GOARMY

Triguy: Yes, there is some "Order of March". Applies to Guests at "Titanium" Loyalty Level and above. There isn't much above Titanium except--Never Mind. One 'perk for those at that level is being able to access their Suite by 1200H. Have tried to figure out this Order over the years. It is a moving target. Rest-assured: the ship will not leave without you. Usually, usually, the first bus departs the hotel around 1045H. This allows Staff to get riffraff (previous segment Guests) off; and prepare Suites for new arrivals. There are, usually, usually, three or four boarding Bus times extending to 1230H. But, as always, YMMV. Spouse and self have often just walked from hotel to Pier--depending on distance, weather, and how we are feeling. Such has applied at Vancouver, B.C., Auckland, and Sydney. We do not have bags to worry about. The bags will get to the ship before you do. GOARMY

dock: Yes. Many Guests do. But, if you do, notify the Regent Rep. so your name can be stricken from the Bus List. This is a simple courtesy to soon-to-be fellow travelers. Precludes a Rep. going around the marshaling yard area shouting out names of Guests who have not checked in to that Bus waiting which has been waiting outside. The same notification applies, of course, to leaving a Tour before the end to return to the ship on your own. GOARMY

In our experience--Yes as to Stateside experiences. And, one upcoming one will also be at Biltmore, Miami, this coming March prior to boarding Navigator. GOARMY

A quick addendum to ysolde's Key Points. Upon Hotel check-in--Ask where the Regent "Hospitality Desk" is located. You probably will NOT need to ask. Staff will know from your Reservation you are with the Regent Group. That Desk may well be within sight of the Check-in area. Go to the Hospitality Desk. Folks there are NOT Regent employees; they are contractors. You will be checked-off the List (of Concierge guests). You will be given a handout with complete instructions as to--breakfast time, location in the Hotel, and so-forth. As to luggage: Read the Instructions. You may be asked to leave the bags (with Suite Tags attached) INSIDE your Suite and ready for pick-up. That pick-up time is usually around 0800H. You do NOT need to be in your Room. You will probably be at breakfast. But, again. Read the Instructions as to where to place the bags. Could be hallway. The Reception Rep. may also hand you a color-coded tag indicating what time you should be in the Lobby to await transportation to Port. Point being: Read those Instructions. Any questions--talk to Reception Rep. Those folks will (should) also be present on morning of departure in the Lobby to facilitate "herding the cats" (Guests) from Lobby to Bus. GOARMY

GoNavy: The sense of this is that everyone has the opportunity to book one reservation at each specialty restaurant--regardless of Suite category--during a cruise segment. Depending on when one books--availability of a particular restaurant at a desired time (like, table for 2 at 1830H or 1900H) might not be available. Then flexibility and being willing to share come into play. This does not preclude visiting any of these restaurants to check for openings due to no-shows, cancelations, and such. Follow "papa's advise in his Post. Same (Maitre'd intervention) has happened to us. Nice. GOARMY

kahuna21: Not confusing. Refer to Post #3. Correct as to current format as to "Optional" Formal nights. But, with everything in life and cruising--things can change. Your Final Cruise Document notations will confirm Optional Formal Nights, if any. Enjoy your cruise. GOARMY

A recent weave on this Thread as to Role Reversals based on a shipwreck hit a chord. On a bit lighter mode, but analogous to Triangle of Sadness, consider: "The Admirable Crichton". A 1957 British film starring Kenneth More and Sally Ann Howes. Based on J.M. Barrie's ("Peter Pan") London stage play by the same name. Plenty of Class satire; less very-dark, very visual aspects of the human condition. There have been numerous stage versions of "Crichton", including one a few years back performed at Village Theater, a Seattle-area (Issaquah) venue. Village's was titled: "A Proper Place". Our daughter, who began performing at Village's Kid Stage--then to center stage, had a lead role in that production. CCers in this neck of the Woods (Seattle Metro area) may well have attended Village productions over the years. Crichton and Place make a similar Point--without constantly rubbing our noses in--- well, you know what. Check out the movie. Best, and stay nice out there. GOARMY

