slidebite

Good review. Glad you enjoyed your firrst Regent experience. We were also on this cruise and enjoyed it. I agree the embarkation could have been better run, although the contracted port people were the primary problem. Remember how we all had boarding #s? Well, once the guy said really loud "5-6-7-8" (like he was calling them) but nobody heard him immediately say "don't come up yet or something along those lines. So of course everyone came up. They desperately need a decent PA/system for this, there is no excuse for it to be as haphazard as it was. Service was actually better than I expected it to be on board and I really have no complaints with the ship or service itself. I was being called by name by the 2nd day, and by the 3rd many had us memorized. I really don't know how they do it so well. We watched the magician/illusionist/comedian before Bermuda, and he was not our cup of tea, and I too heard not the best reviews from the other comedian so we didn't bother. Good things about the Regent performers and that singer you were mentioning... Sarah Tehrani I think? Can confirm there was always something every evening in the constellation. I really liked the Regent performers helping out with the activities on board. They also floored me with the name memory/recognition. I am not mobility challenged, but I could absolutely believe you had issues. Only being 3 ports, there wasn't a ton to chose from. The tour we had in Cadiz to the Andalusian Equestrian College, the main tour guide was awful. Easily the worst guide we've ever had on Regent. We actually *lost* people and he was just an all around bad guide. I still have no idea how/when they made it back. The guide at the college itself however was *excellent* and made the trip worthwhile. The stop at the sherry Bodega on the way back to the ship was mediocre. Mrs. Slidebite and I enjoyed exploring the old part of Cadiz after we returned. Bermuda and Azores were both good ports IMHO and the weather was great, other than the departure from Bermuda easter Sunday... and the day of the country fair on the pool deck of course was not exactly optimal, but it was do-able. We had a lot of fun, but those jump ahead hour changes were wearing thin.

Our cabin was stocked with a couple cans each of diet and zero along with ginger ale and couple beer at first. Zero is my preference but I too find that surprising that diet coke of all things would have given you difficulty.

While we could get internet in our cabin, calling it a connection is generous. At best I could fire the odd email away. Browsing the internet was an exercise in frustration, even doing the final cruise survey/comments was very rough getting connected and an exercise in frustration. I was sure to mention it in the comments. I probably would have not bothered given the frustration but I wanted to be sure to praise a few staff members.

As ^^ states, you believe incorrectly.

On our very recent TA on Voyager the attendant asked us on the intro day if she could get us anything or had any preferences for the fridge/bar. I asked for a bottle of Canadian Club (they usually have it) and she tried, but couldn't find it so she brought me a bottle of crown royal. I turned her down but appreciated her efforts. Day or two later after I left a couple empty cider bottles in the suite from the lounge she started stocking them in our suite fridge on her own accord without even asking which was appreciated. Probably just a simple slip on the part of your attendant 🙂

I spoke to the regent consultant on our recent TA cruise (arrived home today actually) and he said that Voyager is scheduled for drydock in 2024. I didn't ask for an elaboration but it came up in discussion with "updating and refreshing" so I expect there to be some good amount of interior re-work. So I suspect any 2023 dates are charters or something along those lines.

Can concur. Our recent TA cruise, I have no idea how they did it, but they perfectly pressed and lightly starched a shirt that I've not had wrinkle free since the first time I laundered it many years ago. I wish I took a before photo of it to show, I almost don't want to wear it again lol! Mrs and I were shocked when we saw it.

Just mention it in the mid cruise survey which you should have by now if you like. My stewardess did tell me ours would by 9PM the next day, which it was. Possible language issue? So far, we have had zero disappointments on this cruise. Weather has been super nice (Bermuda, right now keeping the streak going), service and food have been absolutely great. Excursion this AM was nice. No disappointments anywhere yet. Well, the comedian last night wasn't great, but be more not my type of comedy (prop comedy isn't my thing). Looking forward to the bbq tonight.

