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We received the email from Regent about registering for their COVID testing company, Eurofins, this morning.  Simple to follow the link and register with the company.  Then they send you a temporary password and you need to log into their site using that.  It then prompts you to create a new password. 

Based on what we saw with passengers using a similar system prior to a river cruise in October, I'd recommend a unique password (don't re-use any of your passwords for important accounts) that is easy to remember.  Or record it somewhere secure that you can access.

Five days to go!

2 hours ago, kjbacon said:

In Bonaire, how do we carry our vaccination cards with us if we are snorkeling? I know you can leave items on a tour bus but vaccination cards are one of our most valuable items now!

If you don't have one, invest in a dry bag or box.  Our snorkel masks came in a plastic container that doubles as a dry box.  We also bought a dry bag several years ago.  It was just a few dollars.  It is heavy plastic and you roll the top down to seal it before clipping the top closed.  Any beach shop in or near Vero will sell them.  Then you just leave the bag or box on the boat used for snorkeling.  You can also buy small hard cases on a lanyard that you can wear in the water--we use them for our key cards and whatever cash we've carried on shore when we are visiting a beach.  They work very well--but I'm not sure I would trust my original vaccine card to them.  We have laminated copies--Staples and Office Depot were doing this for free earlier in the year.  Just another complication to travel in the age of COVID.

1 hour ago, dodgerdoug said:

As an addendum check this out: Seven Seas Explorer | Voyage Health Information (rssc.com)

Should be all you need to concern yourself with/

Following up on that, did everyone see the updates:

Kralendijk, Bonaire:

Guests must carry their proof of vaccination.
Guests can go ashore independently or on shore excursions organized by Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test and receive a negative result within 72 hours of arrival in Bonaire in order to go ashore.

St. George's, Grenada:

Guests must carry their proof of vaccination.
Guests can go ashore independently or on shore excursions organized by Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test and receive a negative result within 48 hours of arrival in Grenada in order to go ashore.

Grenada is one day after Bonaire so with the differing time periods, one test should suffice for both.   (Odd that the tests are after our port calls, not before--and the language is a bit contradictory.)  Where will this testing take place and who will pay for it?  If ourselves, it would be nice to know how much we need to pay and what form of payment is accepted.  

20 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

Quickie Question.....Have you received an email with info about something called EuroFins? I'm guessing for pre boarding covid testing? Seems to me I read about this a few posts back. Supposed to have a bar code or QR code on it? The only thing we've got with a bar code is our boarding pass....We received a time to board(noon) with all of the other rigamarole that we went thru with Regent's pre boarding registration, but nothing about "Eurofins".....any info, anybody?

 

 

 

 

we

Having spent some time today catching up on postings from while we were away, I was just getting ready to post the same question.  Answer from us is we have not seen anything on registering with Eurofins.  Our boarding passes went to our spam folder, so checked there as well and nothing.  We had to do a similar thing for our Crystal river cruise (register online for a COVID test, that is) and while it was easy enough to do, many people forgot the password they used to register to bring up the QR code at the testing site--so definitely recommend printing a hard copy with the bar or QR code.  Once we have something from Regent so we can register, of course.

38 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

Good Morning, Kids!

Sounds like you're getting the party started early! Most excellent! I've got to get the rear in gear and dig out the bags. Most clothing is pretty much ready. Having laundry included is a big plus!  I looked again at our itinerary and if we don't make contact on Stirrup Cay day, we will for sure on Weds & Thurs. as those are sea days! Margaritas and Bloodies for everyone! I'll pay! (giggle!)

In the meantime, enjoy you pre cruise expedition!

L&J

Unless something changed, I think the group was also planning a pre-sailaway get-together at 1500 hours at the Pool Bar, with the Observation Lounge as a back-up in class of inclement weather.  The latter appears not to be a concern, however, as the forecast for south Florida looks great for the next week!

16 hours ago, kjbacon said:

We leave tomorrow morning before sunrise to start on our holiday adventure and could not be more excited. We are driving from Philly to Vero Beach for a few days and then off to Miami to board the Explorer on December 20! It’s been almost 2 years since we were on that beautiful ship and cannot wait to be back onboard. Looks like we have a good group going so all the better for toasting. Cruise docs packed, check! Passports packed, check! Vaccine card lanyards packed, check! Hope we will be able to sleep tonight. 

