debijaynes

On the Navigator the coffee bar coffee is quite good. I have an Iced Coffee with a shot of espresso and it's very good. Of course we use Publix ground espresso at home for all of our coffee--a pot for the iced and a pot for hot-- and it's much better than any coffee anywhere. Tap water and Cuisinart pot. We find that whoever makes it for us makes the difference.

Debi

Debi: I just noticed where you live (color me green). We absolutely LOVE Marco Island and usually stay at the Hilton, take long bike rides, and during the evenings try to hit the movie theater across the street that serves alcohol (a prerequisite to any event of interest). Could find any availability next weekend so we are heading to Bonita Springs to ride along the beaches and in Sanibel Island. Enjoy it!

 

Z and TB

So glad you come here to visit!! Add Fin Bistro to your restaurant list for the next time--casual and great food. Next weekend is Veterans Day so we get a lot of NE visitors then.

We have a couple of time share weeks at South Seas Plantation and love it there for a change of scenery. Next time you go that way try The Mad Hatter restaurant--great food in a little more formal (white tablecloth) atmosphere.

Next time you come this way let me know!!! Try the Island Gypsy for some great boat trips.

Debi

I sound like the Chamber of Commerce!

2oldforthis--after your last post I am even more interested in getting to know you on our forthcoming cruise. Great post!

Debi

Embarkation is very easy--walk into a room -wait a few moments--give them your credit card and then they take a picture--an d then walk on the ship. That's it.

Scrabble--you can always find new friends to play with--mah-jong any of the games you know are available in the library.

Tendering--These guys ROCK when it comes to the tender boarding!! They help you on and off with great care and ease! I've watched 90+ year olds with walkers hop right on!!! Having said that if the captain feels the seas are too rough --no go. Last winter in St Barts if was choppy and then some ! They put down the tenders and evaluated and back up they went. A lot of people were upset, but the first concern is safety and it just wasn't!! I always hated doing the tender boarding before we sailed on Regent. Now--doesn't bother me a bit!!

The butler will do whatever you want or need. Ours keeps the fridge stocked with decaf iced tea and is always available to answer any questions and to provide information.

Have Fun!!

Debi

Since you have silver hair as well, I'm sure you must have felt left out!

So what's wrong with discussing a great deal??

What's wrong with feeling happy to be alive and remembering good times??

I'm clearly missing something.

Debi

Demographics definitely play into where we shop; we have no Nordstrom, Dillards, Neiman Marcus, etc. anywhere within our immediate area. I'd love to be able to take advantage of such 90%-off sale bargains, but keep in mind that not everyone has the luxury of such store/mall availability. Living in a rural area limits our choices. When I was teaching, most of my wardrobe in those days came from JCPenney. That's about as "high end" as we get up here in the boondocks!:)

Any chance you're near Seneca Falls? My grandmother grew up there! What a pretty area!!! I visited their graves several years ago and visited Trinity Church--what a lovely lovely area!

Debi

Debi--I cruise on Regent. I shop at Walmart. You may find it "amazing" that I have found some dressy tops, as well as casual clothes, that I've happily and proudly worn on our cruises. Some of us choose to shop at Walmart, Target, Kmart, etc. in order to save some of our hard-earned dollars so we CAN cruise on Regent.

 

If I'm budget-minded, so be it. If we ever meet, I defy you to tell whether my outfit came from Walmart or a high-end store. My smile and happy attitude transcends any clothing label.

You see I'm happy about my clothing that I get for up to 90% off at Dillards, Neimans and Nordstrom!!! I figure it's a better deal to get top quality for less than the discount chains!

Enough of this-- I'll shop where I want and you shop where you want! Just be careful!!!!!

Debi

Debi, you did a little more than criticize the merchandise. As a matter of fact, in your first post this morning, you didn't mention the merchandise at all. But you did suggest those who patronize the store are terrorists of some sort.

No not terrorists-not by any chance--Have you not seen the People of Walmart pictures? Have you been in the parking lots here? I am very careful when I shop about the parking areas. When I lived in Atlanta, the police told me not to park at either Lenox or Phipps unless the valet was available and that was 16 years ago! I don't think a woman can be too careful in this day and age. Why invite something bad? I live in a lovely area, but I still lock my doors and am aware of my surroundings where ever I park.

I'm always amazed every year at the end of the show circuit that people come to the office and say ""My wallet was stolen!"" and then proceed to say--no the car wasn't locked.

I would say Walmart serves a purpose --many people have made money from the company--it just does not serve my shopping purposes, nor would I think many on these

boards.

Debi

debijaynes, your condescension of those who shop and work at Walmart and Target is uncalled for. Both stores, particularly Walmart, offer value to millions of customers. Walmart has done more to make all kinds of goods affordable to customers of modest means than any other organization of which I can think. You don't have to shop there, but please don't criticize those that do.

It wasn't a criticism-- you're right I DON'T have to shop there and would find it simply amazing that anyone cruising on Regent would do their clothes shopping at either store. Both stores serve a very valid purpose as I pointed out--here they serve budget minded snowbirds and the Hispanic community. Frankly most people I know here don't like the Macy's store that serves the area so I will throw that into the mix. I would rather pay good money for quality merchandise than throw my money away on poorly made items from a third world country where they are paid pennies.

Debi

Oh dear God in Heaven. It's also clear that the OP is no longer sailing on Regent.

Let's bury this horse back of the barn!

Debi

Not a bad idea!

Debi

I may bring my own silver as I prefer my pattern to the one on the Navigator.

