pingpong1

3 hours ago, difranco said:

"... how inferior will the Navigator be on this cruise..."

 

 

I would never consider or think of the Navigator as being "inferior".  She is admittedly older, not quite as "glitzy" as the newer ships, and certainly much smaller.  But she's well-maintained; the standard suites are large and clean; always has a wonderful, efficient, and friendly crew; and is more intimate and cozier than the other Regent ships.  I don't view the absence of a few (more) specialty restaurants as a negative... particularly when the Navigator Compass Rose (MDR) will make almost any menu you'd like...including the offerings of all the other sister-ships' specialty restaurants.  We still view Navigator as a very valid and acceptable choice among all the ships in the Regency fleet.  Regards

2 hours ago, pappy1022 said:

Tasha, please do provide some details of your experience. Ignore some of the insensitive comments that you received as a result of your posting. It’s the norm on this chat board. For others, we want to hear the specifics to better understand what happened and how Regent responded to those issues. “Stuff” happens and when it does, the truly customer oriented companies rise up to make it right. My problems that I encountered on my recent Regent cruise are minor compared to what you experienced but I felt the lack of empathy from the management team. By the way, before people ask me to detail the issues I encountered, they are well documented on one of my previous postings. You can look it up.

Pappy - Exactly which "insensitive comments" did Tasha receive in response to her post that you're referring to?  All I've seen is that people would like some further specific details which might form the foundation for such a degree of being so upset by herself and ostensibly by the entire compliment of other passengers (i.e., 99.9%)?  Is that so unreasonable to ask of the OP?

If someone is going to post a statement such as "...99.9% of all the customers onboard are outraged by the callous treatment they've received from management...", I'd like to know what the actual surrounding egregious events and actions were that caused such a supposedly overwhelming and widespread dissatisfaction among nearly all the passengers?  I'd also like to know what "measurement tool" (such as an ad hoc survey, etc., the poster might have distributed to all passengers) was used for making such a specific and precise statement?  More measured terms such as "Some", "most", "more than a few", "several people I've talked to", etc. might give more credence to the post that alleges poor treatment received by "99.9% of all the customers", and who are supposedly "outraged".

I can't imagine any circumstance that would ever happen on any Regent cruise that would ever draw such unanimously identical outrage from "99.9% of the passengers".  The majority of passengers (and contributors on this forum) can't even agree on the proper consistency or correct serving temperature for the applesauce served at breakfast in La Veranda!

Best Regards.  

2 hours ago, TashaDickens said:

First and last time I will travel of RSSC. We are currently on Voyager sailing out of Barcelona to Athen . Cruise delayed due to technical issues from day 1 and the subsequent handling and communication of issue and communication of issue has been horrendous.

 

Do not use this cruise line!

Some more specific info would be appreciated...if it's not too annoying to discuss.  Thanks!

47 minutes ago, Shoreviewgirl said:

Our tour isn't until February 2026.  We aren't using a TA for this.  On all but one of the many cruises we have taken across a variety of cruise lines, it has just seemed easier to work with the cruise line directly.  

As Lew just stated...If you're not using one of many TA's (specifically, the ones who give you either a percentage discount off the published Regent fare... or give you an actual cash rebate after you've paid the published Regent fare)...you're leaving a whole lot of money on the table! A "whole lot" as defined by Thousands of Dollars!  Plus OBC's that Lew mentioned.

2 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

Actually, we were on the cruise immediately after the one you are referring to.  And the reasons were clear.  Nicaragua was cancelled due to political uprisings (this was done on our cruise too).  Acapulco was cancelled because of a hurricane that pretty much wiped out the city a month before (this was cancelled on our cruise too).  And Cabo and Ensenada were cancelled and substituted with Puerto Vallarta and an overnight in Los Angeles.  This was done so that the ship could be in LA a day early.  Grandeur has an ability to hook up electrically to the port and completely shut down their engines for environmental reasons that will become a requirement in ports like LA.  The "mechanism" for this hook up was not completed before her first sailing so they had to do the work in LA and finish it, thus the extra night in LA.  It was pretty clearly laid out in the letter posted on an earlier thread here.  So, in fact, the guests WERE told the reasons. 

So, if I understand correctly... are you saying that the letter that Regent provided to guests gave a specific reason for each port's cancellation...including the Nicaragua port visit being missed "due to political uprisings?"

3 hours ago, SellaVee said:

"... The letters were sent out a few days after the window for a full refund closed..."

