GOARMY

Edit: Excuse my spelling gaff. That's British Isles. GOARMY

pappy1022: That was unfortunate. We had a wonderful experience (PreCOVID) when on Explorer's 2019 Around the British Aisles segment. "The Boys from Liverpool". A Tribute Band from Liverpool brought onboard for a 5:45pm show. These guys put on a great performance. Recall literally running across the Pier from our excursion bus following an afternoon tour back to ship. Got great side Balcony seats close to Stage. The place quickly filled-up. Packed by 5:30pm. Such venue was advertised in "Passages" beginning about three days' prior to arriving at Liverpool. Trust Regent rebooks this Act in the near-future. GOARMY!

TS: Techno123 described the "Connoisseur Wine Lunch" opportunity. This is VERY popular, as fine wines are pared with a special menu. Cost (hopefully taken care-of with OBCs) is around $170.00 pp. We felt this was reasonable, considering food, ambience, and those "Revenue" wines made for a special experience. Definitely "sign-up" with Sommelier while at that initial La Veranda or Pool Grill lunch. Two such lunches were offered while we were on our recent Explorer Vancouver-Tokyo segment. Again--consult "Passages" and/or a Sommelier. In addition--Regent has instituted a "Connoisseur Wine Dining Experience" on several ships. We attended one of the first of these dinners in June when aboard Navigator; then again this month when on Explorer. A bit-more pricy--$298.00pp. GOARMY!

Just returned from our Explorer cruise to Tokyo, and add-on stay. Regent will do whatever it needs to do if placed in the uncomfortable situation of "overbooking" a cruise. 2014. Voyager Sydney to Beijing segment. We booked the previous year--together with my brother and his wife; and mutual friends. So, six of us. Two weeks before our flight to San Francisco--to catch the flight to Sydney: Offers began. Initially, full cash credit for a future cruise and some FCCs (can't recall specifics). No. Every other day came an incentive to cancel and reschedule. Full future credit plus $5,000 cash; then, upped to $10,000. Stayed in touch with our TA, who advised the pot would be sweetened. It was. Full cash refund plus $15,000. The final offer received two days before our fly-away from Seattle was cash refund for current cruise PLUS $24,000 cash. Of course, we were tempted. But--considering the long planning, and that we would be with family and friends--did not "bite". And, as determined early on that cruise, Voyager sailed out of Sydney Harbor with the six of us contributing to ship's full capacity. Assume Regent got others to take the bait; and/or had to deal with unhappy folks who did not clear Waitlist. In the interim, have received one or two other offers to reschedule similar to those described above. This is in-line with current (Post COVID) cruise realities and corporate financial considerations. We have not accepted any. Happy travels. See some of you in a few months when aboard Mariner. Unless we get an offer we "can't refuse". (Apologies to Godfather I.) GOARMY!

In our experience, guests do no sign up for a general wine tasting event. No need. This is an "open to all" venue. You show up--usually on the mid-morning of the second cruise day; usually in the Atrium outside Compass Rose. A plethora of wines will be displayed for your tasting pleasure. Specifics will be shown on "Passages"--the daily Notice left on your bed each evening. When in doubt, double-check with the Service Staff at lunch or dinner on your first night aboard.. You will have the opportunity to taste a variety of "Included Wines" to be served at lunch and dinner during your cruise. Take Notes. This will facilitate preferences at dining venues. This "event" is well-attended. GOARMY!.

mnocket: Appreciated the update as to changes in River conditions due to drought. What a change! Everything is magnified in the Amazon Basin, whether size of insects, or heat. We were advised while on our Navigator cruise The River was at its third highest historical water level. Thus, literally washing-out two stops; and requiring the Captain to significantly alter course while navigating "up River" to Manaus. The comments in my Thread were, obviously, time sensitive; and for the benefit of folks planning their upcoming Mariner cruise. From my safe, current vantage point, can only opine this drought will only exacerbate the heat and humidity index. GOARMY!

