GOARMY

frantic36: Glad to "lend a hand". cwn's narratives in earlier Posts spell it out in more detail. Good advice to CCers as we confront the vagaries and realities of aging. While still able to enjoy the other aspects of a Regent cruise. No more marathons for me. So--back on Splendor this June. And, willing while on a tour to stay on the bus, or get back to it, should geography and my right leg dictate. A brisk daily walk; and a lot of stretching. Ladies pushing a perambulator often pass me by. Ah! Youth is waisted on the Young. GOARMY!

frantic36: Your Post #11--Tours in Japan. Following relates to our recent Explorer segment. That was September-October 2023 Vancouver, B.C. via Alaska to Japan. Each, and every tour whether included, or at an additional cost, taken at several Japanese Ports contained specific details as to length, difficulty, and cautionary advisement as to whether recommended--or not--for those utilizing a wheelchair or walker. Spouse and self booked, or did-not book, with Eyes Wide Open given my current limitations as to extended unaided walking or dealing with steep steps. No surprises. Participated in several tours preceding arrival at Tokyo. The written descriptions furnished both BEFORE boarding; and FOLLOWING boarding at Vancouver turned out to be accurate as to degree of difficulty, if any. And cautionary information as to those with mobility issues. Moving on to Tokyo. We did the "included" 3-day add-on in early October following debarkation at Yokohama--then transport to Regent's Tokyo hotel. Itinerary provided in our packet for those tours detailed specific information for each stop. The common thread was: Bus would park on street-level. It would be a steep, multi-step walk up to the Temple site. (Most of the tours were to commemorative Temples.) No access to Temple level via a moving walkway, elevator, tram, or whatever. Full disclosure. Our Tour Guides were very tuned-in to passengers. Particularly those who decided to remain on the bus--after viewing the many steps involved in climbing from street to Temple. This should NOT have come as a surprise assuming they had read the tour's description. Apparently, it did come as a surprise to some. So--the Guide advised those not wanting to climb the steps: remain on the bus. Although, that bus would be relocated to a different site in the interim to conform to Japanese protocols. Japanese protocols as to remaining on a bus--for any reason--for an extended period of time relate to concerns regarding earthquakes. Again, should not be a revelation, given recent history as to earthquakes in Japan. Bottom Line based on 20+years on Radisson/Regent ships: Have never been surprised as to reality of a particular tour as to difficulty, length, or physical limitations while on that tour. And, we have been on a bunch. Of course, YMMV. GOARMY!

crusin7: Your Post #366 with Francisco. A favor. Send Francisco our best. We were on the San Francisco-Hawaii-Polynesia WC segment. Time with Francisco goes back more than a few years. Just mention Jim and Sue, Table 14, Compass Rose. Always there at 6:25pm. (Unless he arranged an extra night at Prime 7.) Absolutely the best representative for the Regent brand. GOARMY! Redmond, WA

TS and Gilly: Submitted for your consideration. The City of Winchester and Cathedral tour taken on an Explorer b/t/b was, indeed memorable. Information supplied for those staying-on for the next leg around The British Isles was provided a few days before Southampton. Timed to get the 16-or-so of us signees back in plenty of time for a casual unhurried lunch and people-watching as the new group arrived for the second leg. That was the plan. Sooos. Wonderful tour with a great Guide in good weather to City, Cathedral, and sites. Back to, and on bus at the appointed time and place--the predesignated street corner. Guide calls out couples' names. Hands go up. Advises all are accounted for. Bus starts back to Southampton--on schedule, even a few minutes ahead of schedule, advises Guide who complements us on being punctual. Starts another commentary. This guy was no spring chicken. Obviously, he had done this itinerary before. About a third of the way back, comes three words one does not want to hear from a fellow passenger--on a bus, train, or airplane: "Where's my wife?" [Or, flip-side, where's my husband] But, back to the story. Conversation with Guide. Husband heard to tell Guide he "thought" his wife had boarded, and was in the 'loo. Knocks on door do not prompt a response. More knocks on the door; maybe she fainted. Bus stops. Door opened. Empty. Reverse direction. Very-agitated husband. Back to city-center. Looking for wife begins near the appointed place. And--there she was--about a half-block away. Back on bus, now late, way-late. Silence on the way back to Port. Silence getting off the bus. Anyways---it was a memorable tour. Lesson for Guide: Do the head-count, head-by-head. Then, do it again. Happy trails to all--until we meet again. GOARMY!

