morneau

We were on Viking River two months ago and I can confirm that there are always water bottles available, but soda only during meals.  There is a table set up by the main desk which is always filled with water bottles for you to bring on excursions or back to your room.  In addition, there are two glass water bottles in the rooms which are always refilled/replaced as needed.  If you stay in a Veranda Suite they will also stock your in room fridge with soda and other drinks, but I'm not sure if that's the case for the other room categories.  Maybe someone else can weigh in, but you're definitely fine with water - there's plenty of that!

I had an issue in the Aquavit with a few couples saving the tables for two every night.  My husband and I ate at shared tables in the dining room every evening, but one night my group of friends and husband were off the ship and I wanted to try out the Aquavit by myself and enjoy a quiet table for two.  I got there exactly at 7pm and found that people had come earlier and draped their coats on the chairs to save the tables....they sauntered in closer to 7:30 and you could tell that this was their routine.  I felt this was against the spirit and congeniality of the river cruise....You could see that the servers were well aware that this was taking place but were in no position to intervene.  I've read various excuses on the board from couples who did this every night of the cruise (i.e.,my partner is hard of hearing, doesn't like to socialize, etc). I wonder if these couples stopped to think that others might want the same opportunity to enjoy a quiet table for two from time to time.....

Oh I love the look of the new tote bag....it looks like Longchamps!

We just returned from a Viking River Cruise and were in a Veranda Suite.  We used our Veranda only once.....most other times we were tied up to another ship.  The balcony on Viking is quite small/narrow. We really enjoyed having a French balcony in the bedroom and often kept it open in the evenings for some fresh air.

10 hours ago, RachelG said:

I personally think the virus will go away with the summer.  We will see.  Just my speculation based on other similar viruses.

I am not at all scared of the virus.  Our health system revealed the statistics on all the patients who have died in the health system from Covid 19 yesterday.  100% had an underlying condition, but most had multiple.  Most common were obesity and diabetes, followed by heart disease, COPD, and autoimmune disease.  I have none of these.  The people who do need to take precautions and probably shouldn’t cruise, but they need to let the rest of us go about our business.

With all due respect to RachelG, the above is simply not true.  My husband and son are physicians on the front lines in NYC and NJ trying to fight this pandemic, and while the great majority of patients do have pre-existing conditions, there are a good number of patients who do not.  This virus is attacking otherwise young and healthy individuals in unpredictable ways, and new data is suggesting that it may be causing an unusual uptick in strokes among otherwise young and healthy individuals.  Suggesting that there is a group i.e., "the rest of us" that is immune to the effects of this virus is, IMHO, a dangerous proposition.  This is no time to be complacent. I do hope your hunch that the virus will go away with summer turns out to be true, despite what the experts are predicting.  Stay safe all.

After listening to Antony Fauci on the news and reading the state department directive above, it seems quite clear that if you get into trouble on a cruise ship as an American citizen you are on your own.  For those that choose to travel, especially those in the high risk categories, you have been duly warned.

Unfortunately we canceled our upcoming cruise on Explorer a few days ago after reading troubling reports about the lack of reliable internet connectivity on board.  It seems clear that this is certainly not a new problem, and the thought of being unable to connect to important matters back home while at sea was a deal breaker for us.  We have enjoyed our past trips on Explorer but  we have too many people back home (work, elderly parents) to take such a chance.  I certainly will not book a future cruise unless and until this problem has been solved.

1 hour ago, ronrick1943 said:

It's too bad to hear about the service problems.  If you're a regular Regent cruiser or  New to Regent shouldn't matter.  You are paying for a standard of service and that standard should be maintained thought out the line on all ships and on all cruises.  That is why most people cruise Regent, one should expect and get what you're paying for no matter what.........

I completely agree with the above.  The fact that Travelcat2 is a frequent cruiser and has the perspective that things are usually better is of little benefit to those who are currently on the Explorer and experiencing multiple service issues.  We have an upcoming cruise booked next spring on Explorer and the internet connectivity problems that appear to exist at the moment are giving us pause and making us reconsider the trip.  Lack of reliable internet would be a dealbreaker for us.

Does anyone else not think the post from Jason Montague is a fake/troll post?  This is his first post ever?  And it is poorly worded for a President/CEO.  I'm suspicious....

Thanks for posting these terrific pictures!  This looks a lot like Grand Suite 901 the we stayed in a few years ago....you do a great job of showing the slanted ceiling in the bedroom. 

