NCCruzQueen

On an Antarctic cruise, I sent a postcard to myself from South Georgia.  I received it four months from the day I mailed it.

Hi @Nachosdelux 

My last cruise on Navigator was March 2022 and have another planned for May.  With over 200 nights on the ship, she is a lovely, intimate way to cruise.  Because of her size, you will get to know know more passengers and staff/crew.

Yes, she has vibration.  (Like @mrlevinsays, don’t book the aft suites.)  Yes, she has less restaurants.  Yes, she doesn’t have a forward Observation Lounge.  
 

Navigator has a special feel about her.  The staff and crew are just as wonderful as on the other Regent ships, as they try to make your experience the best you can have.  As she is small,  it won’t take you any time to get from one location to the next.

@Spud1 Friends and I will be joining you on the May cruise.  Looking forward to being back on Navigator.

Beth

5 hours ago, RachelG said:

Parc Guell is also really good

Yes, @RachelG I agree.  Get your tickets before you come.

1 minute ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

If you do Sagrada Familia get reservations in advance and KEEP the receipt.

I think you can get reservations for Sagrada Familia two months from visit date.  We purchased guided tickets.  Our guide was excellent.

I would suggest hiring a guide/driver to take you around the city (with your luggage) to see the city then drop you off at the ship.  If not get on the HopOn HopOff bus .  Have the hotel hold your luggage then get a taxi to the ship.

2 hours ago, red1head said:

forgap, I agree. It's best not to wear ANY jewelry in BA. Street thieves don't stop to assess if it's real or costume. Friends of ours were there a month ago and were assaulted near their hotel in daylight while out for a short walk. The thief pulled a decorative necklace off her neck, knocking her to the ground. She sustained abrasions and bruises. Her husband suffered a dislocated shoulder and other abrasions trying to apprehend the thief. They spent the afternoon in emergency care and then the police station. They are both six feet tall and in their 30s. Not what you would consider prime targets. They cut their trip short, cancelled their Antarctica cruise and were grateful to have trip insurance. BA is a lovely city but it's best to be careful.

@red1head Thanks for your warning.  It is extremely sad to hear what happened to your friends and that they weren’t able to complete their trip/cruise.

On 1/22/2023 at 3:33 PM, cAPS lOCK oN said:

Plus manufactured drama, in this case "will the Christmas decorations be up in time?"

 

The drama actually wasn't manufactured.  We were on Splendor and the Christmas decorations were late getting to the ship.  They were supposed to arrived in Barcelona on Nov. 19 but the container didn't show up. The filming crew arrived in San Juan to video the decorations going up all around the ship.  That didn't happen.  As we disembarked on Dec. 3, we don't know how/when the decorations arrived.  

I am excited for all of you.  Looking forward to your further posts and photos.

51 minutes ago, dbali said:

So., if there are no sea days on a Sunday, is there a brunch any other day?

Nothing as special and elegant as the Sunday brunch is.

Third!!

@Lonedaddy That would be a question your travel agent could answer.

16 hours ago, cwn said:

Where are they blogging?

13 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I was just going to ask that question!  I see some posts on the "other" place, but would like to see people posting here, if they have time with all the fun they're having.

I haven’t seen anyone blogging here yet.  Look on the World Cruise 2023 Roll Call where I asked the question about blogging.

There is at least one person blogging but now here and some posts on the FB RSSC Social Club.

@vistaman When we get settled in the suite, we write a note to our room steward with a list of two bottles of alcohol/wine we would like.  Also included in the note is our refrigerator preferences.  They usually arrive by that evening or the next day.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays!

Beth

On 12/10/2022 at 5:27 PM, 2552phxcrzr said:

OCEANIA INSIGNIA ATW 2023 BLOG

 

Greetings ... I will be blogging our 200-day+ voyage.  However, I have set my FindPenguins blog for this particular trip to Followers Only.  (The only difference between this and a public blog is that you need to receive a "private link.")

 

You do not need to set up a FindPenguins account to follow the trip ... simply click the "private link" whenever you want to check for new postings ... no notification when new footprints are uploaded unless you are a Follower (for which you would need to set up a free account). 

 

If you would like to receive the "private link," send me an email at eerkun (format for yahoo).  Please mention your CC handle in the email so that I know the request is not spam.

@2552phxcrzr I would love to follow you on your World Cruise.

 I’ll email you!

7 hours ago, flossie009 said:

The elves have added a few more details to the gingerbread village

 

 

 

 

@Flossie, thank you for posting the Holiday photos.  They are lovely.  We did miss them on the crossing.  They didn’t make it to Barcelona in time to meet the ship.

On the topic of themed dinners, if a ship overnights in a port and long excursions return to the ship late, many times, La Veranda is open and local dishes are featured.  Evening attire is sometimes suspended to daywear so passengers can go eat directly from the buses.  Sette Mari is not opened that night.

Have just gotten off a 3 month  cruise on Splendor, we used the Smartguide app once and it worked fine.  Wish it could have been used more, but I think that those tour companies that use similar devices prefer their own.  Also passengers have not previously downloaded the app and have issues first using it or don't have a Smart phone or knowledge to use it.  Too many logistical issues.  

19 hours ago, BBWC said:

I have seen entertainment staff help with checking in on embarkation day, but I think they have a different type of visa. Doesn’t NCL have a US-based facility where the production casts, including Regent’s, practice the shows? So I assume they are allowed to work in the US.

Sorry,  @BBWC, I can’t answer that question.

12 hours ago, BBWC said:

This is not something Regent decides, it is US immigration authorities. I have also seen similar issues when crew did not have to face immigration. In any case, no passengers can get off until all crew are processed.
 

As for the wheelchairs, they are supposed to be provided by the port authority. Every time we leave the ship in Miami, Regent makes an announcement that they are not allowed to provide any support off the ship. I think it is because the crew’s visas don’t allow them to “work” in the US.

Yesterday, during the immigration in San Juan, I noticed two US members of the production cast assisting some passengers needing help getting back on the ship.  

5 hours ago, watercruise said:

Hi. A few questions -

What is a county fair day.

Country Fairs usually occur on lengthy ocean voyages with a large number of sea days in a row.  I am currently on Splendor with 6 consecutive days at sea.  Yesterday was day 3 and we had a country fair.

6 hours ago, Techno123 said:

The only time I was ever called by my given name at home, I knew I had to run and hide 😂😂

Yes. @Techno123,  for me it was my full name!!

Just now, rcandkc said:

I go by middle name…have since birth….but it never fails I get called by my first name.  It is frustrating. I had an RA Dr that called me by first name for 14 years although I would correct him and the nurse would call me by correct name.  

Thanks.  Yes, it can be frustrating.  

FYI.  One thing the computer does not hold is your nickname.  
 

On the online Guest Information Form, there is a spot for Nickname.  I always put mine in.  It’s a shortened version of my middle name.  When I enter a Dining Room, I am always called by my first name.  As I am currently on an extended voyage, I would really like to be called my preferred name.

With this concern, I went to the concierge and asked what could be done.  Apparently, there is nowhere in the computer system  where the preferred name from the guest form is actually used.  Your name is used only from your passport.  The concierge suggested an email be sent out to all departments with my photo and preferred name. That was not the method I wanted this problem solved.   
 

I am not sure what was done,  but miraculously, I have been called my nickname ever since.  I really didn’t want a big issue, just to be called my requested name.  I wonder why that area on the Guest Information Form isn’t used?