Linda VH

People that jump on an, otherwise, enjoyable thread just to slam others should get a grip! :(

I agree with you about feeling sorry for the children. We were on the QMII in the Caribbean and saw two girls (early teens or preteen). I asked them if they were having a good time or were they bored being the only "kids". They said they liked the cruise but yes it was pretty boring having no other kids.

Unless it has changed, we found Crystal to be much more "formal" than Regent with most everyone dressing up for dinner.

Just a comment on "heavy" chairs. I was told, on one of the cruises, that they're heavy so they wouldn't move in turbulent seas.

I always remind my TA that I am eligible for a shipboard credit because I'm using my AMEX. I usually get some extra credit from her as well.

You mentioned scrabble I know (have no idea :D) but want to say that last time we were on the Mariner DH started working on the jigsaw puzzle set up just next to Coffee Connection. I sat with my coffee nearby. We met lots of people (we were with a group but made some new friends) that way and had people join us for dinner in Setta Marie when it was just us and one couple even joined our group for touring.

Our 18 yr. old calls it "Tarshay" and laughs. Can't understand why you'd go to the mall to get basketball shorts, etc. Both our Targets are in really good areas and I never felt uncomfortable in the parking lot/garage.

When we were there we had a private guide who took us to see Gaudi's triumphs but also to a restaurant called Else Quatre Gats (for a drink) which started up in 1897 and hosted Picasso's first art exhibit. Our friends are Jewish and there is a very old Jewish presence in Barcelona and we visited that area as well. Saw an ancient Mikveh, etc.

It was such a relief to me that I didn't have to drag out the "posh frocks" with Regent. On longer cruises there are formal optional evenings but.....it's your choice! :D:D

We exited the ship in Corfu and hired a taxi. A female dealer in the casino had told us that you really wanted to see Corfu - the little villages, etc. We had a great day and the driver took us to lunch where he always goes (know this is true as people kept coming up to him to chat). They had vans as well.

The b-fast buffet at Londra is very good and you are facing the lagoon on the ground floor outside. We watched people come up to look at the menu and shake their heads. Finally looked and it WAS very expensive. It is included in the room rate.

Londra Palace Jr. Suite with a terrace. MUST have one with a terrace as it overlooks on Lagoon. Unfortunately they are now on a list of the best hotels in the world (really drove the price up). :mad:

We have been on 2 Regent cruises and hope to go again. Some of our group were asked to dine with the Captain and that was very nice. As to interacting with senior officers - we had a number of conversations while on board, especially with the F&B person. I met the Captain on RCL Liberty of the Seas, attended a cocktail party for suite guests (class system lol) on Crystal and CD and F&B at meet and greet on HA. Not so surprising to me!

On our first Regent cruise I brought alot of clothes. We were with a group of 20 and I thought I'd wear something diffferent every night. One of the ladies (she'd sailed with Regent alot) wore black slacks every night with a top and jacket or sweater. She changed the color of the top but that was it. On my second Regent cruise I sure didn't pack as much and didn't worry about it. I hate jeans so that wasn't a problem :D

In our area the big bottle of Grey Goose costs $39.97 and the big bottle of Tito's is $29 something. My local liquor store has 2 big bottles for $28 each. I switched to Tito's quite a while ago.

My husband used ours by "up-ordering" wine each night. We were with a foodie group and would take turns picking wine from the menu.

Great review!!! Thank you

You can go to seatguru.com and click on the 105 airlines info. Go to Air Tahiti Nui to see the configuration of the plane. I find this useful when I am speaking to an agent rather than having a seating chart to choose from. They also tell you which seats are not ones you want.

Grumpy is very right! We experienced some vibration on a cruise - I mentioned it to my husband and he said he couldn't feel it while it was very apparent to me!

Yes!!! Thank you Freddie!

I just looked at the Bridge Bulletin - yes it is the Navigator. Larry is a friend of ours and is a great lecturer. I have never been on the Navigator but if you tell us which cabins you are considering I'm sure the people on this board will give you the correct answer.

Always enjoy your reports!

There are several ways - a vaporetto from Stazione Marittima or another more frequent vaporetto. See Viator.com Venice Cruise Port info. It will give you the various options. I like taking the vaporetto (water bus) as you see alot and can get off wherever. When we stayed in Venice near St. Mark's we bought a day pass and road all over.

We have been extremely pleased with Access Italy. In Herculaneum we were soaked by a sudden rainstorm. Our guide took us back to the ship so we could change and waited at the gangplank for us to return.

DH takes his handicap sign for the car with him. He simply shows it to the motorized car people and they give us a ride (I have to go with him don't I :D).

As to the plug situation. I have a portable plug with USB plug ins that we travel with wherever we go. Any regular hotel room seems to have one really accessible plug and we just use that one. Took it on Mariner and it was a real help.