wishIweretravelling

You may get wait listed on some excursions, but it’s rare not to get eventually get the excursion once you’re on the wait list. Of course, I am speaking pre-covid, so staffing excursions might be an issue. But if things have gotten closer to normal by January, you stand a good chance.

The differentiation from mass market comes down to fewer people on the excursion. Most of the time. I’ve noticed the excursions are more crowded on Regent since the re-start. I’m told it’s because of problems with tour operators getting sufficient qualified and trained staff.

I’ve been on Mariner, Explorer, and Navigator since the re-start and saw spin bikes on all of them. But no spin classes listed. On Explorer, the gym was not staffed at all other than basics done by the spa staff (the trainer had a hiccup with his visa), so there were no classes at all. On Mariner and Navigator, there was only one person staffing the gym, so classes were basic. As they build up staff I expect we’ll start to see more classes (and more variety of classes) scheduled.

Concierge and above get access to restaurant booking 90 days in advance, as opposed to 75 for others. I don't think that named suites get any earlier access, but I could be mistaken on that. Passengers with silver status or above in the loyalty program (i.e., 21+ nights on Regent) also get the 90-day access. In addition, if your cruise is a segment of a grand voyage, or if two back to back cruises were combined and marketed as one cruise, the people starting at the beginning of that grand voyage or the first part of the back to back can also book dining for the later segment(s) of the cruise, and so could get in ahead as well. That being said, you still should have no problem getting reservations. Two-tops at the most popular times (7:00 and 7:30) tend to sell out first, but if you are willing to take a shared table and/or a less popular time, you'll have more options. BTW, the default setting on the booking engine is 2-top, so if you're willing to share, be sure to switch to shared. You'll see a lot more choices.

The Observation Lounge on Explorer and Splendor (and presumably Grandeur) is forward-facing. The only ship without a forward-facing lounge is Navigator.

I've done a couple of Grand Voyages on Regent (and a world cruise on Crystal). Yes, you get bored with repeat shows. Unfortunately, the live music in the lounges stops for the 45 minutes that the show is on, so that would not be the time to explore other music venues. But there's always music somewhere before and after. Yes, I've found camaraderie among "full cruisers," and enjoyed meeting people who join for segments. However, I understand that, starting with 2023, Regent has sold out the world cruise on full cruisers alone, and is not planning to sell segments. That will be an interesting experience. I'm signed on for 2024.

On a few occasions, when we've approached the maitre d' desk for Compass Rose, we've been offered the option of a specific alternative restaurant. I think they might do this when CR is a bit rushed but the alternative restaurant is below capacity. Also, once on Explorer, we'd actually been seated in CR (to start a shared table) when we were asked if wanted to go to Pacific Rim instead. Seems there was a couple there who really wanted to share a table, and the head waiter figured we'd be good candidates. We have had a great evening with a wonderful couple.

The also can be useful in keeping the airline honest. Too often they are vague (at best) about your luggage's location.

These. The sale is off--I guess it was yesterday only. https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MX542AM-A-AirTag-Pack/dp/B0932QJ2JZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=38VJZXPFGUYRO&keywords=apple+air+tags&qid=1657810491&sprefix=%2Caps%2C53&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQlRESVpWR0g5VDFOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzgxMTQwM0JRTDJQRVZER1JBMCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA4NDI2MlA2NzlBMlVIR1E2MiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Amazon has the apple tags on prime day sale today for $10 off.

A neighbor to the north horning in here. On a Navigator cruise in 2018, they did a "where are you from?" party. They assigned different venues on the ship for people from designated areas to meet and mingle. Some U.S. states (e.g., Florida, New York) had their own groups, others were combined. Some meetings comprised entire countries (Australia, UK). The Carolinas had the Navigator Lounge--between the two states there were enough of us. I'd love to see them do that again. But first, I guess they have to bring back the block parties.

And, actually, most of the excursions are included. Depending on the port and the operator(s), I've often found the included ones to be as good as or better than the ones you pay extra for.

I have found that, on some days, the wait for a human is interminable. On other days, I get right through with little or no wait time. Don't call on Mondays or the day after a holiday.

What they said. And, yes, you pick your boarding time during this process.

Navigator has a small dressing table in addition to the desk, with a large mirror with LED lighting and a small makeup mirror that isn't lighted. This is in the regular balcony cabins. Named suites may have some other arrangement.

Thank you for the detailed summary. We'll be visiting some of those ports this fall, and you've whetted my appetite for them. I agree that the spa is overpriced, and the pushing of products obnoxious. That's a new thing--I had not encountered that on Regent previously, but this new operator seems to have free rein to completely flout the Regent culture.

I did that one on a 2018 cruise, and loved it. In fact, we are going to that port again in 2023, and I plan to take that same excursion again.

I’m sure it’s allowed. Regent is not one to restrict things like that. I’ve just never seen it done. The Vero water is ultra-filtered so is probably lower in microbes than most bottled waters, many of which have been found (at least in the past) to contain more bacteria than the tap water in several major cities.

Regent provides a shuttle at some ports, usually where the city center is fairly close but not an easy walking distance. Sometimes it’s the port that provides the shuttle. Sometimes, as mentioned above, the taxi union is strong and no shuttle is provided. When the main city of attraction is a distance away there is often an “on your own” included excursion offered. This is where a bus leaves the ship at one designated time, drops you in a specific location in the city, and then picks you up there at a designated time. It differs from a shuttle because it doesn’t go back and forth. Examples of “on your own” cities on a cruise I’m on this fall where this is the case are Rome, Florence, Berlin, and Bruges.

The group is called "solo and social travelers." It's primarily solos, but the friend that I travel with and I are always invited to join.

Is this for the included hotel night for a concierge suite?

Regent puts you up in London, and transfers you to Southampton on embarkation day. I think they use a few different hotels. Someone I know who booked a concierge for the September London to London on Splendor has The Landmark listed on their itinerary as the hotel. Regent has been known to change the hotel, sometimes at the last minute, however.

The referral bonus does not apply if the person is in the same cabin. We've tried this before, and that was the answer 🙂 Other than the hotel night, the penthouse gets you: a butler, earlier access to booking excursions and Prime 7 dining (same access as people with 21+nights in the loyalty program), coffee/espresso maker in the room, binoculars in the room, slightly upgraded toiletries, and additional wifi logins.

My experience on Grand Voyages in the past was that we attained the higher status at the beginning of the segment of the GV at which the level was reached. And, yes, we had a single booking number for the full voyage. This occurred for me in 2018. I don't know if the rules have changed since then, but I'd be surprised if they have.

Yes, the infinity pool (and all other spa amenities like sauna, experience shower, etc) are available to all passengers, regardless of cabin level or whether a treatment is scheduled. Regent doesn't state how far in advance you can book culinary classes, but I would think that January ones would be up for booking by now. I know it's not at the same time as when you can book specialty restaurants, because I booked a class for the November TA crossing on Splendor some time ago, but am not able to book specialty restaurants until August.