Thundery

Earlier some of you asked about the Cruise Director on this cruise, her name is Lorraine.

To be honest we saw her at the Cruise Critic Party, other than that we haven't seen her around the ship at all. We've seen the Captain around the ship talking to people on the cruise than the Cruise Director and we get out and around. Except during nap time, but during The Do Nothing Time we're out and about.

We ailed with Lorraine a couple of times on the Mariner. She has a wicked sense of humour and a killer voice. A good sport from what I remember

Sure enjoying your daily observations

Sandy

Hi Ron and Rick

Sandy and Terry here form Calgary. We had the pleasure of your company on the Explorer last year . Had fun dins and drinks together and so enjoyed your company and your posts

We embark on the Mariner on November 30 to Jan 20, NZ and Australia. It has always been our favourite ship so are interested in reading your impressions of it. Must say we never had any coffee issues but then we always do cappuccinos. We loved the Exlorer but look forward to returning to the Mariner. Sounds as if you are enjoying your trip. Keep posting and hope we cross paths again one day on Regent.

anyone out there going on this trip. We r on until Jan 20

Was it held in the Meridien Lounge like last year? In my opinion, Daniella and her team go above and beyond for both Meet and Greets and Meet and Mingles. Glad that you had a good time.

It was inExplorer lounge. Had a long chat with the Captain whom we had dins with a couple of years ago and he was the Staff Captain then. So I said "now u b the boss" and he said no that is Daniella. So true we love her

Missed M/M this morning. I did not receive any info. Sorry. Badly coordinated.

Sheila

The m and m was great. People mingled and talked to everyone. All Sr officers were there. All very friendly and welcoming. Good turn out. Food looked great but as I had just finished brekkies didn't eat. Good for Regent

Sandy

Boogie and Kasia are usually there, though last night they were in the Meridian.

Great. They r fun

On some other subjects:

 

-Communications. This is something you generally notice only when it is not going well. However, I am noticing it on this trip because it is done so well. I was on the Crystal world cruise last year, and most of their failures arose from poor communications. Here, we get the info we need, stated clearly, in plenty of time to use the info.

 

-Lounges. There are several on board, and people do develop favorites. We find ourselves in the Meridian lounge most often. I can’t really say why, other than it’s the one closest to our cabin. The observation lounge is lovely and comfortable. However, I do wish for an outside deck to step out for photos or fresh air.

 

-Food. I love the new menu set-up in Compass Rose. I’ve yet to make my way through many of the everyday dishes, but am enjoying the effort. The three reservation-based specialty restaurants are quite good. I do find the food in Sette Mare a bit heavy for my taste, but the one night we were there, it was packed, so clearly many people do like it. In all, there’s been a miss here or there on some dishes, but on the whole, it is well done.

 

-Service. Impeccable. Friendly and efficient. Not a misstep to be found.

 

-Whines. In the category of “if this is the worst you can find, it must be one fine ship,” I have two pet peeves. One is the chairs in Compass Rose and La Veranda. Or, more accurately, the carpeting. It is hard to move the chairs over the carpeting, making it difficult to pull your chair up to the table without assistance. Second, the ladies’ rooms in the public spaces. They are very pretty, but the doors do not have the red/green indicators to show if the stall is occupied, leaving one to test the handles to find an empty one.

 

Seriously, that (and the coffee) is the worst I can say about this ship. Which tells you what a great ship it is.

 

I am so happy to be back on Regent after a 5-year absence. I had read all the “it’s gone downhill under the new ownership” reviews, but I just don’t see it. If anything, it has gotten better, with previous weak spots (like Destination Services) worked out.

 

Looking forward to greeting the new arrivals on the ship in Lisbon in a couple of days, but will be sad to say goodbye to new friends who are disembarking there.

 

 

Happy to answer any questions you might have about life on the Explorer.

Who is playing in Explorer Lounge

We are happily settled in on this lovely ship. She’s a beauty. I love the decor in most of the common spaces. There’s a few decor choices I’d argue against (I’m looking at you, carpet and chandelier in the atrium area), but by and large the interior is quite nice. I particularly like the restaurants and the art work around the ship.

 

Our cabin (E—concierge) is quite nice. Plenty of drawer space and room to move around. Seating is not particularly comfortable, but will do. Nice layout of beds facing the window. Large balcony, though it’s rather chilly here so I don’t know how much we’ll be able to use it. We do have a problem with our balcony door. The wind whistles through it at night, and there is a terrible draft from it. Not clear that they’ll be able to fix. They’ve offered to move us, but given that we’re onboard for the next cruise too, we’d wind up having to change rooms again for that—and probably back to this one. So we likely will just have to live with it.

 

The bathroom is very nice, with a double sink and lots of drawer space. The marble in the shower and on the floor is stained yellow already. Interestingly, we saw the same type of staining in our pre-cruise hotel bathroom in Rome. Not sure what’s causing it. It’s not a problem; more a curiosity that it has happened so early in the ship’s life.

 

Will post more below.

We had the same problem last year on the explorer re balcony door but they were able to fix it

TC: What is the website you are using to do that for the Caribbean ports?

 

SS//

I'd love to know that as well. Could be really interesting

We also have San Juan and St Maarten changed for St Kitts and a sea day, and we're not going till 11 March next year! It means we have only four ports in a ten day cruise - not very happy about it

OK people. Get a grip. They can't go to these places because they are not habitable. It isn't Regent's fault. Or any other cruise lines fault. And I'm guessing they're doing their best to scramble and find somewhere for us all to go Am guessing it is a scheduling nightmare

We are on the explorer on December 11. We are supposed to go to Puerto Rico. Have not yet been informed which port they are replacing it with. We get on the explorer on November 20 and don't get off until January 14 or 15th. So there will be lots of changes for us. We have been to most of the island so it doesn't much matter to us where they take us.

