seniormom

On 4/11/2024 at 12:52 PM, Gator73 said:

Would love to see the pics if you have time . . . we're in 939 Navigator Suite for the 24 Feb 25 MIA to MIA via the Windward/Leeward Islands and Amazon; tho not the same door number as yours, some recent pics of a Nav Suite vs the stock photos would satisfy some curiosity on our part.

The 1125 Navigator Suite is a different configuration from the others on the ship.  It is my understanding that it was converted from the hair salon several years ago.  We loved it!  There was more storage space than we could fill up!  Here are some pics......

We have sailed Explorer, Mariner, Splendor and just off Navigator a couple of weeks ago.  Yes, Navigator isn't as glitzy, but she is oh so cozy.  We were able to make friends with the crew quickly and that enhanced our experience.  It was one of our best cruises with Regent.  We missed not having Pacific Rim restaurant, and think the lounges for pre-dinner drinks are better on Explorer and Splendor.....but that was the trade-off of being on a cozier ship.

• Navigator, Suite 1125 (Navigator Suite)
• March 4-22, 2024
• Bathrooms - 1 (not 1-1/2 as spreadsheet currently states)
• Separate tub and shower (no bidet as pictures from the other Nav suites show)
• No noise issues, even though there is a "secret door" to the walking deck.  If you are standing in your closet and someone is sitting on the chairs right outside your door, you can hear muffled voices, but can't hear it anywhere else in the cabin.
• Recommend -- absolutely!  We loved this cabin.  Even while going through Tropical Cyclone Megan, we didn't have major issues being this high (with the help of dramamine of course!)  The separate living area is a nice size, and there are curtains that block off the bedroom completely, to allow for coffee delivery from butler without being awake 🙂
• I wouldn't hesitate to book this again.  Easy access to every floor as the elevator is right outside the room (but absolutely no noise issues).
• I took pictures and am happy to share with someone, as I found limited pics when I was doing my research precruise.

Yes, we have them for our return from Bali to US....no upcharge.

We select our suite based on the ship, promotions and itinerary.  We love the Penthouse suites on the Splendor and Explorer, so we have a Butler on those ships (and will when we travel on Grandeur one day!).  On Navigator we stick with Concierge.  When we do have a butler, we utilize the services and enjoy getting to know them.  Our experience has been that he is always available, quick to respond, and gives us that little bit of pampering that we don't really need, but do enjoy.  We've had previous butlers stop us in the hallway to say hello.  Coffee/breakfast service, canapes, answering our many questions throughout the cruise, and the smiles that make you feel special.  Do we need a butler, no.  Do we enjoy it when our level of suite includes one?  Absolutely!

We had a bottle of Woodford on our Mariner cruise in October. 

Mariner - 925 - October 2023 - Shower only - Some noise issues - Recommend - Great location, loved the suite.  The only issue is it is right across from the pantry, and unfortunately, they were a bit noisy coming and going early morning (5-6 am) and late evening (9:30-10 pm).  Otherwise the suite was perfect!

Good for Georgiana, but sad for us who enjoyed her as our sommelier!  She was amazing!

We are schedule for Grand Danube cruise on AmaWaterways in May.  My mom had a stroke two weeks ago, so we are trying to decide whether to move our cruise to a  later date.  My TA says that we are within the 50% penalty phase, so can't even move without a penalty anymore.  I have trip insurance, so I'm covered....but I really don't want to completely cancel.  I'm willing to let Ama keep my money and put it towards another cruise, but it appears they no longer do that.  

I get it, I know what the contract says,....a transfer of date is considered a cancellation within the "windows".....but this is so frustrating.  Anyone have any luck with getting them to move the date without the big penalty?  This will be our 3rd Ama river cruise and it just doesn't feel right to me.

Anyway.....thanks for any suggestions you might have!

Really looking forward to following you on your next venture!  Your writing style is perfect.  And your decorations are perfect as well!  Enjoy your trip....we will be waiting patiently for updates!

On 10/4/2022 at 9:06 PM, texasstar said:

Seniormom,  Did you do the Lisbon extension prior to your cruise?  If so, did you have time to do things on your own in conjunction with the planned excursions?

 

Yes, we did the Lisbon extension (on the back end of our cruise).  Afternoons were often open for our own exploration.  We did not get the agenda until we were on our way, so would have been a little difficult to preplan alternate excursions ahead of time.

We had plenty of time to explore on our own on the Douro cruise.....before or after ship excursions, and some times we had a little free time during an excursion.  Loved this river cruise!

We went on a mission trip to Honduras several years ago and fell in love with the coffee.  We brought home several bags.  It was Cafe Oro.  We weren't in Roatan, but I would imagine you could get some there.  In fact, I'm glad you mentioned it as we will be looking for it when we are there in February!

On 8/28/2022 at 11:57 AM, vegasdriven said:

I think the sticky buns would be more my thing. Can you order these through room service?

We wrote in "sticky buns" on our room service menu and our butler would add them to our tray when we were on the Explorer.  On the Mariner we never saw any in LV, nor did we get any when we wrote it on the room service menus....so guess they didn't have them that week.

