O-Town Travelers

I have done a bit of reserach and am centering in on Azamara as my preferred option for a 7ish day Greek Isles intensive cruise for my family. We are 6 in total, with three mid-late teen (well behaved and relatively quiet/mature) kids, my wife, my active Mother-in-Law and myself. Wife and I will be mid 40's. We did only one cruise a long time ago...a low fare mega-ship when the kids were younger. We really didn't enjoy it too much (too crowded, bad food, etc.). But we are intrigued with trying this again on a higher end line now that the kids are older.

 

We are looking for a smaller ship, with great food and smaller ports, and we don't need a lot of shipboard entertainment. We like a more 'country club casual' feel, prefer flexible dinner seating, and we aren't big drinkers. We do like great food and I'd call us 'foodies', but do not require 'high end gourmet' for all of our meals. We would tend to strike out on our own more in the ports and would probalby limit our ship time to breakfast, dinner and sleeping...with some occassional sun-worshipping by the pool (for the girls).

Azamara seems to meet all of these desires, and is at a price point which is at about the upper spec limit for what we would want to pay.

 

I noticed that Windstar is starting to get into the game of powered yachts, and the price point seems to be similar.

 

Other than Windstar, should I be looking at any other options for this sort of feel? I have pretty much ruled out Oceania, Seabourne, Sea Dream, Crystal as too expensive, fancy, or not the right itineraries. Looks like Princess is getting out of the game on small ships with the sale or planned sale of their small ships. We want to stay with a ship that has fewer than 1,000 people on them.

 

Any recommendations on other lines we should look into before making our decision? Many thanks in advance!

Great question Grilljockey as we were questioning the same itinerary/ships. We just returned from a 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Regent Navigator and are now planning for a cruise around the Greek Islands in 2016. I have contacted Azamara for a quote as their web site is somewhat difficult to navigate and I cannot find their full pricing menus for suites. From my investigative work thus far, Azamara has the best itinerary for the Greek islands. From what I have read in the reviews, Azamara service and food quality is comparable to Regent. We will see.

We returned from our Navigator cruise on the 28th. Fabulous time! I have many comments to share:

1. We were on Deck 8, suite 850. Perfect location as the elevator/stairs were just steps away. Very little vibration. Our friends were in suite 852 so we had engineering remove the partition between our balcony.

2. Brought seasick patches. Glad we did as the first two sea days were a little tough getting our sea legs.

3. Food and service were excellent. I had read reviews about how Prime 7 quality wasn't up to par. Not sure where this came from as the quality of food and service in Prime 7 was excellent. We were also told we could dine at Prime 7 one time while on a 10-night cruise. This was incorrect. We dined there twice and loved it. Steaks were prepared perfectly. Had the bone-in rib-eye with seared sea scallops and was cooked to perfection. First night at Compass Rose I had the Lemon Sole and it was fresh and perfectly prepared. The last night I had the Mahi and it was just okay. In suite dining allows you to order anything from the Compass Rose menu for breakfast lunch or dinner. Had egg Benedict in-suite and it was delivered hot and perfectly prepared.

4. One day for lunch in Compass Rose they were serving Peach Melba for dessert. A must try!

5. Our booked "all inclusive" excursions were not managed very well. When in port please note that the same excursions that Regent books are also used by the mass market lines so beware of long lines and wait times. One of our excursions was cancelled in St. Barths due to a power outage so we rented ATVs and toured the island and had a blast. Stopped for lunch at Nikki Beach and the food was excellent (and expensive). We were bumped off the Champagne and Lobster Catamaran Sail excursion but later we found out the excursion was overbooked and there were not enough seats so people were crowded on the boat forced to stand and eat. Glad we missed it. The best excursion IMHO was the swim with the dolphins in Nassau.

6. Yes there are pool chair hogs but if you get to the pool early you can reserve whatever chairs you need. One of the pool attendees, Manu, was delightful and always knew what we wanted.

7. As many have previously stated, the coffee sucks! Having the Illy in-suite espresso machine was delightful. The coffee connection coffee was better than in other areas but still BAD. I stuck to cappuccino and espresso the entire trip.

8. The ice cream served poolside was amazing. I think I miss that the most.

9. La Veranda by day and Sette Mari by night was wonderful but you will get the vibration of your life. Hopefully Regent fixes this obvious problem when they take the Navigator in for re-work.

