MalbecWine

Meaningless to some but important to others in selecting a cruise line. Only seven were listed in the report I saw.  Regent was number five.

I hope TC will attend some of the shows on her upcoming cruise on Crystal.  Crystal does spend a lot of money on talent for sure.  Don’t miss the Magic Castle show it is amazing and limited seating so be sure to go to the library to pick up tickets the first day in the library at no cost.

4 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

Bill, OK but if you take the socks off one would hope you at least you would use some of your OBC for a Pedicure, and yes even dressed like that I'd meet you and have a drink at the bar.  On this last cruise yes we saw jeans after 6 around the ship and in the dining rooms----and no they were not designer jeans (yes, Levi's was the brand on some).

On a Regent cruise before this last one they had a bridge club and all 35+ guest had lanyards on most of the time, and yes we had lunch a few times with a very nice couple----really it's not a big deal to us.  

 

I idea is to forget what other people thing and enjoy your cruise after all it's your time to relax and have fun within reason😁

 

I agree with you.  If a celebration is going on at a table in Compass Rose why should they be relegated to their room to have cocktails or dinner there?  Let those people have a night to celebrate a holiday or special occasion.  If we were seated close by we would raise a glass of something and toast them.  We have met some really nice people during their celebrations.  Some have party gifts to the guests and some might be wearing something flashing or the dreaded lanyards from a group of bridge players.  If the party is dressed to Regent standards at dinner who cares what they adorn as fun jewelry flashing or not.  If it bothers someone sit elsewhere.

9 hours ago, czardas said:

 

Oh lighten up a little, perhaps these people were doing something outrageous, like celebrating and having fun, on a trip of a lifetime . Good for them and hopefully they didn’t hear from stuffed shirts that they were the “joke of the cruise”.   I hope they’re on my trip and I will join them with my lanyard. Oh what fun we will have!

I doubt you will see lanyards on Crystal and it certainly would not in the least bother us.  Now some people during holidays including Carnival or Mardi Gras or Australian day may adorn some fun things to celebrate.  None of this would bother us.  

The reason lanyards are worn on mass market and premium lines is they have to show their card at bars and shops constantly.  On the luxury lines you don’t.

9 hours ago, czardas said:

 

You are as young as you feel.  Age today is just a number.  Tick that bucket list off.

We have tried the impossible burger and meat loaf.  Three restaurants that are very popular have introduced these items.  Actually the burger was very good and only 250 calories including the plant based bun.  What you put on it of course will increase the calories.  It looks like a burger and tastes like one.  The bean burgers are messy and taste does not resemble a hamburger.  This is great for vegans and glucose diets.

They will introduce this in stores later this year.  We have tried the Boca Burger which you can find in major supermarkets and they are awful.

We also love the avocado toast as well. 

We were not passed out any I-94 forms on our last flight a few months ago from LHR.  Go figure and no customs agent asked for them.   

Just an FYI.  Landing cards have been done away with for a few years out of most of Europe to the US.

We absolutely use the concierge service to whisk us through LHR.  Terminal 5 can be a nightmare.  We use Emirates as much as we can.  Far superior to British or American Airlines.  

Anyway, thanks for the interesting posts on the river cruise.  I think we will pass on them as we have been to many of these places on land vacations.  We will stick to Crystal’s ocean ships for sure.

OMG, you are right about the Crab Shack.  Eat a light breakfast or just have juice or coffee before heading out. We stuffed ourselves there and the crab is to die for.  You can’t get any fresher crab.

We continue to enjoy your photos.

Not seeing any other guests in the photos.  You must have been the first to board.

12 minutes ago, nancygp said:

 

I'm not aware of crystal doing something similar...can you elaborate or tell me where I can find this info.  The only thing that I'm aware of with crystal, something they've been doing since I started cruising with them, a 2.5% early full pay discount when you pay in full 6 months prior to sailing. And 9 months  prior to sailing starting in 2020.  Your payment is refundable up until when the penalties kick in.  This is very different than this new regent incentive.

 

Nancy

I think Drib  posted about the fares.  I maybe be wrong.

That is what we buy.  Amazon has an array of Sambal and other spicy sauces with habaneros and ghost peppers.  Very hot and use sparingly.

I’m fairly sure a CC would suffice but the rules of these fares would be agreeing to the terms and conditions of the cruise line.  If you cancel you will have no recourse.

Wendy, you bring up some good points.  It’s certainly a risk.  I think Crystal is doing something similar.  

13 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

He/she is beautiful!

 

In terms of hot sauce, my favorite is Sambal (an Indonesian hot sauce).  Regent carries it and I suggest that you ask and give it a try.  

Sambal is a great sauce with flavor and spice.  I now buy it at our grocery store and it does not hide the flavor of your food.