Wave beachside as you pass exit 188 in Florida!  Then hope to meet in person next Monday!!

Found our package of docs with the other mail when we arrived home last night!  Slightly different format and assortment of stuff, but everything complete.

Just made appointments for our pre-embarkation PCR tests, so one more step closer to our first cruise with Regent!

Since we are new to Regent, a question.  For this--COVID-era--cruise are there any hard-copy documents sent?  Or just the ones we do online?  What about luggage tags?

Have been largely offline for the past ten days as we were on a NatGeo-Lindblad Galapagos trip.  Fabulous!!  Flying home today and then getting ready for Explorer.

Thanks,

I meant to do these notes and observations as we went along or as soon as we returned from our trip, but it just didn't happen.  And now Ravel's cruises are cancelled until the season starts in April 2022.  But offered in case they help someone traveling then.  I did save all of the daily programs as well as the menu from our dinner in the Vintage Room and will scan them to post when I can.  Also happy to answer any questions.  We were first time cruisers with Crystal as well as new to river cruising, so these are offered from that "newbie" perspective.

--We saw the ship docked under the Liberty Bridge in Budapest the day before we boarded and presumed all was well.  Thus, we modified our sightseeing plans presuming we’d have our overnight on the ship and tours of Budapest the next morning.  Big mistake as they were in Budapest empty only to pick up supplies, having disembarked the passengers in Esztergom—where Crystal bussed us 90 minutes the next day to board—due to low-water levels on the Danube.  I’d recommend CALLING the ship—Ravel’s number is +31 20 22 46 665-- the morning before you are scheduled to board and asking if they plan to sail from the scheduled departure city or not so you can plan your touring accordingly.  Thanks to CC.com we did realize that these things happen on river cruises, but we would have definitely changed our plans in Budapest the day before if we'd known.  And, obviously, Crystal did know as they had already disembarked passengers.  For a line the standard of Crystal, you would have thought they could have sent out a short email on the change of plans.  (Overall, communication from Crystal prior to the cruise was lacking.)
--Check-in for the cruise took place at the Ritz-Carlton in Budapest and was very easy.  Crystal had passengers book online for a COVID testing window, but they were moving along ahead of the schedule.  You do need to select a password you can easily remember when you register as you’ll need to bring up the testing portal on your device to obtain the result to show the staff.  Crystal provided coffee, tea, water, and some savory and sweet snacks while you waited.  When you had your negative results, Crystal staff checked you in.  We filled out all the forms, brought our boarding passes, calendar, etc. as requested but no one asked for them.  (If we hadn’t filled them out, I’m sure they would have done so!)

--Crystal provided extended lunch offering on embarkation day and a glass of champagne on boarding as well as bottles of bubbly, while, and red wines in the suite.  
--The ship is beautiful, service and facilities top-notch.  Thoughtful touches like a step stool for those of us of smaller statue in the laundry room (two stacked washers and dryers plus ironing board) plus a TV to see what’s going on with ship’s activities or entertainment.  And as soon as someone on the staff saw me carrying my laundry hamper, they swooped in ask me if they could carry it for me--very helpful!