Glad to hear of your positive experience on the Navigator. We depart in 18-days and the last time we sailed Regent (Mariner in Alaska) was 14-years ago when the line was owned by Radisson. I always believe that the attitude you come in with will have a profound impact to your overall experience. The mind completes the picture.

Regent casino minimum age requirement is 18 or older. For Alaska sailings the minimum age requirement for the casino is 21.

I see posts that state NCL does allow steamers however I haven't found whether Regent has the same policy?

Not to sound like a villain, but has anyone brought a steamer on in their luggage without getting caught?

I believe Regent's all-inclusive excursion system is a double-edge sword. Regent wants to include these as a value proposition for marketing purposes however the system is flawed. When a passenger books their excursions and finds that their particular "first-choice" excursion(s) are wait-listed, they book additional excursions at the same time as a back-up to the excursion they are really interested in. This problem then domino's as it causes other excursions to "over-fill" with passengers that will ultimately drop their second choice if their original excursion becomes available. I don't see how Regent can fix this without changing their process?

I was offered a downgrade. Not mandatory. I just thought this was somewhat insulting. If I wanted a lower priced cabin I would have chosen it originally.

I am reporting the "warm" soup and gnocchi because it is something to watch out for - particularly when these items are served from a vessel rather than being put directly onto a plate/bowl in the kitchen. Definitely agree that returning it is the best thing to do. However, this can throw off the service (waiting for a course to be redone while the person you are dining with completes their dish).

 

While posting about food and being brutally honest it occurred to me that I have not scrutinized food on Regent as I am doing on Oceania. So, if computerworks can put up with me one more time, I will do a similar thread from the Mariner in April (unless you are going to be on Regent before we are and prefer to post your own photos).

 

The number of servers in The GDR and Terrace Cafe (CR and La Veranda equivalent) is amazing. There are at least twice as many servers/per person in the Terrace Cafe. This morning in the GDR there were at least 14 people serving (note: We find breakfast in CR to have extremely slow service). There were not many people at breakfast in the GDR - just as they seldom are in CR. However, the service was over the top. I cannot count how many servers are in the Terrace Cafe at lunch but we have never had to wait to have plates removed from our table and rarely have to wait for wine. Wonder if this has to do with more accommodations for crew on this ship compared to Regent. Over the years we have heard about crew quarters being redesigned in an attempt to accommodate more staff.

 

Mjflowers: Yes -- sometimes people in upper suites get some special privileges. This definitely does not occur all of the time. When I compare Regent to Oceania and what I have sometimes called the "class system" on Oceania I am looking at things like special areas where only the concierge class passengers can go (Concierge Lounge) or the Executive Lounge where only PH and above can go. There is also the pre-boarding issue (generally the very top suites can board at 11:00 a.m, PH at noon and so on. When we were going to embark on the ship, there were special lines for the different classes. Also, anyone with a alcohol package has to put their key cards on the table during dinner. This clearly identifies what suite you are in by color of the card and what is imprinted on the card. With Regent, should anyone see your card, they would know approximately how many nights you have on Regent -- nothing else. In the case of a couple in a Master Suite being able to dine in a specialty restaurant without reservations, I would think that most passengers would not have noticed this "special treatment" just as I cannot imagine that anyone would notice that we get 2 reservations in each of the four specialty restaurants but can get additional reservations at any time.

 

Need to comment on the the differences in cleaning on this ship. I see the keyboard in the Exec. Lounge (which I go to because it is half the walking distance from my suite) frequently. We notice upholstered furniture being steam cleaned all of the time. As mentioned, this ship is going into dry dock April 15th. When I learned that, I looked closely at everything. Perhaps there are a couple of areas that could use new carpeting but you have to be looking to notice it. This ship looks as good now as when we were on her 18 months ago.

 

Mosquito issue -- thanks for mentioning it. We are definitely using repellent when we go ashore and still do not plan on going ashore tomorrow in St Barts (we have been there before -- like it very much but do not want to risk being bitten by the mosquito's that seem to enjoy biting in the middle of the day).