taxman: Have been following your commentary, as we will board Grandeur for the first time in early January '25 at Los Angeles for yet-another Panama Canal crossing. Thus, will have completed at-lest one cruise segment on all Radisson/Regent ships over the past 20+years. Given your "handle"--an aside. Will complete our Tax Return this PM, and turn it in. ------ dock: See you aboard should you sign-up for that Grandeur January segment. GOARMY!

RetiredandTravel: POC would be, initially the Compass Rose Dining Room Manager and/or Food and Beverage Manager. GOARMY!

jabbawocky: As always, and based on 20+years on Radisson/Regent ships-- You want a special meal to commemorate/recognize/honor a religious observance? Let-alone dietary, cultural, health, or whatever: Simply ask Compass Rose Management. Provide at-least 24 hours notice. Better-yet, 48 hours. Assuming your request is within the bounds of common sense--and the Kitchen's ability to put together ingredients without need to call-in a helicopter dispatched from the closest Port for a drop-- You will receive a positive response in the form of "Of course". Then, follow-through by showing up to enjoy results. We have done so when ordering something as simple as a "special" pasta dinner. Have noted others have given appropriate notice as to, for example, an Indian dinner. Others on this site will probably cite similar experiences. Personal example: When last-year on Navigator, had dinner at Compass Rose with the Food and Beverage Manager--at his invitation. A guy with roots in South Africa. Soos, during that repast, he asked if we would join him about a week later for another Rose dinner during which all courses would be centered around traditional South African dishes--with paired South African wines. Of course. A notable experience it was. Just "Food" for Thought. GOARMY!

SWFLAOK: While anecdotal, hope helpful. Of course, what follows for your consideration is worth what you are paying for it. River Cruises. Consider Uniworld. Did two of these, pre-COVID, in France. Top Class, to include pre or post-stays at Paris in wonderful hotels. Traversed the major rivers throughout France; back-and-forth on trains to and from Paris to link-up with segments; and opportunities to visit the American Army's "D-Day" Utah and Omaha landing beaches; city of Caen; town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, DZ (Drop Zone) for the 82nd Airborne Division; Military Museums; and, most-important--the Military Museum and Cemetery above Omaha Beach. Rows, and rows, of Crosses and Stars of David. In late 2019, booked a third Uniworld series to incorporate Normandy, Fall, 2020. This would have included a day-long tour to the British and Canadian (and Polish) "D-Day" landing Beaches at Gold, Juno, and Sword. But, course, canceled due to Covid. No issues in retrieving funds from that booking. Based on the above, recommend checking-out Uniworld. No doubt, CCers with more recent experiences will chime in. As to Ritz Carlton (RC): This "brand" is long, long-established. Have had the good fortune to experience past bookings at RC's associated Hotels, to include the one at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Again, in conjunction with a Regent cruise. Our most-recent RC stay was last month. Arranged by Regent. We were at RC's San Francisco Hotel for (unfortunately) only one night. This was prior to our joining Mariner on January 24th for an interesting World Cruise segment--San Francisco-via Hawaii, to French Polynesia. Absolutely great service at RC. Very-caring Staff, from check-in; to restaurants; to check-out and getting on that bus for transit to the Pier. BTW: This 'Frisco RC site was utilized for several segments within, and without. That was when filming "Pal Joey". That's Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth. Do a Google. There I go, again, in nostalgic musings. Anyways-- Safe Travels. Hope to see some of you at London in June prior to Regent's transport to Southampton. Then: Splendor. GOARMY!