--The bed was very comfortable and the suite well-laid out and equipped.  The only things we found fussy were the door to the closet—it needs something to hold it open—and the window.  The butler could get it to work after lots of trying, but we could never do it on our own.  (We think the sensor was slightly out of alignment.)
--The pool is heated and has a “swim-against-the current” feature—the button to start it is in the center of the pool wall on the stern end.  The room has four comfortable loungers with blankets and large pillows.  Plenty of towels are available on shelfs.  There is a refrigerator with bottled water and coffee and tea available above the water refrigerator.  The ceiling of the pool area is glass.  Outside is the stern with six deck chairs and two tables.  You can also see the ship’s Maltese flag and where the ship has just passed.  This is a lovely area, which seems to be underused—so a nice place to chill.  
--There is a self-service coffee machine on the second deck by the  stairwell that also has two types of cookies.
--There is a restroom on the second deck behind the stairwell and also one in the pool area at the rear of the ship.
--Crystal uses the QuietVox system for its shore excursions.  Remember to charge them at night or between tours (the butlers are also on the lookout for this).  The destinations manager also mentioned people who use hearing aids frequently lose their aids when they try to use the QuietVox ear piece over their aid.  Only one ear piece—for the left ear—was provided, so if you wear a hearing aid in that ear you might ask for one for the right.  Or see if the system can connect to your smartphone.
--River ships do not stock all of the ingredients for some of the specialty cocktails on Crystal’s ocean ships.  But bartenders do have the recipe book for all of the cocktails and will try to substitute.
--Wines poured onboard reflected the region.  Each night featured a suggested white and red pairing, but the sommelier would let you taste and suggest others if not to your liking.  (We really liked the pinot noir from Austria they had.  Sorry I did not take a photo of the label.)  The somms were very helpful and accommodating.  Same with all of the dining room staff.
--The Ravel stocks bottled local beers; on the Danube cruise these were:   Hirter (Austria), Weihenstefaner (Germany), and Weihenstephaner Korbinian (Germany).  Hirter was also available on tap.
--Neal, the piano entertainer from the UK, was great and lots of fun.  He led singalongs, some trivia, and other events.  The ship brought on a couple of wonderful singers and two interesting lecturers.
--The signature event at the Belvedere in Vienna is not to be missed.  A 10-piece orchestra, two singers, and two dancers presented a wonderful program.  And a small, private tour of the art museum before.
--Durnstein Abbey has a fun selfie mirror where you can take your photo with the abbey courtyard reflected behind you.  And the mirror hides the rest rooms!
--If you do the Bier-Unterwlten excursion in Vilshofen you visit the underground beer museum and have a beer tasting—and receive a souvenir glass.
--If disembarking in Vilshofen, Crystal will let you ride the transfer bus to the airport in Munich even if you are not on their flights or leaving that day.  Easy to arrange onboard.
 

Check your shore excursion summary.  When I looked at mine after check-in this morning, I discovered our tours for Roseau, Dominica had disappeared.  Regent has cancelled one that we selected and changed the time for the other.  No notification from Regent or TA.

Three weeks until boarding!

59 minutes ago, kjbacon said:

We look to have a terrific group on board and this could not be more exciting (even if you are wearing Washington shirts)! May I ask your first name.

I have looked for our roll call on this repeatedly and cannot find it?!? I would be very happy to chime in there.

I see the Roll Call as the first one on the Explorer link.  It does not show up if you search for December 2021 for some reason.

And I'm Lori.

Cheers,

DH Chris and I will also plan to join in the first cruise gathering (and subsequent ones, I hope) at 1500 hours at the Pool Bar (with the Observation Bar as plan B in the case of inclement weather).  Will probably be wearing our Washington Nationals (let the rivalry with NYC and Philly begin!)  and pink Santa hats.

There is a Roll Call for this cruise going.  But those on it are not posting here and vice versa!  If you haven't posted there, please consider checking in!

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  If you are traveling home today or this week, safe travels!

We are on the Explorer cruise departing Miami on 20 December.  We could sign up online for the Culinary Arts Classes the same day as we could chose our excursions.  We were initially charged for the two courses from our OBC, but it was later changed to no-cost.  It appears we now know why!  I will make a note to confirm our registration when we embark.

3 hours ago, ssawjo said:

We took an earlier flight (not the recommended flight) from MIA to Guayaquil and was at the hotel by 4:30 local time.  Our flight from MIA was delayed by about two hours.  You will be picked up by the hotel for a 20 minute ride to the hotel.  Make sure they are expecting you.  You will be greeted by a Lindblad rep in the hotel lobby and your bags sent to your room.  The pre-cruise covid test was fast and easy and was at 6 PM in a room off of the lobby.  We ate in the hotel restaurant and did not venture outside, mainly because it was getting dark and there really is nothing interesting around the hotel.  You do not need to stay sequestered in your room.  The hotel itself was nice and the room was comfortable.  The rep will give all of the instructions you will need for the evening and the following day.  The bus ride to the airport was about 15 minutes (Saturday morning).  Wait time at the airport was short and everything was well coordinated.  You should not have any problems.  It is a small airport.  The flight left at 1040 hours.  The flight to San Cristobal was about 90+ minutes, you gain an hour in flight, and was comfortable.  Claim your bags and go through their checks.  Board a bus for a 10 minute ride to the pier to board a zodiac to the ship.  

 

We probably overpacked but I cannot think of anything we didn't need or wished we had.  It is very casual onboard so don't overthink it.  They provide all snorkeling gear if needed.

 

This also was a bucket list trip for us and we had a fabulous time.  BTW, they will give you instruction on how to board/debark the zodiacs and a snorkeling lesson.

