GrJ Berkshire

Agree with Belfast Taxman, there would be a difficult balance to keep on a troubles tour: one man's freedom fighter is another terrorist. Also having visited recently and further back Belfast has changed a lot. Most open top bus tours show the murals and 'peace' walls in a non- committal way. As an American you may find history harder to take...

Easier again to select and phone in choices, this is a quick way round this ,we have done this. Then who is doing what is clear and tickets for alternatives will be issued.

Book by phone, then the Regent operative will give you the options which can be combined. This is the best way for this to go through the bookings process.

4 hours ago, poss said:

Lucca is quite lovely, Wendy.    (You may've been there already and know that.)

Totally agree has a lot to offer., Lucca was Puccini 's home and the walls are impressive along with the cathedral.

We also like Pisa and the Dourmo, Babtistry, have a lot to offer as well as the tower. If you can get away  from the tourists holding it up along the field of miracles it will help you enjoy the city more

Spell checker has  changed DOURMO.......... sorry

Florence on a Sunday will be a reduced experience because the churches and Domo if open will be restricted hours, so this may make them very crowded. Equally be aware how far Florence is from Livorno and therefore how much time is bussing to and from the port. This will leave little time in the city, it has always been my view that this is a location better served by staying in the city and avoiding the day trippers and peak times. The Ufficci and the Domo are a day's sightseeing alone !!

3 hours ago, doc47 said:

Much prefer Nature's Rhythm...

Agree, more our taste.

On ‎12‎/‎14‎/‎2019 at 3:13 AM, Eager2Travel said:

The website does not appear to have the revised itinerary.  Any idea where I can find it?

New itinerary is on the UK website, it's 31/01/21 Voyager, Buenos Aires to Lima cruise

On ‎12‎/‎13‎/‎2019 at 9:01 PM, golfguyhhi said:

GrJ Berkshire,

 

I suggest you look at Oceania's BA-Lima cruise 1/28/21-2/17/21.  Ten port calls.  On board Marina.  Check the pricing compared to Regent.  You will need to add Business Class air (O offers an upgrade at very good pricing) and excursions (but you can plan and book your own at much less than O's excursion price).  And, if you take O's beverage package (unless you want to drink only wine/beer wine at meal times) you can upgrade to the full all-you-want [certain restrictions -similar to Regent's do apply] beverage package for $20 a day pp.

 

Oh, and compare the sizes of the cabins/suites.

 

Do all the math, then decide.

Thanks for the advice re Oceania cruise .

We did a comparison re what we know from Regent  v Oceania: however despite the destination changes we came down on Regent  being better value once you add in flights from UK, excursions, gratuities ,drinks, pre-cruise 3-nights in Buenos Aires, gold SS perks. The size of the ships, pox numbers were all Oceania negatives, as were $23pp daily gratuities and 18% tip on all drinks which with excursions would take you up to Regent prices. The suites looked similar but we dislike the exclusivity of PH and above with own lounge, one of the major advantages of Regent is the way everybody is treated the same regardless of the suites they are in, it's what puts us off Cunard with a hierarchy of restaurants, depending on your status.

The changes re ports was not enough to make us change: however we have had no joy from Regent to explain why such a re-routing has occurred, especially if no landing in Antarctica is happening . Its a bit like an Alaska cruise but not landing to see the wildlife. Regent claim it enhances which it will to an extent, but loses other elements,

Thanks for comments but we will stick with what we know especially as Voyager is our favourite ship, plus we have again reserved 1055 a PH C suite with a great large balcony ,side and aft views. However we will try Oceania somewhere else, especially the smaller ships, and try to get over the gratuities/ tipping issue, its one of the reasons we love Regent so much, paying up front no tipping, which us Brits do not get!! Recently  in New England we were surprised to see on the bottom of restaurant chits the 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, calculated out to help you work out your tip, Ug!!! ......... the lack of this hand out expectation on Regent is great, so 18% on a coke or glass of wine crazy.

