HongKongAlan

Some post disembarkation thoughts on my experience with the Mariner around Alaska.

Overall, we disembarked as happy clients who will probably return to Regent but not necessarily for our next cruise.

After some thought and distance its clear that my primary disappointment was been around the upsell pressure at the spa and the generally poor experience at the spa. I have never come across anything like the desperate pressure to book and pay in advance for additional appointments. I don’t want to sound dramatic but it really left a very bad taste in the mouth that exaggerated the comparatively minor irritations particularly around dining.

I’ve ended up liking the Mariner. She is not flash or fancy when compared to the Explorer but a very comfortable ship nonetheless. Were I to have to choose between the two I would probably still say my preference is for the Explorer. The Explorer just has a wow factor that is hard to beat for me.

After a very poor meal on the first night, we had an acceptable meal at P7 on the last night with delightful service. Overall I have to say that the steaks in Compass Rose are superior to P7 so it really defeats the purpose of P7. It is however a lovely room with good atmosphere – just mediocre food.

Compass Rose other than some service issues was good. Missing side dishes were pretty common. The wait staff were so unfailingly lovely we just let the minor errors go. For me, Compass Rose could do with a few more specials at lunchtime. On a longer voyage I’d start to find the food monotonous I think particularly at lunchtime. This is where the Explorer having a specialty restaurant open each day for lunch was a real bonus . As a counter point we asked for an Indian dinner one evening as a special order in Compass Rose and it was outstanding. Possibly one of the best meals we had on the ship. Room service was efficient and very obliging.

The pool grill food was very average and not at all appetizing in presentation.

Internet was relatively reliable and fast.

Our Penthouse cabin was very comfortable and well sized. Just a shame the bathroom is so utilitarian – its practical but in no way luxurious. In some ways I preferred the Concierge cabin on Explorer.

The shows were absolutely abysmal in particular the singing. The content and style of the shows is also very dated. Definitely an area where Regent could improve significantly.

Destination staff were not particularly great or helpful. Tours themselves were of a high quality.

As I contemplate booking another cruise I wonder whether the consistency of restaurant dining across Regent’s ships (excluding Explorer) is really a plus. On one hand you know exactly what you will get in each but its makes the experience very predictable. A unique specialty restaurant on each ship would make me more likely to stay loyal to Regent in the long run. Perhaps we will try Crystal or Silver Seas next time just for some variety but its more than likely on balance we will return to Regent.

An update from onboard the Mariner. Thank you to everyone for your replies and advice.

I did raise my concerns re service in Compass Rose at breakfast on the day with the manager in a hopefully constructive way. I must say I think they have noted the challenges and our service since in Compass Rose has been good. The morning following my post we had a very pleasant breakfast at Compass Rose followed by a good dinner at Chattreuse. I was disappointed in Chattreuse on Explorer but we had a solid meal last night with efficient service on Mariner.

I’ve not raised my concerns with the GM re food and service as it has improved but had they continued I would have done so without hesitation.

Overall satisfaction levels are coming up. I’m going to persevere with trying for a repeat reservation at P7 to see if it can redeem itself after an abysmal sail away dinner.

Hi TC

Really not happy campers here I hate to say it and we were so looking forward to the trip. GM is Anatoli and the F and B manager is something I think like Enenas. Both hard to know as the phone to the butter is unintelligible. Just another niggle but they really have mounted.

Ps I forgot the spa staff who are so remunerted to up sell its positively hostile. id like a refund of my treatment on the basis it was basically a sales opportunity for the therapist.

As much as I admire and thoroughly enjoy reading the regular blogs of many on this site, I entirely lack the discipline to post each day. What follows is roughly my thoughts on day 3 of the 7 day Alaskan Mariner cruise.

I'm on board so very happy to answer any questions.

Hard not to start with a comparison between Mariner and Explorer which is our only other experience of cruising. Overall I like both ships hugely.

On Mariner the size, layout and decor of Prime 7 makes it a feel like proper intimate upscale restaurant when compared to P7 on the Explorer. I don't know the table count in Explorer for P7 but it feels about 3 times as big. On the negative side we had a hugely disappointing meal at P7 on night one on the Mariner. The steak was tasteless and cooked to destruction despite being ordered medium rare. I know we should have sent it back but brave faces were put on things and we consumed about half of it and really didn't enjoy the experience at all.

Food in general on Mariner seems ok to poor in terms of flavour. Generally I'm very disappointed in the food on Mariner. Service in general is enormously well meaning but very random. We gave up today on breakfast in Compass Rose as we only received half of the ordered food, coffee and tea orders were totally wrong each time (3 tries to get the right tea). The staff were delightful, cheerful and lovely but absolutely nothing worked in terms of getting what you ordered let alone in a timely fashion. Its not as if they were busy. The fish lunch at pool grill yesterday was beyond unappetising.

So negative comments so far on the food on Mariner.

In terms of the cabin we are in a Penthouse which is delightful. Wonderful comfy sofa. The bathroom when compared to a Concierge on Explorer is very small as is the walk-in. I would find the bathroom in the Penthouse suite and the tiny walk-in annoying if I was on board for more than 7 days.

The pre-ordered bar setup for the cabin never appeared despite being confirmed by the TA.

Staff in general just don't seem on top of things.

So far in the cruise there have been enough annoyances to make me think twice about returning a third time to Regent unfortunately. Nothing major - just lots of niggles

Hi TC, no direct flights from Sitka to Vancouver unfortunately so it’s via Seattle only. We will head to the port about 10.30 and try our luck

Thanks to everyone

Alan

Thanks TC, the Four Seasons. Any thoughts on what time we should leave by Taxi to have the best chance of avoiding the rush would be great. Its only a short cruise and keen to get on board as early as possible (no doubt like everyone else).