All: As usual, cwn provides timely, cogent, and useful inputs based on previous experience(s). In this instance: recommending review Roll Call postings for your specific, future cruise. In addition, there is a plethora of Postings (Roll Call and others) concerning guest experiences on their previous Amazon River adventures. mnocket and others planning their first such adventure: When you have the time (and interest), you might want to visit a Mariner Roll Call on which I made a few contributions. While what I describe is based on a pre-COVID Miami-Amazon River-Miami segment, pretty sure time, tide, River (always capitalize a reference to Amazon because it is THE GREATEST RIVER IN THE WORLD) conditions, and weather have not changed to any degree. Oh, degree. Like 100% heat and humidity! Like, being only one or two degrees off the Equator. Specifics. Mariner Roll Call. Page 7. Title: November 17, 2017 "Radiant Amazon". My pertinent Postings began at # 61; with continued pepperings until Post #99. Again, these were based on our (spouse and self) cruise when aboard Navigator. Happy reading(s). GOARMY!

tubeamps: Just-completed our Explorer Vancouver-Tokyo cruise. Three-day Post Cruise stay was at Hilton Shinjuku. Still recovering from jet lag. Anyway--- Excellent hotel experience in all respects. Attentive Staff; great room (large, and non-smoking). Many on-site restaurant options. Breakfasts were included. Full, actually, over-full buffet options. Regent folks were seated in a separate room immediately adjacent to the main buffet dining area. Quiet. Used the "Vibrant Tokyo" option. Tours, once at the the hotel, were well-organized. Guides spoke excellent English. Busses were not crowded. Guides kept to the schedule. Interesting itineraries. Never felt rushed to "get back on the bus". But, we were sure not to be the last ones boarding. So--highly recommend. ------ Have cruised off and on with Radisson/Regent for 20+ years. Fortunately, have had a uniformly positive stay whether for a single pre-cruise night; or during pre-cruise and post-cruise extended days. As memory serves (and it tends to fade), these were at Sydney, Auckland, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Los Angeles, Miami, NYC, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Stockholm, and Helsinki. Have now added Tokyo to the List. GOARMY!

czardas: We did not utilize a Regent car; we asked the Concierge to arrange for a taxi. That is what he did. Very reasonable cost. ------- Customs clearance is(was) face-to-face. First passengers called were those with scheduled same-morning tours. Then--Deck by Deck, starting with Deck 6 and moving upwards. Last Deck(s) called got that call around 1100H, as I recall. Orderly procedure. You will have already been provided with a Japanese Customs Card to complete prior to meeting with Local Officials. Then, with Passport and Customs Clearance Form in hand--line up to complete the process in the Theater. Clearance includes being fingerprinted. No ink; don't worry. Everything automated. Facial photo recognition taken. Regent will then put a small stamp on your Passport to confirm clearing the process. Time from lineup to process completion for us was about 35 minutes. GOARMY!

czardas: Following is based on just-returning to our Redmond, WA home yesterday (October 12) following a three-day post cruise add-on at Regent's assigned downtown Tokyo Hilton Shinzuko (sp.) hotel. Ours was an Explorer cruise which began on September 20th at Vancouver, B.C; and ended at the Yokohama Port. So--your upcoming situation is not exactly contiguous to our most-recent experience. BUT--you are arriving a day before departure. Therefore, Customs clearance procedure should not be an issue. Important: We did our own air which was from Haneda Airport back to USA; however, due to the post-cruise add-on, Regent retained responsibility for bus transport from hotel to Haneda to board a mid-afternoon United flight. A couple of points: we noted plenty of taxis at Yokohama--for use by other fellow guests who were doing their own thing following debarkation. Haneda Airport has recently completed a number of improvements. First-class. Also, there are two (at-least from what we were able to observe from our bus) new hotels located adjacent to the Airport. If you elect a pre-night hotel stay, am relatively certain that hotel will arrange a shuttle for you and bags "across the street" to the Terminal. As to recent experience: Regent coordinated with Hotel staff to accommodate passengers with early AM departures. A schedule was posted. Guests could depart as early as 0530H. At that time of day--about 25 minute bus ride from Hilton to Haneda. Would estimate (as noted by others above) about the same time from Yokohama Port to Haneda. That said: Based on two past experiences (Rio and Barcelona pre-COVID) as to early departure from ship to airport--even if you are doing your own air-- Regent (Concierge) arranged for taxi service to meet us at that Port for a direct transfer to the airport. We gave the heads-up for this several days in advance, obviously. Staff assisted in carrying our luggage (which we had retained in the Suite) off the ship to the taxi. A Staff Officer confirmed with the driver where we were going; and the cost. These were late night departures. So--a win-win. Out of Suite early; Attendants could get early access for refurbishing for the next guests. --------- We had a great cruise (never mind two rather rough sea days--and nights--while transiting from Dutch Harbor, AK across the Bearing Sea to Japan). Enjoy your cruise. GOARMY!

