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ON cruiser

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  • Location
    Toronto, Canada
  • Interests
    reading, dog-walking, community affairs
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Holland America
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Hawaii

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Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. Greetings; my wife and I are looking forward to this cruise, now in less than three months time! Does anyone know if Ray Solaire will be the Cruise Director for this voyage? He is such a multi-talented man. Is there a way to find out if Ray is on board? Many thanks.
  2. Perhaps the original poster or someone else on this cruise can clarify if the offer was L 150 per person or per couple; and if this was in addition to the hotel credit or not, as well as if any OBC was actually offered, or just assumed to be offered. Depending on these answers, we can all judge the offer as fair and reasonable or not. Either way, it should not have been so late coming. This situation (a purported hotel shortage) should have been known to Regent long ago.
  3. People have the right to point out issues, concerns, and share their perceptions. Doing so is not an accusation of fraud. Indeed, nobody in their relating their on board experiences used the “F” word. Yes, concerns and frustrations were expressed. And seemingly for good reason. But that’s not an accusation. If some choose to perceive it otherwise, so be it, and so what.
  4. Hopefully I’m not muddying the waters further with this response. In Compass Rose, the main dining room, you can get tables for 2 at any time on request of the Maître’d. Usually by 8, there’s no wait. As Labonnvie noted, the food selection there is awesome. Food of excellent quality, too. Here’s a secret: have the bar-tender in the lounge you’re in call the dining room as you sip and savour to verify availability and to advise when a table is available. Worst (rare) case, have another drink as you comfortably wait. Specialty restaurants, you get one reservation each—print your confirmation and have it available in case (I’m a detail/oriented guy). You can check for a second ( or third) visit with the Maître’d of that place or with the dedicated person who manages such reservations. And again, you have a choice for a sit down experience at breakfast and lunch—with a table for 2 if you prefer.
  5. Cove point cruiser, I hope and expect you will enjoy Regent. We were on the Mariner for 17 days last late November-early December for a Caribbean back-to-back. We’ve sailed Seabourn on two occasions (pre-Covid), but prefer Regent. You have the option to book specialty dining in advance—easy to do when contemplating the itinerary. Yet, depending on your dining time, you can also try “walk-ups”. As later diners we often got an impromptu table, and if you’re willing to share it improves your odds. Our experiences show staff interaction with passengers via games (“passengers vs. Crew”, which included the Captain and other senior staff). Hosted tables are also available at times. Breakfast and lunch available daily in a sit down restaurant; and the main dining room at night, Compass Rose, will spoil you for choice. The included wines are decent and there is a choice—if you find one you like, just ask for it. Included liquor upper shelf. While we have good memories of Seabourn, and “ never say never”, currently Regent ticks all the boxes for us. What puts us off Silversea is the idea of paying a significant premium for some specialty dining. At the high cost per diem, it all should be covered—as it is on Regent. At least for now. I hope you report on your impressions of Regent post-cruise (probably best on the Regent board for that). Bon Voyage!
  6. As a scotch drinker, I’m fine with those currently included (Chivas Regal; some “younger” single malts).
  7. I agree with Mr Stanley re Biz class air. Before Covid I could take the air credit and do my own, roughly equivalent. Nowadays, no chance of that! Even with paying the deviation fee, the included Biz class air to Europe and destinations even further out is a nice perk with much value. I would not want to give that up. As for included hotels, sometimes it’s worth it, other times not. Depends on the itinerary. Yet it’s definitely nice to have a “worry free” all included trip, especially for those on their own or who need/ welcome the assistance. In summary, all these inclusions (or credits in lieu) are a big part of what makes Regent, Regent. It’s in their branding. Anyway, we find these inclusions valuable so would be sad to see it watered down. Short-term savings may ensue but at what cost to the brand? Accountants hate it as it’s hard to quantify, but “goodwill” has value.
  8. Interesting, and thanks for the link; other than the first reviewer who was surprised that families with children were on board at new years (!), the reviews were generally positive. As experience is gained and “tweaks” are made, they (Explora) could be genuine competition (along with other new and established luxury lines). In my view, competition is a good thing—it usually compels everyone to up their game. Here’s hoping for that, rather than cutbacks!
  9. In fact, with all due respect, cutbacks are not universal amongst all luxury lines. There are several new entrants, very well capitalized, who offer competition for the established players in this niche. I am thinking of Ritz, and especially of Explora Journey, a subsidiary of a highly successful shipping line (and related to MSC). If Regent starts cutting in ever more noticeable ways, we will certainly explore Explora (sorry for my cheap pun) and others. We much enjoyed our recent Mariner cruise last November-December. Yet considering the price paid, I could not cost-justify accepting less for the same, or worse, less for more. Cheapening the product in noticeable ways (cutting back on better brands of liquor, surcharges for what was previously included, etc.) can have unintended consequences. After all, most in business know that there are serious risks when trying to “shrink one’s way to greatness”.
