nigelc

I realize this is an old thread, but I thought perhaps more people have had the opportunity to have tried both lines and can share opinions.

Having been on 3 Regent ships and 1 Viking, I would say that it depends on which Regent ship your are considering. In my humble opinion, I have not been on any ship that can beat Regents Explorer - when they say it is the most luxurious ship ever built, they really do mean it. For me, my Viking experience was excellent, but my Explorer experience was outstanding in all aspects.

We had a code Bravo today on Explorer - a fire in the main kitchen closed the main dinning room. No one was hurt but when such problems occur you can tell that Regent go the extra mile to ensure everyone on board is not only safe but their holiday continues without a problem. The staff worked extremely hard to ensure the other restaurants catered for the guests who otherwise would have used the main dining room. The captain and other officer's were in all the restaurants ensuring guests were happy and knew what was happening. Overall, a big thank you to all the hard working crew of the Explorer - extremely professional at all times.

Regent does not owe compensation for the minor issues on the Mariner IMHO. Why is it that nowadays everyone wants compensation for everything? On our 31 Regent cruises, we have seen pipes break and flood suites and hallways and a variety of other minor but unsettling issues. A goodwill gesture of some OBC's would be nice but certainly is not required. The one person that had a real issue on the ship was relocated to a different suite and is happy.

 

Hope that your upcoming cruise is a good one and that it lives up to your expectations. That is really all I have to say on the issue of the current Mariner cruise.

 

P.S. Had Jason Montague authorized compensation for these minor issues (locked safes, televisions not plugged in, etc.), he may as well leave Regent's wallet open because every time the slightest little thing went wrong on a ship, passengers would have their hands out.

No water in their cabin, ceiling taken apart to fix the air con - plus no swimming pool. Hardly minor issues on any ship, let alone a luxury 6 star ship.

If you think that I am "way to bias in favour of Regent", you obviously did not read my review of our Voyager cruise that ended a couple of days ago. It is true, however, that I do not run them down at every possible opportunity as some posters do (not pointing fingers at anyone in particular). If I did not feel that they lived up to their 6 star experience (and prices to match), we would not be sailing on Regent.

 

Nothing is perfect and Regent is not for everyone which is why it is great that we have choices of luxury cruise lines. If someone does not like one, they can try another. We have tried another luxury cruise line and returned to Regent. Perhaps this made us appreciate the Regent Experience so much.

I do not expect perfection, and happy to pay 6 star prices for a 6 star service (although I do like a good deal). Indeed, I recently posted what a good offer the included laundry on Mediterranean was - another post you did not like. In relation to your posts, I think you should re-read them because in nearly all cases you are defending Regent.

Are they easily fixable issues or will they take some time to resolve? I would think that the safe's are now open, televisions and water to the new faucets are connected, etc. In terms of furniture being too large for a suite (same issue as some suites on Explorer), this will take longer. The fact that Jason Montague, CEO/President of Regent was onboard Mariner says a lot about how much they really do care.

As a six star cruise line, the ship should never have been let out into service without appropriate quality checks having been undertaken - but of course, that would affect their bottom line - that's how much they really care.

I would have been more impressed if people were reporting that compensation had been authorised by Jason Montague to all those customers who had been affected by Regents poor quality assurance.

Not trying to be unkind but is there anything about Regent that you do like? I understand that you had flight issues recently but it sounds as if you have written Regent off. It is quite common to put a deposit for a waitlist and the deposit is refundable so I don't see the problem.

Oh not one of your "not trying to be unkind" starts to a post. Of course there are things that I like about Regent, otherwise I would not be sailing with them this Thursday. However, "not trying to be unkind", I think you are way to bias in favour of Regent. Personally, I feel companies who hold themselves out to be a 6 star experience (with prices to match) need to be held to account when they do not meet such standards or when they demand such things as cash upfront before they will consider you for a waitlist.

I have no doubt that corporate is aware of what is going on and they did not have to read about it on CC. They have meetings with the onboard General Managers daily. In my opinion, CC is more for sharing information with other travelers. Secondarily, it gives Regent a heads up to individual issues that may not have been brought up to the General Manager.

Well its disappointing that a senior manager was on-board and there appears to still be problems that have not been sorted.

As indicated, they do have someone who monitors CC (not full time as that is obviously not needed).