Yes, Regent does. You ask a server when enjoying your initial glass of wine at the Pool Grill or La Veranda on that first afternoon after boarding; or later that evening to Compass Rose Dining Room Staff and/or your Suite Attendant/Butler. You will get the "List" in short order. And, it is quite extensive. Also, we often attend a general wine sampling "event" usually held on the late morning of the first full cruise day in an area outside Compass Rose. There, having been furnished with pencil and paper by Staff, do a sampling of several wines from each variety. Again, these will come from the "included" complimentary cupboard. There have been several, recent separate Threads on this matter. Guests have posted copies of such Lists from various Regent ships for all to peruse. You will find these without much effort. This has never been an "issue" for us. Like so-many other matters on Regent--make a request in a polite manner about almost anything concerning the onboard experience, and you will receive an answer. Now, final packing for tomorrow's short 'hop to Vancouver, B.C. before boarding Explorer on the 20th. GOARMY!

Gcto: Hey--I also got a 'guy, a cousin, living in NYC. His name ain't Vinny. But, he knows a lot of guys--- Apologies to Joe Pesci. GOARMY!

pingpong1: As usual, great Minds think--and Plan--alike. Jim AKA: GOARMY!

O.K. Full acknowledgement: Our son did not loiter at street level prior to retrieving us. We stayed in contact via cell phone. He accessed a ramp to the second level--also utilized by taxis dropping OFF passengers. No waiting allowed. We knew when to leave a dry, warm covered area (with our luggage); walk out a few steps to the curb; and--Viola! Son drives up the ramp. Quick loading and escape down the ramp to the main street below. That's the street which runs right by the "Intrepid" Aircraft Carrier berth--which is adjacent to the Manhattan Pier Regent usually utilizes. BTW: Should you have the opportunity--visit Intrepid. GOARMY!

Dodging a hurricane? How about getting caught-up in the tail-end of one? This was on Holland America's Veendam. Mid-1990s Some time ago, but never forgotten. Itinerary was from NYC to Bermuda; then, reverse back north through the Canadian Maritimes for a Fall Foliage cruise. Captain decided to chance making a dash that first night. Bad decision. Everything was copacetic for the first four or five hours after departing the Manhattan Terminal. Then--came dinner time. Chaos. Ship rocked; dishes crashed; glasses shattered; folks fled the Dining Room; so did most of the Staff. I alone--with the Assistant Dining Room Manager, managed to stick it out until dessert. My wife had the good sense to repair to our Suite after the salad course; batten down the hatches, and secure anything that could fall and break--including herself. Captain then comes on the Intercom to advise everyone to get to, and stay in their Suites. Sooos--I joined my wife. Rock and roll; then up and down with thuds throughout the night and well into the next morning. No sleep. Obviously, we survived to tell the Tale. (Apologies to Herman Melville.) Comes next morning's breakfast. There were many disgruntled passengers. We were about six hours' late getting to Bermuda. Had to tender, as our "dock space" had been given away. Tours were missed. One passenger was standing in line behind us waiting for a tender. And, with her were two Staff handling all her baggage. She was yelling at anyone and everyone that all she wanted was to get off that ship. Last we saw her was at a telephone booth on the Pier--no-doubt arranging for a taxi ride to the airport. On the positive side: rest of that cruise was Great! GOARMY!

labonnevie: We are fortunate to have one of our sons residing in Brooklyn. He has provided "taxi" pick-up service on numerous occasions, from both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Piers. Mark knows all the angles, and approaches. No need to cross the street to our waiting ride; spend some time with him and two of our grandchildren; then be transported to whatever airport. GOARMY!

Just2guys: Done this disembarkation several times, most-recently when leaving Navigator in late June. We benefitted by arriving at the Manhattan Terminal one-day earlier than scheduled due to a change in itinerary. Normally, ship will be "cleared" by Port authorities for disembarkation by 8:30am. Have to get the passengers OFF to prepare for next segment arrivals. If your particular itinerary includes a stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico shortly before New York arrival, the Passport checks will be conducted at the San Juan Terminal. This is an additional time saver. You will be filling out a Debarkation Form several days before NYC. You will provide details on your plans on debarkation day, particularly as to a flight leaving before/after 12:00 Noon. The order on leaving the ship (color coded baggage tags) will be assigned based on your particular situation. Realizing that "stuff" can happen: You should be o.k. as to that 2:00pm flight from LaGuardia, in any event. . GOARMY!