Debi

Wal Mart & Target have a wonderful collection also. :eek:

I try to avoid those stores like the plague. After seeing the people of Walmart pictures, I find that I would be afraid to enter one without an armed guard. Target is pretty much the same way. Lots of migrant workers and snowbirds. Terror has many forms. :)

Dillards pulled thru as usual! A cute outfit --but the last of the summer. All has been shipped up North. Go Figure!!!

Debi

we've been in cabins 913 and 911 on our previous three cruises. No noise at all for us there. Hallways are always quiet.

Debi

By the end of January the trade winds generally die down. December is THE windiest month and early January can be windy as well, but after that not so bad. As TC said the night out of Miami gives you a few swells as you rock to sleep.

I remember a Christmas cruise on a HAL ship that had seas to 25 feet (or more) and winds to 40 knots. I went flying across our cabin (a large one thank goodness) and skidded on my face about 10 feet. A couple traveling with us on their first cruise was singing "Nearer my God to thee" but we all made it safely home.

I will be surprised if you feel any motion at all and thre only time you will know you are moving is when you look out at the beautiful ocean.

Have a wonderful cruise!

Debi

We have been in 913 or 915 for the last three Navigator cruises. Very little movement.

We are deck 11 this time and hoping for a little rock and roll!

Debi

Try to be a bit gracious-- if the President of Regent has responded to your request, a simple "thank you"would be nice! Clearly he feels it to be an important matter and is trying to make your cruise most pleasant. If the flowers are THAT important to you, please do the right thing.

Debi

We have a Fresh Produce store here in Marco--cute stuff-I use it for yoga. A little de-constructed and VERY casual! Lasts forever.

Debi

I would agree that all of the sites have sales! I am not a size two which seems to be the popular leftover size! In shoes as well! TC--I have a bit of the travelers from Chicos and just don't like the fabrics. My problem is that I really only like natural fabrics and just hate the feel of some of the stuff out there when it touches my skin. I DID just clean out my closet a bit as I was getting ready to knock out the wall into another bedroom to make a bigger one (the contractor talked me out of it) and have categorized the closets instead! I REALLY don't need any more white pants ! Dillards is here the best source for sale items--when it gets to 65% off and then another 50%--now that's a deal.

We've seen everything in the MDR on Regent --from lovely vintage clothing from Russion women dressed in the latest couture--no one has ever looked out of place!

Debi

Aren't you all lucky!!! We haven't had summer clothing at Chicos for a while. Have given up on them. No St John at Nordstrom in resort yet. A little at Tommy Bahama but nothing new!!! Funny that Oregon has summer clothing and we don't! I'll just go to the Cruise closet and see what's there!!!

Debi

When I say "jeans"I mean the Eileen Fisher, Chico's type of pant that is worn with dress shoes. Mine are in brushed cotton, silk, linen and a brushed cordoroy(sp) made by Eileen Fisher. Blue jeans made of denim and khaki slacks are saved for winter horse shows. Cotton pants here in Florida are very hard to find unless you are 75 years old and want the pull on variety. Silk is a great alternative! I have 23 pairs of white slacks now and all contingencies are covered!

And if anyone finds any decent summer weight pants ANYWHERE please let me know! All we have down here now is fall and winter(not sure who they think is going to wear it!!!) and the resort lines are not in yet.

Debi

PS__KGB I look forward to seeing your heels--I can't wear heels anymore and look forward to seeing beautiful ones!

One more fashion question - for some context, my husband and I leave in two weeks to celebrate our 40th birthdays. Where we usually vacation (Nantucket) the uniform for going out at night is white jeans, heels, and a long tunic-style top (think Tory Burch). I am guessing this won't work because of the no jeans policy so am planning to bring sundresses instead, but wondered what you thought? (Old habits are hard to break!)

That's all I ever wear on board. We live in South West Florida and that's my uniform--club, cruise, church, horse show. I call them jeans only because they aren't linen, but then again I have linen "jeans"as well. Lilly tops. Chico's tops and everything in between. No heels for me--Jack Rogers sandals. Silk trousers and TB tops for my husband.

Are you on the Nov. 6 sailing out of Miami?

Debi

When we came off the Navigator in March we had a car booked at the Hertz port location. We were lucky that we were the first ship in the circle the shuttle makes, as it was filled up at the second ship and at least a total of 100 people were waiting at the other 3 ships in port (they were waiving at us when the full shuttle drove by).

 

The Miami Hertz location is not in port but somewhat outside, they have a very limited selection of cars, few staff and very, very long lines. We are Gold/premium or whatever Hertz has to bypass the lines and it still took about an hour to get a car. We (the 2 of us) got stuck with a horrible minivan, as an ‘upgrade’ for our full-size, that was deprived of any luxury items. After about 30 minutes (we were driving to Orlando) we decided to make a d-tour past FLL airport to exchange it for a decent car.

 

Therefore we decided never to do that again. Both in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, we will just take a taxi to the airport and get the car there: much quicker service, better selection. Don’t know about Miami airport but in FLL we usually drive away from the airport within 30 minutes of getting of the ship

VERY VERY good advice. Look into Enterprise--the premium/luxury cars have been $5 or so above compacts and I have ended up with a BMW for the price of the compact!

Debi

Thanks so much for the pictures. Our fourth trip on the Navigator will be a 17 day on 11/6 and we can't wait! Love this ship for many reasons and are looking forward to yet another Caribbean cruise.We are both just happy to do these journeys over and over.

Again many thanks for a great job!!

Debi

Does part of your 17 days include the Caribbean's eastern islands, Debi, and thus on Navigator? If so, join the roll call. See you on board. Jack

Jack-- I have been on the roll call!!Posting frequently-- will check to see if there are two!

Debi