RJ2002

Thanks for your recap. Sounds similar to our recent Explorer Mediterranean cruise, but we had the luxury of just one sea day. Those port intensive itineraries can be a workout! Internet complaints seem to be a recurring theme on Regent reviews. Hope they upgrade the systems soon. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Here is an interesting Travel Weekly article from last week. I bolded "very low-cost" in the quote from the article. NCLH clearly hopes to grow its share of direct bookings and thus avoid commisions. "Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings anticipates surge in direct bookings" ...In a statement to Travel Weekly, NCLH said the company is focused on maximizing all of its distribution channels and said travel partners continue to be "an incredibly important distribution channel for us." However, the company said it is investing in its direct business after noticing an accelerated shift toward more direct bookings during the pandemic. NCLH said it sees a significant opportunity to increase its direct online bookings, a "very low-cost and attractive channel." ... https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/NCLH-anticipates-surge-direct-bookings

What a great Adriatic itinerary. Enjoy your cruise and thanks for your reports from Voyager.

If the credit card you used for this cruise has Travel Insurance / Travel Delay coverage, you might be able to make a claim for the show tickets. Not sure if it would be a reimbursable expense though. Sorry to you and all onboard for this last ‘challenge’ on this cruise…

Great pictures and love hearing about the special dessert request. Another reason why so many of us return to Regent again and again.

I've been watching this thread... we were originally booked in 1401 on Explorer for a recent cruise. A couple of weeks before sailing, I noticed a PH-A opened up on Deck 9 and we opted for that instead. We were eager to experience a suite on such a high deck, and suspected it would indeed be private. However, in the back of my mind I was thinking about possible movement as well as the remoteness of the Deck 14 location. The Deck 9 PH we switched to was in one of the 'bump out' sections of the ship and had a fablous, large balcony. What a treat.

Thanks for catching us up after your crazy boarding experience and uncooperative internet. Pictures are great. Love that surf and turf pairing. Enjoy!

Thank you for your contined reports, and for sharing your thoughts on the Navigator. We've only been aboard Navigator once (and another booked), but I think you are spot-on. Hope you have smooth sailing for the remainder of your cruise.

At least one, and maybe two, Rieslings were available (included wines) on the Explorer in late July. If it is not offered whereever you are dining on the ship, ask for it and they will do their best to get it for you.

You should have access to the Delta Sky Club if you are ticketed in business class for international travel. Note that Delta has a definition for 'international' travel and some destinations (mainly Caribbean) do not qualify. https://www.delta.com/us/en/delta-sky-club/access

@RachelG, looking forward to your reports again, this time from aboard Navigator. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Here is a link to a PDF map of the Port of LA. Pier 46 is labeled "MU1". It's at south end of the port. https://kentico.portoflosangeles.org/getmedia/07e1377d-b452-4ecb-a629-9a0c69410805/pola-facilities-map edit: just noticed @DaveFR had already posted this map, but I was having trouble with the download on his post, so above is a direct link from the Port of LA website

Yes, it is everyone's worst nightmare, and I'm also curious what happened. Being unable to do an online checkin the night before was a warning sign for sure. It is also a concern that Turkish Air apparently was not any help at all - even at the Business Class checkin counter.

I also agree with @papaflamingo . Would recommend that you research some of your preferred routings and deviate. Even though the recent chaos at the major European hubs seems to have improved, I would still avoid a connection at airports such as LHR, AMS, CDG, FRA, MUC, and connect in the US somewhere. If you are booked on the same carrier, you'll more than likely have domestic first class seating from AUS or DFW to your longhaul connection city.

I'll echo earlier comments. Really enjoyed reading your reports. I'm relieved that your flights home worked out OK, and kudos to Air Canada for making it work for you and your Mom.

Well said @papaflamingo

Sorry to read about these issues. Who was the General Manager on Navigator?

Yes, it seems most suites were converted to shower only ("star" on the deck plans). Always helps me to review previous guest suite comments here on CC, and of course review Bill's Suite Guru spreadsheets, in order to select our preferred suite. As to Wifi, I'd say that was the main shortcoming on our recent Explorer cruise. Regent has to do better. OP, also sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise.

Always good to read these types of reports. Glad you received your first choice. How long did it take Regent to respond to your TA with your flights, and did you have to pay any fare differential?

Agree with @BBWC. I think those are pretty good flights in general. Looking at your options on Google Flights, there are no non-stops out of ATL - as you noted. Your main options are a connection in New York or Chicago, and then on to Barcelona. Or, a flight from ATL to a European gateway and then on to Barcelona as you currently have booked. Before all the recent flight issues, we generally preferred long hauls to a European gateway so that we could maximize sleep (probably more of a consideration for those of us on the West Coast). The drawback for European connections is the intra-Europe business class concept (economy seat with the middle seat blocked). And there's the increased risk these days of baggage misconnections at a European airport. However, for now if it was me, I'd forego optimal sleep time in order to avoid a connection at a European airport. If you are ticketed on the same carrier, your odds are pretty good (but not guaranteed) that you'd have domestic first class from ATL to JFK/EWR or ORD, then of course business class on to BCN. Have you considered researching your preferred flights and paying the deviation? Might be a little late for that now. edit: as I mentioned upthread, we recently returned from our Explorer cruise (BCN-Rome), and used Regent Air, a first for us. It was a last minute booking and we could have never beat Regent's air credit amount on our own at that point. Regent booked us LAX-ORD-BCN, then FCO-ORD-LAX on American. It worked out well.

As your cruise continued, you probably discovered that each evening La Veranda is 'transformed' to the Italian venue, Setti Mare. Lots of dining choices on Explorer. Hope you were able to experience some of the other options. We were on Explorer a couple of segments before you (Barcelona-Rome), and I'm enjoying reading about you and your Mom's time onboard.

Really enjoying your travelogue. Looking forward to more.

Found this on the Virtuoso website: For more than three decades, we have been elevating ocean travel, becoming the most-inclusive luxury cruise line. To celebrate these last 30 years — and as we look to the decades ahead — we have curated and enhanced 30 unique sailings. Experience each of these 30th Anniversary Voyages, including commemorative pins and gifts, an anniversary party on each cruise, specialty drinks and one-of-a-kind dining options, alongside enhanced entertainment and more. Plus, as a thank-you to our loyal past guests, we’re offering double Seven Seas Society® savings* on these voyages. https://www.virtuoso.com/promotions/16264667/30th-anniversary-voyages# We were on Explorer recently, and received the commemorative lapel pins and gift (our gift was a set of coasters). I seem to recall there was a special 30th Anniversary menu one night in CR. Might check with your TA for specifics.

Check this thread, right at the top of the forum. edit: just checked after I posted. Doesn't look like there are any reviews of an H yet, but then again, there don't appear to be many H suites.

@Guerncruising is right... I don't need TOO many of these on a cruise. On the Explorer recently, I found them to be a little chewy and dense compared to previous cruises, but then again most of the breads and pastries on that sailing were not quite as good as I'd remembered. Maybe a new pastry chef? Will definitely give them another try next cruise.