Pies4u

Well - we've been around on this one before (when the priority boarding was mooted by Regent some years ago) and I have to say I see nothing wrong with the policy. Just as I see nothing wrong with passengers in Business or First class on a plane having a fast track to clear security and a lounge to sit in to wait for departure. In life you pay more - you normally get more. I haven't taken the time to count exactly how many Master and Grand Suites there are on Explorer - I know there is only 1 Regent Suite. if you figure that each suite involves maybe 2-4 people how many is that that are taking possible table reservations away from the rest of the passengers? Maybe 20? And they cannot eat in ALL the restaurants every night either so would be split among 3 speciality restaurants. Not worth making any fuss over I think.

 

PS - I also think Oceania's system of boarding makes sense... but let's not start that one again!

Gerry

Agreed - 100%, spot on. If you've paid for an exclusive suite then you are entitled to exclusive benefits in my opinion. Why "loyal" customers should see themselves as more important than any potentially "loyal" ones is a complete mystery really. As others have said, if you are satisfied with what you've got why worry what anybody else is getting?

Pity the extra dining perk didn't stretch to 7 Seas suites - we were in one on Explorer and would have loved another evening dining in P7 and Pac Rim, although we did manage a second night in Pac Rim anyway to be fair. You can keep Chartreuse for me, it was dark, we were stuck at the back against a pitch black window, the food was lukewarm and the service was mediocre when we tried it.

Also note that the suite we were in is now classified as an Explorer Suite and is out of our price range, which is bad news. We loved that SS1.

Will be in a SS aft on Voyager next April, that will be an interesting comparison against the same suite on Mariner that we experienced in April 2016 - loved that, separate bedroom and huge lounge/sitting area.

Already had a Hong Kong to Bangkok trip on Voyager lined up for April 2018 - started a roll call thread a long while back but still not much interest, even now, so not sure how a "meet & greet" will go tbh.

Also, just booked 2 further cruises, Explorer - 20 days in the Med in May 2019 and a Sydney to Auckland trip on Voyager for Jan 2020. Think it is a little bit early for roll calls and far too premature to be thinking about meet & greets.

The concept is fine but I'm probably happier with a more casual, informal means of getting acquainted than the spot of "staged" get togethers. It wouldn't be the most essential feature of the cruise experience for me but I am always interested in putting faces to user names. Anyone on Voyager next April - 8 to 22 - have a look at the roll call and we may see you on board. I'll worry about the other 2 trips later.

The site format, layout, graphics etc are all miles better. Overall it is clearer and & more intuitive. So, it looks great & seems to be OK, for the most part, on a pc.

However, the functionality is pretty poor on my iPad, as others have experienced. The drop down boxes for cruise searches are hopeless and it is all a bit clumsy tbh.

I'm just sorry we are coming back from Bangkok with BA, as it is a direct flight.

If possible, I would never fly with them again - dreadful airline, poorly run business and appalling CEO, public relations and communication with customers. Oh, over priced and poor vfm too.

BA are a complete shambles in my experience, never had a fault free journey with them & their on board service is borderline awful, without fail. The staff are generally disorganised and always unhappy too. They always run out of food in business class and the gap between meals service can be up to 8 hours! However, they do fly direct to more places than, pretty much, any other airline & that makes a massive difference for us.

The problem I've had lies with Regent in this case tho' - I can go on line and book business class on the day we want to fly, no bother. Regent just don't have access, despite being able to book a day either side. It is ludicrous tbh. Trouble is, if I book it test counts as "deviation' and Regent told us they won't do the transfers etc, it is crazy really.

As soon as Regent have a deal with Cathay, I'll swap over to them.

Just an aside - really puzzled by Regent's flight arrangements/contract process. Less than 11 months from our HK - Bangkok cruise yet they can't provide access to business class flights with BA on the day we need to go. As they also have not yet got a contract with Cathay Pacific for April 2018 that is not an option.

Consequently, we are now having to book an extra night in HK - because they can access business class the day before ( and the day after!) we need to travel. It is just bizarre tbh.

Correction - I did receive it, just seems to have been delayed arriving in my inbox! It is, clearly, an admin faux pas not an ill thought out marketing ploy. I'm not sure if they use an agency, I'd guess they do, but either way someone has dropped a right ricket there.

I have not received this e.mail - but I did get one promoting Regent's Scandinavian cruises today. It all sounds a bit odd really. I suspect any such e.mail advertising another line is some sort of admin error tbh.

P&O operate 3 adult only ships, Arcadia, Oriana & Adonia. Whilst the other 2 are mid sized ships, Adonia is c 700 pax. We've been on Arcadia, very comfortable and elegant but not up to Regent cuisine, apart from the Asian speciality restaurant which is outstanding.

The lack of children was a wonderful exoerience.

As others have said, you can avoid irritating adults but children just get everywhere! I make no apologies for saying that I don't want to go on holiday with other people's children. If I did I'd enquire where they were going and book to be with them!

Absolutely! Whilst some adults may be annoying/irritating/ill behaved there is no doubt that children, by their nature, are likely to cause more concerns for those seeking calm, tranquility and quiet relaxation, particularly around pools, dining/meal times and in lounge areas. Never sure why people take small children on cruises tbh, seems to be self indulgent and more for the sake of the parents than the youngsters!

We have been fortunate, there have been no more than a handful of young children in the 2 Regent cruises we have then and all have been well behaved, almost invisible tbh - but that can't be relied upon.

