lastchamp64

We cruised on the Splendor out of Miami this past March and were very pleased with the InterContinental on Biscayne Bay that we were placed in. As for the transfers, I do have to agree. It was a complete cluster mess with packed buses, late buses, and just total disorganization. Part of the confusion and late buses may be in part because when we were there the World Baseball Classic was also taking place and many of the players (mostly MLB players) were also staying at our hotel. We kept hearing the excuses that the chartered buses were transporting the players first. After our bus was 1 1/2 hours late and sitting around in the lobby, we ended up Ubering over to the port.

I just got off the Splendor a few days ago (3/11-3/21) and cannot say I saw a problem with people not adhering to the dress codes. I'm not saying the OP didn't witness it, and perhaps I really wasn't looking, but from the restaurants to the lounges and everything in between I didn't see jeans in the evening. I will say this though, there are a few guys (ok all) that should pass on the Speedos, and there are some of the ladies that should also pass on the bikinis on the pool deck. As a first-timer with Regent that was the only area of the ship that was sore on the eyes for me. 🤣

We are first-time cruisers with Regent and will be on the Splendor at the end of this week in a penthouse suite (March 11th). We have all our excursions booked. We booked our three restaurant reservations. And we have booked two of the cooking classes. Having said all that, what are the onboard experiences not booked in advance that you all would recommend doing once we embark on the ship? If there are activities to book would I be correct to assume it would be the reception desk? We are really looking forward to this cruise and appreciate any opinions shared.

I was vaccinated with both shots (pre booster days) and got covid a month later. I received my first booster last year and got covid again 6 weeks later. I got my last booster the end of November (2022) and will be on the Splendor in 7 days if all goes well. I'm not taking it for granted and hope I make it on and off this ship healthy, a little less wealthy (lol), and hopefully a little wiser.

In a dollars and cents way, no it is not worth it. But I still do it. Why? I love knowing that I have an outstanding chance to get a cabana at Castaway Cay. I can know that I will get all the tastings I want. I know that I can book Palo and Remy multiple times with no worries(no limit in concierge). I can get private seating or requests in the MDRs if I choose. I get early access to the theatre for the shows. I won't miss out on any Port Excursions I want. I don't have to stay up until 12:00 midnight for an early boarding time since I'll enjoy priority boarding and disembarkation; the same is true for any bookings or activities on or off the ship. The lounge is very nice and I do enjoy a few snacks and adult drinks in the evening. I enjoy the private concierge area on the deck and also just a few feet away from the adult-only area. And lastly, the concierge team is outstanding. So money wise it may not be worth it compared to some other cruise lines. But Disney sure has a way of making an already magical time on a Disney Cruise just a bit more magical when in concierge.

Thank you for sharing at length your recent Disney cruise on the Dream. I enjoyed it immensely and will be certain to follow some of your other reports. I was on the sailing just after you. It was my second Disney cruise. I have to agree with you about Animators Palate; It is my least favorite of the rotational dining. To be honest though for me, I must be some kind of a food snob because I was not a big fan on my first cruise on the Fantasy with the MDR food or service. But then again, perhaps since it was my first time with DCL my expectations were unrealistically high. We did love Palo and Remy though. For this cruise on the Dream, it was just my wife and me and we ended up booking a concierge suite so that with it being only a 5-night cruise we booked Palo Dinner twice, Palo brunch once, and Remy twice. I did have an OBC from my TA and a bunch of reward points from my Disney Visa, so we did splurge. I see that you had a late flight out for the return home. The only bad part of our cruise was the return home. We had a 1:30 flight home from Miami with a connecting flight in Philadelphia to Cleveland. Our flight was 3 hours late departing from Miami, we missed our connection and were not able to get a flight home and were stuck in a horrible hotel that AA put us up in until the next morning. We did book another cruise with Disney in April 2024 on the Fantasy with my wife again and my 25-year-old daughter. She will be graduating from college this fall with a master's in finance and of all the things to do, she wants to go back on a Disney Cruise. Prior to that cruise though we will be leaving in less than three weeks on our first cruise with Regent Seven Seas on the Splendor out of Miami for 10 nights. Again, thanks for sharing your recent cruise with Disney. Here is a picture of the Dream we took from the cabana on Castaway Cay we were in.

It's a little late to ask this, but what are the thoughts and opinions of the suites on deck 14 on the Splendor? My wife and I will be staying in a penthouse suite (1406) doing a Miami to Miami 10 night cruise on March 11th. This is our first Regent cruise and really looking forward to this much needed time away from it all.

I really can't speak for the Marriott hotels since I prefer IHG hotels and earn my points; But I can tell you the Brickell area is a great area to stay. There are so many excellent restaurants in the area and some really good shopping as well in Brickell City Centre. That and it's a very quick Uber or cab to the port.

You will be able to make one reservation for each of the three specialty restaurants on the Splendor online.

It could be worse, you could be a Browns fan. I've been saying, "Just wait until next year" since 1964 and counting. LOL

No need to apologize. The package will be charged to your source of payment that you are using while onboard along with any excursions or anything else that you may purchase on the ship. Enjoy your cruise, you will love sailing with DCL.

Fair enough, and point well taken. I'll rephrase it and say that from what I have seen of the Wish, it would not interest me to spend the extra money on the Wish if I were to spend 7 nights out on the open sea on say the Fantasy over 4 days (or even 7) on the open sea on the Wish, itineraries removed. Again, I'm not criticizing the Wish, I'm sure it is a very nice ship. I'm sure there are those on here that would say they hate the Dream & Fantasy (Both which I love).

I'm not going to speak negatively about the Wish, I have not been on it yet. But for the price I would much rather spend it on the Fantasy for example with a much better itinerary and for at least 7 nights for about the same money as the Wish. The Wish is the shiny new toy and is so expensive right now because of that. Maybe I'm biased because I love the Fantasy.

The unlimited photo package is good for the entire cruise starting from day one. For booking purposes it is broken down by days and at times it may show sold out for a specific day. If this happens to you say for day one, no worries, you are all good. You also only need to book it for the primary person and everyone that is attached to that room can use their key card to take photo opportunities and will be linked to your package. You will not need separate packages.

If your asking is it worth it based on the money alone, then no. But if you put value in priority boarding, priority seating at the shows, priority disembarkment, enjoying a few (or more) glasses of wine, beer or cocktails in the concierge lounge, exclusive sun deck area, continental breakfasts, snacks and dessert throughout the day, guaranteed seating reservations if done in advance long enough for the adults only restaurants while the kids are in one of the kids clubs, or an excellent chance to get a cabana on Castaway Cay, then it is worth it. I myself don't do 3 night cruises, but after doing concierge with Disney it's the only way I'll go and just booked another cruise with Disney for 4/2024 in concierge on the Fantasy.