On Splendor and New Experience

[hamasgirl]

Currently sailing Miami to Lisbon on Splendor.  This is our first transatlantic cruise.  The weather has been very windy (25 - 30 kts) from the port side for the last two days out of Miami.  The Splendor really handles the weather well but we have had some interesting bumps and bangs along the way so far.

 

All of the windows on Deck 4 (at least for Compass Rose and the Casino) have been boarded up.  I know the waves have been high (8-10 feet) but I have never seen this done on a ship before.  Is this something new that is done because of the weather we have had or is this something that happens in preparation for the transatlantic portion of the cruise? (We are currently in Bermuda and start the 4-day crossing later this afternoon)

 

We have done many cruises, including the Drake Passage a couple of times, the north Pacific once and the north Atlantic several times in all kinds of weather and have never seen this done.  Can anybody enlighten me?

[CruzC2C]

They secured the windows in Compass Rose on the Splendor during our Christmas/New Years cruise twice.  They were placed only on one side of the ship.  I asked a maître d’ about the windows and was told it was a precaution.   The individual told us that several years ago she was working on the Voyager (I believe) when strong winds and waves crashed through the Compass Rose window(s).  She said it was a mess and a little scary. 

[Smitty A]

We were on the navigator having lunch in compass rose.  Waiter asked if we wanted dessert, we declined and left, not five minutes later a wave came up and broke the window one table away from where we had been sitting.  It does happen!

 

[hamasgirl]

Thanks for the replies.  It is now obvious why they have done this.  We are traveling due east and there is a front coming down from the north sending 10 - 14 foot swells into the port side of the ship.  Every so often during dinner last evening you could hear a big rumble as a wave would hit the windows in the restaurant.  Glad for the boarded windows.  Wouldn't want to see that water hitting the windows during dinner!

[GOARMY]

CrucC2C:

 

We were on Voyager when that particular wave hit.  Fortunately, we were not in Compass Rose at time of impact.  Several windows were shattered.  It was a rough few sea days.  

 

As the saying goes:  When at sea--ship happens.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

[papaflamingo]

On 4/1/2023 at 7:17 PM, Smitty A said:

We were on the navigator having lunch in compass rose.  Waiter asked if we wanted dessert, we declined and left, not five minutes later a wave came up and broke the window one table away from where we had been sitting.  It does happen!

 

If that was last summer, we were on that cruise too. They did a fantastic job of replacing it quickly.

[hamasgirl]

Just a quick update on this current Splendor cruise.  We finally docked in Madeira after 6 days at sea yesterday,  The seas are fine today on our last day sailing to Lisbon.  The boardings on the windows were all finally removed by yesterday morning so seeing the sun on Deck 4 was wonderful!   As our first experience doing a cross-Atlantic cruise I can say it was an experience!

[BuckGood]

6 hours ago, hamasgirl said:

Just a quick update on this current Splendor cruise.  We finally docked in Madeira after 6 days at sea yesterday,  The seas are fine today on our last day sailing to Lisbon.  The boardings on the windows were all finally removed by yesterday morning so seeing the sun on Deck 4 was wonderful!   As our first experience doing a cross-Atlantic cruise I can say it was an experience!

Who’s the CD on board? Loraine? We are boarding on the 21st.

Edited April 8, 2023 by BuckGood

[hamasgirl]

Hi Buckgood.  The CD is a woman named Jude who seems to be new to the Regent fleet from what I could tell.  Also the asst CD is also a young lady whose name never stuck with me.  They have a ton of energy.  Enjoy your cruise!

[Mr Luxury]

On 4/8/2023 at 9:54 AM, hamasgirl said:

Just a quick update on this current Splendor cruise.  We finally docked in Madeira after 6 days at sea yesterday,  The seas are fine today on our last day sailing to Lisbon.  The boardings on the windows were all finally removed by yesterday morning so seeing the sun on Deck 4 was wonderful!   As our first experience doing a cross-Atlantic cruise I can say it was an experience!

I came aboard in Madeira for a tour of the Splendor.

I was very impressed with the quality of the ship and saw a selection of suite categories.

The Concierge class being particularly interesting.

It was also lovely to see George the Maitre d' who I know from  his days with Silversea.

I generally sail with Seabourn but am looking for an alternative to break the year up a bit and Explora Journeys will also be on the radar.