 

Quite surprised to hear what corporate says about the Navigator. Also wonder if the person answering the phone is from Regent or a newbie from NCL as I have not heard this statement about the Navigator - ever. There are passengers who prefer the Navigator to Regent's other ships but I cannot imagine her being their "prized possession". Rather, she is the beautiful problem child that has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars (probably millions by now) to keep up. Her 1950's hull has been a consistent issue for the Navigator. Sounds like a new "corporate line" to me.

 

There is a "cartoon" NCL ship in port along with another giant ship (Royal Caribbean). We were forced to dock elsewhere. We now are a 10 minute taxi%2

For those that have traveled on board Regent many times, I am hoping to receive some helpful tips on dining reservations. We were allowed only one restaurant reservation for Prime7 online once our cruise was confirmed. When is the most opportune time to book additional reservations. Much different now that when it was Radisson.

No ! We have a steamer and it was taken out of my husband's suitcase on our last cruise. This was the 1st time it was taken on our 6 other cruises this year, our 2nd cruise on this ship. WE did retrieve it on the last morning. Cruising again next month on same ship and will try to take it again.

If you send things to be pressed, they are not pressed, they are steamed- not the same. We have also used Downey's Wrinkle Out. You spray it on and wait, most wrinkles disappear.

We are departing on the Navigator mid-March. I just bought a travel garment steamer just for the purpose of freshening-up our wrinkled or worn but not dirty clothing. I see the post stating that their travel steamer was removed from their luggage. Was this on Regent? I know that Regent has free laundry machines but I also know from past experience that these machines are very popular and we don't wish to spend our cruise watching our clothes dry or having to iron. Any tips or suggestions are much appreciated.

I am not a happy cruiser right now. I received an email confirmation from our TA yesterday that detailed our paid in full status but also detailed the excursions we have booked. I noticed a couple of the previously confirmed excursions were missing as were the wait- listed excursion. I went on to the RSSC web site and sure enough, two excursions we has previously been confirmed on were now showing as wait-listed and the one wait listed excursion was now not even showing up as confirmed or wait-listed. Now this is the same TA that sent us an email last week asking us if we wanted to "downgrade" from a concierge suite to a window cabin and receive a $2850 refund. Very insulting! It was everything I had in me to hold back with respect to my real feelings. I responded to my TA stating the "missing" excursions were probably an oversight however, adding the insult of a downgrade to missing excursions was certainly not giving me the "6-Star Luxury" experience I was expecting. Maybe the fault lies with Regent or maybe the TA but either way it will better be corrected! Has anyone experienced this with Regent and were you satisfied with the outcome?

I am not a happy cruiser right now. I received an email confirmation from our TA yesterday that detailed our paid in full status but also detailed the excursions we have booked. I noticed a couple of the previously confirmed excursions were missing as were the wait- listed excursion. I went on to the RSSC web site and sure enough two excursions we has previously been confirmed on were now showing as wait-listed and the one wait listed excursion was now not even showing up as confirmed or wait-listed. Now this is the same TA that sent us an email last week asking us if we wanted to "downgrade" from a concierge suite to a window cabin and receive a $2850 refund. Very insulting! It was everything I had in me to hold back with respect to my real feelings. I responded to my TA stating the "missing" excursions were probably an oversight however, adding the insult of a downgrade to missing excursions was certainly not giving me the "6-Star Luxury" experience I was expecting. Maybe the fault lies with Regent or maybe the TA but either way it will better be corrected! Has anyone experienced this with Regent and were you satisfied with the outcome?

nanook21: Good to see you on the boards again. Sorry you missed the upgrade offer.

 

Although I love sharing information with other CC members on the boards, this is one area I shy away from. I learned about upsells from our TA which is yet another reason to use TA's that are familiar with Regent. While it is reported that only 5% of Regent cruisers read CC, that would be 35 people from your cruise that would love to get that same upgrade on your cruise (many times there are a only handful of suites available). So, call me selfish, but I generally prefer to give general rather than specific information on upsells. To each his own -- just like to keep the odds a bit more in my favor.

Travelcat, we were recently offered a "downsell" by our TA. Regent offered us approx. $2,850 to downgrade from Concierge Suite to a Window Suite. I was insulted. Apparently there are waitlists for the concierge suite so why wouldn't Regent offer an upsell?