Your expectations on the room steward are not extraordinary. They should be doing this. We are also on Voyager right now and were told by our room stewardess (Julia) that it would be back by 9PM the following day, and it was. But Voyager is beautiful as always and the food/service for us has been exceptional so far. Weather has been pretty nice too!

Wow, made it all the way down to Australia? 🙂

That is absolutely solid advice to speak to your doctor. There are also OTC options from your pharmacist that you don't need a script for. We recently had a thread here: Being we're in a different country, we're going to hit the pharmacy in Miami and speak to a pharmacist before we leave next week. My family physician actually prescribed something to me here that isn't even available anymore lol. The UK has some different products OTC that we might try to source in Bermuda. Don't be bother with magic magnets or plastic bands (or combinations of them), they rely on the placebo effect. If it works for you, awesome, but all they are proven effective to do for is make your wallet lighter. Some of them even love to advertise FDA APPROVED... but in the small print they say FDA approved materials, they are not proven to be clinically effective, only made out of material that should not kill you lol.

Oct/Nov is cooler than even Sept and a little more likely for storms/choppy seas as you get deeper into fall. Generally speaking, I would go as far to say that probably most guests on the loungers don't use the pool, they're just there sunning and reading/visiting.

I find Regent batting about .500 with the itineraries they come up with. For example, our last cruise in 2018 (Med) was great, as direct as it could be with minimal layovers on some great aircraft (including upstairs on a 744). The cruise next week, so so. I found an itinerary I would prefer but they said it wasn't available so we're stuck with a 4+ hour layover in Montreal. First world problem I know. BUT, like the OP, one of the major reasons we cruise Regent is the business air. Even with the deviation fee for the smaller gateway airport it's easily worth it.

Regardless if it was an appropriate excursion to be booked on, it sounds like it should have been handled better. I am disappointed the GM, or anyone else in authority at Regent for that matter, hasn't gotten back to you.

Did you reach out to the GM?

Not sure if I missed it (or it is yet to come in your great posts) but what is the entertainment like in the theatre for evening shows? Who is the current CD? We're on board in 10 days.

I have yet to run into the massive chair hog issue that has been discussed ad nauseam, but I think his review was spot on based on his experience and explanation. Perhaps I've been fortunate and just haven't been on a 100% full Regent cruise yet to have it be a big issue nor have I been on Navigator for that matter. Same thing with Setti Mari and getting a table. That said, another evening casual dining option other than room service would be nice.

I really like "Emma Cruises" style in addition to Gary's Tips, but she's more of a budget oriented traveler.

This is one of those instances where you should just call them.

It really is. Don't forget the complimentary self wash too if for whatever reason you don't want to use the service.

Sadly, safety and a few minutes of attention takes a back seat to common sense. The same type of person that you see in the plane evacuation videos grabbing their luggage before they evacuate an aircraft.

Well, at least... it looked clean? Hey, seeing Penguins always brightens my day! Bonus of being alive! Thanks for sharing.

100% - I was going to say that Madeira truffle sauce with some beautiful beef is amazing. I would love to get the recipe for that. Not a fan of the popcorn sundae in Prime 7, but I know others love it! Setti Marie have a couple that we always fall back on as excellent. The Ossobuco is reliable as is (copy/paste from online menu!) Cioppino Classic Seafood Stew with Shrimp, Scallops, Lobster, Clams, Mussels, Calamari and Fresh Fish, Sauteed with Garlic, White Wine, Parsley and Fresh Tomato Broth and Served with Crusty Bread for Dipping The broth is/was out of this world. Dipping with the fresh bread? Ummff.. So good.

Absolutely. Before we book excursions, Mrs. and I spend an evening going over the offerings and relation to the port.

That's a good question, but I don't think the airfare is a significant part of their commission, if any at all. I know my rebate did not differ if I did full Regent air or did my own on part of the journey. When I get the quote (and rebate) from my agent they do not stipulate anything about the air portion.