poolechick

18 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

We had several great cruise on the PG be four the pandemic. But when Covid cancellations hit, PGs parent (Ponant) refused to give cancelled cruisers cash refunds, that soured me on the PG.

We had 5 previous great voyages on the PG, including the Cook Islands and the Marquesas, and then Ponant refused us a refund for a cruise they canceled because of the pandemic in March 2020. A credit card chargeback got us every penny back and we'll never step foot on the PG again. Or any Ponant ship.

17 minutes ago, SWFLAOK said:

That's not what we found on Regent cruises in the summer when there have been plenty of kids. Both a Mariner Alaska cruise in August, and a Voyager July cruise of the Med had enough kids that they traveled in groups, taking over areas that they enjoyed (the pool in July for example). They were mostly from big family groups (which Regent started marketing to a few years ago, apparently with discounts offered). There were no adults from their family groups keeping them in check. They also disrupted excursions, chasing each other and pushing their way through the tour groups.

After the second cruise, we stopped taking cruises during the summer since that limits kids to those less than 5, and those that are home schooled.

My biggest nightmare and exactly why we'll never cruise during summer or holidays. 

1 hour ago, SellaVee said:

I think you're probably right, and that's what worries me.  On both Windstar and Oceania, we've encountered a few very well behaved children, but this new marketing suggests Regent is trying to attract more families with children, which will change the experience.  I'm concerned that they've just announced it after a lot of people have booked.

After people have booked, and possibly already paid is what I find so outrageous. People signed up for one cruise and poof suddenly the vibe changes dramatically. 

26 minutes ago, SellaVee said:

I've just read this on Facebook:

"This summer, embark on a family adventure across Europe in unparalleled luxury with our NEWLY ADDED Kids Sail Free voyages."

 

I wish I'd known they were going to do this before I booked.  I don’t know what made me think I was going on a adult orientated voyage.  I adore children and we spend a fair bit of time looking after our grands, but I was looking forward to some grown up time.

 

Looks like my first Regent cruise will be my last.

This would make me livid. LIVID!

I'm so sorry they did this.

We did a 3 night pre cruise Regent package in Sydney last month. It was fabulous. Tours included a comfy bus and a wonderful guide to Taronga Zoo, private tour of the opera house, Botanical Garden, Sydney tower, Bondi Beach and a dinner cruise around Sydney harbor. We stayed at the Four Seasons hotel and it was exceptional. 

2 hours ago, jhenry1 said:

The last one I received was a gold straw like bag

I've seen those. I'd love to have one!

1 hour ago, jeb_bud said:

Boarded Mariner on Friday.  There's a new-design tote bag.  So far I think I like it.

Interesting.  What does it look like?

19 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

Champagne snorkel was quite difficult to get in the water as entry way into the water was extremely rocky with stones the size of grapefruits and larger.  Very unstable. I made it in but John aborted. Some bubbles (hence champagne) but nothing to write home about. All in all, not worth the risk, imho.

I completely agree, although we did actually enjoy the "bubbles" and the snorkeling. This excursion would be much better if you took a boat and entered from there instead of that hideous beach entrance. 

I understand and I'm so sorry this happened to you. 

You might want to check with your credit card company about a chargeback. Probably impossible but it would be worth it to try.

2 hours ago, RELS said:

Devil's advocate, here, but you might consider flying from island to island in French Polynesia and staying on land. We did this (years ago) on our honeymoon, and it was wonderful. Sure, we were much younger, but the little thatched roof airports and the overwater bungalows, and the poisson cru at the local dive bars for lunch are some of our best memories. Not to mention two of our most memorable meals ever: Le Belvedere in Papeete (book your table for sunset!) and Bloody Mary's on Bora Bora.

We've done this twice. Otherworldly waking up in a bungalow. Great snorkeling!!

15 hours ago, frantic36 said:

I have tried it a few times but maybe because we are from Australia I find the chatter mainly about places in the USA people where people live and visit, forced conversation. So we avoid it and will do so on Regent. Luckily we dine late so are occupied getting ready in our suite when it occurs.

I completely agree. It's forced conversation and not organic in any way. We are from the US and still find it awkward. And we also tend to dine late...a great excuse to skip it. 

