debijaynes

And just as we booked our Trans-Atlantic yesterday.........

Clearly none of you were raised on well water in a 150 year old house. We leave Friday on the Navigator so will report back on the water ASAP. The last two cruises were good in every aspect. I do wonder if changing ships in the answer to those of you doing so--Is there a guarantee on the other ships that nothing will go wrong?

Right now all I want is warm weather!

Debi

We''ve never noticed the vibration either--we have heard people say they feel movement-and after all it is a ship and needs to get from point A to point B. If we wanted no movement we would go to hotels! Every ship we've ever been on has ahd a vibration of some sort--you can always tell when the captain cranks the engine!:)

We are on the same cruise with you and are in our usual deck 9. Have felt very little movement on this ship. Have actually felt much much more movement on a HAL ship!

DON'T let it worry you!!

Hope to meet up with you on board!

Great review! We book deck 9 and feel little motion--we love motion and are usually disappointed. Have felt much more motion on some HAL ships in the past. We love the first nights out of the East Coast with the heavy seas --makes for great sleeping!

From the our first cruise we have never paid for internet time--don't know if that's our TA or we just got lucky!

I drink Santa Margherita and have not had any problems finding it anywhere on the ship. One night the bar where I was had none and they quickly ran to another to get it. I am not a wine snob by any means (clearly) but I have enjoyed some nice wines on our cruises.

Looking forward to our cruise next week.

Debi

Caps Lock On - Greetings from a relative "newbie" (we have 2 Regent cruises under our belt and one more coming up in June). I have rarely read the formal reviews for the very reason you say. They generally reflect the "extremes" on either side of the scale ("I Want to have the Captain's Baby" or, "Our lawyers are preparing the lawsuit").

 

But DW and I read some of the reviews of Voyager yesterday, just for fun. Most were positive but 2 of the really negative reviews were written by people who were on our very same cruise around the Med this past October. I couldn't believe that those two sets of cruisers were even on the same ship/cruise we were on! I can only think that they came on board with an "attitude" to begin with, and that they were determined to FIND things that were "wrong" in order to perpetuate their misery. That's a hell of a lot of money to spend beforehand to intentionally make yourself unhappy. I'd actually rather that they DON'T come back (as they promised), just so they don't inadvertently ruin things for the rest of us!

 

They were describing totally different (bad) circumstances than what we experienced onboard Voyager. It seemed like if things went "wrong" before they even reached the ship (certainly not within Regent's control), then they came onboard "loaded for bear" and they themselves allowed the smallest detail or shortcoming to cloud the rest of their entire experience for the total duration of the cruise.

 

Did we find everything "perfect"? Of course not. I thought the prunes on the breakfast buffet could have been a bit colder! :D But champagne and all other drinks were over flowing, the meals were great (particularly since I and DW didn't have to cook them), the wait staff throughout the ship were all friendly and were trying their hardest to make things comfortable, and the showers were hot every morning. Sewer smells in the plumbing? Just run water down all the sinks to fill up the "traps" and the smell went completely away.

 

There was plenty of good food, good single malt in the bar, we didn't hit an iceberg, and we saw a ton of wonderful sights! I especially thought the performers (singers, dancers, and band) all worked their butts off to put forth very enjoyable and well-staged nights of entertainment. I hated to have to leave the ship at the end of the cruise!

 

I would be interested (maybe not) to know how some of these "complainers" live their lives at home? Are the levels of meals, service, and entertainment that they get in their own homes of that high a quality that they can plausibly fault what they experience on Regent? Do they ever get "cut off" in traffic? Do they ever experience a "red" (vice "green") traffic light? They must (not) be a lot of "fun" to be around in their normal at-home, work, and social settings. They must not comprehend that the limited time all of have remaining on Earth is fleeting and precious. Enjoy every day! They should take heart just by the fact that they can afford to go on a Regent Cruise! That alone should make them happier than they seem to be. Best Regards to all.

Ditto! We were on that cruise with you and we had a lovely time as well. Just because I thought Rome and Florence were WAY TOO CROWDED I won't blame Regent I promise! Leave on Navigator next Friday--CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

We were on the Voyager in October and had a lovely trip in every way. We are leaving in less than two weeks on Navigator and have two more booked after that.After having such a nice trip I was dismayed to see the complaints that I feel may be unjustified. I think that people's expectations sometimes far exceed the actual reality and I would all aspects of life in that statement, not just cruising.

