briar14

6 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

Has anyone done the "anytime brunch" class?  Curious what they prepare and was the class interesting?

 

 

We have done the Anytime Brunch twice (6 years apart),

not realizing it would be the same menu. Champagne/melon cocktail, scones (a good easy recipe), baked oatmeal, an egg dish (egg cooked on top of a pepper, onion, tomato sauté). We liked it because it was something we would make at home but were disappointed it was the same menu.

52 minutes ago, papaflamingo said:

We will be moving from a Deluxe Stateroom to a Penthouse next year.  Can you tell me how the process is different?  Thanks 

Cannot exchange drawers between suites because configuration is different. Everything else is as @RELS stated in that excellent description.

Three suite reviews. Having issues with our Apple computer, so hope you can add this information. Thank you.

Grandeur, 780, F2, Briar14, Nov./Dec. 2023, Aft port,

1 bath with tub and separate shower, noise from suite next door while seated on sofa, yes. Comments—deep balcony with only 2 chairs and small table; did not mind the aft location even in rough weather.

Explorer, 1030, Concierge D, Briar14, April 2024, Aft port, 1 bath, tub and separate shower, noise from Pool Deck at lunchtime, otherwise quiet, yes. Comments—great slanted balcony with recliner, 2 chairs and table; no issues with being near Prime 7 and Chartreuse.

Explorer, 740, PHC, Briar14, April 2024, Mid port, 1 bath, shower only, no noise, yes. Comments—narrow balcony with recliner, 2 chairs and table. 

This works if moving between same level of suites. In our case, we moved from Concierge to PH.

7 hours ago, welshfamily said:

Mr Levin,

Please come and let us know when you get your assigned suites.

Hope at least some of the suites are the same.

We have one change in the summer and are looking at it as a way to experience different positions on the ship  ( two decks separate the suites and one port and one starboard both concierge)

I would also be interested in any tips for moving day. We cruise in 10 weeks.

We moved on our recent Explorer cruise. It was easy and quick. A bellman moved all hanging clothes on a luggage cart. I chose to pack loosely all the items in drawers and bathroom in our suitcases, trying to pack by drawer contents so easy to unpack. If you prefer, Regent will do this. We also chose to be present for the move and then left the ship afterwards. Within an hour, we were moved and settled in the new suite. Al, the star bellman!, went back to previous suite to check nothing was left behind.

Just off Explorer and was determined to not use the Launderettes. Achieved! All laundry came back in perfect condition. I wrote the instructions on the bottom of the laundry slip and thanked them 😊. Best inclusion ever!

This was a very good cruise. Staff and crew were excellent. Even with crew changes in Busan, there was no diminution of services. Cherry blossoms, good weather, and a very good itinerary, especially in Japan, made for a memorable Regent cruise. Good job, Regent!

18 hours ago, mrlevin said:

One of the best cruises we have ever taken; officers, staff, and crew fantastic.  Lecturers and entertainers wonderful. We won cumulative trivia just icing on the cake.  Orchestra one of the best.  Alvi and geovanni behind the bar even more fantastic. I love Regent. 

It was a great 30-day cruise and wonderful itinerary. Icing on the cake was our winning congenial trivia team!

We agree with @chaunceyb about our Explorer trip. The visit to Miyako today, learning about the tsunami and destruction and

seeing the beautiful rocky coast scenery was spectacular. Returning to the ship we found food trucks and various booths selling Japanese items. As Explorer neared departure, town residents and officials turned out to send us off as a group of drummers and a flute player sent us off. And, the weather was beautiful as were the cherry blossoms. A good Regent day.

14 hours ago, Chateaunole-du-pape said:

We had one of those balconies last summer when in a D on Splendor, and agree that it it was really nice, though the weather was usually too cool to enjoy it while we were underway. (We were on the Baltic, and while the weather was pretty temperate, I think the water was still quite chilly, which made the breeze cool.)

 

There's a handful of F cabins on Splendor and Explorer (and, presumably, Grandeur) that have those huge balconies, too. They're near the rear of the ship, which some might not like, but I would book one of those in a heartbeat.