Of course you cannot tell if a line is for you unless you take a trip which I am looking at for next year.

Happy Easter to all.

 

[lincslady]

Mr. L - is that George (Jorge?) from Portugal, who went from Silversea to Seabourn for a short time?  A really lovely chap, good looking, charming, and extremely efficient.

[rcandkc]

On 3/31/2023 at 12:43 PM, CruzC2C said:

They secured the windows in Compass Rose on the Splendor during our Christmas/New Years cruise twice.  They were placed only on one side of the ship.  I asked a maître d’ about the windows and was told it was a precaution.   The individual told us that several years ago she was working on the Voyager (I believe) when strong winds and waves crashed through the Compass Rose window(s).  She said it was a mess and a little scary. 

I was on that cruise and yes it was voyager.  A typhoon was chasing us and VERY rough seas.  They handled the situation well. 

[rcandkc]

On 4/7/2023 at 1:05 PM, papaflamingo said:

If that was last summer, we were on that cruise too. They did a fantastic job of replacing it quickly.

Apparently it has happened twice because my event was not last summer, several years ago headed to New Zealand. 

[Gpilon]

13 hours ago, hamasgirl said:

Hi Buckgood.  The CD is a woman named Jude who seems to be new to the Regent fleet from what I could tell.  Also the asst CD is also a young lady whose name never stuck with me.  They have a ton of energy.  Enjoy your cruise!

We were on Splendor Miami to Lisbon and disembarked this morning. The asst. CD’s name is Tanner…..great crew on this cruise.

[Brownie54]

Tanner was the assistant Cruise Director on the World Cruise this year (on Mariner) until she left a few weeks ago to join the Splendor. Amazingly talented dancer!

[Mr Luxury]

17 hours ago, lincslady said:

Mr. L - is that George (Jorge?) from Portugal, who went from Silversea to Seabourn for a short time?  A really lovely chap, good looking, charming, and extremely efficient.

Yes indeed it is.

A lovely guy and he tells me that Regent is an excellent product.

I'm going to give it a try

Edited April 10, 2023 by Mr Luxury

[papaflamingo]

16 hours ago, rcandkc said:

Apparently it has happened twice because my event was not last summer, several years ago headed to New Zealand. 

Wow!  Ours was also at lunch.  The people at the table had just left Compass Rose when the window blew out!  Very lucky!  The crew was spectacular in handling the problem minimizing any inconvenience to the passengers! But your event sure explains why they had an extra window on board.  They were able to replace it immediately upon reaching calm enough seas to put it in. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by papaflamingo

[lincslady]

I've just remembered - on a Silversea ship George's son was on board - probably a young teenager then - and he joined our trivia team, and was as you may imagine very useful with all the 'modern' questions, like pop music and Harry Potter.  A really nice young man.

[BuckGood]

On 4/9/2023 at 2:25 AM, hamasgirl said:

Hi Buckgood.  The CD is a woman named Jude who seems to be new to the Regent fleet from what I could tell.  Also the asst CD is also a young lady whose name never stuck with me.  They have a ton of energy.  Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks!

[Gpilon]

Just off Splendor yesterday after a TA Miami to Lisbon. Fly home tomorrow and plan on posting some critiques, good and bad, once there. 

[pingpong1]

17 minutes ago, Gpilon said:

Just off Splendor yesterday after a TA Miami to Lisbon. Fly home tomorrow and plan on posting some critiques, good and bad, once there. 

GP - I look forward to reading your posting.  We'll (maybe) be on our first Splendor cruise in November.  Best Regards

[2SailingNomads]

18 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Yes indeed it is.

A lovely guy and he tells me that Regent is an excellent product.

I'm going to give it a try

Having sailed 20 times with well over 400 days and the last couple cruises not being what Seabourn used to be, this 7 day Caribbean  plus TA was our first time on Regent and we were very impressed with Regent. You should try Regent.  Service was what Seabourn was 10 years ago on The Little Sisters.  Food while subjective was much better with more choices than recent Seabourn cruises.  Plus even with another 130 pax than Encore & Ovation never felt crowded.  Observation bar much more spacious.  Much better design for pool grill.  More than a few ex-Seabourn crew on the Splendor who recognized us.

Will be back on Ovation in a couple of months, we will see how it goes.  Really looking forward to our next 2 planned Regent cruises.  Plus Scenic, Ponant, and Explora Journey.