allison12

I literally just got home last night from Explorer Copenhagen to Stockholm.  We stayed at the Marriott Copenhagen.  It was perfectly nice.  Location is absolutely PERFECT.  Right on the water, easy to walk the entire old town, walk to Tivoli Gardens, Meatpacking district, etc.  Our room had a king sized bed with plenty of space for our three ridiculously overpacked bags (a different post alltogether!).   Very clean.

I didn't interact with the staff much, but they did provide maps and such when we inquired.

Regent staff was on site (a table set up in the lobby).  

The arrival process at the Copenhagen airport was a little chaotic, but not for fault of Regent.  They had MORE than enough representatives there to help everyone.  It is just a busy port city.  Lots of cruisers flying in.  I personally think it was best to have Regent there to greet you and take you to the hotel.  We were on a bus, but with only maybe 5 other couples.  My brother and his wife arrived a little later and Regent picked them up in a Mercedes Sedan.  

I LOVED putting the bags out at the hotel and not having to deal with them.  You put them outside your hotel door by 9am.  They get picked up....and...they are in your suite when you get to your room on the ship!  How is that bad?    

My parents just upgraded my husband and I to a Penthouse Suite (they will be in an Explorer Suite).  I am super appreciative and excited.  SO....what does the butler do? Is a butler responsible for several suites per floor?  What are some normal things to ask of a butler?  For example, I like diet coke with ice in the morning...is this too much?

Do they help with changes to excursions?  Room service?   Clearly, I am totally clueless here.  First cruise ever.

Thanks for all of your input.  You have all been very helpful and responsive to my tedious questions.  

I had to post because this thread is cracking me up.  

My kids (11 year old twins) love postcards to see the photos, etc.  Looking at the stamp or postmark...HA!  They have no concept of stamp collecting, etc.  It's a different generation for sure.

No snark needed!   It was an honest question about shoes. We have never been on a cruise (maybe for fear of the "shoe police").  We are totally fine obeying the rules..."tennis shoes" is a little vague in today's society.  Rothy's are some of my favorite shoes ever...but they probably considered "tennis shoes". I would wear them to very nice restaurants in the summertime. Of course, jeans are the norm in nice restaurants now too.   Again, we are rule followers...hence the question.  

 My husband is spending two weeks with his in-laws for their 50th anniversary.  I hope my two daughter's marry men willing to do the same when I am 70 years old.   Don't worry.  He'll pack some loafers. 

And, pickle ball is a dumb name for a really fun game!  It's like mini-tennis with a wiffle ball.

7 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

I took it to mean the outdoor paddle tennis courts on the aft decks.  I think pickleball is the closest name, it's definitely not ping-pong.  Here's a link I found:  https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/seven-seas-explorer-998/paddle-tennis-court-298984/

 

That's my guess...and if so, I'm pretty sure they have paddles and balls.  Normal athletic shoes should be fine.

Thanks! Photos definitely look like Pickleball.  I've never played but am looking forward to trying it!

19 hours ago, MadMarine said:

Perhaps the OP is thinking pickle Ball?  

Pickle ball and Paddle tennis (sometimes called Platform tennis) are two different things.  The marketing information calls it a "paddle court." Based on replies, it looks like it is mostly used as a pickleball court.  Anything will be fun--just wanted to be prepared if I needed to bring a specific type of shoes.

We are leaving in two weeks on the Baltic Cruise (on Explorer) for my parent's 50th Anniversary.  My lawyer husband is going to be in the middle of a deal when we leave.

Please tell me your HONEST opinions of connectivity.  He is specifically wondering if he can get a connection good enough to make internet phone calls from his laptop.  Send and Receive emails, etc.  Paying an extra fee is not an issue as the firm will reimburse us for that if needed.

A few questions.  We are traveling on the Explorer in two weeks.  

1.   We are interested in the paddle tennis on board.  Do you have to bring your own equipment (paddles, balls)??  Are running shoes okay to play in or to we have to bring non-marking tennis shoes?  Is there a reservation system in place to play?

2.  Men's shoe question.  My husband (47 years old) hates packing too many shoes.  Even more than that, he hates wearing dress shoes.  Can he get away with wearing a hiking shoe to dinner (even at the nicer restaurants) or is it REQUIRED to wear actual leather dress shoes?  Granted, said hiking shoes are basically darker colored, stiffer, more substantial running shoes.  Example of shoes below in photo.  Probably will have similar pants on with a nicer shirt too---he's not much into dressing up.  

1 minute ago, kjbacon said:

 

You will love the Baltic! Try not to over pack, I think often it’s more about what you shouldn’t bring then what you should bring. And that’s a great use for your onboard credit ... have your laundry done for you.

