OrthoCruiser

We have happened upon lunch open in Prime 7 and Chartreuse while cruising in the past.  It seems like they would be open some days for lunch and not others.

My questions are: Are there certain days that one should expect to find one or the other of these restaurants open for lunch, or is it sort of random? If random, is there a way to find out at the beginning of the cruise which days they plan to be open? Finally, is the lunch menu just an abbreviated version of the the dinner menu or does it offer unique dishes only available during their lunches?  Thanks in advance.

1 hour ago, Aloha 1 said:

Ortho  (and all who are on this cruise), we are having an impromptu get together at the Splendor Pool Bar at 5PM on Sail Away day. Do join us!

Sounds fun!  See you soon!

Croque Madame's in Chartreuse another favorite!

I've always wondered whether it was cool to walk in to the little bars at Chartreuse and Prime 7 for an evening cocktail even without plans to have dinner there that night. Can I assume they are happy to have visitors?

My wife and I have enjoyed Regent travels for many years and delight in so many small indulgences that make the experience relaxing, delicious, and memorable.  Mornings with French Press coffee and a bear claw or Pain au chocolate in the Coffee Connection, fancy burgers at the Pool Grill, sorbet with a splash of Grand Mariner on the pool deck, finding a quiet corner in the library with some amazing coffee table books, a game of spades after dinner in the card room, pre dinner Bluetop Monopole in the Meridien Lounge, afternoon tea, and so much more.  

We will join the Splendor for seventeen days of Caribbean bliss in two weeks and, as you all know, the anticipation is nearly half the fun!  Please list some of your favorite things to do on the cruise so we can all enjoy our choice memories and til-next-times.  Happy trails!

If a cruise were leaving out of a foreign port, say Papeete, Tahiti, would it be possible to essentially ship a case of wine to yourself in care of the cruise company at the port the ship will be leaving from and pick it up there or on the ship? We have had suitcases sent ahead but think it might be a bit more of a problem to send alcohol. Anybody with knowledge or experience with this ?

Many thanks for the comments.  We were leaning heavily toward staying with the Mariner and the Papeete to Sydney itinerary and your replies have helped cement that plan.

sanne: I was not aware the Mariner was better equipped to handle rough seas than the other Regent ships.  That is good to hear.  Hopefully we won't have to test that aspect of it's engineering much!

mrlevin: I would be interested in hearing more about your preference of the Mariner over the Explorer.  Since we thoroughly enjoyed our Explorer experience it would be a treat to hear why we might find where the Mariner exceeds the Explorer's awesomeness!

Since we are traveling with another couple who we enjoy spending time with, the business of finding new friends on a World Cruise with passengers that may have already established their cliques won't be a real problem.  I'm sure many of the Worlders are happy to welcome new "segmenter" friends along their entire route.

flossie: Thanks for so clearly pointing out contrasting points to the two cruises.  We love at sea days.  They are so relaxing compared to port-intensive itineraries.  Although the destinations are of significant importance for us when we choose a cruise, we also enjoy coming home well-rested.  As a result, we view the ship-board experience as the primary attraction when we choose a cruise.

We will miss the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Pacific Rim.  I know we will really enjoy the Observation Lounge.  Like you, we really enjoyed the configuration of the Concierge suites on the Explorer with their beds facing the verandah.  We also prefer the shower-only suites and have one lined up.

wendy: It would be great to have you join this cruise and get to meet you.  I would be interested in hearing your ideas about the social dynamics between the "worlders" (if that is a name for full World Cruise patrons) and the "segmenters".  Re French Polynesia, we sailed the Paul Gauguin in 2000 and loved it.  I am sad to hear that the ship has been described as a bit long in the tooth.  Hopefully it will be refurbished to a level approximating the Regent ships.

JMARINER: I have always wanted to visit New Zealand.  With the state of the current political discourse here at home I may looking to see if they have a need for my line of work! We have not yet begun to make our way through the various shore excursions that are offered but I suspect we won't have much trouble appreciating the beauty of the country even if it were only from the deck of the ship!

lprp: Since you have done both itineraries and endorse the Mariner cruise then that confirms we are on the right trail with that itinerary.  

Happy Trails everyone.  Good times are on their way!