We stayed at the Coral Gables last February.  It was just ok.  But, as rkaratsu said.....the Regent shuttle to the ship was a bit of a cluster.  I would take uber if I had to do it again.  I would also probably take the hotel credit and book myself at a different hotel.

We walked the 5 minutes to the outdoor restaurant area and had a great meal at CRAFT.  They had both inside and outside seating,  we sat outside.  It is an easy easy walk and lots of restaurants.

We just received our hotel info for our upcoming Feb cruise and we are in the Intercontinental, which I am pleased about.

Our first Regent cruise was this past February out of Miami.  Our pre-cruise Regent hotel was the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.  It was so-so.  The transfer to port was a bit of a cluster.  Being our first Regent cruise, we wanted to test out the hotel and transfer, even though we had heard many recommending to do it on your own.  Now we know -- base the decision on which port you are going out of.  Future Miami departures we will do on our own.  Cruising Alaska in June, but doing pre and post land tours, so won't be a decision to make.  Next one will be out of New York, so thinking we will likely do that hotel and transfer on our own.....

1 hour ago, sassyw said:

We are on the Splendor now and have taken 2 demonstration only classes. Chef Kelly is absolutely fabulous and so knowledgeable. Her background is remarkable and my husband and I are learning a lot. She brings samples close to you and lets you smell. Answers all questions and imparts many personal experiences. Have 2 classes left and looking forward

 

Thanks for sharing this info.  We definitely plan to still go to them, even if only demonstrations.  

43 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

Still demonstration - just verified with a friend onboard...but they hope to get them open soon. My guess is when the mask policy changes.

Thanks for the info.  I was hopeful, but not expecting....  We will already be onboard when the mask change takes place, so maybe we'll get to experience it the back half of the cruise!

Bumping this post to see if anyone has a recent update .....we sail in a week and are still hoping to be able to experience the classes!

Thank you!


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disneyochem -- thank you so much for the perspective!

We are doing the Rocky Mountaineer train prior to boarding our Alaskan cruise.  For our excursion in Skagway on the cruise, we are considering doing the White Pass Railroad because everyone tells us it is a must do.  However, I'm worried that it will be a let down after being on the Rocky Mountaineer.  Has anyone done both and can comment on whether the scenery is different enough between the 2 to help us decide if we want to do White Pass or find a different excursion in Skagway?  Thank you for any input!

8 hours ago, ArtsyCraftsy said:

I'll be talking to the future cruise consultant, Eddie, tomorrow about staying onboard the Mariner at the end of the current World Cruise for the next cruise: San Francisco to Vancouver, June 4 - 17.  I live about 40 miles from Vancouver, and this way I can avoid having to deal with two airports plus two shuttle busses to get from San Francisco to Bellingham, WA, where the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Whatcom County was identified today.  I can take Amtrak from Vancouver to Bellingham.  I'm also planning to take my next Regent cruise:  a back-to-back Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seward to Vancouver staring July 1, ending July 15.  

 

At this point, we still don't know where we're headed after Fremantle (Perth) on March 19, but I trust Regent to take care of us.  I've said it before: not all cruise lines/ships/itineraries are created equal.  There's a big difference between boarding a 2500-3500+-passenger ship that routinely takes 4- to10-day cruises with a lot of passenger "churn" and a history of recent visits to coronavirus hotspots, and a 700-passenger ship that routinely takes longer cruises and has no history over the past 6 months of attending ports that are in hotspot areas.  I feel safer here on the Mariner than I would at home.  

 

Everyone has to make their own decisions based on circumstances.  I've made mine.

 

Lana (currently anchored near Kangaroo Island, Australia)

 

 

I am loving watching your journey.  We will be on the Vancouver to Seward portion of your Alaska cruise and are considering adding the return cruise to make a back-to-back as well.  I have to say your authenticity and thought process is very helpful as we make decisions.  Hope to see you on board in Alaska!

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

You mentioned earlier that you were doing the George Inlet and Crab Feast, but you mentioned another "crab feast" above.  I was recommending the George  Inlet - not the Lumberjack show and crab feast.  Just wanted to be clear.

Yes, thank you for clarifying.  We were doing the George inlet, but hubby really wants to see Lumberjack, so we changed.  

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

I also recommend the Crab Feast in Ketchikan and the Otter boat in Sitka.  Keep in mind that your interests plays a big role in terms what excursions that you would want to take.  Also, as you likely know, in July, there are quite a few children on Regent ships so whatever you choose to do, you will likely be sharing the excursion with kids.  In my opinion, that can make it more fun or something that you would prefer not to do.  

Good info.  Last time in Alaska we had our 3 teenage boys with us and on Royal Caribbean.....so lots of kids!  On that trip we did the Floatplane/Salmon bake, Whale Watching, Halibut Fishing, and White Pass Railroad, and want to try some other sites this time.  We did stop for crab at The Office Bar in Hoonah -- it was amazing.  My husband still talks about it.  Worth stopping for!   We are def doing a Crabfeast in Ketchikan.  I think we've narrowed it down to:

Ketchikan - Lumberjack show and crab feast

Juneau - Mendhenhall Glacier and whale quest

Skagway - Chilkhoot Trail Hike and Float Adventure

Icy Strait - Whale Watching and Seafood Fest

Thanks for the input!!