Pies4u

I posted a response to the QG/Regent comparison on a roll call thread yesterday. We have been on 3 Cunard trips in QG and recently had our first Regent experience, on Mariner.

The advantage of the Grills on Cunard is that you have an assigned table waiting fir you every evening had the same, dedicated attendants. The level of attention, service and, indeed, cuisine is exceptional by anybody's standards. There are few land based restaurants that can equal the QG on food quality or service to be fair!

Regent provide a completely different offering - but you will always be accommodated according to your preferences in the Compass Rose. The speciality restaurants offer a variation - you will have 1 pre-booked, set time, meal in each. Prime 7 is, effectively, a more formal steak house. In the UK I don't think we go in for that style much tbh but it is highly popular with Americans. I thought the portions were gigantic but the service levels are superb. Signatures on Mariner is an outstanding dining venue and the food quality is generally as good as QG, but they did have a fairly bland & tasteless duck item on our first visit. I have never had anything but exquisite food in the QG.

Overall, they are 2 different experiences but both high standard and the service is very good on both. You just get a wider variety of staff serving you , you'll sit at different tables and that makes it a contrast to Cunard. Both are excellent.

If push comes to shove, I'd say Cunard has the edge in style but is more formal - I quite like that. My wife thought Regent was better and more friendly & relaxed. Food varies too much to comment - not had a bad meal on Cunard, had 1 slightly less than perfect course on Regent - nothing between them really.

Have to say, never saw sight or sound of our suite iPad on our recent cruise.

Didn't bother to ask about it as I used my own anyway.

Thus, unable to answer your question but suggest that you may need to enquire about the iPad.

Tea time on Mariner was occasionally busy but never over crowded on our recent cruise. We really enjoyed the Horizon lounge & seems a shame that Explorer lacks a similar lounge.

The sailaways is an interesting point, we had an aft suite & tended to stay on our own balcony. Equally, the departure times were often quite late so not many folks were about anyway. We dined outside at SM on the evening we sailed out if Palermo, that was fantastic & we'd love to mirror that experience on Explorer.

Those pictures are not Explorer are they? If so, never seen anything like that in any of the promotional material.

Thought the poster was showing an example Oceania decor & lighting but maybe I misread it.

Agree about some of the ship design on the Explorer. I could not understand why they would put their "Explorer" suites under the pool and "bridge" - both areas subject to overhead noise. Also puzzled by how small some suites are. If they were meant for single occupants (meaning no single supplement), it would have made sense.

 

In terms of multi-generational cruising, I wonder if that is a target audience for Regent? I also wonder how many families they actually have on board. We did see a large family/group of about 30 people on our last cruise (for a wedding) but do not typically see families (perhaps they sail in the summer when we are not on board?) Oceania does have adjoining cabins and is also a good choice for families. Then there is NCL that seems to be set up for this type of cruising. While not everyone will agree, I hope that Regent remains a mostly adult oasis (except when school is not in session).

 

Until we sailed on the Riviera, I was not aware of how beautiful a ship can be (not Las Vegas glitzy but beautifully appointed suites, gorgeous public areas, etc.) The one thing I missed on the Riviera was the "Regent" experience. Next year we will have the "most luxurious ship at sea " and it will be Regent. We simply selected a suite that works for us in terms of size and location and are not going to sweat the small stuff.

Agree with the point re: "adult oasis". I am one of those who finds the trend towards large family groups and the concept of "multi generational" travellers a potential stumbling block. I don't want to go to a holiday camp and I don't like being surrounded, indoors ir out, by large numbers of people who have to sit together and effectively take over limited spaces.

Regent struck me as being more geared towards couples and appeals to those who prefer to avoid glitz, noise and Vegas style razzmatazz.

We often holiday at adult only hotels in the UK and in Europe &, of course, hotels like Sandals offer the same facility in the Caribbean. They are hugely popular. I don't think Regent would be losing out at all if they choose to by-pass the "family friendly" audience. There is an equally increasing market for those who want peace, tranquility and to avoid being surrounded by large family groups.

That said, Explorer does seem to be missing a few tricks. No aft facing lounge, limited deck space, no prom deck and 2 remarkably similar looking lounges (Explorer and Meridian) are a slight concern.

It does look like pm tea will be in the Observation Lounge, which will have forward facing outside space - which is good! Also, there has been little clarity about the spa pool, but I'm guessing that will be an indoor hydrotherapy pool, but it isn't clear from the pictures & info provided thus far.