Great news. Join us.

 

Also did you see the thread on bad CDC inspections?

no what is it uner

I did say that, but they contacted me and they will be back on The Explorer June 18 and will be there until after New Years. I am so very, very happy. We will be on two segments from December 8 until early January. We just love them. Will you be on one of those segments. Will be happy to have you join us in The Explorer Lounge some evening.

Yes. We get on in Lisbob and get off mid January. We go to the Explorer lounge most nights for our martini before dins. See u then.

Hi Carrolldoll

We met you on the Explorer last year on the Xmas Cruise. Are you saying that Natures Rhythm will NOT be on the ship on this cruise. If so very disappointing

We have friends that do that, just kills me. I told them if they take phones, ipads to any meal we'll sit a another table. It worked they leave them

behind when dining with us. Rick

Ha ha. When the g'kids come to our place for dinner the baseball caps and all toys are parked at the door. We believe in dinner conversation. It turns quite lively sometimes and we love kt

Gilly, I am sorry to hear you had a rough ride on the Explorer last night. For those choosing cabins on the Explorer we are on 7 aft and did not feel any motion. And I am not a sound sleeper. Don't know if it was luck or the location.

 

For those deciding on a butler or not we could not ask for anything more than we get from Nelma our cabin attendant and Albert in room service. And we have had butlers.

We didn't have a butler on the first leg of our 2 month cruise but did on the second leg. Frankly our service on the first leg was better. Especially laundry - we got it back the next day if we sent it in the evening . With the butler it always took 2 days. We never knew what to do with him, and he was always hanging around wanting to chat - we do not even chat to each other in the am. Altho he did bring us breakfast every am - so did our cabin steward and he was always on time when the butler seldom was.

We like the Penthouse suite and you get a butler whether you want or need one or not. We would rather not

I understand now there was only one manicurist. My issue was his delivery. All he said was "not possible ". No explanation

 

I'm at 2500.00 and what the medical center did is not helping; it seems to be worse. Second excursion cancelled today😥

Oh dear that is no fun. At least you are in the lap of

luxury while not feeling well

I spent most of the day waiting for 6pm waiting for the medical center to open after I realized mid morning that my arm was not only not getting better, but getting much worse.

I was diagnosed with a severe infection and given an IV antibiotic immediately. After thirty minutes she bandaged my arm, wrapped my hand in pink tape. I had to return two more times for two more IV treatments.

That was when the dr told me no sun, no water. What???? I'm on a CRUISE!!!

 

After the fiasco in LaVeranda yesterday, we went to Compass Rose for breakfast. Great decision! Fresh berries, yogurt not out of the container. Very large portions tho.

 

After breakfast Bev and I stopped at the spa to ask if we could get manicures at the same time. "Not possible!" I was told by a young man in a haughty tone. This turned out to be a good thing as I rang up $$$$ in medical costs.

To be continued

In all fairness they only have 1 manicurist on board lovely gal Isobella engaged to the fitness. Director Alex. Cute couple

I feel for your pain.. I walked in to the door in the spa one day. Had to have steri strips on the eye and the whole right side of my face was black and blue. Had to wear my sunglasses to all meals for 2 weeks. Was not a pretty sight no one wanted to look at me. Not even me. We had dins on the last night with a couple that racked up$4000. In medical fees. Does not pay to be needing a Dr on a cruise

Photo of "The Study". There are two tables in the front that are by the slanted windows (same type of windows as in P7 and Chartreuse on the Explorer).

 

Looks claustrophobic to me

New to Regent and am wondering if restaurant menus are posted prior to dining times.

Menus posted on the tv every day

I commented on YouTube that I loved the video, and although I'm a huge Styx fan from way back, that song now always makes me think of the ending of a cruise. :D

Great video Amanda. Thanks for sharing. We just disembarked and miss the Explorer family already

Say hi to your Da from us

Sandy and Terry

Clearly Regent wanted to make a "show" of this kind of distinction. I think that's too bad, but I do think that many customers would find it appealing. Many people enjoy flaunting.

OMG. We just disembarked after being on the ship for 2 months, we never even knew it was there. We saw the door that people were going thru when we were eating inPrime 7. We just thought it was a washroom or people were going form prime to chartreuse

I am so not in favour of this sort of thing. I thought Regent was better than that. I thought we were all treated the same no matter who we were or what type of cabin one had

Agree with you Dave and travel cat

the "most luxurious" label is regent's own marketing hype. If people actually believe it (and repeat it ad nauseam here) that's fine, but i think we should be allowed make up our own minds, especially those of us who've sailed on her.

ok people enough of the nasty. Can we stay on topic please

A question for those on eXplorer now; are the wash basins at entrance to La Verandah still there? If so, how often are they used? Have they been supplemented with the antiseptic soap dispenser?

 

thanks,

 

Marc

Yes they are still there. Often staff ask people to wash their hands. They have the hand sanitizer there as well and 2 more by the buffet stations

Thanks TC2, very helpful. Agree with you on the Asian fusion, I prefer original and authentic. We are big fans of Indian food so will be in heaven and as for beef Wellington, now I'm excited. Best start the diet now.....[/QUObTE]

 

We ordered the mussels fabulous in a tomato sauce and the lobster ravioli. Best I have ever had. Having it again tomorrow night inC R like I really after 50++ days need more cream sauces