GOARMY

While this Thread has about run its course, might has well relate another comment from W. Claud Fields. WC was known to carry a flask on a movie set, which he referred to as his "pineapple juice". Took a sip, now and then. One of these occasions was when filming "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break." His foil, Margaret Dumont--who had many a caper with the Marx Brothers' movies--was in that flick. Sooos: someone substituted real pineapple juice for the booze in the flask. Fields' response, upon imbibing: "What rascal has been putting pineapple juice in my pineapple juice?" O.K. We now return to our regularly scheduled program. Save travels. GOARMY!

UUnetBill: Both barbs can be true, if we truly believe them to be. If it's a pithy comment, attribution to either Sir Winston or Shakespeare cannot ever be a faux pas. Hope we have an opportunity to cruise again on a future segment. GOARMY!

Ah! Up that winding staircase on a 747. A "trip" back through history. Northwest Orient Airlines (NOA). Upper deck was a cocktail lounge with sofas. Long-hauls from Seattle to Far East; and visa-versa. Really 1st Class. Those days are long-gone, as is NOA. . British Airways and United also maintained the upper level for Business Class seating on long-haul flights. No cocktail lounge, of course. We always selected seats in Rows 62 or 63. Quiet, and often provided opportunity to exchange greetings with Flight crew when they exited cockpit for a Potty break. No more 747s on BA or United on these long-hauls. Not fuel efficient. We were on one of BA's last 747s back in 2019 when returning to SEA from Heathrow following an Explorer segment. The ensuing 2020 Pandemic accelerated BA's decision to discontinue using 747s. GOARMY!

TS and PhD-iva: No forward Observation Lounge on Navigator. All common areas such as Seven Seas Lounge Theater are aft. Why? Because Navigator's basic hull design was not, originally, meant to be for a cruise ship; rather, for a Soviet-era ice breaker/electronic surveillance platform. Very-heavy forward hull design. Had to counterbalance that weight by putting a lot of weight aft. Hence, the unique Theater, . Many pleasant cruises on Navigator. Quickly adjusted to the smaller footprint. Downside for many is having only one reservation-required Specialty Restaurant (Prime 7); and at-times a crowded La Veranda venue at breakfast and lunch. This aspect has been mitigated, somewhat, by opening up the Prime 7 section for overflow. Yes, there is Sette Mari (reconfigured from La Veranda) for dinner. No reservations required. Other have commented on the vibration quirks which can, at times, be noticeable; and at all times, a topic for conversation. Almost comical to watch one's wine glass migrate across a Seven Seas Lounge table top--on its own--when the rear thrusters are operating. And, the Lecturer literally hanging-on to the podium. One high note which had added to our pleasant times on Navigator was having Ray Solare as Cruise Director. Staff have provided, without exception, dedicated, professional service. GOARMY!

NDOMA: Your negative experience is not a one-off. Back in the day--participants utilized more subtle, clandestine methods of communication to circumvent decorum. That decorum was to assume folks would rely on in-person brain power (or, luck) to come up with an answer. So-many petty, sophomoric modes of deception. As opined in an old SNL "Weekend Update" skit: "Really, really?" Yes, really. How can about 10% of your fellow passengers caste a bad vibe? Thus, spouse and self eschewed joining this venue a year or two before the Pandemic. Have had no reason to consider further Post-Pandemic participation. But, whatever floats your boat. GOARMY!

mj-holiday: We did the reverse of your Explorer cruise segment late last-year. That was Vancouver, B.C. to Tokyo. Regent did a similar "States" section social get-together on one of our many sea days en route to Tokyo. Met several folks (non-Cruise Critic followers) from Northwest States. Nice idea. Assume your Alaska stop will include Dutch Harbor. If weather permits, (or, even if it does not) suggest visit to WWII Museum. This is one of three stops on a bus loop--Port, stops, back to Port. Poignant. My wife's step-mother was an Army Air Force Flight nurse assigned to provide care for soldiers wounded in 1943 Aleutian battle at Attu; then evacuated via ship or aircraft to Anchorage; then via either DC-3 ("Dakota") or, later, larger DC-4 aircraft to Madigan Army Hospital, Ft. Lewis, WA. CPT Gladys did her duty on this route for many, many months. I was assigned many, many years later to Ft. Lewis. Fortunately, not involving the Hospital. During our 2023 visit--pouring rain and wind. No problem. Got on the shuttle. Honored their sacrifice. Glad I did. Take care. GOARMY!

