DeepFreeze63

"Generally" is the operative word. We now have done 21 Regent cruises and 5 or 6 have been in Concierge level and 2 0f our booked future cruises are in Concierge. Personal preferences and which ship, besides price differential, enter the decision. We did Concierge before attaining Gold level to arrive (on Regent Air) earlier than departure day and yet avoid the deviation fees. We also love both the larger verandahs for Concierge on the newer ships and E608 etc. for easy access to Deck 5 and the 5 forward elevators. The nicely soft cashmere blanket, binoculars (excellent), and shipboard phone (like a walkie-talkie) are just a bonus for us.

Stayed there 5years (i think) ago on a Regent 3-day pre-cruise excursion. The excursion was marvelous; that hotel was horrendous! I wrote a write-up on this Board upon return home. We stay ed for a few days before the Divani at the Hilton, just p the street, and loved the Hilton. Our Divani room was dark and the bath shower was designed/built such that it overflowed during use. The eating area in the basement felt like a modified swimming pool and was dangerous to walk around in. Luggage for Regent group departure was delayed an hour due to Divani. I wrote critique to regent. Yes, find another hotel if Regent allows such for excursion participants.

YES, YES, YES - there is a difference in ships! The Splendor is a magnificent ship -there is a great blog here on CC, done during the February 2020 initial sailing. However, much of what we love about Splendor is related to sea days. For the choice between the two cited cruises, I'd jump on the Splendor, even though it'll probably cost more. There is a possibility of more children on the Voyager (under 18 yrs. discount fare) but that close to the opening of school, probably not a big difference.

Lots of personal preferences involved in such a comparison! We have done 20 Regent cruises; just off the Voyager (7/30/2022) and sailed on the Explorer in February 2022. We have cruised 8 times on the Voyager (3 times in PH B) and 7 times on the Explorer (never in PH; once in Explorer Ste. but usually in Concierge). As luck would have it, we have reserved 4 future Voyager cruises (73 nights) and 2 Explorer cruises (also 73 nights). Our favorite ship, based upon our 1 TA, is the Splendor, in Concierge. But ALAS, she doesn’t go where we want to go! Recent Voyager cruises have been selected because of their itineraries. We heartily enjoyed our recent Voyager cruise but it had a lot uniquely going for it – Iceland/Greenland, special Regent 30year anniversary cruise, and also we sailed with our youngest grandson, So!!!! For us, the comparison of the ships is: · Explorer has MUCH nicer cabins. Our recent PH B cabin was “dated” (especially the bathroom)and tight on storage space for a 15-day cruise. · Voyager theater has great sight lines and can be walked through safely. Explorer theater has terrible sight lines and even after modifications the steps on ground floor present DW difficulty with the lights dimmed. · Aft lounge on Voyager is very enjoyable. We only used the Explorer’s aft infinity pool once. · We love the Explorer's light lunches in Prime7 and/or Chartreuse; much nicer than lunches in Voyager’s CR. Otherwise we expect the same Regent experience of staff service and passenger comradery.

We're vaccinated, double "boosted" and have had COVID recently (mild cases). I think that Regent was unwise to follow NCL's lead and allow unvaccinated passengers. Unvaccinated persons of Regent's demographic are demonstratively more likely to have severe symptoms rather than mild cases of the more active, younger NCL patrons. Last thing Regent (and the passengers) need is more frequent medical emergencies that disrupt itineraries.

About to go on our 4th Regent cruise of 2022. Also, my 4th non-alcoholic beverage cruise in a row due to med interference! I'm normally a Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio imbiber. Any suggestions on NA wine that I might purchase prior to embarkation?

Thanks for the info.

Bill, please input. Category: Voyager PHB 657 Reviewed By: DeepFreeze63 Mo/Yr Reviewed: 7/2022 Port/Starboard/Mid: Starboard Fwd/Mid/Aft: mid-Aft Sq Ft (if known) Cabin/Balcony: 3??/approx. 50 # Bathrooms: 1 w/ 1 sink Tub/Shower/Both/Combination: both Noise issues? none Recommend? Probably. Yes, if 3rd person is child and verandah view isn’t important day Comments/positives/negatives/concerns: Used for sofa bed (suitable for 5’10”) and comfortable with big chair removed. PHB has nice layout of bed and sitting area. Forward view blocked by tender. The cabin storage is just about adequate for 3 persons during 15 day cruise.

AMEN!

"The two pictures in post #126 were our deserts. The ever popular “popcorn sundae “ and the 14 layer chocolate cake. Both YUMMMMMY. " Our 16year-old grandson agrees! He has a "14-layer" delivered to the cabin most evenings.