My wife and I and another couple are booked on the Tahiti to Sydney cruise on the Mariner in January 2022 in a Category D Concierge suite.  We are considering changing that to same category suite on the Auckland to Bali cruise on the Explorer in January 2022. The two cruises share many of the same New Zealand and Australian ports of call. The Mariner cruise starts in Tahiti and includes some of the beautiful French Polynesian islands we love. The Explorer cruise does not have these islands but instead includes several Northern Australia ports and then finishes with Komodo and Bali I places we have never visited. I have placed links to the two cruises below.

https://www.rssc.com/cruises/MAR220123A/summary?source=top results 

https://www.rssc.com/cruises/EXP220105A/summary?source=top results

We have sailed the Explorer before and love it. Fantastic concierge level suites! We have never sailed the Mariner but hear it’s a favorite to many. I am interested to see what Regent cruisers might have to say about why one might want to spend an extra $6000 per couple on the Explorer cruise over the Mariner cruise. Which cruise would you choose and why? Thanks in advance for your opinions!

11 minutes ago, RachelG said:

we had no difficulties getting out room cool enough, even the day it was 96 F outside.  But we do make sure to instruct the cabin steward to leave the drapes pulled on hot days.  That makes a tremendous difference in keeping the room temp reasonable..  If we want to open them when we are in the cabin, we do it ourselves.

Thank you Rachel.  

Jackie,

You'll remain in warm weather climes for most of the remainder of your trip.  We will be traveling back in the direction from which you came next cruise.  On our last Navigator cruise into the Caribbean our travel mates could never get their rooms to cool down to a comfortable temperature.  Have you had any trouble getting your room to cool down nicely or heard of others with same problem on the Explorer?

Skip

My goodness Jackie! After seeing what you had to do to present the wine list I am ashamed that I asked to borrow time out of your vacation to tend to my curiosity!  You are truly a dedicated friend to those who love to experience Regent!  Thank you for that.  Please don't worry about sending the rest of the list.  I've seen enough to know that my taste and budget can both be easily accommodated by their offerings!  Hoping to discover new wines from around the world on their complimentary offerings as well!  

Hi Jackie,

Hope you guys are getting settled in to your beautiful stateroom and enjoying calm seas as you make your way around your second home.  First time for me to post to you but have always enjoyed your insight and knowledge.  My wife and I, along with another couple, will be coming on when you get off in LA and look forward to reading all about your experience.  We have traveled Navigator several times but this will be our first on Explorer.  

If you get a chance, please see if you can share the complimentary and premium wine lists currently being served.  Also, how early in the cruise do they offer the open tasting of all the wines being served?  Is that something you and Dennis try to attend?

Thank you in advance for your commentary.  Hope you guys have a fabulous trip with Dennis enjoying the attention of your wifely perfection!

Orthocruiser (Skip)

Thank you Rachel! Happy trails!

15 hours ago, RachelG said:

February 12, 2019–at sea, more Chilean fjords

 

Chile is long, really, really long. I didn’t sleep as well as usual on a ship due to the ship having to frequently adjust course apparently due to all the islands.  When I awoke, it was very overcast, but there was open ocean to the left, with islands on the right, so we seemed to be out of the maze.

 

I have to admit, I have been very underwhelmed by the Chilean fjords.  Except for a couple of really nice big glaciers and one big waterfall, the part we saw was pretty boring.  Greenland, Norway, and Alaska are much more spectacular.

 

Since this is another sea day with much of the same as yesterday, at the request of orthocruiser and a few others, I will write a bit about the ship.

 

Things I love about Explorer:

 

Lovely big public seating areas.  The ship almost never feels crowded even on seadays with it being completely full.  Exception would be teatime trivia on a seaday.

The coffee area is very spacious with great seating.

Beautiful decor throughout with close attention to detail.  Even the card room, which on most ships is just a room with some card tables and chairs, is beautifully decorated on this ship.

Proper library which is quiet with good comfortable chairs.

Dedicated person with an office for specialty restaurant reservations.

Specialty restaurants are large, and you can usually get a reservation.

Good storage space even in G2 suites.

Good walking track.

Very stable ship with no vibration and little movement, even when seas are a bit rough.

Buffet area in La Veranda is spacious.  Easy to move around and get food without bumping into others.

Smoking area on pool deck is totally enclosed and well defined.  No smokers at the poor bar, and no smoke drifting over into the non smoking areas on the deck.

 

Things I don’t love:

 

The lowest category suites are pretty small.  We are doing fine in our G2, but an H would be tiny.  Bathroom is definitely one person at a time.  We would have booked an F had one been available.

No rear facing lounge.  Explorer and meridian lounges both seem dark to me.  Observation lounge is the only one with good views.

Compass Rose seems noisy unless you get at the very back.

I am not a sauna person, but George hates the saunas on this ship.  They are apparently some sort of infrared sauna, and he doesn’t think they are hot enough.

The exercise class room is way too small.  Only 8-10 people can sign up for a class.  I gave up, because all the classes I am interested in were full.

Poor sight lines in theater.  You have to figure out where to sit to avoid having to look around thick columns.  The balcony is impossible for me as the railing is right at the level of my eyes.

