Nicho99

On board with the rest of these wonderful folks.

Just two quick points to add.

Pro:  The lunches in Prime 7 and Chartreuse have been the high lite of the cruise.  Beautiful selections including daily specials (same in both restaurants) in such a relaxed and elegant atmosphere.  Takes the hustle and bustle at lunch out of the equation.  

Con:  Stateroom 808 is a F2 forward.  Beautiful room and one of the best bargains on the list for size and layout.  However, as was previously mentioned, we had 7 meter seas (23 feet) coming into Bermuda and being forward we felt every swell.  Maybe got 3 hours sleep that night and most of that just before docking in Bermuda.  So choose carefully when booking your stateroom.

And one more on the pro side.  For you bourbon drinkers, Woodford Reserve is now part of the list! 

Have a question or request....ask away.

Dennis

Question for those on board and especially TC2.  My wife and I anxiously await our transatlantic boarding on the 25th.  Is there anyway to know what the entertainment schedule, cruise director or any other pertinent information can be found on this cruise?  Any inside tips that you have learned on this cruise that you could pass along would also be most helpful.  Waitstaff you like, etc.

I'm not sure the same rules apply in the UK but here in the US if you see a better offer or price, you simply call your agent and have them call Celebrity to adjust the price to the new promotion. I currently have a November sailing to New Zealand and Australia where the price has been adjusted twice. Total savings was $340 per person. I lost no benefits (Go Best) or shipboard credit.

A good agent will check periodically for you and give you the good news if the price was adjusted.

It appears that you would like an all-inclusive suggestion. Having just returned from a 16 day Uniworld cruise, I think I can offer a few options. As the 'Host' suggested, Azamara deserves a look. We enjoyed the one cruise we sailed with them. Loved the overnights in key ports and their friendly atmosphere. But if you want to kick it up a notch, may I suggest in order, Crystal, Regent and Seabourn. Formality has been greatly diminished where you barely need a sport coat. The food....ahh...the food is superb. So many more choices in the dining room and the bar

Be happy to help in anyway.

Dennis

I have just returned from a 16 day Budapest to Amsterdam sailing on the River Queen June 20th - July 5th. We were delayed in Passau for a couple of days due to a barge running aground which of course was not Uniworld's fault. How they handled the problem was less than satisfactory in the eyes of many. The lack of communication was a major issue and an alternate game plan was practically non existent.

The ship itself is in fine shape. Cabins are small ( 150 sq. ft.) but ours was tended to by one of the best housekeepers we have experienced in over 40 ocean cruises. The dining room wait staff was generally very good although hamstrung by some of Uniworld's policies. Substitutions were strongly discouraged. I don't find substituting scrambled eggs in place of a poached egg on Eggs Benedict a major request but they did. The chef was visible and friendly. Sadly most meals were mediocre at best considering this is an upscale product with expectations to match. In my view, he did not have a clue how to cook fish which felt poached at every presentation regardless of description. The best dish of the trip was a lamb wellington served at lunch one day by the carver in the buffet line. It was gone in a flash with no replacement. Meals were simply too ordinary. Common complaints were that they could do better at home in their own kitchens. Not what you expect at these prices.

The bottom line begs to ask the question. Would I sail on Uniworld again. Probably not, even with the $500/PP future cruise credit offered because of the river mishap.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. At this stage I have a choice of cabins so am thinking about 627. Any down sides to this location apart from the spray? We are Regent cruisers but not familiar with the Navigator. I’ve been reading the posts and it seems you either love this ship or you’d never again sail on it. But then again we didn’t care for the Explorer so maybe the Navigator will be a good fit for us.

Sanne, we are currently sailing on the Navigator to Hawaii in stateroom 616 which is a window only room. Zero vibration and minimal movement even though we are a bit forward. Room size is 300+ sq. ft...same as the veranda suites but no balcony. Very comfortable and well appointed. This is our first cruise on the Navigator after sailing on the Explorer last December and a number of cruises on the Mariner and Voyager. With just over 400 on board there are many advantages to this ship. You are literally steps away from everywhere. I can see that this would be a high point for those with any kind of disability. Staff and service superb. Food on par with all the other ships which of course is excellent. I would be happy to answer any questions.

