were too full from the excellent brunch that we had to skip it.  The Hennessy tasting must have been popular as they had another session today.  The Culinary Arts Kitchen held two classes on Mediterranean Masterpieces.  Not for us.

 

Dinner tonight would be at Compass Rose.  Again, not too hard to score a window seat after a short wait.

 

Ornate Varsace plate setting.  They must cost a pretty penny.

 

Dr. Loosen was on offer, our favorite Riesling.  

 

Indian vegetable patties for app.  They were tasty but too subtle on the flavors and required a dash of salt to bring them out.

 

The soup from the left side menu was the lobster bisque, but no lobster bits?  Also, the soup was lukewarm, an annoying trend of late; even our soups at Chartreuse were lukewarm.

 

 

I had the crab salad with caviar. It was atrocious, the only flavor coming from the caviar.  No more crab salads for me on Regent.

 

 

DW had an app portion of the miso glazed sea bass and it was heavenly, cooked perfectly.

 

 

Hey, we get a palate cleanser.  It was coffee sorbet.  We could have had this for dessert and be quite content.

 

The main was the Caribbean seafood curry.  Quite delicious and had a good mix of seafood in it, all cooked properly.

 

Petite fours prior to dessert. Dang, this is actually a specialty restaurant and not some "main dining room." Sucker for macarons, I gobbled that up and just took a nibble of the rest.

 

 

DW doesn't remember the name of this dessert.  The chocolate part was good, but not the center.

 

They had a mango ice cream and a coconut ice cream, why not both?  Holy smokes they were both delicious.  Glad I got them both.

 

 

We were stuffed after this elaborate dinner that we skipped the evening entertainment by Linda Gentille.  Moreover, we'll be moving the clock forward yet again tonight and so it was lights out for us.

 

 

[pnsnkr]

We are enjoying our stay in Barcelona, but in Regent withdrawal.  The room at the Le Meridien is nice but there isn't even a vanity mirror for DW; Oh the humanity!

 

There's hardly any COVID protocol enforced.  The market at La Rambla is crowded and all the restaurants are packed solid.  We've been wearing masks indoors except while eating.  We need to be tested in a couple of days for our flight back, fingers crossed.

[CJANDH]

12 hours ago, pnsnkr said:

We need to be tested in a couple of days for our flight back, fingers crossed.

Have you found a place to get the test in Barcelona? Is Regent still "responsible" for your hotel and travel home? Do you know the process if you happen to test positive?

[pnsnkr]

23 minutes ago, CJANDH said:

Have you found a place to get the test in Barcelona? Is Regent still "responsible" for your hotel and travel home? Do you know the process if you happen to test positive?

We brought a video-supervised antigen self-test kit with us.  The hotel wifi seems reasonable enough that we are going to try this out first.  There are numerous testing sites close by as well that don't require an appointment.

 

We booked our own hotel and the flight is an award ticket with United.  So, can't speak for Regent protocols if someone tests positive on a post-cruise stay.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

13 hours ago, pnsnkr said:

We are enjoying our stay in Barcelona, but in Regent withdrawal.  The room at the Le Meridien is nice but there isn't even a vanity mirror for DW; Oh the humanity!

 

There's hardly any COVID protocol enforced.  The market at La Rambla is crowded and all the restaurants are packed solid.  We've been wearing masks indoors except while eating.  We need to be tested in a couple of days for our flight back, fingers crossed.

We stayed two days in Barcelona and agree about the crowds and Covid. Now on the high speed train to Madrid.

 

Sure do miss Regent!

[pnsnkr]

1 hour ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

We stayed two days in Barcelona and agree about the crowds and Covid. Now on the high speed train to Madrid.

 

Sure do miss Regent!

 

Safe travels to Emily and you, Martha.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

Ran into someone from our cruise as we were checking into our hotel in Madrid. They had taken the train from Barcelona to Madrid Tuesday morning and tested positive that afternoon. So they are staying in Madrid until they test again Monday.

[pnsnkr]

On 4/19/2022 at 12:37 PM, Techno123 said:

One of the reasons why I always open the public washroom doors with a paper towel and try not to touch handrails, door knobs etc (not just because of Covid nor just on cruise ships but generally when out and about). 

