Wendy The Wanderer

I'm looking at Google Maps and having trouble figuring this out. Google wants to take me via I-395 but off at Biscayne and across the bridge on Port Blvd. Our terminal J is quite near there, northwest corner of Dodge Island. Sounds like you're telling me to proceed over the MacArthur Causeway and then exit at 887. That would take us on a circuitous route all around the port to get us back to J. Is the construction really that bad that we should do that? (Edited to add, ah, I see, 887 IS the tunnel.) Thanks.

Thanks for the tip!

The answer is complex. Depends on where they're going, how they get there, what kind of restaurants they like, the size of their homes. Things like that.

Holiday Inn Port of Miami. An easy cab ride to the ship.

My opinion is that age shouldn't be a problem if it's not a problem for you and your brother. That is, if you're open to being around people who are for the most part considerably older than you. Most of those people (me, for instance), enjoy engaging with younger people, and some may even take you under their wing. If you're down with that, then it's all good.

I feel for you! Our last cruise was 2018, on Mariner, and we've been on Voyager a few times. We'll be boarding Splendor in a little over two weeks and really looking forward to cruising again, and it was nice to be able to try one of the new ships, I admit. But for me, I'd probably choose Voyager because it's cheaper, but it might depend on what cabins were available. It would also be a toss-up to end in Barcelona or Lisbon, love both cities.

I was just going to ask that question! I see some posts on the "other" place, but would like to see people posting here, if they have time with all the fun they're having.

I would talk to an agent at Regent, if not a TA. Regent will get in touch with you to do this, if you don't want to find a TA right away, and then after booking, you can still transfer to a TA if you choose.

That sounds pretty reasonable to me, actually. One might want or expect more of course, but... I would rather say, "I don't fly half-way across the world for a cruise to stay on the ship". That's the tough part I think.

Yes! I'll be one of the ones hobbling around the ship, possibly with a cane. My back/hip problems have quantum-leaped and I may not even be leaving the ship (which is fine with me, since I've been to four of the islands before, although I do want to get a supply of nutmeg in Grenada!) We loved our single Azamara trip. Ship tours were pricey, but there was the option of shared private tours, and we had one of our best experiences doing that, something that I miss on Regent. What we liked most about the Azamara cruise was the casual friendliness of everyone, including the senior staff, and the fun atmosphere. I must say that Regent's "included" Business Air has been a big incentive for us in the past. Hardly can beat their prices, unless you have points to burn.

There is definitely an element of feeling at home with one line. Our first Radisson cruise was in 2000, on the Paul Gauguin (still our favourite ship.) Our first post-pandemic cruise is coming up in three weeks on Splendor. We may find that ship too glitzy, we'll see, but I doubt it. Aside from the non-Regent Paul Gauguin, we've done one Seabourn, one Oceania and one Azamara, all nice, but on Regent all the buttons are pushed, including great cabins, wonderful service, small quiet ships, a wide variety of cuisine, and best of all, an interesting and varied passenger mix. (I must say this last was true on the others, except for Oceania.)

Yes, but there used to be. In any case, the Master Suite.

There's always one. We had one once who I called a "captain of industry", i.e., A-type personality. Had an Owner's Suite on Voyager. He ended up decking another passenger and being confined to his cabin by the security staff. Another one (a female this time) sniffed at us and looked down her nose every time we saw her--she was offended that we too were in a PH suite. Her husband dressed in nautical attire, we nicknamed him Popeye.

Isn't it a bit late for that, Marc?

Having been on the ship twice before, what changes, if any, did you notice under the new regime? Were there any staff from the past that you recognized? How, in general, did the staff morale seem to you? Same as always? I'm very glad to hear you had a great time. We did the 2-weeks Marquesas in, hmm, 2008!

Despite Moorea being a stop, I would still suggest Moorea. It's close to Tahiti, so you can just hop on a ferry to board the ship. Plus it's a great place to de-stress and get into the rhythm of the islands. Plenty of varied hotel choices, and some interesting restaurants. Lots to see and do. You need at least two nights really to do this--ferries only travel in daylight, so if you arrive on a late flight, you'll have to stay on Tahiti and ferry or fly over the next morning.

Thank you for that, it's what I thought.

I find the choices onboard are pretty limited. I would make sure your hand luggage has a change or two of clothing just in case, a skirt or dress, some extra shirts. Hope it turns out alright, travel by air right now can be such a pain. By the way, @cwn, I like the bracelet!

Well, there is the reduction of shoreside staff reported elsewhere.

The chef may offer locally sourced fish once on a while.

I've had many recommendations from people who have parked there safely.

Interesting notion, but would you think it safe to leave it in a public garage for that long? The Port of Miami offers secure parking, albeit at something like $22 a day.

Ah that's what I wanted to know, thanks! Normally since we're driving from our Florida home for this cruise, I'd bring mine, but I left them up north this year.

And what kind of suite was that?

But only in the named suites, right?