Dennis

Chef Michael was leaving for vacation when we debarked in Miami.

Does anyone know who will be taking Chef Michael's place? Any background info on the replacing chef would also be helpful. We board on 12/11 for the Hawaii cruise.

Sheri, you are getting off and we are getting on! Should not be a problem with Lyft of Uber. Approximate cost is around $30 to LAX.

Just a slight correction to today's caviar selection.

"offered us a choice of beluga (black)"

The black caviar was paddle fish.

Dennis

La Veranda

The most superbly designed Lido-type area I ever experienced at sea. A beautiful open type space. Never had an issue with seating even in the busiest of times at breakfast and lunch. Superbly staffed with the friendliest and well train waiters who cater to your every need. The food area has two major buffet lines and three island specialty areas. It just flows. I have to mention Thomas who also serves in Sette Mari at night. He just makes everyone feel so very special.

Vladimir (Manager of all the restaurants) stopped by today as he has everyday for casual conversation and an update on our cruise. As he was leaving, he slightly tripped on one of the chairs in La Veranda. We saw this and caught his eye to come back to the table. My wife mentioned that she had trouble navigating around the chairs. The chairs are designed so the back legs extend about 3 or 4 inches. Just enough that if you round the chair closely, you will trip. Vladimir said it was a daily occurrence and one man fell hard yesterday. He asked us to please comment on this to home office. It was a mistake from the get go. And needs to be fixed. He also said the soft white decor of the fabric had necessitated a daily steam clean.

Having said all that, La Veranda will be a high-lite of your cruise.

Dennis

For you walkers on Explorer:

Decks 7,8 and 9 have wrap around inside corridors which is especially nice on windy sea days. 6 times around is approximately 1 1/3 miles.

The miso black cod we had last night in Pacific Rim was truly outstanding. I liked it slightly better than Crystal's version in Silk Road. And that is high praise indeed.

Our only miss so far on the cruise was the 72 hour beef short rib in Chartreuse. Hard to believe how something cooked 72 hours could be tough and virtually tasteless. But 1 out of how many? Not bad odds at all.

Dennis

Chefwoody, You have a Lawrence Sanders style of writing which is one of my favorite authors who is no longer with us. Hope we run into you and Management on the cruise.

Dennis

Thank you for your posts... I'm finding them quite entertaining. Quick question, we'll be sailing on the Panama Canal cruise embarking December 28th. Is the Infinity Pool open? If so, is it crowded? I haven't heard much about it on this or the previous cruise blogs. Continued safe travels!! Steve

Steve, I will answer your question as I am on the cruise as well. It is open and I saw no one in the pool. It is accessible by a wrap around promenade as well as through the spa. It is a small pool however but I can see the attraction. The pool splashes up against a see through plexiglass short wall to give you the infinity look.

Dennis

Just a quick note regarding staterooms. We are in an F2 on deck 8 in room 817. 817 is right next door to the Concierge suites with the larger balcony. Our balcony is 1/3 F2 and then angles out to the Concierge size so there is extra space that really does feel bigger. A good consideration for less cost.

Last night's red was Chateau St. Jean Cabernet. Back home retails for $20.

Dennis

I am on the same cruise as the OP. This is my 7th with Regent going back to the Song of Flower. I also have 7 with Crystal going back to the Harmony. With the permission of the OP, I will tag along.

After just a day and a half I am blown away by the ship, the service and especially the wonderful food. Today's Fish Al Fresco lunch was the best I have ever had at sea. We eat sushi religiously 3-4 times a month. I have never had better sashimi. Every meal has been superb. We are early in our cruise but Regent has exceeded my high expectations.

I submit now to the OP. It is their thread.

Dennis

"Nicho99, we've enjoyed a pre-dinner drink and the music of Nature's Rhythm Trio in the Explorer Lounge, as well as a pre-dinner drink with Cruise Critic friends and Tea Time/Trivia in the Observation Lounge. While both lounges are popular, we have had a good choice of seats each time."