We are sampling the SS1 suite in Sept 16 and, very much, looking forward to it.

Haggis, particularly with 'neeps & tattles" (mashed turnips, or swedes actually, and potatoes), is a very pleasant dish IMO. Like anything, you can get a duff one but, fortunately, I never have done.

Eaten it several times, mainly but not exclusively, at New Year and Burns Night.

It is an acquired taste, maybe, but it is a genuine dish and most Scottish Chefs would take pride in preparing and serving it. You either like it or you don't, but you can't question the provenance or credibility of the dish. It appears on several Michelin starred menus for a start!

Kerry - I added to the roll call thread, don't know if you've seen it. Great to meet you both, you never bought me that drink tho'! :). Maybe next time. Get yourselves on the Explorer, 24 Sept next year.

Thanks for your advice & info.

Returned yesterday. Will post a more detailed review - but - really enjoyed this first taste of Regent.

There were some, relatively minor, blips but overall a tremendous trip on a superb ship with top class staff. Visited some incredible places and saw some amazing sights. Entertainment was outstanding, not sure why anyone could complain about the standards. Lovena Fox is an incredible talent, Craig Owen was amazing and the JAR group were superb. Ross was a fantastic pianist & entertainer, enjoyed his company on the shuttle and swift visit in the rain to Zadar.

Regent excelled in several areas, notably the "beyond the call of duty" levels of service.

It was a surprise to find the Cruise Director at Venice airport & then on our return flight - that is taking responsibilities very seriously indeed.

Sorry about the typo's, writing at sea - plus the cocktails and wine - seem to impair my functionality on the iPad!

Long day in Rome yesterday but saw the Sistine Chapel & St Peter's Basilica. Our return to the ship was heralded by the musicians & staff welcoming us, together with a glass of champers & a refreshing towel. Tremendous stuff!

Ate in the suite last night - first class.

Arriving in Palermo shortly, lazy day for me - just off for that massage.

Well, after a 3 year wait we are now 3 days into our first Regent experience. Boarded Mariner on Mon after an overnight in Barcelona. Regent recovered from sticking us in a conference hotel miles from the City by providing a shuttle bus service and laying on an excursion, tour of Barca, on the am prior to boarding.

Life onboard is fine, aft suite is amazing. Forget the drawer shortage, we'll cope. The lounge and balcony more than compensate!

A few niggles, mainly with being served wine from the remnants of bottles - but nothing serious. Food quality has varied from tasteless duck in Signatures to superb strip loin of beef in CR and a lovely sea food salad lunch at La V, overlooking the Grimaldi Palace in Monaco!

Tours are brilliant, wine tasting in Tuscany today - magnificent excursion! Entertainment is excellent - pianist (Ross?) is fantastic & the Backstage Pass show was as good as any cruise line entertainment on Cunard or P & O. There's a violinist who did a great show on Mon & he is on again tonight.

More to follow - but - Regent has us hooked after 3 days. Had already booked Explorer for next year anyway but really enjoying Mariner. Going to book a massage & get afternoon now. Tough life!

Well, after a 3 year wait we are nie 3 days into our first Regent experience. BoardecMariner on Mon after an overnight in Barcelona. Regent recovered from sticking us in a conference hotel miles from the City by providing a shuttle bus service and laying on an excursion, tour of Barca, on the am prior to boarding.

Life onboard is fine, aft suite is amazing. Forget the drawer shortage, we'll cope. The lounge and balcony more than compensate!

A few niggles, mainly with being served wine from the remnants of bottles - but nothing serious. Food quality has varied from tasteless duck in Signatures to superb strip loin of beef in CR and a lovely sea food salad lunch at La V, overlooking the Grimaldi Pakace in Monaco!

Tours are brilliant, wine tasting in Tuscany today - magnificent excursion! Entertainment is excellent - pianist (Ross?) is fantastic & the Backstage Pass show was as good as any cruise line entertainment on Cunard or P & O. There's a violinist who did a great show on Mon & he is on again tonight.

More to follow - but - Regent has us hooked after 3 days. Had already booked Explorer for next year anyway but really enjoying Mariner. Going to book a massage & get afternoon now. Tough life!

Thanks for the pics - to both of you! Great stuff.

