Pack Leader

On Voyager in May. I regularly check the website and all but the largest suites are available. Just wondering if this is normal or whether we are likely to sail under capacity. Obviously anything can change at short notice. Thought the Greece/Turkey itinerary would be popular although perhaps those living in the States would prefer this itinerary in the hotter weather later into Summer, whereas we are trying to avoid the Summer heat. Anyone sailing under capacity on their cruise at the moment?

It seemed fair, like his other reviews. I think he seems to be of a similar mind to me in his outlook and expectations - neither to high nor too low so i always favour his opinion as relevant to me. Overall he was very impressed. The entertainment and daytime activities were weak but i expect that on a small ship compared to the resort type ships. He has in the past explained that the extras on other lines can make a proper all inclusive line not that much more expensive. The included tours seem to have come out particularly, well which was perhaps surprising, so looking forward to our booked included shore excursions. Look forward to his further review videos on Regent. He has booked with them again!

On 3/6/2023 at 7:21 PM, jeb_bud said:

What is your embarkation date?  We’re on the May 14 cruise. 

Same date on Voyager, Piraeus to Istanbul 

Thank you for your list of initial thoughts Yankeeeclipper1. Going on our first Regent cruise in May for wedding anniversary on Voyager, chosen for its Greek intensive itinerary. Very useful tips for first time Regent cruisers. Have printed out to show my wife. Can’t wait for May!

On 2/21/2023 at 10:05 PM, Stefken said:

It appears we may not see the last episodes of this series for a while.  Channel 5 decided to change their current  Friday night programming schedule, RSSC are

Waiting  for confirmation of the new broadcast time.

 

I think we’ll probably have been on the Splendor  (March 21st) by the time it’s shown, so we’ll have  had our own experiences of the ship. If it’s anything like our Marner and Explorer cruises,  I’m sure we’ll enjoy everything.

Interesting. I was wondering what had happened to the schedule. How they can not complete a short series in consecutive weeks is beyond me!

For context just watched The Cruise, following Virgin Scarlett Lady, narrated by Sheridan Smith, currently on its second series on UK TV. Oh dear! Makes me think of Benidorm at sea. Completely cringeworthy 

I wondered what had happened to the next episode but found I could download it. Really, this should have been the first episode. Much more professional. Behind the scenes with food, entertainment team. No cringing this episode. Recommended 

We complained about having no free sunbeds available on Princess as they were all reserved with books and towels and they sent a member of staff who went round clearing all the unoccupied beds of personal belongings. If I encounter this on my upcoming Regent cruise I will ask someone to clear the reserved beds

Well yesterday’s programme was a bit less cringeworthy and actually gave a little bit of insight into Regent as a cruise line. Hopefully the next few shows will gradually improve and help differentiate RSSC from other cruise lines and highlight the ship, dining, shore excursions etc and move away from being a soap opera, like the first episode.

Will watch the next episode from behind a cushion.

No Greece in May. Yes, the previous series, with John was much better insight into Regent. Must be a different producer on this series. Looked like a Ghost ship. 

Still looking forward to our first Regent cruise, but will not be doing any crafting.

Ha! Forgot the Origami

Oh dear. Did not portray Regent in a good light. Felt embarrassed that we had told friends to watch it given we are booked. Spent too much time focusing on trainee host and showed guests playing Bingo and Hoopla during an enforced sea day. Failed to show off the restaurant’s and bars, food etc. Friends may wonder why we are paying so much for our cruise when we could enjoy parlour games on P&O. (Have been there, done that). All too happy to join in with quizzes, lectures, cooking demonstrations etc and I am not being a snob but I hope next weeks episode highlights the things that Regent offers, above its completion. Yes I saw the Versace plates and the Oslo trip organised for the suite guests and it was impressive. Preferred the previous cruise series.

Agree with everything said by the others here regarding the cruise and would add some further details - my wife’s main disappointment was that of the plus package Chardonnay wines, three listed, one unavailable - Decoy, said to be due to a promised delivery at Southampton on embarkation not arriving and a replacement Italian Chardonnay being added, which my wife felt was a very poor Chardonnay. We then had to purchase some additional cost glasses of wine that fall within the premier package.

I would also concur with embarkation at Southampton being very slick and very quick. I would imagine the reason the cases had to be outside at 8 pm was due to the fact that there were limited numbers of staff and some staff duties were probably doubled up, as described above, certainly our cabin steward said that he would be arranging the luggage delivery on embarkation which is not his usual role. Shop floor staff should be applauded but on ship upper management and head office management need to look at their decisions closely and reflect on what improvements can be made in the future.

Penultimate day queued 20 minutes at 7.45pm for Santorini. This morning queued 15 minutes for final breakfast, in Capri. Service slow but we know they are understaffed

About 8.15pm

2 hours ago, Cash123 said:

Here in the Uk there has been a program over 8 weeks about VV,called The Cruise I watched the 1st episode and thought no not for me, a lot of the staff just seemed very unprofessional and not sure if the program did Virgin any good or not.

Agreed 100% with you on that 

On 8/10/2022 at 2:05 PM, villauk said:

 

Let us know if you are able to use Santorini dining room as I’m sure QueenieA reported that it was only open to suite guests on their sailing.

Yes Santorini open. Suite and Club right side Dine my way left side entrance. Staff obviously more experienced and v attentive. Queued 30 mins to enter however. Still not included on list on Patter. Friend told this cruise was close to being cancelled due to low staff numbers however cannot believe that - they would have only needed to cancel a few hundred pax to rebalance the numbers.

V windy today. Going home to warmer temperatures than our cruise destinations seems weird!

13 hours ago, johnnylikely said:

Let us know what you think of VV

Whilst their food is exquisite and staff are perkier, they don't come close to the more established lines in many respects

Have watched several YouTube videos on VV. Just not my cup of tea, bit too Ibiza for me. They have their market though and I reckon they will do well if they don't try to have too many ships, as it may be a bit niche.

18 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

I like your solution.

Instead of waiting to hear back from the F&B, drink what you like instead of settling for the substitute-swill they expect to you accept, and ask for an adjustment after the fact.

Additional charges are starting to appear for the wine which is above our Plus package.

So today, wandering around the ship we ventured into Santorini MDR and found they are open from 5.30pm and had been from 2 days into the cruise. No announcement has been made and Santorini does not appear on Princess Patter! Talk about poor communication. We think this ship is a reflection of the management on board and will report such when we are home. Will try Santorini tonight. 

5 Skies production a technological marvel but overall not the most entertaining show. Rock Opera on last night. Was good last time on Sky.

Evening theatre last night was Phil Tufnell. V funny, even though I do not like Cricket. Had the audience in stitches. La Coruna today. Not much to write home about. Back on board afternoon just 2 hours. Have our disembarkation notes today. A bit early! 2 days before 

Chased Guest Services for update. They said case was on file but closed because we had been sent a bottle of wine. She reopened the case as we explained we had now docked twice and wanted an update to let us know if any further stocks had been loaded.

1 hour ago, villauk said:

Thanks for the information posted above. I’ll take a note of the Syrah you mentioned if there isn’t any Malbec on offer 😉 . What’s the mask and Covid situation onboard, many cases being reported? 

Tini Syrah from Sicily from memory