flossie009

Yes, Coffee Connection is very popular …………. and is also a self-serve buffet arrangement.

We have done many Regent cruises, and enjoyed all aspects of them including the lunch self-serve buffets in La Veranda. The buffet offerings during our recent Navigator cruise, which I believe you were also on, were particularly good.

So sorry that you are approaching your forthcoming cruise expecting the worst. I hope you have an enjoyable, & uneventful, time on Voyager and I am sure you will be able to find an alternative to the lunch-time buffet if that is what is fuelling your extreme pessimism.

You will need to speak to Destinations on board to see if anything is being offered in Piraeus. Not a problem. Regent staff members will move all your hanging clothes & drawers. You just need to obtain new suite key cards from Reception & move your valuables. Suggest you have a chat with the Executive Concierge during the first segment to finalise arrangements & timing.

............ or if you want to do your own thing locally: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Osborne House (on the Isle of Wight, a short ferry ride away)

TBD 🤔 Decisions, Decisions !! We hadn't realised that; makes sense now that we didn't spot them before. Was this a re-routing to avoid the Suez Canal?

Looking at two Voyager cruises in 2025 and surprised to see no pre or post cruise offerings in Cape Town https://www.rssc.com/cruises/VOY250516/summary (final segment of a Grand Voyage) https://www.rssc.com/cruises/VOY250604/summary This seems unusual & Regent (Southampton) confirm that this is not just a website glitch. Any thoughts as to why nothing is available through Regent for this popular location?

As was her/his alter ego, Sir Les, who always went beyond the minimum requirements of the Regent dress code

It means that Navigator has as much, if not more, issues getting in to ports with shallow water. For example, in 2019 Navigator was scheduled to dock near the centre of Bangkok but had to dock about 2 hours away in the container port of Laem Chabang due to low river levels. A Silversea ship with shallower draft managed to dock successfully in Bangkok on the same day. On our recent Navigator cruise the embarkation port of Bangkok was again changed to Laem Chabang a few weeks before the cruise; again citing low river levels.

IMHO, many of the posts simply indicate that some would like Regent to adopt their own lower, or higher, interpretation of the simple, and widely understood, term "Elegant Casual" 🤨

Perhaps they assume that their customers have enough common sense to not require any further clarification of a their very simple dress code 😉

Although Navigator is the smallest of the Regent fleet, her draft is the deepest. Mariner has the shallowest draft.

From Regent Shore Excursion Summary: “Please be advised that when booking multiple tours on the same day online, the later tour must begin at least 75 minutes after the first tour is scheduled to return to the ship” Just waitlist your preferred excursion; hopefully space will open up later.

Maybe they are replacing the pianist for the contract that includes Christmas & New Year ? Boogie is an excellent keyboard player.

I am assuming that you will only require an eVisa (valid for most Indian airports & seaports) Obtaining the Indian eVisa was relatively straightforward but tedious and for us came through within 24 hours of the on-line application. Things to note: 1. Make sure you use the official website (there are lots of agencies on line claiming to be official but just charge extra fees) 2. Before applying, run through the sample application on the website to ensure you have all the information required; including photo of applicant in correct format and scan of your passport. 3. Regent (or whichever cruise line you are sailing with) will supply the necessary contact details in India 4. Don’t apply to early. The visa period starts the day it is granted (We applied for multi-entry tourist evisas valid for a year) For our cruise we also needed a transit ETA for Sri Lanka (very simple) and a Singapore landing card (can only be applied for within 3 days of arrival) Hope you have a fabulous cruise 😎

Final round up: An excellent cruise with an itinerary that took in many of the ports & countries that we love. Weather & sea conditions were good throughout; albeit sometimes too hot & humid for comfort. Navigator is a small and friendly ship. Communications during the cruise were the best we have ever had. Captain Abhi was always willing to share information; either direct or through the CD, Ray.

Yesterday morning was packing then a walking tour of old Dubai in the afternoon. Captain Abhi handed over the ship to a new Master yesterday as he is also returning to the U.K. today. The new Captain took us the short distance overnight to Abu Dhabi. We were off the ship bright & early (06:30) this morning, collected our luggage and transferred to the almost new Abu Dhabi airport. David encountered some unknown issue at Passport Control; but finally resolved and we are now having a coffee in the lounge before boarding the 10:10 BA flight to Heathrow. We were a little concerned about catching a flight this early but in the event we had plenty of time.

No CD required for the next month while the ship sails without guests on its diversionary route around Africa. Not sure who will be CD for the cruises June to August; maybe John Ekin. I think Ray is due back on Navigator in September.

Goodbye Fujairah Hello Dubai Ray was walking through deck 6 this morning singing that refrain from Les Mis “One Day More” ………. He is also on his way home tomorrow 😉

Tonight we were in Prime 7 Our table companions indulged in the infamous popcorn sundae 😋

Update @ 3:35 pm They have both departed for a late lunch at the Pool Grill ………….. but of course they have left some belongings to ensure no one can make use of the loungers for what is left of the afternoon 🤨 Not difficult when you are occupying the loungers immediately behind these two miscreants. It should not need a policy, rules or enforcement for cruisers to think about the effect of their thoughtless actions on other’s enjoyment. Overall it has not been a big issue this cruise, with most being respectful of other guests. It is just both amusing and annoying to see this old couple going through the same selfish ritual each day, seemingly without thought or shame. Sad & pathetic really.

Update @ 3pm Both are now occupying “their” loungers ………… hallelujah No stereotyping but they are reading a German language newspaper 😉

We haven’t reported much about food this cruise, but suffice to say we have still managed to pile on a few pounds in a very enjoyable way 😋 Last night there were some exemplary dishes Duck Pork belly Pumpkin pie All washed down with excellent wine. A memorable dinner sharing with new friends made this cruise. So much good conversation that we sadly missed the show.

Skittles ……… and Giant Jenga …….. it was all going so well 😧

On sea days, when we are not lazing on deck, eating or drinking, Susan tends towards the craft lessons & needlepoint while David favours the games Bracelets Needlepoint Baggo Tic Tac Toe