2 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

It's unlikely we'd make it there again at this point (75 & 80), but if we did, we'd have to choose Regent, since I don't think the Windstar sailing ships have elevators that extend to every deck. We still mourn the Paul Gauguin and cherish our time on her.

 

P.S. we almost always booked our own air. Oh, and their cabins are small.  Lovely little cabins, but small.  Worth it still.

Yes those cabins, even on deck 8 ARE small!

We're looking forward to finally sailing Tahitian waters again in January on the Regent Navigator, Sydney to Papeete. 🙂

34 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

We either missed the block party on our last Splendor trip, or there wasn't one.  I, frankly, have never really enjoyed them much, but try to participate.

We feel the same.

We have had the great fortune to sail on the PG 5 times...the Society islands, the Marquesas and the Cook islands. In those years the ship was operated by Radisson, which is now Regent. They were amazing voyages!

We had our 6th PG trip booked and paid for, scheduled for departure in March 2020. Unbeknownst to us, in the in the months after we booked, the ship had been sold to Ponant, which was a company we knew nothing about. Obviously our cruise was cancelled by Ponant because of covid restrictions, yet they refused ANYTHING but a FCC. We had terrible TA at that time who would not advocate for us, lest he damage his relationship with the company. We did not want a FCC since we'd already done their "regular itineraries" several times and the canceled cruise was an unusual one, going to Fiji. But still they refused. It was a LARGE sum. Eventually we had no choice but to file a chargeback with our credit card company. They retrieved all of our money. Every dime. And we were left with a very very bad opinion of Ponant, which still owns and operates the PG.

36 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I wonder when that will translate into rule changes for Regent cruises?  Testing, for instance.

Testing? 

I don't believe you have to test before boarding a Regent ship anymore. 

Edit...oh you meant for the unvaccinated passengers....

13 hours ago, carolina cruisin said:

Has anyone stayed at the Carillon Wellness Resort in Miami Beach?  Look like that is where we will be heading in Feb

We are sailing in February as well, and have been assigned this hotel too. In past cruises we have stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables and at the Four Seasons in Miami. We'll be sailing on the Splendor in a cat A PH.

Hallelujah!!  Finally. 

1 hour ago, PaulaJK said:

Raspberry ripple and fresh peach ice cream….don’t leave without it!

I'm a fan of the kir royale sorbet. 

6 hours ago, Pcardad said:

Don't feel bad - they still won't release the onboard quarantine policy.

Have other cruise lines been more transparent than this? It's mind boggling that their passengers don't demand this information before boarding. 

14 hours ago, Avidtravler said:

Someone should post the new CDC rules that NCLH voluntarily opted to accept before the details of their Covid rules were even published. A reading of the new regulations, that no other cruise line has so far accepted, would give one second thoughts on booking a new cruise with Regent. You can see these new rules on page 4 of the post entitled "Masks no longer required/no more testing at pier"on this website. You might wonder , as I do,  why NCLH would ever agree to these new CDC rules. They are terribly onerous especially the part about being quarantined. Worse rules than have ever existed. I have contacted Regent to find out what rationale they used to justify opting in to these new CDC rules,  but I am still waiting to hear from Guest Relations. Perhaps someone out there, or Regent themselves, could explain the reasoning behind this move.

I certainly hope Regent reconsiders their participation in this ridiculous "voluntary CDC program".

Please post the response from Guest Relations, if you get one.

2 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

Yes, the cruise embarks on February 8th and the Champagne & Lobster Catamaran Cruise takes place in Antigua on February 18th.

Ah ha!!! Yes! Thanks.🙂

1 hour ago, -Lew- said:

 

We are too...on February 18th.  See you there...

 

Come on over and join our very quiet roll call.

Thanks, but we're on the Feb 8th voyage.🙂

We are booked for this excursion next February on our Splendor voyage.  Thanks for the details, review and photos!

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

I am certain that there are many who will not sail, not because they are afraid of Covid, but because they are afraid of being put into a 10 - 12 day quarantine without knowing the rules. 

100% this!!!!

Thank you.

Thanks Macbest. We are booked for this excursion next February. 

The first time we saw Bequia was when we took a Windjammer cruise in 1999. Can't wait to see it again!