All: As I am want to do, and bear with me as I wander again off the path of a Thread to offer an analogy from myth, literature, and film with some application to our present situation. Bearing in mind, as Saint Thomas Aquinas opined--All Analogies Limp: Anyone else from my (our Baby Boomer generation) recall Stanley Kramer's 1965 movie--"Ship of Fools"? Do a Google. Sort-of a cult film based on an earlier best-selling novel. So-many Stars both well-set in the Hollywood and European firmament; and the up-and-comers. My favorites: Lee Marvin and Jose Ferrer. And, of course, Elizabeth Ashley. Why did those people get on a passenger ship in the late 1930s from a South American Port with one-way tickets to Hitler's Germany? Because they felt they needed to; had the means; and were searching for something--or someone to make sense of a World already spinning out of control. Well, enough heavy lifting and musing. We are not fools; we have made "rational" prior economic and life decisions--more or less--putting us in a place allowing participating in high-end cruise experience(s). And as to my Post #16 as to vagaries affecting itinerary changes: continue to track recent volcanic activity on Iceland which may, or may not, "impact" our upcoming Splendor cruise. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming. Stay safe. GOARMY!

As usual, Pcardad's Post #13 cuts to the chase as to why Demand continues to chase Supply. Post-WWII economic theory presupposes actors--us customers/consumers--make rational decisions as to allocation of a "scarce" resource (US or Canadian dollars, Pounds, Yen, Deutsch Marks, whatever) to chase, and secure a tangible product or service. But, of course, that is where advertising comes in. Convince a consumer he/she really, really wants and NEEDS a good or service that they really, really DO NOT NEED to survive. Hence, deluge of cruise lines brochures, emails, and "limited time" promotions. Guilty as I charge myself by paying for two additional 2024 and 2025 Regent cruises. Trying to be rational. Realize my cruising days are more in the past than future. So, while continuing to SKI (Spend the Kids Inheritance), accept this inevitable reality. Time, health issues, political turmoil, wars, let-alone volcano eruptions and hurricanes/cyclones will probably change many itineraries from what was advertised, and paid-for by many of our fellow CCers. The future cruise segments we picked have itineraries which, hopefully, will limit exposure to these vagaries. But, one never knows. In the meantime: Await Splendor at London (Southampton) this June. GOARMY!

Whinenowine: My head is spinning. Economics 101 (Paul Samuelson, circa 1950); OR is it Adam Smith, circa 1776? SUPPLY and DEMAND turned on its head. Trying to reconcile why it is that consumer demand--us guests--for high-end cruising, which should DECREASE as the price of cruising increases, seems not to. Quite the contrary. And, as prices rise, producers, in this scenario cruise companies, build MORE ships to gain more profits. Now, that reality (or conundrum) is more Samuelson than Smith. Eh ghads. In the meantime, just-gave Regent more of my scarce money for two MORE cruises! Guess I am part of the drama. GOARMY!

SWFLAOK: FWIIW-- For this June's Splendor London (Southampton) to Iceland segment. Utilizing Regent Air. We booked this segment only a few months ago which was, for us, rather late in the game. The air itinerary was coordinated via our TA. Regent's initial air itinerary would not have been on any direct flights from SEA to LHR; rather intermediate stop and change of planes at either Chicago or New York. Thus, a long day and late June 20th arrival at Regent's London hotel. Did our homework, based on previous itineraries. Had our TA request the Regent Air rep. put us on a N/S British Airways, Business Class, Red-eye on night of the 19th; getting us to Heathrow, and, hopefully, to Regent's assigned hotel early morning on the 20th. Allowing time to unwind and venture out during the Summer day. TA worked this out with a Regent Air rep in less than an hour. Got the BA flight we wanted. No deviation fee (Platinum); but it did require a $500.00 pp upcharge. Well-worth it. Less strain and worry about luggage; change of planes, and so-on at either O'Hare or a New York airport. Regent advised getting our seat assignments both to Heathrow; then, on Iceland Air, Saga Class, N/S when returning to SEA on July 5th. Went on BA's website about an hour later to confirm same. Nice seats. No need to request a change. But, during periodic rechecking, we still have the option of changing our seats. At this point--very few decent ones are left in Business Class for either the BA or Iceland Air fights. Summer Season, no-doubt. GOARMY!