Very narrow stairways.  

 

But despite all the negatives, I really do like this ship.

 

Lunch in La Veranda features several different curries.  They also had that really good crispy Indian bread as well as naan.

 

By mid afternoon, the sun was peaking through though it was still very hazy.  Temperature was definitely a little warmer than yesterday.  I had done my walking in the morning so was just lazy and worked on cross stitch.

 

Tonight was a pre dinner concert by Evan Bosworth, the assistant CD.  He has a remarkable voice, and sang a wide range of music from opera to pop to Irish ballads.  

 

We again had dinner in Pacific Rim as the is George’s favorite.  I am hoping he will get tired of it, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.  It was quite delicious.

Thank you for your impressions!  So good to hear.  Just a few questions Rachel (Or whoever might know-Jackie,Bill,others...).

I enjoy drinking coffee in the mornings reading the Wall Street Journal.  Do you know if they let you drink coffee in the library?

Do you know if they have printed versions of newspapers like the WSJ or New York Times in the mornings? If so, are they in the Coffee Bar area or the Library?

Do you know if the Connoiseur Club sports authentic home-grown Cubans?

Is there a piano player or musical combo playing in one or more of the lounges pre- and post-dinner? My wife and I enjoy having drinks and conversation with the other couple we are traveling with before and after dinner.  Is there a specific lounge that is best suited for easy listening music but quiet conversation among the four?

With regard to specialty restaurant reservations beyond the one allotted prior to embarkation, are additional reservations gained by speaking the the specific restaurant's maitre'd, calling a number, and/or speaking to the dedicated person in the specialty restaurant office?

Hope you guys are enjoying smooth sailing.  Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

18 minutes ago, RachelG said:

orthocruiser, I am supposing you are a bone doc.  I had my personal ortho experience 2 years ago, when I slipped and fell while making rounds, breaking my shoulder in 3 places. A plate, 8 pins, and a whole lot of PT, I am back at 95%. But I left on a cruise 2 days postop!

You guessed correctly.  You're a tough one indeed although it might take more than that to keep me off the Explorer next month!  Not that I want to tempt fate!  Hope that shoulder is treating you well!

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience on the Explorer! My wife and I are traveling with another couple on the Explorer's LA to Miami in March so we are hanging on every word you say regarding your adventure! We have cruised Navigator several times but this will be our first on Explorer and we are looking forward to the shipboard experience.  Please continue to share your thoughts as they relate to the food, lounges, music, daytime activities, spa, evening cocktail venues, etc.  We all love living vicariously through your posts.  Thank you again and bon voyage!

Thanks for the good hearted replies. I think I might try the checking in as luggage route.

We are sailing out of New York on the Navigator October 29 for the 15-day NYC to Miami cruise. We understand Regent doesn't mind ;p travelers bringing on their own wine so we do plan to send up to a case ahead to the port to make it to the ship the day of sailing. (Our little travel group enjoys great wine and despite the offerings on the ship are happy to unload some of our cellars for a memorable trip) My question(s): Does anyone have any experience with shipping items to the embarkation port; if so, suggestions or instructions on how to manage the logistics.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Elvis on the Navigator in the Stars Lounge was fantastic. Loved sitting there before the shows and having him mix his magic. Then watching him at the Crew Capers was amazing!

Loved the Cioppino in Sette Mari along with the fantastic antipasti before dinner.

Other fun memories were the porterhouse in Prime 7, the tea times in Galileos with the trivia contests to follow. The gelato and accoutrements at the Pool Bar. Loved the toasted almond slivers!

I would love to hear from everyone a list of some of their favorites from their Regent cruises. Below are a list of things you might list. Be sure to let us know which ship and itinerary the favorites were found on! Give some stories and descriptions as well!

1. Bartender

2. Wait Staff

3. Dishes

a. Compass Rose

b. Prime 7

c. Signature

d. La Veranda

e. Sette Mari

4. Room steward(ess) or butler

5. Activity while on At Sea days

I would submit that in the interest of compromise that one half of the outdoor terrace outside Galileo might be open to cigar smokers in the evening. That would place the area in close proximity to a bar but have plenty of ventilation that would not drag smoke down the side of the ship. Non-smokers could enjoy the other side of the terrace. Thoughts?

It looks like they have turned the Connoisseur Club into a beautiful Library during the recent revamp on the Navigator. Does that mean that there will be no special cigar spot on the ship? Didn't know if they were going to designate another venue for that sort of enjoyment.

My wife and I are making our third Navigator cruise (NYC to Miami, November 2017) and are going to be joined by another couple that have never sailed Regent. My buddy enjoys his cigars and brandy and will quite disappointed if he has no place to partake.