Our story: March 13, 2020 at Regent's assigned pre-night San Diego hotel. Awaiting to board brand-new Splendor next-day for cruise through the Canal via Miami, then to NYC. En route, had planned a Renewal of Vows re: 50th wedding anniversary. Would have celebrated same with our TA and her spouse; and a couple who were in our wedding party. Then--hotel front desk advised we call our TA. Cruise cancelled due to Pandemic lock-down. So, never actually got aboard Splendor (still have not); but did see it while en route from airport to hotel; then, next-day when, again en route from hotel back to airport and return to Seattle and Lockdown. In retrospect, we were fortunate NOT to have boarded. My brother and his wife were onboard that ill-fated Holland America ship off the coast of far-south South America. Took them 3 1/2 weeks extra voyage days before finally being able to disembark at Port Everglades, FL. In the interim--four passengers had died. GOARMY!

A lot of Spa "traffic" is due to guests utilizing OBCs furnished either directly from Regent as an incentive to frequent same; and/or from one's TA. Same goes for somewhat overpriced store "stuff". That store and spa traffic increases toward the end of a cruise segment when guests either use, or loose, the nonrefundable portion of OBCs. GOARMY!

Roxydog15: You will not be over-extending the Laundry's capacity by putting in more than two loads over a 16-day period. Our usual "donation" over that period of time is 3-4. GOARMY!

Frankfurt continues to get a majority of bad raps for various shortcomings for various reasons. As ALWAYS: YMMV. Here are ours during two post-Pandemic transfers via Frankfurt on our way to Regent hotels in either Spain or Italy. Positive, mainly because after several changes in Regent flights, finally settled in allowing a 2.5 hour layover on each occasion. Our originating flights arrived on-time. Yes, it was walking down steps to the waiting bus for transport to Terminal. There, we easily linked-up with a friendly "Facilitator"--who had that designation on a large nametag. He reviewed our arrival documents as to country of origin; and ultimate destination. Then, guided us to the proper location to clear a Customs stop; get our Passports stamped; then, on to another stairway leading to Main Terminal--and access to a nice Lounge. Had time for about a 1.5 hour "chill" before exiting Lounge for a short walk to departure Gate(s). So--the stars aligned in our favor. GOARMY!

Yes. Fill out the Laundry Slip you are given with specific instructions re: cold water; hang-dry; on a hanger, or folded; and so-on. Concerns? Review same with your Suite Attendant; or Butler--if you are Penthouse and higher which includes Butler service. Either way, Staff will adhere to your wishes. GOARMY!

janecambridge: Thanks for the clarification. Second the motion as to rcandkc's suggestion.. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. GOARMY!

janecambridge: Please clarify your Post #122. Upon reading, and rereading--you are painting way-too broad a brush re: " . . because of everyone being advised on here to not book first night . . ." Not true. I have done so, on occasion; and am on CC quite a bit. When you stayed up until 1am to make restaurant bookings, was that from your residence; or at your pre-stay hotel room before joining the ship? If from home--you should have received an email from Regent confirming that 7:30pm reservation. That reservation would then have shown up as a separate entry on your Regent Final Cruise Document. AND, just as important--you should have received another confirmation of this that first afternoon aboard when opening one of those "Welcome Aboard" Notes on the dresser table of your Suite. Not sure what is meant by " . . . just ask at embarkation." Having "said" this--certainly the maitre de's remarks were inappropriate. Share cwn's perspective because, buddy, I am past 80. GOARMY!

Mudhen: Passed into the Platinum category about two years ago. Oh, it was a momentous Event! ""Ceremony" in the Theater at the beginning of Captain's Reception. Introduced to the masses assembled, along with two other couples, by Cruise Director; received recognition pins from the Captain. I would have, expected, in addition, having rose petals strewn in our path as we walked down the aisle to the base of the Stage. If, by now, you have not caught on that I jest-- Again, what are reasonable expectations when crossing one Level to the next? Let us try to put some of these aspects of cruising into perspective. Whatever brand of champagne we have received in Suite levels ranging to Veranda to a named Suite has sufficed. But, that is just my opinion. The one significant benefit of Platinum has been to have a one-time waiver of the Air Deviation Fee. And, that benefit applies to Each booked cruise; not one every 12 months. As to Leather tags--no need for more; we have a surfeit of those. So, will attach one each to our luggage in about three weeks before flying to Vancouver, BC for an Explorer segment to Tokyo. And, will fill out and utilize the non-Leather ones received with Cruise Documents at the hotel room the night before walking to the ship. GOARMY!