nanook21

This is exactly what we ran into flying from FLL to ATL to YVR when taking our Regent arranged flight for our Vancouver to Seward cruise late last month. Global Entry is not accepted by Canadian immigration, but there were numerous immigration officials waiting for Nexus, with no one in line. I don't know why. We arrived at the same time as 3 very large flights from China, and several other flights from the US. We spent 2 and 1/2 hours in line. Luckily, we had spent a large amount of money to stay overnight in Vancouver before our cruise. If we had not, it would have been a very close call to get onboard on time since we had to go through US customs and immigration before boarding the ship. I would never take a cruise out of Vancouver again.

You might want to check on this again, online. There are most definitely Global Entry kiosks in all major Canadian airports. I just double checked by going to CBP.ca and doing a search of airports with global entry. It may say only Nexus on the airport arrivals sign, but it includes Global Entry. Just ask the agent directing people in the customs area. I am a Nexus card holder in Canada (US Citizens can also apply for Nexus for half the cost of Global entry, but one must apply online and attend an interview center near the border. My Nexus card allows me to use both Nexus and Global Entry when entering the US from any country.

So a question... everyone keeps mentioning a Regent Society Newsletter, and although we are Silver (not as high up as some of you), I’ve never seen a newsletter. How does one receive this - sign up for it by email? I get the brochures constantly mailed, but never had a newsletter.

We have also encountered this in the past, and it’s totally frustrating. We,like to review every aspect of excursions for a week before deciding what we’re interested in, and there is no good reason Regent can’t provide this information ahead of time. They used to, so what has changed? Regent, you can and should do better on this.

This is awesome. I know where we’ll be dining on quite a few occasions! Really don’t like having to “dress for dinner” every nite. Well done, Regent!

Oh my, I didn’t know that obviously, it’s been a while since we waitlisted. Thanks for that info. (Rather inconvenient of Regent, IMO).

Agree with that, but you don’t even need to call Regent. If you request an excursion it will specify wait list on the website, and I believe it automatically shows on your record that you are wait listed. We had that happen a couple of times before we were Silver, and both times, the wait list cleared and we got our requested excursions. Note however that even if you have a confirmed reservation, the excursion could be cancelled. That’s how we never did make it to Quito in S.A., to our great disappointment, the tour was cancelled during our cruise. Guess it was a weather or transport issue. Stuff happens.

That’s great, if it works for you, I don’t have a problem dealing with our TA, she’s amazing, knows Regent very well, and once I give her my choices, she always makes it happen, or gives me the options if not. We’ve also booked our own and taken the credit, so it just depends on what’s available and what you’re comfortable with. We’re starting with our TA and Regent for our next one. Hopeful they can get the carrier and routing we want. We’re not platinum, so pay a deviation, but we don’t care.

Sorry, we got a bit off topic. I don’t mind AC direct to Europe in Bus class, as long as I don’t have to stop in TO I’m happy.

Agreed! We wouldn’t dream of using them overseas, we refuse to fly coach for anything longer than 4 hours, and that’s even too long. Even on WJ we fly Plus (premium Econ). We used to get auto upgrades on USAir until AA messed that up, we can’t even get a nonstop on AA now. :(

West Jet may have started out as a low cost carrier, but not any more! Theyre now 2nd largest carrier in Canada, with fares to match. Fares have risen dramatically. We use them multiple times per year between YYC & PHX as it’s now our only nonstop for most of the year (sure miss USAir!). In many ways theyre better than Air Canada, but not for Bus.Class overseas, as WJ doesn’t have that.

Well silly me, I didn’t read your posts very well. You’ve already done the WC, so I’ll have to see if I can find your blog. For the others contemplating it I’m interested in your experiences. I’m afraid I’d get tired of the repetitiveness, not sure I could handle that long on board.

But it’s tempting!

Wayne will sympathize with Dick, and it’s why we won’t do a WC... he’s still tied to his business (even though he should really be retired at this age!). Although he will give me a month or 2 at a time, and I’m happy to have him “busy”. LOL. We’re booked on the Explorer next year in the Baltic (August, Stockholm-London), looking forward to that for a break. Hope to see you all again on some future cruise. That Miami-Lima leg is still one of our favorites too, lots of fun. Enjoy your WC, I’ll be looking for your posts!