The cheerleaders always want to assure us that this is a pure coincidence.  🙄

Seems to be many more than "just a few" recent reports (from Regent's well-experienced cruisers like "Z & TB") of less than stellar fillet and lobster dinners in Regent's restaurants.  Could this be a "sourcing/supplier" problem rather than a simple "cooking mistake"...i.e., in the corporate pursuit of "reducing food costs"?  Just wondering?

2 hours ago, Tom F said:

"... so I expect TAs here may operate differently than in the US and elsewhere). @mrlevin mentioned 8-10%. Is that typical? Is that in the form of a straight discount, or a portion discount and OBC? Do agent affiliations with Virtuoso or other associations mean anything? Any other tips or things to look for (or look out for?). 

Hi Tom...We have to walk a bit "softly" here and not get into too much specific detail for fear of breaking some forum "rule".  You are correct that TA's overseas (UK, OZ, Europe, etc.) operate differently (and have substantially different industry rules that govern their conduct) than in the U.S.

In the U.S., there is no "one size fits all".  Some agents are able to provide a discount off of the published fare, others provide some compensation in the form of OBC's, other TA's merely provide a "friendly handshake or voice" on the other end of the phone (with no actual discount in any form given), and still others are able to provide an actual cash-in-hand rebate at some point after an actual booking and final cruise documents have been issued.

Your best source of info is available once you're on an actual cruise and make friends with some fellow passengers and ask them for more specific details and experiences (which can't be given on the CC forum).  Best Regards

11 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

"...The OBC is the gesture and is insufficient, IMO. If I were the TA for this gentleman, I would be on the phone with my account rep at Regent and they would make it right..."

PC...I'm wondering how you know for sure that "Regent would make it right"?  It looks to me like Regent has only "made things right" for their own corporate accountants/balance sheet.  This significant change, turmoil, and major inconvenience and additional expense to their passengers (along with the short notice given AFTER final payments have been collected) has certainly/already NOT made things "right" at all for their customers.  Regards 

7 hours ago, Whinenowine said:

@taxman1--thanks so much for this; very helpful!  I have to agree that the Connoisseur's list is quite disappointing, at least for the bourbons. Not even a Blantons, Knob Creek 12yr or Weller on there (even Celebrity has those!). I hope that changes over the next 9months!

 

Also thanks for all the wonderful comments and pictures--all very nice!  🥂

Just remember that if you think Regent's Connoisseur bourbon offerings "fall short" of expectation...you can always bring your own supply with you (since you'd be paying extra anyway if they offered it on the connoisseur list.  Regent really doesn't mind at all if you bring your own!  I do the same with my own cigars!  I bring my own, and they absolutely don't care!  I've even brought some of my own wine along in the past.  Remember, if you set "the bar" low enough...you're always satisfied!  Regards 

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

Sign of a guest who flushed something that should have gone in the trash.

Negative.  Why isn't it happening on the other ships?  Do all the ignorant/low IQ "flushers" just all happen to book on Mariner?  Probably not. 

6 hours ago, RachelG said:

February 6,2024– supposed to be Raiatea but Papeete instead

 

The dinner inPrime 7.  My crab cake, salad and steak were perfect.  George’s lobster was a total disaster.  He said it tasted rotten.  He got the smoked salmon as a replacement and that was good.

 

Hi Rachel - I've really enjoyed following along with your sailing.  Hope you and George have safe travels back home.  On our last (Splendor) cruise in November, I also found the quality of the lobster to be quite inferior to what we had remembered from past Regent cruises.  And I gave it several "chances" on various nights and in different venues.  It was "tough" and "grisly"...I would not have thought that was possible for lobster tail?? After ordering it on 3 different occasions on that cruise I "gave up" and switched to (much better) other seafood selections instead.  In all truthfulness, we have bought/cooked live Maine lobster at home - Arizona in the middle of the desert - (purchased from our local Safeway store) that was far better and "much more like" lobster is supposed to be!  Best Regards.

27 minutes ago, rcandkc said:

Does the soundproofing issue seem to be mainly in below penthouse cabins?  

Here's my "Hypothesis"... and it's completely devoid of any facts!  🤪

The soundproofing material used by the builder was the "same" throughout all the suite spaces.  They didn't use one type (i.e., "better") in the upper suites vs. a different type (i.e., "inferior") in the lower level suites.  But since the higher-level suites are also larger (more square footage), they dissipate the sounds from adjoining suites better than the smaller suites.  So it makes it "seem" like the "upper suites" are quieter, even though the same sound proofing material inside the walls is exactly the same throughout the ship.  Sound levels dissipate with distance from the source.  That's my own "SWAG".  ((Stupid Wild-A Guess)).  Regards

2 hours ago, eroller said:

The footprint is the same for each, so rest assured they are all wonderful ships.  I have yet to sail on SPLENDOR but I have sailed on EXPLORER and GRANDEUR.  The differences are rather subtle, mainly with decor. GRANDEUR is a bit lighter in decor which I prefer, but somehow the entire ship just felt elevated to me.  This is saying a lot because EXPLORER is quite elevated to begin with.  
 