Gilpon: In light of your Post--perhaps a One-Off may have become a Two-Off as to Crew, at whatever level, touching guest stuff to remove same detritus to a Table of Shame. Hopefully, many more "offs" in the offing. Guests must continue prodding Management to designate that Table of Shame. GOARMY!

mrstanley and Gilpon, and whomever. For whatever reason, today's original Post--by me--was reposted, again. Whatever. Gipilon: Specifically recall a 2014 Voyager cruise--Sydney, via Indonesia to Singapore; then Malaysia, and beyond. There WAS that "Table of Shame" established adjacent to the Pool Bar. Such was announced in "Passages" about three days into the cruise. No-doubt resulting from guests' concerns as to Chair Hogs. The "Reunification Table." And, this series of cruise segments was certainly in hot, and humid locations. In typical corporate fashion, referred to, rather euphemistically, as a spot to facilitate "reuniting" lost "orphan" stuff such as books, hats, glasses, or other detritus with their parents. How fitting. What a hoot when, on occasion, observing these heartfelt reunifications--from a safe distance. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis had it best when opining that: "Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant." Context way-back in 1913 regarded advocating free expression of opinion to expose bogus (and potentially dangerous) utterances. Public Shaming in the sunlight of tropical cruise segments concerning our current and certainly First World situations remains the best disinfectant to boorish behavior. I do not know what entity removed said items from Lounge Chairs to the shaming table. Crew? Guests? Sea gulls? Bottom Line: It worked. Maybe just a one-off. Corporate liability concerns as to yet another law suit may preclude any Crew member, or Officer not having at-least three stripes from touching anyone, or anything during a cruise. GOARMY!

mrstanley: I have commented on chair hogs before on a Post posted long, long ago. Well, maybe five years ago. From the perspective of witnessing this boorish behavior; followed by the intended, or unintended consequences when a guest has removed such "contraband" from a hogger's lounge chair. Bad outcome for everyone. The chair hogger and the guest who removed the hat, book, or whatever--got into first, shoving back and forth; followed by punches and kicks, which landed. Staff did intervene to break it up when both guys were on the deck--still screaming and punching each other. And, of course, at that point, their respective spouses were also yelling. A ship's Officer (Voyager, as I recall) arrived on scene. Both combatants were ordered back to their Suites. Another guest and I advised the Officer what we had observed. We were asked to write down what we saw and provide him with the info. Which I did. Later the afternoon--comes the Captain via a general announcement over the ship's Intercom asking guests who observed "a situation" at the Pool Grill/pool area earlier that afternoon to report same to him, personally, or to a ship's Officer. The Captain also advised the individuals involved had been restricted to their respective suites. Comes the Morn: A Captain's message in "Passages" advising the individuals involved in that "situation" would remain in their suites until arrival at the next Port with an airport. At which time they would be offloaded. Also, they would not be allowed to book a future passage on any Regent ship. I would bet this prohibition had (has) been extended to any NCL ship. Just a cautionary tale. GOARMY!