We have taken 1 P & O adult only cruise, it was excellent for the above mentioned features but it lacked the general quality and style of a Regent cruise and the food wasn't in the same class. Thus, an adult only Regent cruise during the summer, say to the Baltic and/or Fjords, would suit us fine.

They only showed fleeting glimpses! You got an idea of a couple of suites and some of the restaurants, particuarly the furnishings & ceilings. Good views of PM tea in the Obs lounge.

It was still an informative & interesting programme. The scale and intensity of the last few weeks of the build were well represented.

Very good viewing - the issues re: stability & layout were intriguing. The whole concept of the build, transport & assembly of the various sections and the use of some old/traditional techniques was really illuminating.

Great stuff. Looking forward to part two.

Well spotted! Never noticed that before. It does look like the balcony ends, mysteriously, before the far side rail. I don't know for certain but I'd guess that us just the graphics being incomplete.

We were in 8100, immediately below that one & that too is illustrated slightly differently on the deck plan too. All I can say is the balcony extended to the far side rail, no gap or barrier.

Pies4u -- How were the sinks in the SSSuite? In the photographs they look very shallow. Thanks for any info.

Very good point. The sinks are shallow - that would be OK if not for the ridiculous fixed tap that prevents you from actually getting your face close to the water! So many sinks are designed this way that I am starting to believe that I'm the only one who ever washes their face at the sink.

The sink and tap arrangement in the "guest" bathroom is far better and much more usable, sadly thst isn't much help when you are in the main bathroom.

It isn't a major issue but, IMO, another poorly designed and badly thought out item tbh.

Sorry to disagree, but my understanding is that shaver sockets are allowed in bathrooms under UK regs

What is very surprising is that Regent failed to fit the international shaver sockets that one finds in most hotel bathrooms around the world

Shaving points are fine, it is electrical outlets thst are not. The OP complained that there were no electrical sockets!

I simply used an international adaptor - just plugged it in next to the bed, no problem. That worked for charging both my electric shaver & toothbrush. Does anybody still use a non chargeable shaver, I don't think they manufacture them anymore?

I'm just puzzled about the criticism re: no sockets in the bathroom! That has been illegal in the UK for years under the electrical regs - it is highly dangerous to put electrical sockets in a bathroom.

The lack of a washing/drying line (NB: we had a SS suite) was a bit strange, granted.

I noted some fundamental design flaws in the ship, notably the lack of any forward outdoor seating beyond the pool & the rather claustrophobic and ill thought out spa area (infra red sauna & no hydrotherapy pool, what is that all about?).

Overall, there are a few issues, as there are with any ship. Is Explorer luxurious and spacious? Yes it is. Are the suites incredible? Yes they are. Would we travel in Explorer again? Yes, any time you like, tomorrow if possible please.

It is an exceptional ship and, overall, with exquisite food and outstanding service in my limited, 10 day, experience. There will always be the odd exception to those standards, which is unfortunate, and different aspects will appeal (or not) to different people.

Sadly, that is only a standard, generic layout. SS2 Suites vary, for example some don't have the extra half bath but I believe some do & the configuration is different depending upon location on the ship. Those at the front have a sloping ceiling by all accounts!

It is a very poor website in many ways tbh, but those layouts are still the original, pre launch "impressions" & are not taken from actual suites.

We just stayed at the Marriott - lovely, modern, hotel, apart from the wasps! My wife was stung on the foot just prior to us departing to join the ship. This occurred at the rooftop pool which is spectacular and has incredible views, but is simply infested by wasps. They have "traps" to catch them but the as the island was "reclaimed" to build the hotel, the wasps were there first!

There is also a pol in the extensive gardens, that was quieter and seemed to have fewer airborne issues.

The location, facilities and rooms/suites are all terrific and the frequent 25 min shuttle to St Marks Sq is a great way to enjoy the lagoon & the views.

In my opinion, the hotel in the best location & with good facilities is the Cipriani which is also in the lagoon but closer to St Marks. Not sure of the prices these days but it isn't cheap. The Danieli is also pretty good and well located, quirky but impressive.

That's the one! :)

A bit lengthy, but thorough. :cool:

Thanks for doing that.

Good man Bill!

I'll have a Hennesey XO, thanks. :)

Very interesting - but, sadly, not mine. :confused: Mine is entitled, "Exploring Explorer".

Agreed, a very informative review tho'.

(I'm Mick, not Elisabeth btw)

Peggy - ah, if only!

As a novice in the "attachment/picture/link" department, I've not mastered that as yet. Someone else might manage that ahead of me tbh. Sorry about that.

It appears, only a few clicks away, in the CC Reviews forum, as you'd expect - under the Regent line/Explorer ship thread.

Cheers. - thanks for that.

You'll enjoy it, have a great time when it happens. It is a fabulous ship despite what I'd refer to as "design flaws".

Re: Post #12 - after 10 days CC have, finally, published my cruise review!

Explorer review, Sept 16, Venice - Monte Carlo, is now there.

Sadly, despite spellcheck and proof reading, there are a few typo's, where I've missed a letter out of a word on a couple of occasions.

My comments on dining, in all venues bar the pool grill, are incorporated. Still prefer Sette Mari & P7 to Cartreuse. :)

We had to move tables one night in Pac Rim on Explorer. The vibration was incredible. It was close to the kitchen area towards the rear of the restaurant, not sure if any others experienced it but the staff did and they moved us pdq. Don't think it was the first time it had happened tbh.

The whole table was shaking and it was really weird.

We are in an act suite on Voyager in April 2018 - that may well be interesting!

Never noticed any problem, anywhere, on Mariner last year.