Open Bar-- The Pool Deck Bar opens at 1000H. Weather permitting, of course. Observation Lounge Bar--usually at 1200H. It varies at other Lounges. Usually another opening at 1600H at the Lounge hosting afternoon tea. Desperate? Call Room Service. And/or delve into the bottles of wine and such you will have ordered beforehand--or in coordination with your Suite Attendant or Butler. Consult "Passages"--the newsletter which will be left on your pillow at evening turn-down time for next-day's Bar Hours at all venues. These can change. GOARMY

To All: Too late to edit my last Post. So-- Apologize to The Bard for misspelling Contemplation . . . as devoutly to be wished. GOARMY . . .

KenzSailing: "Once and for All". It is a completion devoutly to be wished (apologies to Shakespeare). But, just as you wait-- Within the next few-days, there will be a New Post on this topic which, as related to Regent, has been beaten to--demise. To all--simply enjoy your cruise segment. You have ALREDY paid for it. GOARMY

jjs17; Portolan; and any other CC'ers with a shared history studying Latin (including serving repeating same while an Alter Boy) and/or subsequent to a more serious study at both parochial and public schools-- Amo, Amas, Amant. Could go on--but time and memory has faded. Shakespeare as to naming Regent's anticipated ship-- Romeo to his sweet Juliet: "A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet." FWIIW: (which has not meant much) as to nominating future ships Splendor and Grandeur. Suggested "Ambassador". Both ships. Obviously, did not make the cut. Thus--have given up. We await boarding Grandeur in January '25 at L.A, and later in November. Then, as always--Navigator in March at Miami to go around the 'Carib. Best to all-- GOARMY

frantic36: You are Way-way overthinking this. Echo, and double-double down on Pcardad's Post. His is the consistent Voice of common sense and experience. Am violating my self-imposed prohibition of several years not to comment further on Regent Threads or Roll Calls as to "Tipping". But-- Been w/Raddison/Regent for 20+years. On all ships other than Grandeur--which we will board in early January 2025. Your cruise fare--which is certainly significant--includes amenities such as daily payments to Staff--from Suite Attendants/Butlers to Restaurant Staff; to Bar Staff; to whatever Staff. We have NEVER experienced any second-glances from any Staff--at any service level--as to providing, or NOT providing a Tip. We have contributed to the Crew Fund--as Pcardad suggested--on several occasions. Just enjoy your cruise, without guilt. GOARMY

TomTN: We have always been able book a future cruise while onboard the current one; and have that booking transferred to our TA for follow-up. That TA is well-wired into Regent. GOARMY

TS: Appreciated comprehensive coverage of recent culinary delights on Navigator. No surprise based on at-least seven previous Navigator segments all over the World going back 15 years. So---- Next--Navigator, Miami-Miami March 21-April 04 2025. Care little, or nothing, as to carpet colors. What counts is quality of service on all levels from Staff clearing standing water from 11th Level Jogging Path in the early AM for my daily jogging routine, regardless of weather--to Suite Service and Butlers--to Compass Rose personnel. ALL Staff continues centered on providing a First-Class product. So-many have returned to Navigator, having recovered from the Pandemic shutdown. j-anandu: No need for concern. Do not overthink this. Just enjoy. To those joining us at Miami next March--add to the just-established Roll Call for this segment. Hope Ray Solaire will be Cruise Director. Oh: BTW: We will celebrate our 55th Wedding Anniversary when onboard. GOARMY