mrstanley: I have commented on chair hogs before on a Post posted long, long ago. Well, maybe five years ago. From the perspective of witnessing this boorish behavior; followed by the intended, or unintended consequences when a guest has removed such "contraband" from a hogger's lounge chair. Bad outcome for everyone. The chair hogger and the guest who removed the hat, book, or whatever--got into first, shoving back and forth; followed by punches and kicks, which landed. Staff did intervene to break it up when both guys were on the deck--still screaming and punching each other. And, of course, at that point, their respective spouses were also yelling. A ship's Officer (Voyager, as I recall) arrived on scene. Both combatants were ordered back to their Suites. Another guest and I advised the Officer what we had observed. We were asked to write down what we saw and provide him with the info. Which I did. Later the afternoon--comes the Captain via a general announcement over the ship's Intercom asking guests who observed "a situation" at the Pool Grill/pool area earlier that afternoon to report same to him, personally, or to a ship's Officer. The Captain also advised the individuals involved had been restricted to their respective suites. Comes the Morn: A Captain's message in "Passages" advising the individuals involved in that "situation" would remain in their suites until arrival at the next Port with an airport. At which time they would be offloaded. Also, they would not be allowed to book a future passage on any Regent ship. I would bet this prohibition had (has) been extended to any NCL ship. Just a cautionary tale. Now---- back to our regularly scheduled program GOARMY!

All: Really, really; How valuable is your time? (As to completing that end-of-cruise Survey.) Surely, situations occurring earlier in that particular cruise segment which were problematical would have occasioned taking the time to discuss and/or fill out a mid-cruise form requesting response and action of some sort by the General Manager; Cruise Director; Housekeeping Manager, or whomever. CC Boards are replete with narratives about responses from Management to guests' concerns. These are read, and acted upon. Ours have been; often by a request for a follow-up personal meeting with the appropriate manager. Few and far-between need for such by us. But, they have occurred. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Specific mention of Crew members in an end of cruise Survey from those literally sweeping the decks (Deck 12, in particular in the early morning hours), to bartenders, Suite Attendants/Butlers; and those at various restaurant venues DOES have an impact. Promotions. A little-extra time-off. A "pat on the back" from a supervisor recognizing a job well-done. Spouse and self do not consider this an excessive burden. GOARMY!

CruisetheCs: There is an opportunity for a more detailed response upon return to residence. We have utilized this alternative to praise--or offer constructive comments--after "sober" reflection. That being reaching out to Jennefer Teegen, Director of Guest Experience & Loyalty. Results have been to receive feedback-- And action. Specific example: Prodding Regent to offer one opportunity per cruise segment for military veterans to gather for an informal get-together. NOT a cocktail party. And, not necessarily limited to a date coinciding with a significant historical event such as "D-Day" or the American Memorial Day. Simple meet and mingle for a pre-breakfast or lunch gathering, then break bread at designated Compass Rose tables; or meeting at a Lounge for pre-dinner drinks and conversation. Such venues posted in "Passages" as to time and location. Positive result over the past several years. We have attended each gathering, often hosted by the Cruise Director. And this includes both pre, and post-COVID cruises. Most-recent example was on Mariner's January-February '24 World Cruise San Francisco via Hawaii to French Polynesia segment. There were two such gatherings. Soos-- First, an actual written letter. Address: Jennefer Teegen Director of Guest Experience & Loyalty Regent Seven Seas Cruises 7300 Corporate Drive Miami, FL 33126 Second would be email. jteegen @ rssc.com. Our on-board completion of the Survey always includes incorporating a thank-you to Regent management and the Cruise Director for continuing this practice. --------- And, a quick edit to my earlier: Title is "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre". An additional great line from that movie: "Water is precious, more precious than gold!" Thanks again to Bogart and Walter Huston, amongst others. GOARMY!

NYC-London: Reasoning? Reasoning? Regent don't got to give you no stinkin' reason! Apologies to that classic 1948 film--"Treasure of the Sierra Madres".. But, seriously-- I have never gotten a coherent explanation for the change. What we have done--and we ALWAYS do--to complete that Survey while onboard is to utilize Regent's desktops--or your own tablet or phone to "log in". "Passages" provides guidance and the log-in address. Simple log-in code, usually a one-time 5-digit number as simple as, literally, 12345. You won't be saving it. If you get into trouble, see the IT guy. Our good fortune is to have benefitted from those IT guys on many cruises who patiently provide work-arounds and guidance. GOARMY! .