Zqueeze and UUNetBill: Well, on a somewhat lighter note in line with some recent recent comments between you guys-- Recall reading about an historic back-and-forth exchange between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor which, actually, probably actually happened. Winston had, as usual, consumed a tad-bit more brandy than usual while at a dinner party. Lady Astor, observing his demeanor, opined: "Sir, you are drunk." His response: "Yes, Madam. I am drunk. But tomorrow I will be sober. And, you will still be ugly." Eh gads. On a sincere note: Zqueeze: Best wishes for your speedy recovery. GOARMY!

flossie: Before time runs out on your segment-- Please extend our BIG How do you Doooooo! to CD Ray. It has been our good fortune to share time with him on several Navigator segments. A dinner with Ray is a dinner to remember! Jim and Sue Redmond, WA aka GOARMY!

RELS: Ah, the joys of sharing a table with a couple, one of whom shares second-hand vape vapors. Trust there will not be a next-time sharing a meal with them at the same table. And, so-as to digress off this now overly worn-out Thread--without default to chair hogs or designer jeans--or tipping----- UUNetBill: The gal who smoked up a cloud in her next-door Suite to ours on a pre-Pandemic Mariner cruise did not get the benefit of a second (or third) warning. Upon entering our Suite on the embarkation afternoon, noted cigarette smoke odor. Strong. Opened the veranda sliding door to increase fresh air flow; turned up the AC to full blast; and summoned the Room Attendant. Made sure he noted we had inherited this situation. The problem was either in a Suite to the left or right of ours. Smell cleared out. Attendant reported back advising Management had been alerted; and the individual warned. Two days passed with no repeat. Third day--in Port that early morning. Back to our Suite after breakfast. Same odor. Same response as to opening up the Veranda door and turning AC up. When on our Veranda, determined by smell which Suite the miscreant was occupying. The smell was worse on the Veranda. This time--back to Reception and a short meeting with the General Manager. We went to a morning lecture, followed by a brief onshore excursion; then back to ship for lunch. Waiting for us was a telephone message from the General Manager. The offender(s) had been removed--from the ship. A quick check confirmed there was an airport at that Port. Fortunate for the offender(s). Back to the General Manager we went expressing our thanks. That Suite stayed unoccupied, to the best of our knowledge, for the remainder of that segment. No passenger; no problem. GOARMY!

jeb-bud: Normally, we also deviate at the 210-day mark. If we have, say 250,000 to 400,000 FF miles just lying around, utilize those for two Business Class seats for long-haul over-the-ocean flight segments. Still go Concierge for early arrival at embarkation Port city; often two days early, and coordinate with Regent's assigned hotel to pay for the first night on our own. So-much simpler. But, in the instant case, our decision to book Splendor b/t/bs was made well-within that 210 mark. And, we had just expended around 400,000 FF miles on a Fall, 2023 Explorer Asian segment. So--that FF wallet was reduced to about 50,000 miles. I realized we were taking our chances in getting decent seats on both the long-haul June flight to London; and a mid-July return from Iceland. That's where our reliable TA helped out. So---Yes, the original 1-stop at a USA airport on either Delta or United en route to London was what the Regent Air Rep. initially represented to our TA--and then on to us. I anticipated this possibility. We had utilized British Air on three or four previous occasions for N/Ss both from, and then back to SEA concerning Regent (and Seabourn) European cruises. Advised our TA we would consider an upcharge, if reasonable, to get a BA flight. TA went back to Regent; Regent offered that BA flight for upcharge of $500.00 ea. There would be NO additional charge for securing SAGA Class Icelander Air seats coming back to SEA. For reasons already detailed in Post #33--this was a no-brainer. ------- And, of course YMMV. And, as to airline Post-Lock-down Pandemic "turbulence": we had this occur in late 2021 when working w/Regent Air (and our TA) to pin-down flights from SEA to Barcelona. Lufthansa and British Air were offered. Both required change of planes at either Heathrow or Hamburg. First, it was BA; then it was Lufthansa. Changes made due to canceling that second flight segment to Barcelona, or rescheduling it for another too-close to completing the first leg to be realistic to accomplish timely transfer of our bodies (and luggage). This back and forth dance went on during the last three weeks leading up to our departure from Seattle. Fortunately, Regent Air kept on-task. Our itinerary was changed THREE times. Finally settled-down four days before departure. Even then--we only breathed a sigh of relief after successfully boarding that second Lufthansa flight at Hamburg. Had a three hour layover. Sufficient time for time at Lounge to decompress. GOARMY!

jeb-bud: Had to go back into my email and Cruise segment files to confirm-- early 01/2024. Decided to sign-on to Splendor's June-July segments starting with 06/21 embarkation at Southampton. Email exchanges w/TA as to air segments began on 01/12--a Friday. TA dealt with a Regent Air contact as to "deviation" described in my Post #33. 01/15: TA advised Regent Air Rep. was holding the last available BA Business Class seats for us--pending our approval for the deviation. Immediate positive response from us. Later that day, received updated documents via our TA reflecting that BA Flight--with Seat assignments. GOARMY!

