artlee

We are on our first cruise with Regent. I am curious with any regular Regent cruisers how you would compare the two size ships, pros and cons? Wondering if the coziness of the smaller out ways the additional venues etc of the larger? Any thoughts?

thanks

art

Nice library but I am missing those nice overstuffed chairs and ottomans from Oceania. I did fall asleep a couple times in them. Common theme?

This morning we went to Compose Rose for breakfast. Once again I would say hit or miss. The staff was very friendly but way to slow. We ordered coffee and it took probably 10 minutes to get.   They forgot the juice and then must have remembered another 10 minutes later. The food arrived 35 minutes after we ordered. Food was good, not great. Think we might give the Rose a rest for a couple days. We are thinking of trying Sette Mari tonight.

In our suite I don’t think I mentioned our balcony is very nice and quite roomy. I do wish they had ottomans for the chairs but I managed to nap out there without one.

We went to bed early last night but prior to that I never saw much action in the casino. Anybody see much later in the evening.

I hate to say it but based on others experience I wonder if the best solution is to arrive very early for boarding. I hate to say that as they ask you not to, but if they can’t handle it what is the solution. Agree, for a 6* line this is a terrible way to start your cruising experience. I am sure it will get better, but why start out this way?

BTW, on our lunch yesterday a bartender came around selling a special for a champagne tasting event. $432 for each  person trying the tasting. Welcome to your upscale cruise line, lol. We’re not in that position in life so we passed. I pushed the budget to book this cruise so definitely not doing this. I’m sure it was great though. 

We are comparing this cruise with Oceania for our next adventure. So we are measuring everything. Obviously each thing is a personal thing and what I think is better others may feel the opposite. It’s early but so far I like both lines.

I have taken more pictures with my camera but not sure if this old guy can figure out how to transfer them from my camera here. I’ll take look later. I hope things are improving for Islandchick and pnsnkr. 

Our first meal at La Veranda after check in was very good. Not many people had arrived so we were one of the first there. Prime rib was excellent, veal scallopini good and Boston cream pie was very good too. We  toured the ship waiting for the announcement that cabins were ready which came around 2 I think. The ship is lovely, probably the nicest of any ship we have been on. After having a drink in the Observation Lounge (beautiful lounge) we came back to the cabin to find our luggage delivered. 5 bags!! We are spending a month touring Europe after so this is by far the most luggage we have ever had. We are in a Superior Suite and it’s very nice. Plenty of room for us to not feel crowded. Big closets with tons of storage. The bathroom is very nice but the pictures on line don’t really give you the sense of how narrow it is. That said it is very nice and not really complaining. 

Dinner at Compoass Rose was also hit or miss. Service was quite slow, but the Branzino I had and the Salmon my wife had were very good, It is a lovely setting for such a large restaurant. Our waiter did not write the orders given down and unfortunately got a few things wrong. I think better to write the orders down? I hope the service improves.

We had planned to go to the show but we were tired and retired t bed quite early. Hopefully today we will be able to stay upo a bit after, lol.

Island Chick, it sounds like you had our experience on Oceania in December. Horror show. I assume our good fortune this time was due to getting there so early. They ask you not to and it was not our intention to arrive so early but in the end it was a blessing. I agree there is redundancy in having to go to the tent to check paperwork/covid info and then head over to check in. Certainly could be handled more efficiently. But I guess due to our early arrival there was never a wait or long line. I think the longest was maybe 5 people. At least unlike Oceania check in we did not need to have another test and wait for those results. I’m sorry it was not the same for you.

So far masks not needed. 

At long last we are on board. First time Regent! Embarkation was quick

and easy. We took a car service from Delray Beach and got here way early  11:30. No problem. Eating at la veranda. Definite upgrade from other ships we have been on. The ship is beautiful and the staff is super friendly 

On another note just got this from regent. I also posted on Roll Call in case someone missed it.

Can anyone who is currently or recently on board tell me what incentives there are for booking your next cruise while on this one? Looking forward to our first cruise on Regent April 5th, Miami to Barcelona.

Thanks for any information.

Art

hope your cruise is great. Enjoy!

We are on the TA to Barcelona in April in a Superior Suite. Curious if it is difficult to get additional reservations once on board if we are flexible on timing?

thanks for you thoughts.

art

Thanks very much for posting. We will be on her this April and it was exciting to see your video. Cabin looked amazing!

art

Thanks Rachel. That is what appealed to us as well

So glad they fixed it from our 12/3 sailing. Enjoy the great cruise

art

Thanks Makai! Appreciate your thoughts. 

We also thought the food was good on Oceania. Looking forward to comparing in April.

art

Can someone compare the food between the two lines?

thanks

art

Wow…welcome to the regent seven seas board, lol.

i do appreciate the link to the prior thread.

art

We are enjoying Riviera this trip and have Spendor on a TA in April. Anyone been on Oceania and Regency and can compare? This is our first cruise on both. Impressed with Oceania. Our TA said you will like Regency even better. Looking forward to it. We enjoy sea days so a TA is right up our alley.

Thanks

Art

Wen are on board now and have hear a little over 1100. Can’t vouch for that but someone was told at guest services.

Regarding the confusion on entering the scheduled Bahamas stop, last night on board we got a sheet with all the rules and regulations of getting off on all our stops. For Bahamas it says:

“There are no special requirements for this call, physical distancing is recommended.

We are on the current Riviera Cruise. We arrived at 12:30 for our 12:30 scheduled Check in. We are Penthouse guests. We waited 1 hour and 55 minutes outside in line before we got clearance to go to the next step of check in. It was warm and uncomfortable. One of the guards did say that busses  of people arrived well before their assigned check in time but honestly Oceania should have expected that as it sounds like it has been a common problem. I am 76 years old, not 20 waiting in line for some concert! This is our first experience with Oceania so it certainly started us off in a very disappointing way. I don’t claim to have a solution to the problem but someone smarter than me working for O needs one. I don’t recall ever waiting in line this long for ANYTHING. Somehow I remained calm with the great anticipation of our first Oceania cruise — knowing we just had to get through this to get onboard. Shame on O for allowing their guests —many of whom are elderly — to have to do this. Yes, shame on those that came early and disrupted things but it starts with a plan to efficiently handle the testing that O apparently never had.

I hope this thread does not dissolve into the bickering that seems to be the norm today but focuses instead on the serious problem that Oceania needs to a address before the next cruise sets sail.

I will not let this destroy my cruise experience with O and so far we have been thrilled since we finally got on board. But, wow……

We are currently on Riviera  for our first O cruise and love the bed. I wanted to wait to try before spending this much money. Now I guess I’ll just wait for the next sale. 

Leaving Friday on Riviera and just got an email from Oceania with packing suggestions and they are suggesting a sports coat for men for dining in the restaurants. I was a bit surprised and even some of the photos on their site show gentlemen dining with just a button down shirt. I will bring one but anticipate dining with and without. We'll see.

I have read so much about the mattresses I wanted to get one but our first cruise with Oceania is Friday and I wanted to try before buying. I hope the sale is still going on!!

Thanks Mauibabes! Can't wait for our cruise 12/3. We are also in PH suite and excited to see how that is as well as the highly rated food. Have you had room service on any of the specialty restaurants?