Well lets hope someone from Regent does monitor CC and picks up on the current issues being reported on Mariner following its re-fit.

 

Looks like someone forgot to order the new clock for the Pool Deck

 

 

Shame they didn’t just leave the old one in place as this is a bit of an eyesore on a luxury ship

 

 

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Oh come on Regent, get a grip - the more I read and see pictures of the re-fit the less the ship seems fit for service e.g ready for passengers paying for a 6 star service. I'm glad that I was on Mariner in November 2017, before the re-fit.

the service from our waiter was very slow and sub par. It took about 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. Far too long in that venue by my thinking.

I totally agree with your thinking. Personally, I am normally happy for a slow paced evening meal, but I would have lost interest way before the 2 1/2hr point.

lol - a $500 deposit to be put on a wait list. Talk about a company wanting their cake and eat it.

If expectations should be lowered for cruises following major refurb, then so should prices.

Spot on - but cannot see that happening.

Really???

Well that was the conclusion I came too following the issues I had with Regents choice of flights from Heathrow to Miami (return) - see Beware: 5 Star Cruise - 1 Star Flights 13/7/17.

Hi Boatsman Lady - while I agree with some of your sentiments, the airline issue is not within the control of Regent -- it is solely at the discretion of the airline that Regent selects.

Er ...... How is it not in Regents control if they select the airline? In nearly every case, there is a number of airlines Regent could use. As I have said in a previous "thread", it sometimes appears that Regent use certain airlines so that customers will pay extra to change airlines so that they get a direct (non-stop) flight or higher baggage allowance.

Flossie, thanks for the up date and hope your cruise gets better. Sorry to hear about all the problems you've had soon far. I think if the president of Regent is on, he should be asked why that ship when out before it was ready. Even the pool not filled? If your going to take a customers money, you should be able to give the full Regent Experience and nothing less. It's called Customer Satisfaction. I realize others will make excuses for Regent, but really excuses are just excuses. It's your time, your money and you should be able to relax in your suite without all the mess. Just my opinion. Looking forward to hearing more, hopefully all good from this point forward. We'll be on the ship April 18th out of Miami---hope it's really ready. Rick. Thanks again for taking the time and posting.

I couldn't agree more - there are no excuses for putting a 6 star ship into service with such issues. As you say, Regent have taken full fares for the cruise and customers are entitled to have the full Regent experience. It will be interesting to hear what the President of Regent does/says.

My husband and I spent a lot of time at dinner in Compass Rose on Mariner tonight talking about managed expectations. We have not had as many issues as Flossie but we have had a few. For us, TV was most frustrating—mounted on wall but no wiring, after many phone calls and personal visits to Reception, we now have usable TV and husband can follow the Masters! Veranda is paint spotted and needs to be power washed.

Something in the bathroom ceiling is missing. Safe was locked, but staff quickly solved that. Many staff members promised to call us back concerning the TV. We would have been very satisfied with updates. Hearing nothing, we kept bugging them, taking up more of their valuable time. Whatever the issue, clear communication either good or bad saves time and manages customers’ expectations.

And . . . We are having a wonderful time!!

Glad you are having a wonderful time. A TV mounted on a wall with no wiring - words fail me. But even worse is the apparent lack of customer service, one phone call or visit to reception is all that should be needed. As a high end cruise line, Regent should be ashamed of putting a ship into service without the proper quality checks having been undertaken.

Your comments regarding realistic expectations is spot on.

Sorry TC, but given that Regent purport to be a 6 star cruise line and charge accordingly - I do not think it is unrealistic to expect everything to be working, even, or is it especially, after a re-fit.

Fantastic pictures - it looks like you are having a great time :D

nigelc,

I am so sorry. It was not my intention to “look down” on anyone wearing a polo shirt.

It is just my personal opinion that polo shirts are more suitable as daywear rather than evening, particularly when attending a function such as the Captain’s Reception.

Most guests on this cruise appear to agree.

Hi Flossie,

Hope you are having a good time on Explorer. I am following your "thread" with some interest, as I join Explorer on 12 April 18 and, like you, have booked an F2 cabin. In relation to your "polo shirt" comment, there is certainly no need to apologise, as you say we are all entitled to our opinion. I just found it a little strange given Regents policy.