Sorry if this is off-topic. Wendy and Carolyn, I’ve really enjoyed following this thread. We were also on that 2011 cruise Miami-Lima (first leg of circle SA). We were wishing we could have stayed on for more at the time. Remember meeting you both pre-cruise here on this Board, and at the on-board Meet & Greet. I recall we had a very large group, including Jackie & Dennis, up in Horizon lounge. Also Peter & Nancy, who we coincidentally also ran into 2 years later on the Auckland-Sydney leg on Voyager. A WC has been in our thoughts lately, but think we’ll stick to Grand Voyage or longer segments, more our speed. ;)

Im also envious of anyone taking a WC, it’s kind of a bucket list item for us (now in late 60s early 70s). But we also have a high needs 18-year old Himalayan cat, so even 30-day jaunts are a challenge as we lost our last pet-sitter. Plus we have a second home in Arizona where we spend our winters, so a WC usually falls at a bad time for us. Maybe some day! Until then, we’ll stick to the grand Voyages or shorter at most.

We crossed the Tasman Sea in January 2013 on Voyager, and there was a little turbulence, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Some have a problem, but just make sure you have the wrist bands with you (they do work!), available in most pharmacies. If not, the shops on board sell them. I always also carry Dramamine just in case.

Yes, they usually have a 3-card Texas Hold’em table (my favorite) plus the usual blackjack. My DH prefers craps or full poker when they do a tournament. Sometimes it’s fairly empty, other times it’s packed, you never know. We like to go in for an hour or so after dinner, just for fun, if we’re not going to a show. I’m trying to remember, but I think we were able to buy chips at the casino cashier desk with our onboard account, but we did always have cash with us too. Even won a few times!

The problem as I see it with M&M scheduling is that embarkation day is so hectic, getting settled in and unpacked, and just exploring the ship (if it’s new to you). Although I enjoy meeting fellow CCers, I just want to rest and clean up for dinner after sail away. Then if you’re on a port-intensive itinerary as we will be in the Baltic, it’s port stops every day, all day for almost the entire trip. After touring until 6 or 7 pm during the day, I just want to put my tired feet up and rest. (The fact that Regent doesn’t include a footstool/ottoman in the suites annoys me no end!). We don’t get a sea day until almost the end of the cruise! When can we squeeze in a M&M?

Hopefully they’ll add more sushi or sashimi offerings, that would be awesome. I’m not much of a Sake lover (prefer my chilled Chardonnay!) but Wayne likes Sake, especially heated. It will be a change, anyway. Sometimes they have Sushi at La Verandah at lunch, so we can usually get our fix there. Some of the really big ships (which I avoid like the plague) have Sushi bars. Now wouldnt that be great!

I’m actually really anxious to try Pacific Rim, it’s new on Explorer - and I understand also on Splendor. Unfortunately Wayne is allergic to all Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster) so I may have to do some arm-twisting! He can eat Fish though, and we both love Sushi. If they have Sushi and Sake, he’ll be a happy man. LOL. Looking forward to something new,

Glad to hear that Jackie, we had always liked the CR menu on Mariner and Voyager, often more than the specialties, so on Explorer next year it won’t break our hearts to not get extra reservations in the others. Having said that, we quite often were able to get in at the last minute, just by showing up at the door and asking if there was space. 😉

Don’t see anyone on this thread on our ship, we are booked on Regent Seven Seas Explorer (small ship, our favorite kind) for Aug 30/19, Stockholm to Southampton. We really hate the huge ships and their crowds, so once we tried Regent, we never looked back (used to sail HAL). Always wanted to do the northern countries, and 3 days in St.Petersburg got our attention. Going into Stockholm 3 days early so searching these boards for things to do there. My DH does get involved in the pre-planning to a point, but I do all the research. Then he picks what HE wants! LOL

Oh wow, how awful it took so long! I wouldn’t have been nearly as nice about it, I can’t just find new clothes anywhere, I’m hard to fit, so I’d be devastated! I’ll definitely be splitting our clothes into separate bags and putting some into a carry-on.

I’ve been looking at the ITA Matrix site, and it’s so much easier to search flights there than the usual (whoever posted that tip, thanks!). Right now looks like best option is KLM via AMS, but other possibles are AC/SAS via FRA. BA has a longer layover in LHR, but also a possibility. Only up to July 2019is available so far, but that’s close enough to get an idea of next summer’s schedules for August. Return from London (LHR) is easy, a straight run on AC or BA to Calgary.

I get it, we had a condo in Victoria, so on and off the Island can be a pain, but most of the time worth the hassle. :-). Out of Vancouver YVR is def your best bet from Comox. Safe travels!

PS - I also totally got your “ungrump” comment! LOL. I have to shush my DH repeatedly, just waiting in a security line! Mr. Impatient.