 

My wife and I too enjoy a pre-dinner drink in a convivial setting. We will happily try both and give our assessment.

 

Travelcat2 "Interesting question as we are having difficulty with most lounges at the moment (I believe that the person controlling the sound level is hard of hearing -- not making a joke as it is not funny). In all of our Regent cruises we have not found the volume of pre-dinner entertainment to be so loud. As much as we love Nature's Rhythm, the music is much too loud (and this is our favorite lounge - small and intimate). I reported this on our last cruise twice and nothing has changed.

 

I suppose that the most tolerable lounge is the Observation Lounge since you can at least hold a conversation (difficult to do in the Meridian or Explorer Lounge). Even the volume at the shows is deafening. We are seriously hoping that whomever is responsible for this will not be on the ship when we return in March."

 

Your evaluations are invaluable. Would love to meet you and yours over a libation. You don't mince words which I find refreshing. If it is good, you state it. If needs improvement, you announce it to those who should listen and take note. I know you have run into resistance from time to time but I ask you to continue your unbiased opinions.

 

Still looking forward to our sailing on the 12/4 with Thanksgiving.

 

Dennis

Just a quick question to those currently on board. What is the most popular bar or lounge on the Explorer? Is there adequate seating in your views?

Dennis

[quote=Travelcat2;

"Just had champagne breakfast (no caviar for me today). "

Would you explain to me how this service works with the champagne and caviar? Is that available through room service and only at breakfast? Part of the all-included or an extra charge? Thanks in advance.

Dennis

Depending upon where the ship is in the world, it could take up to 60 days for requests to be granted.

 

IMO (as a former bourbon drinker), bourbon is a popular drink in the U.S. but not many other places. As an aside, when we were in Ireland, I did a whiskey tasting. The last tasting was a bourbon - by far the worst that I tasted. From that day forward, I haven't touched a drop of bourbon (but sure do love Jameson).

 

In any case, just a reminder to make special requests as far in advance as possible. The ships cannot get everything they want in port and many times have to wait for shipments from the U.S. which takes time.

Well the ship is headed to Miami. It will dock there for 2 nights for a private event before it's first Caribbean itinerary. Should be no problem finding almost any bourbon in Miami. But whatever the outcome, we are so looking forward to being on the Explorer.

Yes, we have made a special request for a bottle of Woodford Reserve for our suite...

JPR, I followed your lead and agree with your comment on the bourbon list being very weak. We are on the upcoming 12/4 cruise and I just requested a bottle of Woodford as well. I am always amazed at the included bourbon list of luxury all-inclusive cruise lines. Bourbon is according to many the top selling liquor in bars and yet gets little regard on board. Meanwhile, vodka, gin and scotch are always represented with top of the line brands.

Dennis

Dennis,

I'm not a bourbon connoisseur but had the F&B Director confirm our bourbon selections on board as: Jack Daniel’s, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey.

I certainly don't want to make this wonderful thread about booze but would love to see RSSC add a Woodford Reserve or Buffalo Trace to the mix. They are no more expensive than the vodkas and gins.

Dennis

Pam, the sauces are available, as are the sides, with any dish. The choice is yours!

Randall,

Love seeing a post from management!! Has the bourbon choices improved any over the last year or two? I have envied the vodka and gin drinkers with so many high end choices.

Dennis

We stayed at the Hotel The Serras and loved every night of a 3 night stay. Very close to the port and many restaurants to choose from including their own which is superb. The roof top bar was a highlight.

Uktog, Is it possible for you to email me so I, as a first time AZ cruiser, would like to ask a few specific questions that might be redundant for most. My email is droberts8138@gmail.com. Thanks

How did you book these flights? Did you pay separately for them when booking through ChoiceAir or was this part of some kind of package deal put together where flights were included in a cruise/air (and perhaps hotel) all-inclusive package?

I booked this totally on my own. Azamara was not involved at all. My only point here is to not blame Azamara.