PaulaJK

Another thought Scout16…Perhaps contact AARP with your idea…at least an enlightening article if not yet a book. Paula

Scout16….Now I better understand your suggestion which certainly would be very comprehensive. And yes, gangway differences exist. Perhaps you could author a book…I bet that it would sell. The tour descriptions noted the amount and degree of strenuousness. Perhaps someone who experienced them could comment on their accuracy. We didn’t take any..been there before, too much walking..and why do tours always need to depart around 8am?!? We did count on shuttles as we enjoy a bit of sightseeing/ wandering coupled w lunch ashore so the shortfall in shuttles was a negative for us. We’re platinum on R and some of our negative experiences on this cruise were new to us and unanticipated.

Scout, Regent offers many details in each tour description, including the amount of walking and under what conditions. Once onboard, any clarification of a tour is found in an updated print out. Destination Services will answer any inquiries. At this point we book few tours but prefer private arrangements or the informality of shuttle service to a central point.

Interesting, you mean no disrespect but imply,if not label, that I am unintelligent, selfish, suffer from entitlement and was expecting ‘special’ services. It’s best to thoughtfully read a post..in this case it would reveal that my husband walked w cane without assistance during this 24 day cruise. The inquiry was for WC assistance in disembarking. Seaborne offers this. Crystal offers it. Regent does not. It is possible…and not uncommon…for opinions to vary. But arrogant replies happily are not common.

No printing. comprehensive listing of the day’s menu in every venue is available on interactive TV program

On Mariner there was a fabulous interactive tv in your cabin which is comprehensive. It includes the daily menu in each restaurant…don’t recall the day ahead feature but you could check at breakfast time.

Disembarked Mariner Pier 90 this am. Ship was in dock previous evening. Numbers/ colors finished by 9am. There then was a close to 90 minute wait to clear Immigration..no Customs. Luggage collection via porter about 10-15 min. If you arrange pvt car pick-up /2nd level/ there is a small traffic delay due to traffic but you should be on your way to airport by 11am. Regent will offer a bus transfer with time anticipated; perhaps someone who took it could comment.

We just completed Mariner’s TA from BCN to NYC. As disembarkation loomed, I tried to arrange wheelchair assistance as the gangplanks often are serpentine and the distances long. . The above was the reply…and the reality. Destination Services indicated that it knew other lines offered this service, not Regent. Understandably, this TA itinerary was quite popular among senior citizens. Many walked with canes, some as a little extra support and others, seemingly very dependent on them and gingerly wobbling along. Crew were seen solicitously offering an arm to many…but my comment is to the company policies. We were also on the preceding cruise, VCE-BCN. It was marked by a ‘ no services’ boarding in Venice which included a long walk. This was a port heavy itinerary and few shuttles were offered. The answer was that the towns were “nearby” but often that meant 1-2 miles…a stretch for many or a limitation in the visit. Casablanca was an impossibility for many. Got me to thinking…Most public bathrooms do not have bars/ a handle and the cabin bathrooms do not. These items have become more frequent these days in non- handicap bathrooms. (Of positive note, the showers do have a hand bar.) There was much chatter about whether Regent was accommodating its passengers.i would like to hear if you have had different experiences w other lines .

We are thoroughly enjoying vitacura’s enthusiastic narrative and wonderful photos…AND we are ON this cruise!

We enjoyed a fabulous show last night..singer Chris Ritchie. Well appreciated by the audience.

You must check in at Marittima, then are transported to Fusina by bus. You are specifically instructed not to go to Fusina ( e.g. by taxi) as there are no facilities there.Hope this help clarify.

Loriva, I think I recall ‘109’.

We were on the previous cruise and this morning noticed that the staff seemed to be under pressure to do the turn around, perhaps influenced by folks seeming to board earlier and earlier. . Am not excusing this, of course and I am certain that R will not either. On a positive note, our cabin was kept sparkling. Our butler was great. We wish you the same.We had to change cabins and so far our new butler seems fairly invisible…will see.

Laundry service is excellent. Also, dry cleaning rates are comparable to home, service is good and often same day return. Kudos to Regent for including this.

Mariner hair salon shampoo and blow dry, short hair is $79, plus 22% service charge. Total $97.80. Onboard services are often more expensive than on land but I find this outrageous..imagine if you had had other usual and customary services such as a hair cut. Wow..and ouch.

Penthouse

Currently on Mariner. A very nice new style R bag was waiting in cabin upon embarkation. Good size, sturdy handles, zippered w. Small pocket inside which is handy for key card.

Our experience does not suggest that Mariner is in poor condition. In my note I tried to address recent posts hence the sofa observations. We like our PH. I do agree that it would be good if Regent dedicated itself to its current ships and returned to the old beloved R.

We are onboard since Venice. We find the staff/ crew to be very service oriented as well as personable. The lounges are clean and comfortable w. pretty floral arrangements. Our PH is well appointed and in generally decent condition but the sofa has arms unpleasantly worn/ stained, not consistent w. luxury, five stars star bragging. We think that there has been a decline in the cuisine. The menu reads 5 star but not the product. For example, we had an unchewable rib eye steak, soups are very salty, soufflés have thick crusts! ..french fries are never hot, etc. I had sauteed grouper that came out as firm as a hockey puck : I know , hard to imagine. Most lounges have music until 7:15 pre dinner and after the show/ Mariner Lounge seems short changed here. . There is an entertaining duo in Stars . One cast show was impressive ( Divos, Divas) and one depressing .(Tuxedo). Not a lover of magic, I do not hesitate to say that this magician was marvelous. He is the only headliner to date and tonite is a movie. Horizon Lounge has been offering some dance music after the show These are our experiences and opinions and may differ from yours .

We boarded Mariner today. Anyone who is disabled or who has mobility issues or medical problems should seriously consider not booking a cruise embarking in Venice. JMO, of course. We took a water taxi (110 E) to the Marine Terminal. Agents met the taxi and took the luggage then instructed us about a long walk to the terminal. We were earlier than printed check in but there were over a hundred people in line..not your usual Regent experience. A lovely Belgium couple on their new to Regent said that it was like MSC. We asked an agent for a wheelchair for my husband who has a respiratory condition and was short of breath in the ninety degree heat. ..’all taken’. Eventually we proceeded thru desk check in, then a security similar to an airport. The boarding pass was never perused. We were then directed to another walk to reach a ‘bus or boat’. ( there was no boat). This was not a luxury experience. It did not provide that usual fun, exciting welcome but rather was debilitating.

We found transfer in FRA very stressful and tedious. Ours involved ups and diwns as well as train terminal transfer. Every time we travel, we seem to require more tine for the transfer. Be kind to you.

I concur w CWN. Perhaps you could try individually booking the hotel R is using….R’s rates are based on 2 persons (as are most hotels) and tend to be higher than the hotel’s.

Given the age of your son, old soul included, I suspect that SS might be a bit subdued for him. With a Caribbean itinerary he may be able to choose excursions w snorkeling or wave runners. Have fun!

We had 1 ( quite legitimate) claim w. IME that took 7 months of appeals..finally reimbursed. They were a nightmare!

Mike responded to my inquiry concerning boarding in Fusina. Very helpful and much apprecuated.