GOARMY

So----All sizzle and no steak? Fail to see any real significance in this announcement as its affects on loyal clients. Are we (or me) missing some subliminal message as to change(s) in the offing to long-established (and maintained) service standards? Reminds me of a Shakespeare line from "Hamlet" relevant to this blast of media pronouncements: "Full of sound and fury--signifying nothing." See some of you at NYC in May when we board Navigator. GOARMY!

Observer: That person is Jennefer Teegen, Director of Guest Experiences & Loyalty Regent Seven Seas Cruises 7300 Corporate Drive Miami, FL 33126 jteegen@rssc.com Jennefer has responded quite promptly when I have contacted her on past matters. GOARMY!

TS: Reference my Post #6, directly above--"How to Find a Travel Agent": While not-yet on Splendor, my educated guess would be Yes. That partition can be taken out. That is what our friends did on numerous occasions while booking adjoining suites on several Regent ships. It made it easier for them to negotiate between rooms without having to go into the hallway. There are a limited number of connecting Suites on Splendor similar to other Regent ships, but not in your F2 category. Connecting meaning an interior door between the suites. GOARMY!

TS: General comment(s): Hope for Ray this coming May as CD. Many prior Navigator cruises going back about 15 years. Ray was CD during previous Asian segments; through the Panama Canal--both directions; and, most-recently, on a 06/2018 extended Miami-Amazon River-Miami cruise. Two other Navigator scheduled post-2018 cruises were "scuttled" due to COVID. Hope springs eternal. We will board Navigator again for a B/t/B beginning in NYC in about six months. Navigator does have its--shall I say, quirks, or nuances. Others would say--"Issues" such as to aft-suite vibrations; lack of a forward-facing internal Observation (Cocktail) and conversation venue Lounge; and having only two--"Prime 7" and a portion of breakfast and lunch La Veranda utilized as "Sette Mari" for dinner--considered as Specialty Restaurants. Plus, simply the smallest footprint in Regent's fleet. Well, you pays your money, (most-often at a reduced per diem rate) and takes your results. We know what to expect on Navigator. Consider: the hull (laid down back in the Soviet Union era) was not designed for a civilian cruise ship. Rather, another USSR "Polar Research Ship". (Editorial comment: NOT!) Soos--heavy in the bow. Result: All passenger general venues are mid, or aft, such as restaurants and Theater. All things considered. Have always experienced top-service from a dedicated and friendly Staff and Crew. Navigator's Compass Rose--the primary dinner venue--includes opportunities to order entree' items from those Specialty restaurant venues (such as Pacific Rim, and Chartreuse) which are absent. No worries. Enjoy your cruise! GOARMY!

To Thread Starter: Have been with Radisson/Regent for 20+ years. Never heard of "Reflections" as a daily posting for next-day activities. Have I missed something? That document has been "Passages". That written record--usually two pages--is placed on the bed close to those two delicious chocolates--incident to Staffs nightly "turn-down" service when most passengers are at various dinner venues. Passages includes anticipated scheduling for next day's activities, including onshore excursions, as to where and when to meet. Really simple. Passengers simply need to read stuff which--in hard copy--is clearly presented to them on a daily basis. No "app" necessary. GOARMY!

mrlevin: Earlier this month, sent Jennefer an email on a matter relating to upcoming May-June 2023 Navigator B/t/Bs in her capacity as Director of Guest Experiences and Loyalty. Sent it to: Jteegen@rssc.com She responded two days later. GOARMY!

Yes. Usually, you will be off the ship NLT 0900H. Certainly, out of your Suite, awaiting clearance from the local Port to begin disembarkation. Given that long lag time to air lift-off: Regent many offer: 1. A "Day Stay" (reasonable expense) at a local hotel; 2. An excursion at the departure city to local sites. If you are doing Regent Air, this will normally be at no cost to you. This has been our experience at departure cities in, shall I say, larger metropolitan areas. Have no specific experience at Bali. Been there on previous Regent cruises, but only as a day-stop as part of a larger cruise. You will definitely want to check possibilities out with your Travel Agent (hopefully, someone with experience booking Regent and similar 5+star line cruises); or by contacting Regent directly. You will certainly not be the only guests who will be in this particular bucket on that departure day--and making a similar inquiry. Have a great cruise! GOARMY!

sita: No change as to Concierge hotel when arriving a day earlier. Which, no matter what--unless one lives within walking (or easy commute from residence to Port) distance--always plan arrival at said Port at-least one day before Embarkation. GOARMY!