13 hours ago, Eno-Bob said:

We were on the Explorer Barcelona to Miami cruise and tried to book excursions for an upcoming cruise while on-board.  Totally frustrating and impossible to do using the Explorer internet and Regent website.  We went down to the Cruise Consultant and she was able to pull up our cruise and make the excursion reservations without a problem.  That may be the best way to make your reservations.

 

Bob

Totally support this, we had excursions to book for a future cruise whilst on the Navigator. We used the cruise consultant to do this, it's a part of their job keeping regular cruisers happy.

3 hours ago, blondietoo said:

We got on the Voyager the day you got off...Dubai to Singapore. I wholeheartedly agree with your review ....we loved everything about the ship/crew etc. We too had a Concierge cabin. Our first Regent cruise was on the Explorer so we were a bit nervous. Our only criticism is that we  would have liked some art on board that was not ultra modern ...Explorer has a nice mix. Food was very good except for 2 dinners in Chartreuse....either bland or too rich....wish they would replace it with Pacific Rim.

We have also found Chartreuse to be the most disappointing of the dining venues. We always enjoy Compass rose and feel that signatures was better. Like you pacific rim is a great asset and a different kind of meal to the other options. The pool deck lighter meal is a good move provided that the weather allows this option. Sette Marie especially the outside seating also gives a good alternative.

Just been notified that this has changed, that various ports have been removed from the itinerary, including 2 nights in Montevideo. What has been put in is a trip down to the Antarctica peninsula, but just scenic cruising no landing on Antarctica. This with sailing to the Falklands, which I gather is a port often missed owing to the weather. This would mean a minimum of 13 sea days out of 21. We are not sure we will get to see as much of South America as we hoped to do, its a long way to go with so few ports . We enjoy the Regent experience but this might have tipped the balance too far, with so many ports in Uruguay, Chile, Peru not visited - places we are unlikely to return to. Is anyone else booked on this Voyager cruise or considering it?

Others thoughts on our dilemma are welcome: would you cancel or switch or remain with this cruise?

12 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

Which are all barriers to entry that have caused the current taxi industry to be so low quality and uncompetitive. London literally might be the only city on earth that has nicer taxis than what Uber or Lyft provide in terms of cars. Most taxi fleets (or whats left of them) are old, nasty cars-- in a lot of cases former police cars. 

 

But there wont be enough taxis left for anyone to care. I applaud Vancouver for trying to do what most other cities have failed at, but there is some sort of trojan horse at work here. If they didn't think they couldn't decimate the current taxi industry and eventually change the laws they wouldn't spend their time and money going in there.  

The levels of losses that uber are running up is madness, if the charged the economic fare, no one would look at them. The concept is dangerous , as it will drive the regulated taxi services away and then just leave dodgy uber to mop up and charge what they want for an inferior service. This is why London and TfL has this correct.

7 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

Great news for London. The additional cars not only totally messed up the traffic patterns in the GREAT CITY they also took business from the Black Taxies.  Back to drivers with the  “knowledge” who we never left for Uber even though we use them at home and elsewhere.

 

Great news, get the cowboys off the streets

Why take a dodgy Toyota, with an unqualified driver when you have black cab drivers who has passed the knowledge (probably the hardest exam to pass) to save a few quid

GOOD. RIDDANCE !!!!!!

6 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Just remember - for every dollar someone wins, someone else has lost that dollar (or two).   😁

Exactly its a mugs game: you never beat the house!!

Or in this case put it towards  another cruise

On a small ship like Navigator the casino wastes so much space, and so few use it , we just walk through to the theatre, the casino staff totally underemployed, often look bored and cheesed off on the lack of punters. As an earlier poster put only people to show for a slots event out of 490 passengers ;is this a good value for Regent?

The fridges were changed last August during our Southampton to Amsterdam cruise. They do not fit everything , the best way is to take out the ice bucket. As Brits we did not use it anyway, as the over icing of soda in the states is a problem and we only drink wine and beer so no need to add ice here. But the butler said the replacement fridge design had not been discussed with them, and they were critical of its size.