Excellent point--what not bring!  I always pack too much clothes!

I love the idea of using credits for laundry!

Hello Cruisers!

This board has been so helpful in figuring out the little things...I have never been on a cruise before. Doing the Baltic cruise in July.  I know this might seem like a basic question, but someone always has an idea that is genius!  Thanks in advance for your help!

What are your MUST BRING items? 

Do you need adapters for things like iPhone chargers or are the plugs American?

Unrelated:  What can you use shipboard credits for other than excursions?

Just throwing this out there...because I am going on a cruise in July.  I will be using the app TouchNote to send postcards/cards to my kids at camp.  You can create your own postcards using your photos from your phone and they make/send them!  2-5 days deliver in the US.  

3 minutes ago, UUNetBill said:

Allison12 - just saw we're almost neighbors - we'll make sure to wave at you the next time we fly out of CLT for a cruise!  LOL!!

Ha!  Small world!  And my parents live on Lake Keowee now!

1 hour ago, Balian65 said:

We will be on the same cruise. But being Regent first timers as well I can't tell you much about the ship or the cruise line. We have already booked excursions and at least at two occasions (Klaipeda/Tallinn) you have the opportunity for biking or kayaking.

 

In Petersburg it is definitely the best option to join a group. We have been there as independent travellers some years ago and it will take you a long time to pass the long lines before the big places like the hermitage. And without speaking Russian you can easily get lost in that city, no comparison to any other big European town.

 

For Berlin it depends on what you want to see. Just to have a fast look at all the famous places or if you have a specific interest on the very special history and atmosphere of that place. Feel free to ask I am German.

 

Copenhagen and Stockholm are very interesting places. It is worth to spend one, two or three days before and after your cruise. Wish you all the best in preparation for that event.

Balian65!  So excited to find someone going on the same trip!     Just wondering what your thoughts are on the Berlin/Wannemunde (spelling?) excursions.  Like I said-- NOT interested in a bus ride all the way to Berlin. We love history/beautiful scenery/etc.  Not as much of a art museum/music/dance kind of couple.  

We will not get our own visas in Russia.  We will stick to the group stuff.  Possibly organizing a day for the 6 of us with a guide for one day.  

Thanks everyone!  I really appreciate all of your thoughts and advice!  I am excited/nervous about this trip for sure. 

So far, I have booked my husband and I on the most active excursions (mountain biking/kayaking and so forth). My parents know their limits and will be doing some of the easier/slower speed excursions.  While I would love to see some of the history of Berlin, that will have to be a separate trip.  Too much bus time for us.  We get stir crazy!   

The dining reservations system makes sense.  Since we tend to eat pretty late (8:30 or so), I am guessing we will have opportunities if we want to!

Someone on another thread mentioned a welcome night and a goodbye dinner night?  What are these?  I think I saw that it occurs on the second night and the second to the last night.  Is there a best place to eat on those nights?

I wish we had a butler...but we are a level below that. Concierge Suite E level.  Should I reach out to Regent directly closer to our trip to arrange something for my parents anniversary?  Or is this something our travel agent should do?  She is a high end/luxury travel agent...so she should be familiar with the company.

Okay--this is dumb.  But, I hate coffee.  My husband loves it and will be thrilled to have it in the room.  Will they stock the fridge in our room with some Diet Coke if I ask?

Can we keep wine/beer/bourbon in our room or do you have to be in certain areas to drink? How do we get it there--assuming we don't have to BYOB from our departure city!

Again!  Thank you for your patience!  Super excited--kid free trip!!!

My husband and I are going on the Explorer Baltic cruise (July 2nd-12 roughly).  We are traveling with my brother and his wife and my parents (for their 50th wedding anniversary).

My husband and I have NEVER been on a cruise.  Not ever.  

So, please bear with me and my rookie questions.

1. Dining reservations:  can we make reservations for a party of 6 (to all eat together)?  

If yes, then can the three rooms that we have each make a party of 6 reservation for say, Prime 7 (giving us 3 nights at that place)...not that we would...just figuring out the system.

2.  Attire.     I have read they are super strict about the "no jeans" rule.  Is this still true?   

What do most people wear to dinner?  Can women wear open toe sandals? Can you change after dinner and be on the ship/have a drink somewhere dressed down a little?   For reference, I am 43, hubby is 46.  Brother and his wife a slightly younger.  

3.  Can we request a special something...I don't even know what...for my parent's anniversary dinner?  50 years is a pretty big deal.  

4.  Excursions:  Are the more active excursions good?  We are pretty active people.  Camping, hiking, tennis...typically when we travel we are independent and go go go to see as much as possible.  Any tips?

I appreciate any input.