Rmrands: Have run-around that pickleball/paddle tennis court area many times when aboard Explorer doing my jogging laps. Never actually set-foot on the surface. That "said": Suggest feedback be sent to: 1. Jennifer Teegen, Director of Guest Experiences and Loyalty. her email is jteegen@rssc.com. You can also send her a letter to the corporate address shown below for: 2. Jason M. Montague, President & CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 7665 Corporate Center Drive, Miami, FL 33126. His email: JMontague@rssc.com. Have, in the recent-past, been successful in communicating with both via either Snail Mail and email. Hope this helps. GOARMY!

Worldtraveler4727: Most-recent experience observing (but with no need to participate) was October 3rd at the L.A. Pier prior to embarking on Mariner. There were tables set up in the Check-in tent (don't even get me started on what a MESS that was) specifically for the purpose of administering such a test. Actually, during the 1.5 HOURS we waited--along with about 250 others--to complete that check-in debacle (process), cannot recall seeing any prospective passengers making a visit to those tables. But, there they were. GOARMY!

With the risk of stating the obvious: We are not potted plants unable to make simple choices as to caloric consumption--at any meal or any venue. As to Sette Mari: There is no reason to sit there and observe food being delivered to your table which you have no intention of eating. Particularly appetizers. For us: Meatballs, period. Just make that simple statement upon being seated and served with chilled water, or whatever. Take some responsibility for indulging, or not, at any meal. Or, skipping a meal; or at Compass Rose, just ordering a salad and an appetizer. Period. It is really not that complicated. Similar when in a Penthouse as to afternoon canapes. Advise the Butler not to deliver same. GOARMY!

fudge: Appears we will be shipmates again in less than a year. Will also be aboard Explorer at Vancouver for September-October transit to Tokyo. Then, add-on at Tokyo. This will be our fourth try for Tokyo. Previous ones canceled due to COVID. Continued safe travels. GOARMY!

Actually, things often change for the better. There are lots of "things" in life. Been a life experience when doing the cruiser thing not to be a potted plant when a certain aspect comes up short of reasonable--reasonable expectations. Escalate, in a kind manner, to the next supervisory level. That about sums it up. Not going further down the rabbit hole on this one. Stay safe, everyone. And, stay OFF the elevators when on a Regent ship with a limited number of decks. We did so--but still got "the bug". On numerous occasions, observed open elevator doors. Five or six folks crammed inside. GOARMY!

DDDDale: There has been a List of included whites and reds on earlier cruises. Ask, and you will receive. This is not a heavy lift. Same have been posted, on occasion, on other CC Threads. We have never had the need to ask for same upon boarding; or at an initial dining venue. Wines are not-that big a deal for us. But, that is just us. Example: latest Mariner cruise. Great reds and whites presented. On one CR occasion, my wife asked to try a second white. "Of course." Of course. The second became her first. And, by some magic, it was always available to her whether we were subsequently at La Veranda for lunch; or at CR. As to the "other" premium Lines. This goes back a few years, as we have stuck with Regent for the past seven (Plus add-on 17-month hiatus due to COVID.) Unless being aboard Princess for larger Family cruises. (Latest of which was on "Discovery" for a 7-dayer Seattle-Alaska-Seattle back in August.) Vaguely recall my wife asked for such a List on a Silversea segment in the "Med". It was produced, on short order. That is the best I can do. Others, no-doubt (this is CC) will chime-in with more contemporary specifics. I stand adjourned. GOARMY!

DDDDale: Did read your Post. Did share a common experience of testing positive for COVID two days after completing our Oct 3-15 Mariner cruise. Took ALL the precautions--but, did not dodge this particular bullet. (Did managed to dodge many of the other kind in another lifetime.) Fortunately, tested Negative this AM after going through the usual self-quarantine protocol. -------- Interesting when reviewing your Post as to first night at Compass Rose. Another shared experience we had as to rather insouciant service. Soos-- next night, migrated to other side of CR and into the good care of Joseph--whom we had met on earlier Mariner and Explorer cruises. Wish we had seen him on the first night. The consummate professional. He should have been promoted to Head Waiter way-earlier. Joseph mentioned doing three more Mariner segments--then, a vacation back home. With that "said"-- Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater re: eschewing Regent from further cruise consideration. We have cruised for about 27 years--with time out, of course, for COVID. Many Lines, mega- and "premium". It has been either Regent or Seabourne (and one or two Silverseas) pretty-much for the past 15. I am no apologist for Regent. Have offered, when needed, comments and feedback verbally; as well as on mid-cruise comment card, and the end-of-cruse Evaluation. Warts and all. Mostly positive, as to interactions with Staff from top-deck maintenance folks who caution me to "be careful" when running on a slightly-slippery surface; to Room Stewards and Butlers; to Reception Staff; and, of course, wait Staff(s) at CR and specialty restaurants. Food is subjective. Wine preferences are subjective. However, it has been our experience on Regent to simply ask for something reasonable in a reasonable way--and the answer will be: "Of course." This goes for wine. No--we do not expect to get the entire listing of always available and included reds and whites before sitting down for our first CR dinner (or lunch). Have never needed to. Usually--usually, there is a venue on the second cruise morning for a wine tasting opportunity. The Lists have been available. We did not have one of these during our last Mariner cruise. Probably another nod to COVID concerns. If the original wine offered is not one to one's taste--ask for another. My wife, who has a more discerning palate than I in this regard, often asks to sample two or three. That suffices. Staff serve her whatever that preference might be, whenever asked. Just food for thought. GOARMY!