On the inaugural crossing, we had one of those suites, 780, and liked it. The furniture on the balcony was 2 chairs and a table, which was disappointing. Maybe more has been added?

If you are really interested in seeing Kyoto, I would also recommend spending the night. You could take the Shinkansen from Kobe, perhaps meet up with a guide in Kyoto or plan something yourself. There are so many beautiful temples and gardens to see, plus a movie set for Japanese shows, that a few hours is not sufficient. 
 

Tours we have enjoyed on the current cruise are the paper making tour (Kochi), visit to stone Buddhas in Usugi (Beppu), Senganen Garden (Kagoshima), and museum visits in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Happy planning!

Your tour, pictures, and descriptions are wonderful! I hope to meet you and hear more about your tour when you board Explorer on the 13th. Thank you for this excellent contribution.

We stayed at the Okura Hotel, chosen for sentimental reasons, as it was my first introduction to Japan when we moved there. Even though the hotel was rebuilt and reopened in 2019, it was still as serene as I remembered it with excellent, intuitive service. It is across the street from the US Embassy in a quiet neighborhood. The Ginza Line’s Toranomon Station is a 10’ walk, Roppongi, Ark Hills, and Azabudabai, 15 minute walks.

1 hour ago, edgee said:

So on a different note, from your point of view, are the walls on Grandeur so "thin" such that you hear conversations and tvs from neighboring cabins?

We were in 733 in Nov./Dec. one morning we clearly heard a phone conversation, including home address and credit card number. These were not loud voices. Never heard TV.

We also made it to Japan today🇯🇵! Not quite the journey Forgap had, but we began with one glitch—a major traffic jam at 4:30 am on I85 going to GSP. Made it to our 6:30 flight with minutes to spare. United flight from ORD to HND was ontime. Immigration very crowded. We each had our own QR codes. No problem at Customs. The Hotel Okura welcomed us with typical Japanese graciousness. Now to figure out how to turn off the lights in our room 😊. 

1 hour ago, PaulMCO said:

There is a whole thread about their excursions...  My post #43 explains my feelings.

 

 

Thank you.

@PaulMCO, Boarding on Monday for 30 days. What are issues with Destination Services and excursions? Thanks.

We are staying at The Okura next week.

Bill, I second Marc’s recommendation. In 2022 we enjoyed an excellent post cruise safari arranged by our TA. It was everything we hoped for, the accommodations were excellent, and we saw tons of wildlife. One tip I would have is to use a provider that can go “off road” in to the bush, tracking the animals.

3 hours ago, Gilly said:

Last Summer we were given the information during the first leg of our B2B.  Since our changeover day was in Southampton, we decided to enjoy a day having the ship to ourselves and had a wonderfully peaceful couple of hours (though not as long as we thought!)  The tour offered was to Winchester.

@GillyA good tour choice from Southampton, don’t you think 😊?

London-London in September ‘21 was Splendor’s third revenue cruise and Regent’s first cruise after lockdown. It was fantastic. I still remember the feeling of sitting on the pool deck, champagne in hand, absolutely gleeful to be back on a Regent ship.

@mrlevin. Marc, as I understand it from our TA the itinerary for the Grand Voyage does include the Dubai-Dubai loop. The Grand Voyagers will stay on the ship. We have decided to rebook this and are waiting to hear from Regent and our TA. Jan

3 hours ago, GMIAC said:

FWIW, we're staying on in Barcelona after our sailing at the Monument, which is right on Passeig de Gràcia, a block from Casa Mila, and boasts Michelin one-star and Michelin three-star restaurants. 

We stayed there in June and really liked it. Great location and staff. 

2 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

We were on Grandeur last month.  Dianara was not only in the Coffee Connection, but also Compass Rose serving wine and the theater serving drinks.  By FAR one of our FAVORITE crew members (in a huge bunch of favorite crew members).

Totally agree! Lovely person and a beautiful smile!

Yes, all month. Check the Roll Call.