There is a sensor to open the door to the restrooms on the ship.  You just wave your hand in front of it to activate.  There are also paper towels right by the bathroom door on the inside that one could use.

[Pathfinder88]

5 hours ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

Ran into someone from our cruise as we were checking into our hotel in Madrid. They had taken the train from Barcelona to Madrid Tuesday morning and tested positive that afternoon. So they are staying in Madrid until they test again Monday.

I’m the TA passenger in the orange jacket who practically assaulted you in the lobby of the Westin Palace this afternoon- so very sorry about that! Chalk it up to the unpleasant, unexpected turn of events resulting from a positive Covid test requiring our extended stay in Madrid and turning life upside down for at least a week.
 

I was so surprised to see a familiar face that I just unloaded on you.  I hope that you have days here and in Granada, and safe travels home!  

[daetchief]

On 4/20/2022 at 1:28 AM, RetiredandTravel said:

You sure it wasn't a vacation "high"?  🙂

          

More Seriously.  We aren't wine snobs...,

Aloha R & T,

 

I too am not a wine snob.   I typically try to bring or provide 'Good' wines to friends without regard to price - but I get pretty good reviews for my choices.    

 

I usually opt for an upgraded Cab from Duckhorn or Joseph Phelps when we dine in Prime 7 [On a special occasion usually].  On our last cruise, [Mariner Resumption 2021/22] when we went to Prime 7 for my birthday, I asked for the Cashmere Black (2015) over spending available OBCs.  I was as pleased with the wine as I would have been with an 'Insignia' edition of Jos. Phelps.     

 

That said,  I probably wouldn't scoff at the chance to compare them side-by-side   -  to calibrate my palette. 😛🍷⛴️

 

I'm very pleased you enjoyed visiting/staying in Ko'Olina.   It's close enough to most everything and far enough away from Everything Else!     

 

Bob

[2012_Alaska_bound]

On 4/21/2022 at 8:51 PM, Pathfinder88 said:

I’m the TA passenger in the orange jacket who practically assaulted you in the lobby of the Westin Palace this afternoon- so very sorry about that! Chalk it up to the unpleasant, unexpected turn of events resulting from a positive Covid test requiring our extended stay in Madrid and turning life upside down for at least a week.
 

I was so surprised to see a familiar face that I just unloaded on you.  I hope that you have days here and in Granada, and safe travels home!  

 

Loved seeing you! Sorry for the reason you are still here though.

 

Madrid has been wonderful, but we did stay masked even though the mask mandate was dropped in Spain.

 

Off to Granada this afternoon after a tour of the Royal Palace.

 

Our first Covid test since boarding the ship will be Monday in order to fly to Lisbon. Fingers crossed for you and us.

 

Martha and Emily

[Gilly]

Fingers crossed for negative testing all round!  Wishing you safe and trouble free journeys home.

[pnsnkr]

36 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Fingers crossed for negative testing all round!  Wishing you safe and trouble free journeys home.

 

Had a wonderful time in Barcelona, the food is phenomenal.  We tested negative and are on the flight back.  We had the self test kits and did it from our hotel room over video chat.  Quite straightforward.  

 

Will write up the rest of the review once we reach home.

 

All the best to fellow cruisers with their tests and safe travels.

 

 

[2012_Alaska_bound]

On 4/21/2022 at 8:51 PM, Pathfinder88 said:

I’m the TA passenger in the orange jacket who practically assaulted you in the lobby of the Westin Palace this afternoon- so very sorry about that! Chalk it up to the unpleasant, unexpected turn of events resulting from a positive Covid test requiring our extended stay in Madrid and turning life upside down for at least a week.
 

I was so surprised to see a familiar face that I just unloaded on you.  I hope that you have days here and in Granada, and safe travels home!  

 

 

Emily and Martha passed the Covid test after a great day at the Alhambra so we are off to Lisbon!

 

Granada airport just looked at our U.S. vaccination cards and not for test results. Also wanted to see our Portugal Health Locator form even though they got rid of them last Thursday.

 

Pathfinder88, did you and your mom pass your tests?

 

Martha