Thank you Travelcat. I always enjoy reading your posts. I am a "newbie" to CC and no, the term doesn't offend me. My better-half always comments that I research too much but that is what an engineering mind does. We are always trying new venues whether it be an all inclusive resort, a mega cruiser or private yacht. I really miss the luxury cruise experience we were blessed to have on the Mariner when it was Radisson. Judging from the posts, much has changed and most, not for the better. We are traveling with a couple that has never cruised before so it should be fun and relaxing. Emphasis on relaxing. I am a coffee snob so having a good cup of Joe in the morning is something that I really look forward to. I will continue to bombard Regent management for a response on my "coffee questions". We will see.

I'm not looking to get into it with you but you need to be aware of a few things...

 

For as many years as I can remember, the coffee on Regent has been awful...for sure it'a always been on the bottom of their list..

 

Just so you know, we, as well as many others we know, both on this cruise as well as all before have complained about the coffee. There has never to my knowledge been any sort of response..However, on this cruise, they gave us the survey about 5-6 days in the 21 day sailing. I wrote my questions and that was the last of it....with one exception...The CD, Lorraine, our favorite, called to thank me for applauding the particular shows I thought were really good.

 

Not a word from Regent about the coffee complaint or about the oatmeal that tasted metallic and was not really edible. Maybe I should bring my own oatmeal as well.

 

However, when talking to a Manager to make a reservation, he dialed up my cabin and showed me where they noted on the screen that I did not like the coffee or oatmeal, and asked if it got any better.

Point is, they know who you are and treat you according to your status with them on board, but no communication from Regent....during or after...nor have they ever responded in the past. p.s....I did get my reservation. ;)

Rather than squabbling the important thing is to try to persuade Regent to improve their coffee beans. It is all very well reporting it on board and in the end of cruise questionnaire which we have done many times but without any effect. Somehow Regent must address the issue. After all very much all of those subscribing to this thread agree that the coffee is poor, and although we may be only a minority of those sailing on Regent we are a high sample and I suspect most of the silent majority would agree with us.

Let us all see what we can do to persuade Regent by writing to them, as I have done but so far without any response.

Rather than wait until after our cruise to complain (when the damage is already done), I have emailed Regent management stating the hundreds of coffee quality complaints (and many complaints regarding the quality of food preparation and service) I have read on CC are giving me reasons to question whether we made the right choice for our Navigator cruise scheduled to depart on March 18th. I reminded them that Regent is classed as a "Luxury Cruise Line" and we expect Regent to live up to their claim. We sailed on the Mariner in 2001 when it was under the ownership of Radisson and we are hoping the same "level of quality and service" has remained. We will see what if any response I receive.

The pics are wonderful Computerworks! We depart on the Navigator three weeks from tomorrow for 10-nights. Your photos really give us an insight as to the great areas aboard the ship to explore.

In November my wife and I were waitlisted on the Champagne and Lobster Catamaran excursion in St. John's, Antigua. We booked it about a month out. A couple days after embarking in miami we cleared the waitlist.

Hope you do to as it is a lovely excursion! We are currently on the Navigator and are enjoying the ship and crew tremendously!

Thank you Vita. Hope you have a wonderful cruise experience. We are booked for March 18th aboard the Navigator. We cruised Alaska on the Mariner in 2001 when it was Radisson. Looking forward to a smaller venue and comparing the difference in ownership.

Has anyone experienced being on the wait list for an excursion with Regent? We are in a concierge suite however we booked our cruise after the cut-off date for priority booking for excursions and found the champagne and lobster catamaran sail is booked. We are on the wait list and wonder if there is the possibility of others cancelling or if Regent will book a second excursion due to high demand?

We are departing on the Regent Navigator next month with another couple. The concierge suites allow early bookings for excursions however we booked our cruise after the early booking cutoff date. We attempted to book the champagne & lobster catamaran cruise but found it was completely filled and we were placed on a wait list. Has anyone experienced this and can you tell me if Regent will contract a duplicate excursion if enough passengers are on the wait list? Thank you.

Thank you Travelcat2. Very detailed list. We are on the RSSC Navigator next month and cannot wait.

Also if anyone can list the bourbon choices provided on the Navigator. Thanks.

Does anyone know if the Navigator offers Crown XR or other premium blended whiskeys?