Thanks both, given Vancouver port sounds tricky would anyone recommend just getting a taxi there rather than bothering with the RSS bus?

Embarking in Vancouver on the Mariner and flying from Sitka via Seattle back to Vancouver as a non-US and non-Canadian citizen. Would appreciate any advice as to how the immigration process works when moving between the two countries. I’ve seen some old posts on CC about immigration happening at the hotel in Vancouver followed by transport to the port in sealed busses and other reports of long lines at the port terminal. Thanks in advance

Thanks Flossie, I was weighing up a much larger OBC credit from my TA versus the USD 100 from RSSC. Could not work out the enthusiasm for the RSSC credit. Now I hear it’s cummaltive it makes sense

Interesting, I presumed incorrectly that many TAs offered credits/deals worth more than the USD 100 book on board credit from RSSC. As Marc says every bit helps

Just received the RSSC folder for our second ever cruise which will be Mariner on May the 15th. Is it just me or does the inclusion of a USD 100 credit voucher for your current trip if you book your next cruise while on board not seem totally off brand (code for cheap)?

I'm sailing May 23rd. Does anybody know if bathrooms are going to be ripped and replaced in the suites?

We are on the sailing before you and keen to know the status of the bathroom upgrades as well. I’m guessing a separate shower and bath as per the Explorer is not on the cards

The Atrium is definitely one of my favourite things on the Explorer. Gave me a huge wow factor each time I walked through it. Hope they keep it personally but do agree that the spa sits in a prime and overallocated position

A great review and really useful for the new cruiser. Thanks

Thanks Jeb_bud, we are on the 16 May departure. Hoping Marina is fully renovated on schedule. Will investigate the Kenai day cruise options, thanks again

We are on Mariner from Vancouver to Seward in May. It seems you disembark very early on arrival into Seward (7.00 am) but the train from Seward to Anchorage departs late afternoon. Any suggestions as to options to fill in the day before getting the train and what do people do with their luggage?

Excited to be on Mariner post the refurb and hope it does bring her up to Explorer standards, TC if you have learnt more details of the refurb would be great to hear about them.

Enjoying your trip so far TC and looking forward to more.

TC, I see you have a number for the value of the mariner refit ($50m). Have you found out any more details? All my travel agent can tell me is the refurb is in March.

Thanks to all

Great to be back on the Board and looking forward to being on board again soon.

Very relieved to hear Mariner will be refitted before our cruise. We've only cruised on Explorer so really our expectations are high.

Thanks for the welcome back TC and would appreciate photos and thoughts post your trip. Canada/alaska will be a first for me so all advice v appreciated, booked end of May. Hopefully that's not school holidays?

I have booked 905 which is Penthouse C. Oddly from my reading of the deck plans available A and B penthouse seem to be worse positions e.g. right under the pool or next to elevators. Any advice on whether 905 is ok greatly appreciated.

Apologies if this has been covered in other threads, has Mariner had a refit already? Looking at the photos on RSSC its hard to tell. If it's not been refitted, am I correct it assuming Mariner is looking tired as seems to come up in the occasional review? Just booked a penthouse suite on Mariner for an Alaskan cruise next year and only prior experience is on Explorer so my expectations are high. Thanks in advance.

I found them disappointing due to the minimal number of lectures held on our recent Rome to Lisbon cruise on the explorer. I think there were 4 or 5 lectures over 11 days and strangely disjointed topics. The actual lecture was great

I also recommend the Voyager and do not sail on the Navigator. Voyager is a beautiful ship and is well laid out. She does have an aft vibration (not a bad a the Navigator) but if you avoid aft suites, you'll be fine.

 

Mariner is an interesting ship and I would recommend her after her $50M refurbishment early next year. Mariner public spaces are lovely and she is the most stable ship of the four (in the opinion of many). The only downside to the Mariner is the small cabins ("small" compared to Voyager and Explorer). Her PH suites are amazing and I highly recommend them.

TC are Mariner PH suite bathrooms as nice as Explorer Concierge? In particular separate (decent sized) bath and shower?

I'm finding that I may need to look beyond Explorer for our next cruise given she has no Alaskan itineraries coming up. I think we will stay with Regent as our preference. Any thoughts on which of the other three Regent ships is the best would be appreciated? I can't do tired cabins. Needs to be snappy and pretty up to date like the Explorer.

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies

I cannot agree more that one of the great advantages of cruising is that you go to places you would otherwise never go to. I would probably have never made it to Valencia but it turned out to be one of my favourite places on the itinerary.

I'm definitely less keen on Crystal than I was at the start of my thread.

I do just wish Regent had better enrichment programs and entertainment.

Can I add a few more thoughts to my initial review:

(1) Internet was borderline unacceptable.

(2) Stern stairs to no where is an interesting feature. I'm going to go probably contrary to the tide on this one. We were near these stairs and on deck 8. I personally really liked walking down the stairs to the reception level and having to walk along the deck to the main stair case down to Compass Rose and the theatre. For me it created a bit of sense of arrival and a journey. I would have hated ending up in a secondary entrance to Compass Rose. None of this of course explains the fact that the staircase seems to continue down to the crew level and is blocked off with a barricade that would embarrass a bus line. This bit I just don't get. Perhaps I'm over thinking this.

(3) Pacific Rim, agree with the thoughts about the need to westernise the flavours to make them popular. Do you think if I had done a special request for a more authentic say Indonesia dish I would have gotten it (within the limitations of the available produce)?

Best

Alan