BearClaws

We are on British Isles Splendor cruise now, and today’s stop in Dublin was cancelled due to sea being too rough for tenders.  Everyone disappointed since Dublin was a highlight.  Wish Regent would book a berth instead of tenders for such a popular port.  We have basically cruised in a square pattern today on our way to Holyhead, just to pass the time.

Would like to get your suggestions for a reliable private transfer company from Southampton port to Heathrow.  I see some companies offer a side tour enroute.  Has anyone had a positive experience, and if so, would welcome your comments.  Thanks.

Our balcony had a chaise, a small table and 2 chairs.  Since it was shallow, it was really too much furniture, but we managed quite well.  July heat limited our use until early evening.

We were in suite #1405 on Explorer, which was a PH.  Absolutely loved the space, no noise, and no motion.  Very private.  Go for it.  You will love it.

Hi Bill,

Here are my reviews of 3 Explorer suites from Med. cruise July 13-23, 2022.  We were a family of 6 with our adult children, so including all input.  Thanks so much.

PH 1405 - starboard, shower only.  Highly recommend.  Quiet, clean, spacious, wonderful bed, no significant motion, no noise.  Balcony fairly narrow, but it was too hot in July to use it much.  Huge shower, closet on the smaller side, but adequate.  Did not use the butler much, but definitely enjoyed the separation of living area from bedroom.  Great a/c welcomed us back from hot excursions. In short - fabulous!

Suite 950 (Concierge D) - port, slightly aft of midship area, tub and shower, huge closet, good-sized balcony.  Noise from chairs above late one night, but only one night.  Clean, well-kept suite. Great room stewardess. Definitely recommend.

Suite 947 (Concierge D) - starboard midship, tub and shower, huge closet, good-sized balcony.  No noise issues.  Clean and quiet.  Definitely recommend.

We just completed our first Regent cruise on the Explorer and absolutely loved it.

Now we are interested in a future cruise to Northern Europe which happens to be

on the Voyager.  Would love to hear impressions of Voyager, especially of the suites and any differences to be aware of.  We stayed in a PH on the Explorer, and our adult kids were in Concierge.  Would we be disappointed in the Voyager?

So, if you test positive at the pier, do they deny boarding, or do they allow you to board but escort you to quarantine?  What about others in your party?  What is the protocol?

Does anyone know how Regent handles it if you test positive when trying to board

in a foreign port?  We are in a pre-cruise land program before boarding, so I know

Regent will cover the testing procedure.  Does the testing occur at the hotel?  Is it the rapid test (antigen)?  What happens if positive and you cannot board?  Do they wave “goodbye” and you’re on your own?  Are you quarantined somewhere?  Anyone know the procedure?  This is our worst nightmare.

Rachel,

When booking your private transfer from the ship, how much time did you allow between time of docking and pickup?

Thanks so much for all the insights you provided along the way.

I guess the same could be said for scheduling a train, building in extra time to get to train station?  Can anyone recommend a private transfer service in Barcelona to

take six of us with luggage from the port to the train station?  Taxi line may be long……

For Regent frequent cruisers, approximately how long does it take to disembark at the end of our journey?  For example, if the ship docks at 8:00, about what time should we expect to be on our way with luggage in hand to find a taxi or shuttle?

CruzC2C,  can you give me the name of someone who can speak with authority about the Med. cruise vaccine requirements?  I have a similar question about my teen granddaughter’s vaccination.  Thank you!

Can anyone confirm what Regent means by “primary vaccine” more than 270 days prior to Mediterranean cruise?  Our teen granddaughter had shot #1 last September and shot #2 in April, 2022.  Does she now need a booster to board ship in Italy in July?   I thought “primary vaccine” meant the main 2-shot series, the last of which she received in April.  Someone else indicated “primary vaccine” perhaps means that the very first shot was received over 270 days prior.
 

Obviously, I will confirm with Regent if I can find someone who can definitively

interpret their policy.  Any help would be appreciated.

Love this and hope to go someday.  Thank you.

I, too, send my heartfelt sympathy to you and your work family.  We lived in Tulsa for 5 years when first married, and our daughter was born in that hospital.  We have such fond memories of your beautiful city and its people.

Thank you for posting.  We will take our first cruise on Regent next month, so I will be following your posts with great interest.  Hope your vacation is wonderful.

Thank you for sharing your experience.  It is very helpful.  We are on the Explorer in July from Rome to Barcelona and will plan to stay one night in Madrid before flying home.  Soooo, sounds exactly like your trip, but we will have a family group of 6 people, so the tour guide (me) wants to think through all contingencies.

4 hours ago, Pathfinder88 said:

We were just on the transatlantic cruise on the Splendor.  The day before we arrived in Barcelona (4/18), Covid tests were provided for anyone who wanted them, and apparently as we later learned via these boards, required for the large group who was staying on the ship for the next cruise in the Med.  As we weren’t leaving Spain until 4/20, we couldn’t have used those results, so we didn’t take the Regent tests and arranged for our own tests at our hotel in Madrid to meet the 24 hr requirement.  Those results were shockingly positive, which began another lengthy surreal saga entirely.  We obviously were exposed on the ship; I have subsequently learned of many more cases on the ship, a large group of whom did take the tests on the ship, were positive, and had to stay several unplanned nights in Barcelona.  Regent said nothing about it while we were onboard,  and we’ll never know how many people were affected and seriously inconvenienced.  Bottom line:  Be prepared for ANYTHING.  Safe travels! 

Our situation exactly.  My question is whether you were allowed to quarantine at your Madrid hotel?  What was the outcome?

We are in the same situation in Rome in July, so watching this thread for anyone who has done this.  Thanks.

Thank you for the helpful responses.  I was able to book online.  It took a little trial and error on my part, but I was able to eventually get what I needed.  This site is a wonderful and helpful resource!

I’m assuming the link does not go live until the date given?  Right now I see a date, but no link.

Can someone tell me where exactly on my cruise booking can I make dinner reservations?  Plus we are a family of 6 staying in 3 different suites.  If we want to dine together a couple of nights, will that be difficult to arrange?

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions and responses.  All of the recommended hotels have excellent ratings. 
 

We are now trying to decide whether to stay closer to the train station or near the airport.  At most we will have only a few hours to explore, realizing that transport for a party of 6 will be a challenge.  And, as someone reminded me, we will all need to be tested before boarding our flight home.

After disembarking upcoming Regent cruise, we are traveling by bullet train to Madrid to catch a flight back to USA.  Would appreciate advice on upscale hotel with best location to spend the night and then transfer to airport the next morning.  Also, any tips and comments about airport itself, shuttles or taxis for party of 6, and AA terminal.

All of you frequent travelers and cruisers are such a wonderful resource for those of us new to Regent.  Many thanks in advance.

Gcto, I’ve noticed the same with our booking - still lists hotel in Venice as arrival.

I called Regent today (Saturday) after not being able to get our usual Regent agent Friday.  

I was told we could get entire deposit back if we cancel.  Can anyone confirm?

Does she mean future cruise credit or refund?

We, too, have just received emails about change in Venice to Rome cruise this summer.  I have paid a small fortune for 6 family members to fly to Venice and booked 3 suites on Regent.   Now what??  Change flights at this late date with 6 people traveling together?  First cruise on Regent and thinking of canceling.

Very irritating!