I suspect we'll probably cope ok. Not got too much stuff for 10 nights. :p

Our excursion in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain today was perfection. Just like the good old days. The island is amazing -- very volcanic -- not a lot of people or traffic - very calm and relaxing. It was great that the excursion was sold out and Regent added another one with only 14 guests and 1 crew member from the ship (plus the tour guide). Instead of having to meet in the dreaded theater, we simply walked off of the ship - gave our tickets to the guide and walked on to the bus. We went to three wineries. While we are not a lover of Spanish wines, it was nice to taste them and to learn how they are grown in lava. Lanzarote (probably misspelled) gets very little rain. However, the humidity at night is picked up by the lava and irrigates the plants. No additional irrigation is needed.

 

Gerry and I talked a bit about the Seven Seas Aft Suite. I want to make one negative comment about it. As mentioned previously, every piece of furniture has been replaced. It looks lovely -- even the closet is different. However, the suite is lacking in drawers. This is a large suite with only 5 small (really small) drawers in the closet. The drawers are not sufficient and I hope that this is not what is going to be in the Explorer. If the Seven Seas suites lack drawers, I can only imagine what regular suites will look like. Very concerning!

 

Tonight we dined in Sette Mari and I must say that it is the best meal we have had in this dining venue. This is also a good time to mention that the F&B Dir., Donald, the Executive Chef, Kelly and the Dining Room Mgr., Gami show up in every restaurant and check on just about every table to make sure that the food meets your expectations. So, there is really no reason to have a bad meal (unless you don't tell someone that you do not care for it.) I am pointing a finger at myself here because I did not tell anyone how bad our Prime 7 meal was.

 

I took photographs of the antipasti and dessert buffet and of my meal (Veal Scalloppini-- misspelled). My DH had Osso Bucco which I photographed a couple of days ago. I'll send this this to computerworks this evening (hopefully).

 

computerworks - thank you once again for the marvelous job you are doing at posting pictures. I have no idea how you got Franck's photo posted. I had difficulty even sending it to you.

 

Enough babbling.

We are in an aft suite - from next Monday. First time on Regent. The lack of drawer space sounds a concern to me too! What about bed side tables and/or dressing table drawers - anything? If you could kindly advise/clarify that would assist greatly. Thanks.

Booked an SS1 on Explorer for Seot 2016, the initial pics suggest a decent amount of wardrobe/ hanging space so I hope there will be sufficient drawers included.

will try to remember ZQ1, but after the party were planning I might not remember :-).

 

Pies4u, my cockney accent is actually more Kentish with a slight twinge of cockney mate :), I didn't realise you were staying at the same hotel the hotel 1898, or did you mean at Heathrow? what seat you in on the plane and I will say hello.

 

Mudhen we have got some American friends who understand us, although there's the normal cock up (oops) over certain words and phases, pants was a good one, but the one that got the waiters going was asking for cheese and biscuits a standard phase over here and I'm was certain that it would be understood. Well 10 minutes later someone a little higher up came to the table and asked if I wanted cheese and biscuits, this went on for what seem like an hour with various people attending our table, I learnt that cheese and biscuits are known as cheese and crackers, to me that is truly crackers 😀. Also have you filled in your butler request form for your little extras?

 

If any one fancy a get together then let's us know and we try to get there, I don't know the ship so if anyone interested I will leave it to them to suggest time etc.

H'row - Sofitel. We are a couple of rows behind you on the plane! I think, 8A & C.

We are stuck in that Rey Juan Carlos in Barca, bit of a pain tbh.

Mudhen - I translate Cockney if it helps. :) :)

I sit with a real "Gor blimey Guv'nor" Londoner at Notts County football games, he speaks fluent Cockney, at a terrific rate in full flow. We have some fun with him & he takes it in good part.

Hope to bump into you all somewhere. Charltonkerry is on the same flight and is staying in the same hotel as us, so I'm sure we'll have met/spoken by the time we are on board.

Ah, improvement!

Signatures food looks better and the presentation looks professional instead of just slapped on the plate. The lobster said and halibut both look pretty impresive.

As to the post re: why get excited, people are starving elsewhere etc? Well, the point is you are paying "top dollar" for high end quality and service and I, at least, expect value for money. The fact that people all over the world aren't eating sufficiently is a serious issue - but - irrelevant when debating the standards of food presentation and quality on a Regent cruise. In the grand scheme of things it may not be important but if you get 3rd rate goods for first rate prices you are entitled to ask questions imo.

For my part, I am slightly reassured but I'll certainly try to eat in Signatures on more than 1 occasion, if possible, if I am served some of the stuff we've seen pictured on this thread! That's it really.

None of these pictures are making things any better!

That is dreadful looking food presented in an appalling, unprofessional manner. That is not what I expect from P & O let alone Regent.