Thanks kjbacon for your detailed description of the Moroccan ports - they sound positively awful.  My assumption is that a Regent did their best to offer interesting and safe excursions but they were hindered by the actual infrastructure there.  I will gladly remove these two spots from our bucket list.  Thanks for posting!

Although we had to cancel this cruise we were particularly looking forward to visiting the ports in Morocco.  Can you tell me what specifically was the issue at these ports - were they not desirable areas or were the excursions themselves lacking?  Any details would be most appreciated!

What a great itinerary, and love how you are spending your days leading up to the cruise as well.  Looking forward to reading about it all!

What an unexpected treat to be able to check in to your rooms early after an overnight flight!  I'll be following along with interest as we were booked for this cruise but unexpectedly had to cancel.  Hope it's wonderful!

Last summer we were onboard the Explorer when there was a large group of about 70 traveling together...I believe they may have all been from the same company or workplace.  They were well mannered, well dressed and very pleasant indeed.  My only caveat is that on the first night, as my husband and I were dining in Chartreuse, we were unfortunately seated adjacent to the area where they were all eating together (at large round tables).  The issue was that they weren't doing much sitting at their tables but instead were standing and walking around for much of the meal, table hopping amongst themselves and sharing wine and making toasts.  Not only was it not a relaxing dining experience, but our service suffered as a result.  Fortunately that was the first night of the cruise and we were able to specifically request going forward not to be seated near the group. 

Not really a larger kitchen, but if I remember correctly (and I certainly may be mistaken) the kitchen area in 900/901 had the bar area against the wall and then a counter across from it so that it created a sort of galley kitchen.  No additional appliances, but it was just a little more built up in that area.  Again, I may be mistaken but my husband thinks this was the case as well.

One additional note...the suite that you viewed that seemed to have a larger kitchen and bar area could possibly be suite 900/901 which we stayed in previously.  We loved the interior space of that living area and bar, but the bedroom was considerably smaller than the bedroom in 1200/1201, with a slanted ceiling and a portal window to see out the front.  The master bathroom in that suite was gorgeous as well - no shower window but a nice big window (if I remember correctly) over the tub that looked out the front of the ship.  The balcony in 900/901 is much smaller than the other original Grand Suites.  In the end, you will not be unhappy with any of these cabins - they are luxurious and well appointed and you will be well taken care of.

We stayed in Suite 1200 for a Baltic Cruise last summer and will be staying there once again for a cruise next month.  We really loved the suite, and even though the balcony is not really usable while the ship is at sea, my husband  prefers to look forward and see where we are going. The suite is incredibly luxurious and the bathroom is gorgeous.  We were very comfortable there, even with one night of rough seas in the Baltics (which was otherwise calm the rest of the trip).  As for the noise, we did hear trivia happening below in the afternoon and music in the evening that ended probably around 10pm?  For us, we would have preferred not to hear it, but it wasn't very bothersome and obviously didn't prevent us from booking the same suite again.  I think you can't go wrong with any of the original Grand Suites.  We had previously stayed in 901, a former Explorer Suite reclassified to a Grand Suite, but given the option we prefer 1200.  Hope that helps!

Yes Suite 1200 does have the full window looking out from the shower.  There is a handy shade inside the shower that can be lowered for modesty while the ship is in port.

Thanks for sharing...I particularly like the bathroom pictured in the Splendor Suite....very stylish!  It looks like a somewhat lighter color palette all around.

Although I am not currently on a ship, I seem to remember that at the bottom of the printed list of shore excursions there is a line that specifically states that gratuities for the driver and guide are not included. I will be back onboard in a few weeks and clarify.

Just confirming that I received a notice from Regent that beginning March 25th the Master and Grand Suites will receive free unlimited valet laundry service.  I'll be on the Explorer but it appears to be fleet wide.

It appears that this amenity has been added to Master and Grand Suites on all Regent ships as far as I can tell!  Very happy news:) 

Wait...I may have spoken too soon...I just went onto RSSC website and it appears in the suite descriptions on Explorer that this perk HAS indeed been added to Master and Grand suites.  Unless I am reading this wrong, this is welcome news indeed!!!!

That is great news and in my opinion, long overdue.  Too bad that perk isn't available currently on Explorer as we board next month and would certainly love to have that amenity, especially because we don't take advantage of many other perks that are associated with the Grand Suite.  I'm glad that Regent has made this decision going forward on Splendor.