Nothing wrong with a polo shirt, but its good most make the effort to wear a formal shirt. You do not have to wear a tie!! It's hardly tuxedos on Cunard .I always have a jacket with me anyway as that's my pockets /bag when travelling for wallet , passports etc

Yes, I can see why sometimes a man may wish to wear a jacket but as I have to wear a suit to work, I prefer to be more casual when on holiday - one of the reasons to chose Regent. However, I was just curious why the poster appeared to be "looking down" on anyone wearing a "polo shirt", despite it clearly meeting Regent after 6pm dress requirements.

DAY 2 (Thursday)

 

A lazy afternoon then Captain’s welcome reception. All the guests scrubbed up well for the event; plenty of long and short dresses with suitable bling for the ladies; most gentlemen wore suits or jackets with a number sporting ties as well - not a polo shirt in sight and only one pair of white jeans spotted!!

 

And what would be so wrong with a *polo shirt"? After all, if we men wanted to wear suits/tuxedo's, ties and bow-ties we would be sailing with the likes of Cunard.

they look fine if you have a six pack :p

Well that's me out - looks like its back to the ironing board for me. But no, got the free laundry promotion :D

So glad to hear that you have found another Regent cruise that suits your requirements.

After the issues you reported leading up to your last Regent cruise, I had understood that you would never book with them again.

 

By the way how was your November cruise and the Regent arranged flights & pre-cruise Hotel?

 

 

Hope you enjoy your Med cruise this summer, with the added bonus of included laundry. This a great perk to have.

Even though we have SSS status, we do not resent others receiving this perk as part of a limited promotion. If Regent do extend the included laundry more generally I am sure they will review the SSS benefits accordingly.

Flossie - thank you for remembering me. Yes, I found an 11 day cruise on the Explorer that looks good and, as it is only a 2 hr flight from London to/from the ports, it does not involve any of the flight issues that I initially had with Regent for the November trip. To be honest I am a bit of a "price tart" and tend to want value for money rather than wanting to build-up loyalty points with a particular cruise line - since the November trip I have sailed with Viking and Seaborne; both excellent trips and well priced for the itinerary etc. However, the November trip with Regent was excellent and as I enjoyed it so much, I could not resist a trip on Explorer - after all, it is billed as "the most luxurious ship ever built". In relation to the November Regent pre-cruise hotel in Miami, it was ok for one night. However, having been to Miami a number of times before, it is not somewhere I would book and certainly not as luxurious as Regent advertises.

New passengers did not get included internet for most of the years that we have been cruising. This is a relatively new perk (guessing about 2 years). No one complained that people received included internet when they sailed enough days with Regent. Even now, people Gold and above receive two sign ons per suite while people that have not reached that level only receive one sign on per suite. No class system - simply a great loyalty program.

 

In the U.S., we are used to extra perks for loyalty. It it were not for the loyalty program, we would sail Silversea more or might try Seabourn. We stay with Regent because it meets most of our requirements and because of the loyalty program.

Not complaining that loyal Regent customers receive benefits - it makes perfect sense to me (after all, I am in the programme too). Indeed, with respect, it was you who stated that you wanted to restrict such "all inclusive" elements as laundry and Wi-Fi because it affects your use. I do not believe Regent wants to introduce a class system, I am just pointing out that your comments would lead to one. In fact, my original post was simply praising Regent for including in the price a very useful new element in their 2018 Mediterranean sailings.

In relation to not trying Seabourn because of Regents loyalty programme, well I am sorry but that is just sad. Considering the cost of luxury cruises, the perks (even at your level) do not beat the experience of trying something new - especially, such an experience as they provide.

DeepFreeze,

Adding to your comment. I am currently on the Explorer....and just off of the Mariner. The internet on both ships is WAY below standard.

The average internet speed is between 0.5 and 1.0 Mbps. If you want to add streaming, they charge $34.98 per day. I have asked both Internet Managers "If we pay for the streaming and you open up the ports, do we also get faster internet?" The answer from both ships is "No...it is the SAME speed." We don't see the value of adding streaming as the speed is sometimes not fast enough even to get Facebook without the video streaming.

Hardly supporting the 6 star experience promised. However, to be fair, having been on both the Navigator and Mariner I have found the internet service to be good, but there again I do not use Facebook.