Sailor Sam 407

We did the Bergen to Reykjavik cruise last July. Viking excursion prices were absurd. We booked many excursions, often with the same company that Viking was using, on our own and saved a bundle. It was definitely worth the time to research yourself.

The $50 OBC is no longer being offered. The OBC was initially on our invoice for an April ‘24 cruise, but was dropped on subsequent invoices. I questioned this and was told they were no longer offering this OBC but, as a “courtesy”, they will extend the credit to us. However, this was only after our TA got involved. 

6 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

We have been at the “Gold” level with Regent for some time, so we get a total of three hours free phone time. But we have never used it at all! If we have to contact somebody “back home” we just email them. Now, we all know that sometimes Regent’s WiFi doesn’t work. But those times usually are fairly short before it comes back enough to send a simple email (no pics or anything). Since the subject came up here I think I’ll try the phone next cruise. But a question. How do we know when we have used up our free time?

If you ask at Reception, they will be able to tell you your phone time remaining.

Absolutely agree with Portolan. Regent’s resistance to using the VOX or equivalent system is baffling. The response I got was that tour companies were not set up to use those types of systems. Those of us who have been on river cruises and/or other ocean cruises know that they’re used everywhere. Having to stand 10ft directly in front of a tour guide, so that you can hear them is absurd in this day and age. C’mon Regent, you can do better. 

We just had our invoice updated for our April ‘24 Scenic cruise and the $50 OBC for laundry has been “discontinued” and has disappeared from our booking, even though it was on our original paperwork. I’m sure we will still get it, but we have to push it ‘up the line’ for approval. 

5 hours ago, Sailor Sam 407 said:

We are now floating in the Norwegian Sea, as they tighten a screw on the propeller! It is only supposed to take an hour. We should have an update soon.

All’s well. Full speed ahead.

We are now floating in the Norwegian Sea, as they tighten a screw on the propeller! It is only supposed to take an hour. We should have an update soon.

2 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

From the Viking FAQs:

“During the day, dress is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for the Fitness Center, pool areas and Sports Deck. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes World Café where the dress remains casual after 6:00 PM.”

We’re on Saturn now and on paper jeans are not permitted, but in reality we see them every night.

Thanks for the clarification.

If you use Regent Air, but ask for a deviation (arrive earlier and/or depart later), are you still entitled to the free Regent transfer? 

Thanks

Smart guide is an app on your phone, that allows you to listen to your tour guide while on excursions. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked well and Regent has ceased using it until they sort some technical issues out.

We just completed a Lima to Buenos Aires cruise last month with Regent. We were either the first cruise or one of the first cruises into many of the ports. There were challenges with many excursions and, in speaking with the Supervisor in charge, the main problems were related to getting guides and perhaps to a greater extent busses and drivers. South American tourism was hit hard by the pandemic and many people left for other occupations and have not come back. No doubt, as time goes by, the issues should improve. 

We highly recommend Casa sul Mare. It’s a B&B directly across from the terminal.

We stayed at the Athenaeum InterContinental in October. Vassilas Grill is a 5 minute walk, with good food and reasonable prices. You will often see the Viking tour guides there.
The Plaka District and Parliament are a very straightforward 20 minute walk. 

I spoke to the Mariner GM the other day. According to her, the app was not functioning properly and they will go back to the drawing board and hopefully fix it. Their intention is to bring it back, once they’ve ironed out all the bugs.
In the meantime, she said they would start using the ‘whisper’ system throughout the fleet. 
 

Can anyone advise if Oceania uses any sort of earpiece system for their excursions?
I know that Viking uses a ‘Whisper’ system for their excursions and it makes the whole experience so much better when you don’t have to stand close to the tour guide to hear them. 
Thanks

We’re just back from a post cruise extension that used the Intercontinental Athenaum. It was a 20 minute walk to the Plaka neighbourhood, Parliament (changing of the guard), Hadrian’s Arch, etc. So very central.

Regarding the new Smart Guide app that Regent is using for tours. Many of the newer mobile phones do not have a headphone jack.

Does this mean you have to buy wireless headphones or does Regent have a workaround?

Thanks

Viking is not a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), so that may give them some latitude that other cruise lines may not have.

On 3/2/2022 at 2:36 PM, Ladys Mom said:

In November I was on the Splendor and needed to book shore excursions for a cruise next November.  I spoke with the Concierge.  He printed off the descriptions of the shore excursions.  My husband and I selected the ones we wanted.  We returned the list to the Concierge, and he sent the list to Miami where all of our selections were entered.  Easy peesy!!

I can confirm that our experience on the Explorer this past November was the same as Ladys Mom. The Concierge handled our excursions for next November and gave us a printed copy of the confirmation. Shortly thereafter we received our confirmation email from Regent. As was said, Easy peesy!!

We were on another luxury line in November and the process was much smoother than what is being described here. Upon arrival, we handed over our luggage and walked into large covered area. After giving our information, we went to one of 12 or so private tables where the test was done. We waited until our number was called and within 15 minutes we were on our way to finalize our checkin. 

We have our first Viking Ocean Cruise in October, so hopefully this whole need for pretesting will be a thing of the past. Fingers crossed.

We are on this extension in October 2022. We were scheduled to stay at the Hilton Athens, but I see it's now closed until 2024. Have you been assigned another hotel yet?

When we were on Explorer in November I asked for fresh squeezed OJ the first several mornings in Compass Rose and La Veranda. The first two times it took approx. 20 minutes to arrive and the third time it never arrived. We were told it had to come from Room Service?? 

I never bothered after that.

On our Explorer Miami to Miami cruise in November Regent introduced the new Vero water system, which included a Vero stainless steel water bottle. Although they still had plastic water bottles available, they placed Vero filling stations (room temperature and cold available) around the ship and a large Vero glass water bottle was placed and replaced in the suites. Credit to Regent for this initiative.

Is that standard procedure for all cruises? I can understand that a World Cruise may be treated a little differently.

Thanks