FWIIW: Received mailing advertising "FIRST CLASS AIR" (no exaggeration as to capitalization) for all booking classes on "Selected" 2025 itineraries. Obviously, targeted at segments not currently, or projected, to sell at an acceptable level. Possible opportunity to utilize a $2,000 Future Cruise Certificate purchased DIRECTLY from Regent, not some third-party, two months ago while aboard Splendor. Spent minimal time going online confirming Navigator's March 21-April 4 Miami-Miami sailing amongst the "Selected". Bit on the Bait. Quick call to our TA. Same day Booking secured. First Class Air (back to normal caps) on Delta's N/S flights from, then back to SEATAC. Blacklane transfers. Added attraction was TA's ability to obtain nice seats on both air segments. Did not have to wait the normal 210 days prior to embarkation to get those seats. Next-day: Confirmed Delta's Airline Confirmation Code. Aircraft to be utilized (at this point) show the normal two-cabin Classes for domestic flights--Coach and First. Online check showed Delta does not offer a separate Business Class for these domestic fights. Our Code is for First Class. Seats up front indicate same. Overall cost for this itinerary was, of course, lowered in our case, by $2,000. NTL, a reasonable price which included First Class Air on those 6+hour flight segments. Now, hopefully, Ray Solaire will be Cruise Director. And, as always: YM(land and air)MV. GOARMY GOARMY

CardowMD: Go with the flow. Get spoiled. Enjoy it. No guilt will attach. GOARMY

The threshold for "Formal Optional" (FA) nights is 16 nights on the ship. Not 15, and a wake-up. Our next upcoming Grandeur January '2025 segment--L.A. via Panama Canal to Miami--is 16 nights on the ship. Unless there has been a very recent change, there will be two FA's. First, on second night (Captain's Reception); second on penultimate night (Captain's Farewell and "Crew Capers" show). Such nights will be noted on the Itinerary page of Regent's Final Cruise Summary document you will receive about 30 days, or less, from sailing date. GOARMY

Done Panama Canal and Amazon (The Greatest River in the World!) segments. Echo several above Posts as to Canal. Have transited four times, two Pacific to 'Carib; two Carib to Pacific. Fifth will be in January '25 for another Pacific to Carib aboard Grandeur. The only time we have ever stayed in--or near our Suites at various Category levels--was one Pacific to Carib transit. Pouring-down rain--continuous, all seven or eight hours. Heavy winds. Fortunately, this was not our first trip through the Canal. Result was spending most of the time watching the Bridge camera which is piped-into each Suite; plus, listening to commentary from a Guest Lecturer. Other times--out and about. Always something to see. Regarding Amazon: This is Not a River; it is an inland Ocean. For us: so bloody HOT and humid. Had to carefully gauge time spent out of our Suite. We were there during the end of one extremely heavy--even by local standards--Rain Season. Really, not much of interest to observe against a heavy current upstream on the way to Manaus; and return with the current except marveling at the strength of the River's brute power. A once in a lifetime experience. A marvel of navigation by our Navigator Captain to dodge the tree trunks and various chunks of former washed-away shoreline land being carried by the current either at on the way to Manaus; or chasing the ship's stern during the exit portion. Many changes as to published shore itineraries due to River conditions. As our Captain noted: The River demands respect. Forward-facing or stern-facing Suites are a secondary consideration. Just stay in the moment and venture out. GOARMY

No. GOARMY

ThanksChar: Yes, you are overthinking this. Did July '24 Splendor circumnavigate, Reykjavik-back to Reykjavik, as second segment of a B/t/B. Most transits from one Iceland Port to the next were at night. Wonderful experience. Weather, more-or-less, cooperated. Safe travels. GOARMY

And--is it not comforting to know should one want a "little more of that; a second portion of this": Response will be: "Of Course." No judgment. Frankly, have seldom felt the need to do-so. GOARMY

Gcto: Definitely follow papa's-----advice. Things constantly change. Recent example(s): Upcoming January Grandeur L.A. to Miami: Initially Waitlisted on two Tours. Kept checking. Cleared Both. Obviously, Regent was able to add another bus/van/donkey cart, whatever--Plus, some folks may have canceled. Then, one that I initially booked--Canceled due to lack of "onshore support". Well, what a fate to be confined onboard during the day on a 5+star ship. Oh, the horror! Two steps forward; one step back. Papa----: Even better, get a refill to that champaign glass before getting in Excursion Desk wait line. It has worked for us. GOARMY