Block Party: Stand in doorway of Suite with glass in hand. Suite attendants are there to pour libation and distribute canapes. Great opportunity to meet with your fellow cruisers in adjacent Suites, and down the Hall. CPT and his happy gang (Cruise DIrector and a video Team in tow) will appear, in due course. The group starts at top deck and moves--quickly through each Deck. A quick "welcome" and, poof--they are gone. Conversations between shipmates often continue. Purely voluntary. We have found this a good way to meet our neighbors. Have developed friendships with several who remain our friends to the present. Often turned-out--folks resided in our same, or a nearby community. Oh, BTW: Plenty of paperwork (duplicate) required prior to October 3rd boarding of Mariner in L.A. A real mess. See my comments in "Meandering Down to Mexico" thread. GOARMY!

And, an extra added attraction at the Berth with the Tent: Should the boarding process be delayed by about 1.5 hours due to a reported Internet "glitch" as it was with ours on October 3rd-- There are Porta Potties located outside the Tent. The extra-added touch. GOARMY!

Reflecting on the above: As has been said--in a slightly-different context (All analogies "limp".) Guess who's coming to dinner. That could also end either with a ! or a ? depending on who or whom--and in what numbers--show(s) up at Compass Rose, specialty restaurants, around the pool, in Lounges, at Tender site; and so-on. Such is cruising. GOARMY!

Had both a Bridge group and that TA group on our October 3-15 Mariner segment. Both relatively-small groups in numbers; but, depending on how Regent management "manages" their access to usually-open venues for "Special Events"--it can be a distraction. Might also note this Cruise included a PBS-sponsored "Spotlight on Hollywood" series. Much larger number of participants. Usual presentation venues were in the Theater. Break-out separate gatherings for chats (and cocktails) with Presenters were well-handled at cocktail Lounges. BECAUSE--those Lounges were also left-open for visits by non-participants during the pre-dinner cocktail Hour. As for the TA Group: A bit-much considering how a small group (around 20-25) can tie-up a Lounge on two occasions. Yes, I understand from other Threads, Regent was a co-sponsor of this Group. Still, poorly handled by Regent. Self and others commented to Regent at the time; I also did so in my "after-action" Cruise on-line Summary. However, considering relative priorities--the itinerary; kind Staff and attendants (and pleasant weather)--the above distraction did not detract from considering this a positive trip. GOARMY!

No Block Party on Mariner's October sailing from L.A. Crew wore masks for first half of cruise; about 15% of passengers did. GOARMY!

Just returned home. Overall--another positive experience. Did not experience any pluming issues (was slightly forward of midships, Deck 8). The Notice which appeared on our front door is similar to ones received on several other occasions over the years--and not just on Mariner. We have received responses to both the mid-cruise comment card; and more extensive near end of cruise Survey. And, specific reference made to both laudatory aspects; and the occasional "issue". This time around, I commented about the sloppy and uncoordinated boarding process on Day 1. Turned in the card. Next morning--telephone call from General Manager explaining the problem--which was a system-wide Port problem on October 3rd affecting several other larger cruise ships as well. As usual, Internet connectivity problems; and loss of access to Cable Networks for extended periods of time. Agree with disappointment about unannounced closing of the very-popular Observation Lounge to cater to the wishes of a very-few select folks. OTOH: Liked the way Regent handled evening get-togethers at Horizon Lounge for Spotlight on Hollywood Presenters to entertain additional questions from guests. The Lounge remained open to others for drinks and conversation unrelated to Spotlight. Spotlight presentations were excellent, particularly an early one on how the original "Pilot" "Frazier" episode was conceived; and put together. Now, must wait a few months before Navigator--at New York. GOARMY!

Nice to know what hotel Regent utilized at Vancouver. We have celebrated several wedding anniversaries at The Fairmont Hotel. One of Vancouver's landmarks. Hopefully, will be "assigned" to The Fairmont next September in anticipation (fourth try) to cruise to Tokyo via Explorer. Depending on the weather--we plan to walk from Fairmont to the Pier. Only a few (7 or 😎 blocks. GOARMY!