13 hours ago, xrvlcruiser said:

Aunty Jan,

 

Once you've made your choices, you can call Regent and get them to book the tours you've picked. This works well and is far simpler that trying to do it on line.

Peggy

Agree, easier to ring especially if a tour is repeated as to which time to take, also allows you to do 2 tours in a port as to the allowed gaps.

36 minutes ago, RJ2002 said:

 

I seem to remember someone mentioning it had to do with the outdoor decking.

Was told it was the teak outside decking being replaced when on board this August.

3 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

On Caribbean itineraries, ‘formal’ for me means wearing socks.

 

Seriously, though, as Jmariner said, a navy blazer and/or sport coat should be fine.  The main reason I wear a jacket at all is that some of the dining venues can lean toward the chilly sometimes.

Plus somewhere to put key card, wife's glasses case , etc  and also often put a small camera in pocket

Agree with Bill can be chilly if under air con vent in some locations.

Maybe not PC , but I do worry re the safety of people on scooters, if there was an emergency how would they move about without lifts and if the decks were at an angle !! Equally the ability of some to use tenders or the gangplank worries me.

On 9/4/2019 at 12:13 PM, majmaj4 said:

The cruise stops at Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel in the Azores

Two options on Sao Miguel, Furnas and the thermal springs or Sete Citades and the twin lakes area, both excellent tours but maybe one or the other as at opposite ends of Sao Miguel.

11 hours ago, susierailroad said:

The suggestion to stop by Windsor Castle enroute to central London hotel is super but I have two questions.  We will have luggage, so would it be impossible to find a method of storing them while visiting the Castle?  Also, what method could we use to get to our London hotel from Windsor?  It seems apparent that it would be  best to go straight to the hotel and discover Windsor another day.  Whatdayathink? 

Windsor is not enroute to Central London, its the other way ! So this is not a Great idea.

1 hour ago, UUNetBill said:

I’m a computer person - I do most everything online whenever possible...and I don’t like the idea of a ‘computer-only, and only when onboard’ survey.  If they really want feedback they should give you at least a week after you get home to fill it out.  They could verify your responses with your booking number or last name/cabin number or something...

 

Really, paper should still be an option, IMO.

1 hour ago, UUNetBill said:

I’m a computer person - I do most everything online whenever possible...and I don’t like the idea of a ‘computer-only, and only when onboard’ survey.  If they really want feedback they should give you at least a week after you get home to fill it out.  They could verify your responses with your booking number or last name/cabin number or something...

 

Really, paper should still be an option, IMO.

Totally agree, we are computer savvy, but it took a while and is easier to fill in on a laptop, desk computer. The need for alternatives especially amongst the demographics of most Regent cruises is vital to get 90%+ replies. Think again. !!!

Yes there is , but its almost wasted space on many cruises with very few takers. On Navigator this summer I almost felt sorry for the casino staff siting there night after night doing nothing, as you walk through the Navigator casino to go to the top of the theatre. 100days on Regent never visited so lost nothing, would rather have another cruise, it's a mugs game as the ship  is never is the red , only the punters lose!! On Navigator feel this space could be better used, bigger lounge for the pianist, comfy sofa's etc.

On Mariner the casino is well away from busy areas, and is easily avoided with the stage stairway to stars nightclub.

12 hours ago, sddsddean said:

When we were there, the Little Mermaid was on display at a World Expo or something (in Seoul I think), so she was replaced with a live TV feed from the Expo...and people still got off the tourist buses to take photos of the TV screen! ..(Just like me!!)

 

Simon

You did not miss out at all!!! The little mermaid is one of the most overrated tourist features anywhere, only rivalled by the Manakin pis in Brussels. Copenhagen has lots of beautiful sites, do not waste your time on the mermaid, well out from the centre and distinctly underwhelming, if you must buy a postcard.