Piping up re: piped-in music. Recent experiences on Explorer and Mariner. First: paucity of live, classical music, particularly piano. Or, inability or unwillingness of some pianists to play same, upon request. "Don't do that; not my style." There ARE exceptions. The pianist on our Mariner WW segment accommodated my request to play some Debussy classics. At a pre-dinner cocktail-time Lounge venue; like the kind I played when courting my wife 54 years ago. Two nights later: she played Debussy's "La fille aux cleveux de lin" (Maid with the Flaxen Hair). Magical, and appreciated. Played it better than I did. So-noted, immediately, when talking to the Cruise Director; then on the Cruise Review. Similar experience late last year when on Explorer. The pianist who often played at Tea Time did play some Chopin and Ravel selections. He switched to same upon request. Very professional. What was also noted on both Explorer and Mariner mid, and end of cruise evaluations was loud, vapid, mind-numbing "elevator"-quality vocals at La Veranda during breakfasts and lunches. Asked, on-occasion, the Manager to at-least turn-down the volume, if it was impossible to put on more languid selections "paired" to enhance that venue's ambience. Screeching yells from a female (or male) vocalist put out the wrong vibe. Also--Regent has removed a classical music audio "channel" from those 25 or 30-odd possibilities piped-into Suites. The only alternative is switching to the Bridge channel. Music accompanying the "View from the Bridge" camera tends to be classical. Yes, I am "old school"; but, love the Beatles! GOARMY! .

Shoreviewgirl: A quick add-on to my earlier Post #26 as to finding a good TA-- When asking your fellow passengers for a recommendation, inquire if their TA has actually been a paying client on Regent ship(s); in addition to booking his/her clients. That is one hallmark of someone with first-hand knowledge of the Regent "brand". Hopefully, that TA--AND other colleagues in the TA's organization-- will have the benefit of sailing on at-least two Regent ships. There is no substitute for first-hand experience. And, no substitute for working with a TA having back-up, knowledgeable associates, and a track record of working with Regent points-of-contact should problems crop-up. As to your Post #7: YMMV, of course, based on others' earlier comments regarding quality of Regent-organized flight segment to/from a cruise. Ours, both pre-and post-COVID, have been positive. Recent example: Regent's original outgoing flight(s) for our rapidly-approaching (June) series of Splendor cruises beginning at London (Southampton) would have meant one-stop from SEA, via either Chicago or New York, to Heathrow. Four-hour layover and change of planes (and baggage). Result: Evening arrival at Regent's London hotel night before next-morning's transfer to Southampton. Little value for Concierge pre-cruise stay at that nice hotel (where we have stayed before). So--did some checking. Coordinated with our efficient TA (see Post 26) to request Regent get us on a N/S SEA-Heathrow British Air flight. Early afternoon departure from SEA; arrival at Heathrow 0700H. This will provide us with time in London (and a visit to the British Museum located a few blocks from our hotel) for a leisurely lunch); nice dinner, and rest, before next-day transit to Southampton. Cost for deviation: $500.00 pp. Well worth it. This was accomplished in 24-hours. Business Class seats assigned. We are Platinum, so took advantage of waiver of the $175.00 deviation fee. Even if we had to pay that fee, would have done it--given a marginal additional cost considering what we are paying for these cruise segments. GOARMY!

Shoreviewgirl: Against CC Policy to provide names of a specific TA and or Company on this Forum. Other will chime in on this--but, based on about 25+years of cruising--on different Lines, and on all Regent ships except Grandeur, have always used a TA. All were good; our latest, for the past 15 years, is GREAT!. Best advice is to ask around when onboard at social gatherings for recommendations. GOARMY!

SusieQft: Well, as in life: YMMV. We board Splendor at Southampton this June for a series of segments. Will note the laundry service turn-around; and report as needed on this First World matter. Safe sailings. GOARMY!