The most striking difference is the MDR, the Compass Rose.  On GRANDEUR it’s an architectural delight.  You feel as though you are dining in an enchanted forest.  It’s the most beautiful and interesting MDR of any ship I’ve sailed.  
 

Structurally there were some modifications with SPLENDOR and GRANDEUR compared with EXPLORER.  The pool deck and La Veranda were enlarged as the deck on the latter ships jets out over the superstructure in various areas creating more space.  Also the observation lounge is enlarged as it goes completely over the Bridge Wings which is not the case on EXPLORER.  The layout of public rooms was modified as well in regards to reception and Coffee Connection/Meridian Lounge.  It was all reversed for better flow.  
 

Anyway overall the modifications are generally minor, but it was enough with GRANDEUR that I took notice and she became my new favorite.  
 

 

I believe there's also a rather significant difference between the Constellation Theatre on Explorer and the theatres on Splendor/Grandeur.  Sightlines and support structures blocking many stage views in the Constellation Theatre on Explorer.  This was corrected on the next two ships...Splendor and Grandeur.

9 hours ago, labonnevie said:

Wow! That is quite the incentive for me to spend thousands to get to Platinum. Need to go make three or four more bookings!

You probably meant "Hundreds of Thousands"  😉

11 minutes ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

And the incessant quacking in the middle of the night!

That's for sure!  🤪

5 minutes ago, NYC-London said:

Ok, I am clueless - please enlighten me - why on earth would people hide ducks on a ship?

 

 

And then there's the additional problem of feeding them, housing them, and of course...cleaning up after them!

48 minutes ago, mrlevin said:

Please! No!  It happened on our last cruise and I hope to never see it again.

 

I am sure others have a different viewpoint.

 

Marc

Whole-heartedly agree with you, Marc!  I would think Regent's business model and operating mode (along with that of most Regent customers) is to "look and act" LESS like mass-market lines!  Certainly not MORE like them!  Regards

5 hours ago, jhenry1 said:

Those of you who found better reds what were the ones you enjoyed?

Jhenry1 - A particular red we liked on Splendor (one month ago) was Rocca Sveva Valpolicella Superiore (2018).  We particularly like most Italian reds, to begin with. For our first dinner in Setti Mari, we asked the wine steward for a Valpolicella (not an "extra cost" wine - an "included pour").  He brought us this.  We loved it (4 of us went through 2 bottles of it at that first dinner), and we had that same wine "follow us" for dinners throughout the cruise in various venues, including Pacific Rim, Chartreuse, and CR.  We asked for it in those venues and they all gladly went and got it for us.  Give it try, particularly if you like reds.  Regards 

Lovely Pics, Crisy.  Thanks for sharing these with us!

1 hour ago, Pcardad said:

There is zero pressure to tip an additional amount. The fact that some people do doesn't mean others need to. Tipping is neither required, suggested nor prohibited. 

 

I just look at it like a restaurant that already has the service charge included in the bill...I will tip extra as I know I will be back there in the future and I want them to do well...but no one expects it.

 

Excellent summation, PC.  I'm sure someone else will have to repeat the same message about 6 times a year, as newbies sign on for the first time and others...will just want to whip that poor horse to death...once again.

😉🐴

10 minutes ago, Lonedaddy said:

If you want to make sure they have a specific drink you can email the special request.  

Or perhaps bring your own case of it with you if it's so critical?

47 minutes ago, pappy1022 said:

It’s hard for some folks to accept any criticism of Regent. 

Pappy, perhaps the viewpoint might change just a little bit...if they experience it themselves.  Just wondering?  🤔

Hi Crisy - So looking forward to your wonderful pictures and narrative!  🙂

23 minutes ago, CJANDH said:

You are lucky. We are in a Grand Suite and it is far from being in great shape. The carpets are worn and stained and the soft furnishings are really showing their age.

CJ - I think I completely agree with you!  And that's a Grand Suite?  Wow!  I think a Motel 6 would look nicer than that!  The problem is that Regent keeps filling these "Suites" and people keep paying the huge prices for them!  Regards