TS: Echo Marylebone37's above comments, and experience as we were also on this San Francisco-Hawaii-Papette segment of Mariner's current World Cruise. Rough waters off Hawaii's Big Island prior to the long transit to Nuku Hiva precluded another planned stop. Abrupt "wake-up" bump at the breakwater about 0615H. Soos, another sea day while enroute to Hiva. Service, as always, was top shelf. Having been to French Polynesia on three prior cruises--during the "dry" season, having several stops/excursions canceled due to cyclones was not that big a deal to us. Mariner became our desired destination. Given the circumstances, that was the only Port during many stormy days at sea. We booked this segment about a year ago knowing full-well risks as to weather. You pays your money; you takes your chances. Priorities at this point in 25+years of cruising are long crossings and sea days. We certainly received both. And, would do it again, as long as we would be on a relatively larger ship. ---------- pappy1022: Two of those earlier cruises were in the late 90's were aboard Seabourne's "Legend"--one of that Line's "triplets". All since sold to, I believe, Paul Gauguin. Perfect smaller ship well-suited for French Polynesia. Languid days either at anchor in lagoons; and/or able to dock and partake in shore excursions. GOARMY!

1982CruzStart: That's Jennefer Teegen, Director of Guest Experience & Loyalty. jteegen@rssc.com. Very helpful to us on several prior occasions. GOARMY! .

Nachosdelux: Opps. Thought I had corrected this. Obviously, not. GOARMY!

lprp: Recent experience utilizing RSSC Air. Splendor, June 21-July 5 segment--London(Southampton) to Iceland. Coordinated by our trusted TA, of course. Regent offered NO non-stop SEA to HLR flights when this was booked in early January. Were only offered an intermediate stop in USA via either Delta or Virgin. Result would have been late June 20th arrival at HLR. This would have left little time for enjoying some relaxing time at Regent's hotel and surrounding downtown London area. So--took advantage of being able to "deviate"--without a fee. Accepted a Business Class BA Non-Stop leaving SEA in early afternoon of June 19th, with arrival at HLR 0700H on the 20th. Ample time for stay at hotel and another visit to some of our favorite London spots for a nice lunch and dinner. "Air differential" cost: $500.00 pp. Well-worth it. Have taken BA on three other pre-COVID Regent cruises either going to, or returning from, London. All were N/S. In those days, BA utilized 747s. We always chose upper deck seats. Quiet. Those days are, of course, gone. Will be on a Boeing 777. BTW: Return from Reykjavik will be Icelander Air, Saga Class, N/S to SEA. GOARMY! .

Just competed 18 days' on Mariner. Regent management had no control over the weather; result: numerous cancelations of shore excursions. Given time of year and itinerary for this particular segment of the World Cruise, not surprising. Our Suite was well-maintained. No plumbing issues. Same for Public venues. Heavy rains and high winds resulted in some "leakage" in aft stairwells in Decks 12 and 11. Fans were deployed. Consistent professional service on every aspect and customer interface. Compass Rose stood out. Food that was supposed to be HOT, was; food that was not supposed to be HOT, was not. No gaps in service provided by dining staff at any venue. Looked forward to each meal. Friendly and caring are the best descriptors of Staff demeanor up and down the line. Top-notch presentations by Speakers Terry Bishop and Dr. David Plourd. GOARMY!

When, but only on rare instances when CC comments wander a bit off the path of comity, recall the following which I used in previous "lives" when MCing a retirement event for an Army colleague; or at a similar venue for a Postal Inspector: Life is short, and we do not have much time to be a blessing to those who travel The Way with us. . So be swift to love, and make haste to be kind. ---------- True confession. My dear wife usually delivered the above "benediction". Too emotional for me. See some of you in a few days continuing along that Way aboard Mariner; and, a few months later on Splendor. GOARMY!