Loved David's country music show and got a CD of his opera renditions

Can you bring a grandchild? Presently on the Voyager with 16 year-old grandson on his first trip outside U.S. If allowed, he would have spend the $1800 in the Regent shops buying gifts for his friends! I didn't even know that male teens used cologne and perfume - go figure!

Can no longer see the above! Visibility is about 30 yards off port side - not promising weather for arriving at our next port in Greenland.

I was on the Splendor's maiden TA cruise and had a MAGNIFICENT time! Yes there was some minor tweaks still being made - like, some walk-in closets needed the hanging racks relocated. I'll be on the Grandeur's TA maiden voyage from Barcelona to Miami where I assume she'll be christened. and she might even have a few days at sea with travel agents in Miami. So Regent will surely go to great pains to have her sparkle! Your cruise should be as close to perfect as possible.

Morning Trivia today. Observation Lounge has been jam-packed every day! We have been 1st or second every day due, I think, to lucking into a great diversity of our team members: scientist, engineer, health care professional, 2 Brits and a "professional volunteer". We have a broad range of entertainment interests with lots of previous Regent trivia experience. As noted before, Margaret Lynn runs an efficient Trivia.

What a TERRIFIC day in NUUK. We did 3 excursions on this sunny, crisp day - a panoramic of about 2 hours (town is spread out) at 7:20 AM with a school principal as a guide; a wonderful home visit and a walk-about; and the "Kayak Show". The home visit was about an hour and was hosted by a retired teacher/great-grandmother who had written the song by which Greenlandic children learn to count to 10 in Greenlandic (I need more practice or a better ear). The "Kayak Show of 1 hour should have lasted 10 minutes! But I did get to see a real woman scrape a real sealskin to make a real Inuit "kayak".

AT 8:25 could no longer see the bow of the ship from Observation Lounge!

Woke about 5 AM; looked out our window and saw - NOTHING! Peas soup fog with visibility of about 20 yards off the the ship. Then, the fog horn sounded and I remembered yesterday's iceberg and our Titanic tour in Belfast (strongly recommended BTW). Dressed in thermals, sweats, winter jacket and light gloves and light cap - warm and toasty! Tried Deck 12 but it was awash (about 1/4 inch) and fog horn at full below so off to Coffee Connection and here. Have no info YET on what day will bring ashore; should find out with 8 AM announcements from Margaret Lynn. BTW, Margaret is my favorite CR - great voice, happy soul, and terrific Trivia director.

It was a rare day for us -breakfast lunch, and dinner in CR. Driver was to stay warm as La Veranda had chilly breezes as the deck doors (near Pool Grille) opened and closed. Our opinions: - better view of the sea via large windows from Deck 4. - better pancakes in CR - better specialty items in the specialty restaurant than in CR (based upon Croque Monsieur). - better (much) dining room service now than on our February Explorer cruise. Of course, we were distracted by seeing our first iceberg of this cruise - small but still a WOW!

Having suffered through the Explorer theater on 6 or so cruises, I LOVE the Voyager theater - great sight lines, especially in the balcony; terrific acoustics, ramps on 4th deck section rather than Explore's steps. Has similar visual effects capability as the Explore has. Have greatly enjoyed the entertainment and the Speakers Series in this venue.

Terrific Speaker Series, this AM. First, "The Indispensable Man - Churchill"; second, "Narwahls". Walked all hallways in lieu of deck walk. Noticed that all laundrettes, other than on Deck 6, are still fully functional - two were in use. Deck 6 was converted to "Entertainer" cabin. Captain just announced "calm seas and 54F" now and but deteriorating weather tonight.

Just did that transfer with 3 persons and 5 big bags and 3 small bags. Wife and I are in our 80s. Arrive early (5:45 AM) at LHR and was met 1 hour later by reserved driver/van from Marble Cars (Bookings.com). Cost $217. Light traffic that morning; about 1 1/2 hour to Southampton hotel (Room2 Hometel).

I feel like my call sign - it is cold and windy! I brought thermal underwear and gloves which I am about to break out. Very interesting speakers this AM - " Young Churchill" and " Sea Birds Outside Your Window".

GM told me 534 passengers (includes guest entertainers) and 3 teenagers. 26 guests took the 2-night, overland tour to Ashford castle. Killeybegs, Republic of Ireland this morning. Interest sight, MANY wind turbines arriving for installation; a few already in the hills. Docked about 20 minute walk from town (no shuttle);lots of cabs. Cool (60s F) and windy ; Dublin and Belfast had the hottest days (almost 90) of the year when we were there earlier in this cruise!