20 minutes ago, Silver Spectre said:

7pm is not late, it’s only just after tea time. If you wish to eat early either cruise on a mass market line or stay at home.😎

Other luxury lines have earlier times like 6:15 not just mass market lines.  Some people are not into tea times or the maybe coming back from a late arriving tour with no lunch.  A bit earlier would be better for the crew as well.  IMHO

Since long haul flights were mentioned here.  Be sure to buy compression socks or stockings to avoid DVT (deep vein thrombosis). This hinders the swelling in your legs and feet and helps avoid dangerous blood clots.

First of all it’s not all about the five foot waves and having a six pack captains license for years.  The other thing that can hamper any vessel is wind, current and anchor not be able to set and it drags the bottom.  Sometimes a ship will use side thrusters but in some cases the current is strong also tide changes come into play.  Boarding a tender in some of these conditions can be daunting and dangerous.  The captain will make a safe decision.

You are correct.  SS is not for us and other luxury line sailors.  Two times was enough for us.  We will vote with our wallet.

Four mandatory venues having strict dress codes is too many for any luxury line.  So one is is only relegated to Pizza or room service if they are in smart casual country club attire.  This will all change down the road as the older guests stop sailing.  Silversea needs to at least meet what other luxury lines are doing.having two SS cruises under our belt and boy was it a dead ship around 9:30 pm.  It was a ghost ship.  Nothing much to do during sea days and abysmal entertainment at night.  A total lack of enrichment programs and average food.  No changes were allowed for some of our meals.  As our waiter boldly told us.  “it is what it is.”  What?  Never on Crystal, Seabourn, Regent have we heard this.  Buyer be aware other lines that will meet and exceed your expectations.

Funny, I am a hot sauce freak and we also keep and take Siracha with us when we travel.  Try if you dare Ghost Pepper hot sauce just a tiny bit bit will blow you away.  I doubt any cruise line carries ghost peppers.  I collect hot sauces and many can be found on Amazon.

As Wendy mentioned it is worth the time to go to Ubud which is in the the north and much cooler due to elevation.  We have stayed at two fantastic hotels there.  The Four Seasons and the new Ritz Carlton are fantastic.  Denpasar is more for the beaches and partying night life.

1 hour ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

I'm not looking forward to this, but will engineer myself an outfit that works (might shop for it in Kampong Glam, the old arab district in Singapore, where there are amazing women's dress shops.  (If it hadn't been for the unrelenting heat, we would have considered re-locating there for a few years, a decade ago or so. I cope with the heat by heading inside to a/c frequently, walking in the shade, and drinking lots of iced coffee, or kopi, which seems to be the national drink.

 

As for prescription drugs, we here in Ontario can apply for a 'vacation supply' for up to 6 months.  We do this already every year when we 'migrate south' to Florida.  

 

I think the consensus is in, that both 2020 and 2021 WCers are enjoying HotRoot's contributions, thank you very much.

We have met many expats who love living in Singapore.  We also considered moving there for a few years.  We can cope with the heat as we live in Florida but we have nice mild winters here.  As you say iced drinks or kopi does the trick and AC is a abundant everywhere including the botanical gardens.  One is only a few hours away from Australia, New Zealand and all of Asia.  We visited Indian town and had the best food outside of India and also the Maylaysian area very nice.  One mall we visited put American malls to shame they had everything  you could think of.

Singapore does not have any natural resources everything is imported from around the world.  Singapore is a very modern city but with all the parks and gardens it just did not feel like it.  Wonderful restaurants and night life adorn this island.  Can’t wait to go back.

3 hours ago, HotRoot said:

 

But, I think they asked for my opinion and that is what I gave - my opinion.  The main reason I did not like Agra and Jaipur was all of the men peeing on the street.  I do not think that is something that should be done in public.  We did not have that in the coastal cities.  They did not even have the urinals on the streets.  I assume that is a central Indian thing.  Did not know that until we went to the coastal cities.  Was happy to learn it is not an Indian thing. 

We know people who did the sand dunes in Luxor, Dubai, and Oman.  They all said Dubai was the best.  We only did one spot so cannot comment. 

I cannot count how many churches, temples, mosques, nunneries, etc. we have been to.  In Marbella the guide apologized because the church was closed.  The group told him we did not care.  We are finished with all of the above. 

Having never been to Singapore and no intentions of returning, I would have appreciated more time there. 

And as for more threads, I am the only person posting on the current World Cruise.  When we disembark, I will stop posting.  It is easier for me if you only have one thread until I leave the ship.  At that time I will no longer read or post on the Regent boards.  

I for one have appreciated your posts and I am sure others as well.

We love Singapore its the heat and humidity that can be a bit bothersome.  We find Singapore and it is well noted in many travel guides the cleanest and safest in the world.  Singapore is a melting pot of people from all over the world.  We visited the orchid gardens, the bird park and of of course were able to sample all types of world cuisine.  Even street food stalls are safe to eat at as they must maintain an A rating or they close them.  Shopping is a paradise and everyone is friendly and helpful.  Our first trip there we had a private guide for the day who took us to places we would have never known about.

Singapore airlines has the best airline in the world and it shows if you ever fly them.  The cabin crew reflects how Singaporeans are.