We are on Mariner's next cruise - Barcelona to Venice.

If they present food like some of that to me, I'll send it back! If that is what Regent regard as "six star" food then I'll stick with Cunard, thanks. It looks awful, dreadful presentation, garnish sparse & wilted at that! The breakfast buffet looked, barely, passable - well the jam sekection did.

Starting to worry tbh. Cunard Queens Grill is the benchmark that I would rate cruise cuisine & service against. So I'm getting worried about Regent tbh.

Just received the e.mail - looks & sounds very impressive tbh.

Hope the 3rd option will be Asian of some description - preferably a variety of Cuisineswuth an oriental/Asian bias.

Delighted to be booked on Explorer for Sept 16. I did notice that the reservation dates for excursions and dining were incorrect on my account tho'. Rang Regent and they confirmed the dates were right on their central system but not on the "my account" part that I can view. We are listed as 180 & 70 instead of 240 & 90, so I am hoping that they rectify that asap.

Since the ship has not even been built, less furnished, aren't these discussions about bed size a bit premature? Many details about bed sizes can change in the next 18 months.

Absolutely!

On the basis that the new Explorer brochure is full of flaws and mistakes - even the pictures of some of the suites are wrong, or at least inconsistent with the website - it is fair to say that it is a work in progress. I'd guess that there may a few twists and turns and "policy" on some matters might vary in the next 15 months or so

Additionally, there are no details for 2 of the speciality dining venues and one lounge has already changed name! I'd also presume that one dining venues will be themed towards Eastern/Asian options - hopefully so.

None of the uncertainty poses a dilemma in our case, we've gone for the Med in late Sept 16. I'm not relying on the brochure or website pictures - i.e I hope the balcony will be furnished and I may well be surprised by the furnishings, which, presumably, are only artist impressions at this stage?

Yes - you mentioned that the F&B Mgr. was Donald - another one of our favorites that I hope will still be onboard in April.

 

Was it difficult to get a table in the coffee connection with the card playing people monopolizing them? As you know, the Voyager coffee connection is much smaller so when people play cards/games there, it can be impossible to find a seat. Most of the time I ended up taking the coffee up to our suite.

You are far too tolerant then imo! If I couldn't find a seat because selfish people are playing cards (presumably for extended periods?) in a coffee lounge, thus preventing other guests from enjoying the facility/purpose of the lounge, I would, politely, ask them to, effectively, * "shift their backsides & let somebody else have a go - as they don't own the chairs & tables". If they want to play cards they should be directed to a card room or one of the other lounges where there is more space available, surely?

The lack of courtesy to others, of thought/awareness and self indulgent approach that some people have, (similarly staying for hours on end on heated loungers in spa areas etc, when courtesy notices suggest 20mins is the max), never ceases to amaze me.

*Anyone venturing on to Mariner for the Barca to Venice rise in April may get to experience that in real time! :)

Jean - thanks for that. You are doing the reverse of our cruise! Have a great trip.

My experience is that Regent do not provide TA's with brochures in the UK. They have to specifically request them. There are as rare as hens' teeth. I call in a variety of TA's in Nottingham city centre, none have ever had a Regent brochure and few, if any, have ever booked a customer with Regent. My regular, local TA now does keep an office copy only because they have a handful of customers who do use Regent.

As soon as you reserve a cruise Regent do supply them directly to you, update as & when etc, but up until that point it was borderline impossible to get a brochure at all!

The bonus now is that I have just booked on Explorer for Sept 16 - having reviewed the new, but somewhat flawed, inaugural season brochure. Taking a gamble as our first Regent experience will be on Mariner in about 6 weeks time.

Agreed.

Not sure if there is an optimum or "acceptable" figure in my book, but that's a very personal standpoint. 1 disruptive child negates the benefit of 50 well behaved ones for me. Arguably, 1 can be 1 too many but, on other occasions 20 might be fine etc etc.

You never carry a tray on Regent (or Oceania). You serve yourself from the buffet onto a plate on Regent and sometimes that plate gets carried to your table for you. Not always and mostly only for ladies! On Oceania you are served but carry your own plate to your table...

Thanks for the info.

Same difference tho' - tray, plate - as I say, I dislike buffets on ships! I will concede that it shouldn't be such a scramble on Regent due to the lower passenger numbers and better service arrangements.

The hygiene issues aside, it isn't a motorway service station!

Seated at a restaurant or being served on deck or in the coffee bar will do for me. Only went in the buffet on QM2 once - walked straight out and went up to the cafe on deck, far more civilised!