  10. On January 16 we received a Regent survey. The first tranche of questions asked us to rank (1-5, most-least important) how important it was for us for certain items being included in the fare. Items included Biz class air, unlimited beverages, laundry included, mini-bar replenishment daily, included gratuities, shore excursions, specialty dining, 24 hour Room Service, etc. As most if not all items are important for us as being included, we attempted to rank these all either 1 or 2. The follow up question then tried to compel us to select the 5 most important inclusions in the fare, ranking from 1-5. In our view, the listed items were all “most important”, thus all # 1, but the survey would not permit that answer. We would have to rank some items as less important, even though that is not our view. So, we quit the survey. Our impression, however, based on the questions, is that Regent is looking for areas to cut. From our perspective, cutbacks in any of these areas would be a mistake. We like Regent precisely because of the all-inclusive nature of the experience—including Biz class air to Europe, which would, for us, otherwise be unaffordable given air costs nowadays. We also like the current Regent onboard experience of “No signing”, including no extra charges for specialty dining. In that regard, Silversea is a big turn-off with extra charge specialty dining, considering the high per diem costs. Does anyone else who received this survey share our concerns? I truly hope we’re wrong, and that cutbacks in these areas are not in the offing.
  11. As always, I am enjoying and thank you for your evocative recounting of your daily adventures. Just one comment: considering all the business you have loyally given HAL, please don’t lower your very tolerant and reasonable standards. Rather, encourage them to give you breakfast (and other meals) as you order and prefer them to be. Have them rise to the occasion!
  12. Interesting re the entertainment. On our cruise ending December 12, there was a pianist in the 5th floor bar (the one with the lovely Xmas decorations on a table). He also played at the observation bar pre dinner I am surprised that Regent isn’t providing that—perhaps someone on board should have a word with the CD.
  13. Thanks Caps lock! Was not aware that we could use that lounge (Delta’s website makes no mention of it). Good information to have!
  14. Thought my recent experience might be of interest to some. We are on the June 3rd Navigator sailing out of Monte Carlo. So, that means flying to Nice and ground transportation from there. Our plan was to leave Toronto May 31, arrive June 1, two days early (one day on us, one day on Regent as we’re in a PH). 210 days out, after doing my research (and, on my own, finding many undesirable flights connecting in CDG, Frankfurt, tight connections, etc.), I called the Regent Air Concierge number. Of the two decent routings I identified, one was a significant up-charge, and one was simply unable to be booked by the air department (the fellow said if I wanted that route to take the credit and “DIY”). So I asked what he could do without a charge beyond the $175 PP. Happily, he found us a very decent route on SAS, via Copenhagen, a relatively calm airport, with a two hour twenty minute layover; all Biz class albeit SAS doesn’t allow advanced free seat selection (same as BA). Return a few days post-cruise from Amsterdam is non-stop on KLM…great, all set?? Actually, nope. SAS scrubbed the May 31 flight out of Toronto; it became a very different itinerary: Leave yet another day early (May 30), via Stockholm, longer layover. My TA put that on hold with Regent as a placeholder. As I still work, leaving another day earlier was not ideal. Last Wednesday I called the Air Concierge—as it was an existing not a new air reservation, one presses the corresponding number ( 2, if I recall); and I got right to an agent. We reviewed a few options which I dug up for May 31–all were available yet at an extra charge. So, again, I asked what she had. She tried a few things, then she found us a nice routing on Delta: leave Toronto 11:10 AM (so, not at the crack of dawn) to JFK. A longish layover there of 5 hours, but as we’re 1st class on that initial segment and Biz class the next, we can go to the Sky Lounge at JFK. Also, if we’re late leaving Toronto or are awaiting a gate at JFK, we’ve got “wiggle room”. Second segment non-stop JFK to Nice, no European connection needed. Also selected seats right away (unlike SAS), and looking at the Delta seat map I could see our selected seats occupied by us. Regent agents were very pleasant and helpful both times. Hopefully no other major schedule changes ensue ( minutes here or there ok), but that is up to the airline, not Regent. Given SAS is in some form of protection as it leaves Star Alliance for the KLM-Air France orbit (that group is purchasing SAS, pending approvals), I prefer the stability of Delta. So it seems to have all worked out well in the end. Happy holidays to all!
  15. Glad all seems well for those who boarded when we left on December 12. It appears that, other than some “transient toilet issues”, which we also occasionally experienced (and, on other ships and lines, too), the more serious problem was resolved with the maintenance work done last week. At least, I hope so! Even with an occasional toilet issue, we would readily return to the Mariner. Our cruises were just great, albeit I noted when putting on a pair of pants today that they shrunk whilst we were away. I hate it when that happens! 😀 Anyway, hope those currently on board keep us updated; and that they also enjoy their Amazon cruise!
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