 

Enjoy your trip and safe travels,

 

Bill

Thanks, Bill.  Looks like we are on the same flight that you took from MIA to GYE.  (We had booked with miles before we even received info from NatGeo/Lindblad that there was a recommended flight.)  We have already contacted the hotel to arrange for a shuttle and will do the same for the return.  Glad to hear a rep is waiting at the hotel and there is a testing option in the early evening.  I had expected more information on this and our arrangements in Guayaquil in the final documents from Lindblad, but they were short on those details.  But in these times, things may be changing by the day.

Thanks again!

Thanks, Bill.  We'll be starting our packing this weekend prior to departing next Friday for our trip to the Galapagos.  A true bucket-list trip and so excited.

Could you advise on some of the logistics of your trip, please?  When was the COVID-19 testing done?  We're not on the group flights and hoping we do not need to wait until midnight when everyone else arrives.  How was the hotel?  I see Lindblad asks you to stay in your rooms--did the hotel offer room service for meals or was that an exception?  What time were your flights to and from the Galapagos from Guayaquil?  How was check-in and the waits at the airports in Ecuador?  I've read reviews on CC.com that check-in could be very slow.  Is there anything you packed for your trip you found you didn't need?  Or things you wished you had?  Thanks!

So sad to hear.  We saw the video of the protests in the Heldenplatz on the TV news last night.  Where we were standing three weeks' ago as part of an excursion on our Danube cruise on Crystal Ravel.  I hope we can all figure out how to get this disease under control.

1 hour ago, Mudhen said:

We'd love to know the same...have never been on an Xmas/New Year's trip...new for us without our kids! Looking forward to lots of fun and good company. There will be a Margarita and Bloody Mary society meeting at the pool bar on sea days and... who know's....maybe other quiet days as well! giggles! Usually about 11 each sea day We'll  try to keep up the tradition!

 

And we look forward to attending the Margarita and Bloody Mary Society meetings!

We are also on this itinerary.  It will be our first Christmas at sea, but third NYE.  (Not with Regent, however.)  Our previous experience is that the staff work very hard to make it festive and lots of fun activities for all to enjoy.  Plus you don't have to worry about driving anywhere!

Crystal has the outward-facing beds on its river ships.  They are also king-sized beds and we found them very comfortable.

My question is not about testing prior to boarding the Explorer, but the entry requirements for the Bahamas and the ship's call at Great Stirrup Cay.  The requirements are listed here:  https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates. 

Trying to figure out if there is a difference between ships originating in or returning to The Bahamas versus those simply calling at a port there.  Language on that website suggests there is a difference, but wish it was clearer.  For "GUESTS ON CRUISES THAT ORIGINATE IN AND RETURN TO THE BAHAMAS," a negative COVID-19 test (what type and when is not specified on that website) is required for fully vaccinated travelers as well as obtaining a Travel Health Visa prior to departing for The Bahamas.  Elsewhere on the same website, it notes:  "Effective Friday, September 3, 2021, all cruise ship passengers ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to enter a port in The Bahamas, including a cruise line’s private island."

Again, this seems to suggest a difference on requirements for those starting or ending in The Bahamas versus calling at a port.  I hope Regent will clarify for its voyages calling at Great Stirrup Cay (first stop on 08 December) or those on that cruise will report back on their experience.

Many thanks,

A belated thanks, Zqueeze1, for all the great information and insights.  We are looking forward to our first cruise with Regent on Explorer from Miami next month.

On 11/4/2021 at 12:32 PM, Mudhen said:

Although I apologize for commenting on something that has nothing to do with Voyage Health Requirements at the moment, we're on the Dec. 20th Explorer Caribbean run. We've had a fairly significant itinerary change. Twice now, I've gotten shore excursions confirmations for places we're not even going to. I can understand one, but two? Not so sure that the right hand knows what the left is doing these days. I also hope this is sorted out before the Explorer starts its Caribbean season.

We are scheduled to be on that same cruise.  The Regent website does not include the voyage health information for that sailing yet.  But in looking at the ones for the previous Explorer itineraries, I had a question about the entry requirements listed for The Bahamas.  The Explorer will now be calling at Great Stirrup Cay per the most-recent itinerary change.  The Regent website does not say anything about needing the Bahamas Travel Health Visa (https://travel.gov.bs/).  Is there some exception to the requirement if visitors are only calling at the cruise line's private site?