Ship Traveler: A cautionary Note--based on recent experience. Regent end-of-cruise transfers to either a hotel or the departure airport are notoriously expensive. Example: Regent wanted $87.00 pp to transfer us from the Mariner to a Papeete Hilton for a day-long stay before departing late that evening for flight back to USA. That route, when I did a Google, was less than five miles. Way-less. But, not walkable considering the climate (rain; humidity) and baggage. Yes, a taxi was an option. But-- We had a bunch of OBCs. A few days before debarkation--and after receiving that Questionnaire--went to Reception. Was told NO--OBCs had to be used while on the ship. This seemed bizarre. Went to the Concierge. He advised, YES as to applying OBCs. I suggested he convey this info. to Reception to alleviate other guests' angst. Concierge then accessed our Account; did whatever he had to do, and VIOLA! We had those transfers. You may not experience this--but, if so--do not take No for an answer. Go to the Concierge. Best, GOARMY

Whinehowine: Offer a ray of hope as to karma--as this particular Thead has just-about run out of useful twine. Karma does go around and sometimes back in unexpected ways. This ties into KanzSailing's #23 Thread entry as to Deck Chairs. Yet-again, those confounding Chairs. There is a history here, as CC Threads over the last 10-12 years have dwelt on boorish behavior concerning same. I have provided entries based on personal observation. One very-up close. Cutting to the chase: Several years ago (seems like an eternity due to COVID) on Voyager observed two guys get into a shouting match; followed by shoving/screaming; followed by exchange of blows and falling to Deck 11 Pool Deck continuing the altercation. Spouses screaming at each other, which did NOT contribute to de-escalation. Deck attendants, and then a Staff Officer responded. Issue, for whatever it was worth: leaving a personal item in an unoccupied Deck Chair for a significant period of time. Yep, really significant. Result: Parties separated and removed from the area. What followed was a methodical fact-finding process. Series of public announcements for anyone observing this matter to report same to Ship's Officer ASAP. Which I did. Later that PM: Captain reiterates this by a public announcement. (Which is highly unusual when not related to a pending weather situation requiring immediate passenger action.) He would welcome anyone to come directly to him with information. Already did that. Next day. Captain comes on with the normal Noon Announcement as to where Voyager was; where we were headed; and sea conditions. THEN-- The two individuals involved in yesterday's fracas had been confined to their respective Suites. They would remain there until Voyager's arrival at the next Port with an airport. At which point, the miscreants would be offloaded to find their way back to whenever they came from--at their own expense. And--they would not be permitted to book a future cruise segment on any Regent ship. Small steps to contribute to future cruisers' comfort. Passengers' conduct does have repercussions. ----- Note to Jim A and mrlevin as to your latest Posts: Eschewed the !. in mine. Will not continue same in future CC postings. My Washington Huskies' football team will not be able to keep pace during the 2024-2025 season with either 'Bama or Auburn. Guys: Hope we can meet in the near future on 2025 Grandeur and Explorer segments. I will buy the first round. Best to all, and Calm Seas and peaceful sailings-- GOARMY

resordanis: You put a premium on food? So does Regent. As papaflamingo detailed--Variety is the spice of life. Compass Rose's everyday menu offers a surfeit of choices. These include, at dinner, entrees from at-least one of the "Specialty Restaurant" venues. Just, just in case you had one of those during an earlier visit--ask for it-- again. Response will be: "Of course." This is a reasonable request. Want a special dinner--i.e. Indian? Or, as simple as just ordering Spagette with extra Meat Ball? Give 24-48 hours' notice. Presented. Really liked that Dover Sole? No problem. These are simple, common-sense responses. Example of Regent going above and beyond: Navigator, recent, on a B/t/B: Upon invitation (unsolicited) from Food & Beverage Manager--met Brandon for a Compass Rose dinner. Just the three of us. He--from South Africa. So--special wines. Brandon quickly recognized my spouse's understanding nuances of French cooking. Wonderful dinner resulting in follow-up invitation to join him, again, at Compass Rose for as he advised, a "special" South African-themed dinner which he would supervise. Of course, responded to that invitation. Over-the-top dinner with another series of South African wines. Delicious. Most conversations were between Brandon and my spouse discussing preparation of French cuisine. What was I doing? Observing a series of very-extensive waves crashing against windows. Another example of Regent's attention to detail. GOARMY!