ginny123

Ok, great.  Thank so much!

On 8/9/2023 at 3:35 PM, ceilidh1 said:

Ports

Ports on this ship were the usual Alaska ones - Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka and Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. We had been to all multiple times so just roamed around. In Alaska we went to our fave places - The Asylum and Jellyfish Donuts, in Skagway we got caught in a torrential downpour, in Juneau we just walked through town, and in Sitka we went to our fave thriftstore. We got closer to the glaciers in Glacier Bay than I have been in many years, so that was pretty cool! I feel guilty being so ambivalent about ports that many experience as a "once in a lifetime" thing - I really am spoiled. Also of note is that we saw whales from the ship several times, many eagles, otters, and a bear off in the distance. Once again, I am spoiled - these sightings are a daily occurrence where I live...

Can you please tell me your fave thriftstore in Sitka?  My husband hates shopping but we both enjoy browsing thrift stores in places we visit.  An interesting way to get to know a new area. 

Lunch today at La Veranda was outstanding!  Several hot Indian dishes, a few cold salad Indian choices and all excellent flavors with mild seasonings, none too spicy.  Hats off to whomever was the chef.

A couple days ago there was a German food theme in addition to the same offerings each day,  The pool grill is open at lunch with made to order grill items and a buffet side with precooked hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken, fish, and fresh grilled vegetables 

Our second visit to Chartreuse did not disappoint, even better than the first night!  We did the lunch wine tasting at $169 a person a few days ago and worth every penny, even if the food had not been included.  Not doing the second one however as the tastings did not suit us personally.

14 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

However, glad you got to Bermuda, weather notwithstanding. Our September TA missed it courtesy of Lee and Margo. I'll be interested in your views on Regent/Mariner post your trip. Cheers ... 🍺🥌

Second that, very interested as to your thoughts on Regent.

Forgot to mention CD Jude has left the ship.  John Ekin is her replacement.

Internet has been great while many people are off the ship but still seems  to bog down significantly once everyone is back onboard.  

Just left Bermuda, high seas and wind again this afternoon and tonight.  Hoping it's much less than our first night onboard.  
 

Don't usually do shows but really enjoyed the comedian Darrell Joyce last night.  Dover Sole and NY Strip were both better in Compass Rose than in Prime 7 two nights ago.  Chartreuse tonight.

15 hours ago, NYC-London said:

I agree, it looks like it has a zipper and can be easily folded into itself - if so, it is a keeper!

It can be folded mostly into itself.  I think this is how it was when we first got onboard.  Zipper across the top,  however no zippered pocket inside.    

Internet seemed a lot better to us yesterday so it still seems a bit dependent on where the ship is located;  not working as well today but we are currently out to sea.  Still, a day at sea is better than one on land.

La Veranda has been constantly good at lunch.  Our dinner at Prime 7 was disappointing.  The quality of the Dover Sole, Porterhouse, and Prime Rib was less than our last cruise, April 2018.  Yes, I know, pre-pandemic.  However, all three were overcooked compared to how ordered.  They kindly offered something else and DH had two 6 oz filets which were better quality and perfectly prepared.   

Left NYC last night, beautiful Sail away.  Pictures do not do it justice.  Service everywhere has been excellent.  Full ship, but love the Mariner because it does a great job disbursing people, never feels crowded.  Very large swells with 55 mph winds, rockin' and rollin' all night long.  Prime 7 tonight, Bermuda tomorrow, Captain says more highs seas and winds tonight.

Boarded Mariner Tuesday.  Photo of new tote bag.

1 hour ago, RELS said:

They used to offer galley and bridge tours. This was pre-COVID. When I asked last December they weren't offering them due to COVID. This may have changed. Check with the main desk when you board, and they'll let you know whether the tours are back. If yes, the first so many who ask will get notice of the day/time of the tour a couple days in advance. RSVP yes or no (depending on your excursion schedule or whatever), so that someone else can have your spot if you can't make it.

 

We always asked about an engine room tour, but that was never on offer.

I second checking with Guest relations.   Pre-covid that always worked for us.

On 10/1/2023 at 6:22 PM, Pcardad said:

WoW! Destinations needs some work.

Yes, Destination services is and has been Regent's most weak link.

On 10/23/2023 at 8:36 AM, mj_holiday said:

On some past cruises when we arrived at the closing of LA Veranda, the CD would be greeting us at the gangway to let us know that La Veranda was open for another hour or so and we could head up there to eat.

We too have had this experience, thought it was a lovely touch.  Shame if Regent is not still doing this.  Wonder if it just depends on who the Food and Beverage mgr is on the ship?

The letter does seem to be standard.  We board 10/31 and received ours about three weeks ago.

My husband and I loved the Baths at Virgin Gorda, both times, once with Regent and once with Azamara.  Both tines, there were only small ships tendering that day.  Just know that you tender, then catch your provided ride to the Baths, then walk down many steps to the baths.  Since you're active, you'll have no problem.  Again we enjoyed it immensely, a bit of a Tom Sawyer feeling, but it wasn't a super busy day with great numbers of people from many ships.  Once through the Baths, there is a beautiful beach (on your left if at the top of the stairs) called Devil's something, Bay maybe).  One of our favorite beaches ever!  No chairs or anything provided, just bring a towel.  There's a website somewhere to check how many ships are in each port the day of your excursion.  If no one else provides it, I'll try to find it and let you know

I am so glad to hear you're having such a wonderful cruise!  It's been five years since we were last onboard and are excited to hear the Mariner is still Regent of old. Exactly the experience we were hoping for when we booked!!

Thank you for posting!  We're on the Mariner in a couple weeks.  Do any particular servers stand out in Compass Rose that you could recommend? 

Will be on the Mariner soon.  Any recommendations as to the dining wait staff in Compass Rose?  Thanks!

Thank you so much for posting on this trip!  We sail the Mariner in eight weeks and cannot wait!!  And my husband will be super thrilled to see the drinks listing you've posted.  Agree that the pizza box looks to be something a worker might have left behind for some reason.  I'd probably mention it to the HK mgr along the lines of "how strange" to find it there but "stranger still" that it was obviously there for quite some time.  So hope the rest of the trip your suite is maintained as well as our have always been...excellently.

My husband worried endlessly about the same thing until we actually set sail the first time on Regent.  Unlike other responses posted so far, he is extremely hot natured.  He did not wear the sport coat he brought on our first cruise at all and has never looked back.  He always wears nice dress pants or khakis and a buttoned-down patterned, short sleeved shirt, tucked in, to dinner in Compass Rose or any of the speciality restaurants.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Wonderful review, thank you for posting it!

Thank you both!  I will check with Special Requests and hope for the best on Mariner.

I remember seeing a thread many years ago but can't find it now.  I am looking for info regarding pillows on the Mariner, specifically wedge pillows, the kind you prop up on for sleeping?    Also, am I missing an advanced search here on Cruise Critic?  I know there used to be one....

First cruise since 2018.  Love to note the particular staff who serve us well each cruise.  Assume the end of cruise survey is still electronic?  Is it still intranet only through Regent or now through a link on the internet?  Hopefully can be done within a week post-cruise or still before disembarking?

Yes, BBWC, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!