As an aside, we--like Mudhen--continue to receive shore excursion updates from Regent on places we are no longer scheduled to visit.  We received notification of clearing the waitlist for an excursion on a now-canceled port call this week.  Something seems to be out of sync in the behind the scenes IT system. 

On 10/26/2021 at 1:26 AM, CharTrav said:

OK. But would be nice to have some idea in advance of what that cost will be. Especially if I'm trying to cost things out. Guess I need to call them. Thanks!

We are on the 10-day Galapagos next month.  At the time we booked, internal flights were included as a promotion--that, of course, may vary.  We did not receive any information about the recommended flights from the United States until after our final payment 90 days before the cruise.  At which point, our flights were long-ago booked on our own.  They were not the recommended ones to meet up with Lindblad's included transfer, but as ssawjo noted the Hotel Oro Verde provides a free shuttle--I plan to contact them this week to arrange and will report back. 

I have had to call Lindblad a few times on planning this trip and always found the hold times to be less than five minutes, so do recommend you call them directly with your questions.  And I'm happy to answer others.  (This will be our first NatGeo/Lindblad trip as well, so can only answer questions about the process leading up to the trip, not the trip experience itself.)

Testing is very complicated--so good you confirmed with Viking.

Our cruise line did not require a PCR test, but our airline (TAP Air Portugal) did.  We had our tests exactly 72 hours before departure of our first flight from the United States.  Received our results (from Walgreens) about 32 hours after testing.  All data on the accompanying pdf was correct and in the correct format for the airline, which did check it before allowing us to complete check-in at the airport (MIA).

Returning to the United States, the CDC requires either an antigen or PCR within three days of your first flight if you are fully vaccinated.  Again, TAP had a higher standard--a PCR 72 hours before the first flight.  The concierge at our hotel in Munich provided incorrect information--a testing site much farther away than the one I'd already located online before travel plus he wanted us to have tests to correspond with our arrival in the United States versus time of initial flight.  But I had copied info from the CDC website, so knew what we needed to do.  All was perfectly in order for our return flights.  So, again, it pays to know what you need directly from the source. 

We boarded the Crystal Ravel on 27 October.  We were scheduled to board in Budapest, but could not due to the low water levels in the Danube.  The Ravel had disembarked passengers in Esztergom, Hungary on 26 October and sailed into Budapest, docking near the Great Market Hall, to take on supplies.  They had a skeleton crew and emptied the pool to reduce the weight of the ship Crystal staff told us.  But they still hit the river bed on their trip back out of Budapest.  We saw the ship plus a bunch of Viking and others that day when we were in the area of the market.  Crystal put the passengers who disembarked on the 26th up at the Ritz-Carlton (where they also do check-in for the cruises departing from Budapest) for the final night.  After check-in for our cruise, Crystal loaded us on buses for the trip to Esztergom, where we boarded the Ravel.  Not sure if water levels have recovered enough for the Ravel to sail into Budapest for those who boarded on 03 November, but hoping so.  

We were on the Crystal Ravel a week ago, calling in Passau and disembarking in Vilshofen.  Crystal did not require us to fill in the entry forms for Germany (we asked at Reception).  We opted to do so as we stayed an additional three nights in Munich following the cruise, departing on 06 November--but no one ever asked to see it.  We guessed that was because we entered Germany via ship--it might have been different if we had arrived by air.  I did receive a text from the German Government, but it arrived three days after we entered Germany.  (You can only fill in the form three days before entry and it is a massive pain to fill out.  The website will translate into English, but the form itself is only in German.  We know enough of the language to figure it out, but it took a long time and lots of tries.)  We were asked for our COVID-19 vaccination proof (our CDC cards) when we entered restaurants and museums (Residenz and Deutsches in Munich) and wore our FFP2 masks on excursions (Ravel staff handed them out) and in stores.  You could buy the FFP2 masks in most souvenir stores as well as the usual locations--the fancy ones with patterns were 2 euros each.  I saw larger packs of plain white ones in Kaufhof for about the same price.  Not everyone wore the FFP2 masks (some stores in Regensburg did not ask for them) and some people wore simple cloth masks--at least in private businesses, no one seemed to check.  (We wore our masks a lot, including outside--those of us who live in Florida are not used to the cold temperatures and they kept our noses warm!)