FengShui@Sea

Our guest bathroom toilet (at the entrance to our suite) has not functioned properly since day one. Sometimes the flush delays by several minutes, and twice so far it just stopped working completely. The ensuite toilet wouldn’t flush one morning, and when I called down they said that they were aware of the problem. I think the age of the ship may have something to do with it. We will be on the Navigator in 2025 and I shudder to thin how it will be on there.

To be honest I wasn’t at all disappointed. I prefer a regular breakfast early, rather than facing mounds of food mid morning. We have noticed that when we are sat on the port side in Compass Rose the service tends to be slow. We now ask for seating on the starboard side each time.

The first time it was in the early afternoon, and the second time was late morning. They haven’t shown up yet today thank goodness.

We are continuing to enjoy the voyage. The food and service in Compass Rose has been excellent. Today is Sunday but I don’t see any mention of the large Sunday brunch they normally have, however caviar is being served at breakfast apparently. We dined in Chartreuse on Friday and the food was excellent. The decor could definitely use some improvement. It has very little art on the walls, and an ugly gold coloured curtain covering an entire wall at the back of the room. I am curious to know what is behind that curtain! We have a couple that camp out in the Observation Lounge every day who insist that the soft music be turned down to a level where it can no longer be heard. I find it odd that the staff comply despite the impact on the rest of us who are there enjoying the music. The staff should suggest the couple go to the library where it is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I am seldom the squeaky wheel but when this first happened I asked that the music volume be restored. However, ‘madam’ promptly went over and insisted it be turned down, which it was, and we left. Thanks to all that suggested I request a different hair dryer. Mine was replaced with quite a beat up looking one but it works perfectly.

Thanks for starting the blog Susan @Flossie009. We have been very pleased with the food and service in Compass Rose. I can also report that we are in an aft corner suite and have experienced zero vibration. The biggest (First World) problem is an under powered hair dryer in the suite. This is the first time I didn’t bring my own. 🙈. Below are some photos of the Seven Seas Suite #1081 The bedroom and ensuite bathroom are pretty small compared with the living room.

For future reference you can use any plastic card to operate the lights. We use a membership card from one of the big box stores. When leaving the room we remove it and leave it inside the room, close to the door.

I sincerely hope your mother feels better soon. Sending her positive thoughts, and good wishes. As someone who has had Covid, and racking my brain wondering where I may have caught it (being a total germaphob, and ultra cautious) I can almost guarantee you that she can set her exposure like a watch. It starts at day three after exposure thinking ‘ghee, I kind of don’t feel so well’ to day four with ~ okay this is something (sore throat, fatigue, etc.). She may have caught it on the plane home, in the Miami airport, or who knows? But I can sympathize with any uncertainty in thinking “Where did I let my guard down?”

Yes, Prime 7. My last choice on the Splendor would be the Asian restaurant (Pacific Rim).

We are sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Dublin on the Silver Shadow in late May 2023. I haven’t heard of an itinerary change so far (and hope it doesn’t change), but the ship holds about 380 passengers so perhaps it will be allowed to dock in Dublin.

I am really enjoying the detailed description of your travels. Were your flights arranged by Regent? I live three hours by plane from Miami and when cruising from there I fly in two days before embarkation day. I can’t imagine arriving the same day when boarding a ship half way around the world. I would be a nervous wreck, worried that I would miss the ship!

@PhD-ivaOur October 3rd cruise on the Mariner (sailing 12 days return out of LA) has been sold out for weeks now. The one following is almost sold out. I think with yours being a repositioning cruise it is less popular because the flights become more challenging. Although that wouldn’t deter me. Wish we could join you. Enjoy your cruise!

Yes. Not like cruising at all, more like a floating hotel. You couldn’t pay me to do that itinerary. Others will disagree, but I think you are asking for an honest answer.

Perhaps true if someone were to give the same amount of USD as they would give in Euro, however currency rates fluctuate daily. I think the kindest gesture someone can make is to offer a commonly accepted currency rather than one from half way around the world.

Euro will be welcome, not so for USD.

Sadly my understanding is that you cannot remove a guest from the reservation after final payment. Correction, you can but the only saving will be the taxes that guest was due to pay. Perhaps you could add a ‘third’ person (the one replacing your original cabin mate) and then split the difference in cost as a third person (if allowed in the cabin) should only be a nominal charge. 🤷‍♀️

The 900, 800 and 700 PH cabins have a solid (steel) balcony front rather than glass so I would avoid those. Personally I would take deck 14 as you will be a little further back. Congratulations on your upgrade. You are going to love the penthouse!

I seriously don’t see anyone ‘complaining’ here, except for the people complaining about people complaining. Other than that I only see people offering observations and opinions.

All valid points. However, are we as passengers expected to still pay tens of thousands of dollars for cruises with sub standard service, sub standard food preparation and quality, sub standard wine selection (i.e. serving six year old Chardonnay 😳)? Why are we the ones that are supposed to absorb the lack of trained personnel, chain supply problems, etc. etc. rather than the commercial entity. Is Regent now a charity case that we are all expected to feel sorry for and support? I can forgive many, many shortcomings but don’t ask me to pay pre-Covid prices for far less value. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Unfortunately, cruises departing from the US, Canada, Greece and Bermuda will still require the pre-cruise testI guess because of regulations in those countries.

We had the same issue with the Sebastiani Chardonnay (2016) on the Splendor in April. That they would even pour it really surprised me. We also found that some bottles of their standard sparkling wine (champagne ?) were corked. Thinking it was just not to my taste I poured the bottle provided in our suite on embarkation down the sink. A day or two later another guest was telling the pool bartender that the sparkling wine he just poured her was off. I assumed they must have had several bad bottles, and let the bartender know. However, after summing up the courage to try it again later on I found that other bottles of the same wine tasted perfectly fine.

I realize that it is a matter of personal taste, but I found the Splendor’s decor very dull. The wow factor of the entrance to Pacific Rim wears off quickly. The staircase going from deck 5 to deck 4 with its wooden steps had to be the ugliest central staircase I have ever seen on any ship. Add to that the difference in level of service between the two ships in Compass Rose was mind boggling. However, with a few exceptions the artwork was really outstanding. I would revise my advice to say I wouldn’t avoid the ship, but I would lower my expectations.

This brings back such fond memories of our first Regent cruise (also on the Explorer). My advice is to avoid the Splendor. Although a newer sister ship, sadly it pales in comparison.

Okay, so we don’t do ‘land vacations’ (and don’t really know what that has to do with this discussion). And what exactly is Regent, SS, and Seabourn’s policy? Celebrity reports the number of cases to all guests each day. What exactly does RSSC have to hide? I’m happy you are ‘being smart’ but I would rather give my money to vendors that are being upfront with me.

You should not have to be a detective to figure these things out. Regent should be transparent. Yet one more reason we cancelled all RSSC cruises after the next one in October. Don’t wish to pay $2K a day for this kind of ‘service’.

No one said you didn’t. The OP is in a penthouse, and my experience is that the butlers are very eager to be of assistance.