We will not hesitate to continue to book Regent. The only problem with our last trip were the crowds in Florence and Rome. So therefore we will see a lot of the Navigator in the future-we'll stick closer to home and enjoy the delightful ship and her crew.

And to those who don't care for _______________(fill in the blank) considerately ask a staff member for assistance or advice in fixing the problem--I'm sure it will be taken care of to your satisfaction. When we first cruised Regent with my mother, there were some issues of HER making and she was treated with respect and courtesy far exceeding expectations. When she fell she was treated (at no charge ) with compassion and professionalism.

Do we like Regent? YES>

Hi Debi, not to rain on your parade or anything but you might even have kids on the Navigator New Year's cruise next year. Some parents have no issues pulling their kids out of school these days, esp pre or post holidays. Regent split the itinerary into 2 for 2014 (one for Christmas and the other New Years), whereas this year it was 12 days over both Holidays. I will be reporting on my experience on the Navigator this year, where we did have a lot of kids. But if it is any help, we did enjoy our cruise and didn't let the small things get under our skin, which was easy to do with all the nice holiday food and champagne flowing so freely!

Oh--the kids were really not the issue! I'll take them any day over those adults last year!

I work in a business where we provide a school ( for a fee, of course)during our horse show circuits and I am accustomed to kids being out of school for two or three months to ride. And here in SW Florida, the children go back to school this Wednesday after the Christmas break. As long as we can have a nice quiet nook on the pool deck or up above (for the breeze) we are happy!

Thanks for all the reports TC!

We did an Easter cruise last year on the Navigator-we feel as you do about children! and were apprehensive! The children were very well behaved--HOWEVER--the adults were possibly the worst we've ever seen on any cruise line. The staff even commented about several "standout" women! We had conversations with fellow cruisers about the behavior and all were in agreement with us. Age had no bearing on behavior. There were several women "of a certain age" who certainly showed their poor manners-and consistently I might add. One woman went so far as to complain that the shops in St Martin should have been open on Good Friday--she was inconvenienced by the closures. I will admit, I lost my composure with her after that statement.

We've booked next year right after Christmas and over the New Year's--as we are just the two of us with NO family it makes for a nice holiday.

Debi

Had been loyal to HAL til we sailed Regent. We will book HAL only if we can't find the the itinerary on Regent. So our list of favorites is based on past sailings is:

Regent, HAL, Celebrity (9 years ago) Princess (14 years ago), NCL (11 years ago) and way way down the list American Cruise Lines-- the most awful value for the dollar ever. We did a steamboat cruise on the Columbia that was wonderful in 2005 and can not remember what line it was-- but it was lovely in every way!

In my experience (on both sides of the fence-giving and getting) it all depends on how you ask for that refund/credit/consideration. Come in with a chip on your shoulder and no matter what the issue is-well you have a long row to hoe to get your refund. Come in with the right attitude and you'll get all you asked for and much much more. Whenever I have had any issue with HAL I put it in writing and get a prompt response with an answer and many times credits etc that I NEVER ASKED FOR. He used the ship, they cleaned up after him and fed him and I think 75% was quite generous.

What's next-- a weather refund for the instant gratification crowd?

I think there are fifteen pairs in my closet and more are on the way from NM and Chicos. I find them as easy as people find black pants in the north. I also find that I rarely get spots on them ! In the Caribbean and here in South Florida they always look fresh.

White pants and tunics--sandals--You're all set! And of course BLING!

Thought I had more--but here's the grande suite on the Voyager from the desk to the living room. The separate bedroom is behind me as I take this picture. The half bath is to the left by the front entrance and there is a back entrance as well.

Debi

As much as you have cruised, why would you need a packing thread? :):):)

:confused: I know that Riviera and Marina are not Regent but still I wonder about their Executive lounges with their exclusivity...??? Then too, on Regent, your key card shows your Seven Seas level and suite level, at least if you are in the uppermost 3 levels of suites. Your continuing rant on class systems is a bit much... IMHO....

I don't get your point. On our last Voyager cruise we were in a Grande Suite. Very large and very nice. NO one on the ship knew that we were in that suite except some friends we met on the cruise --and they told us their suites as well, all in that category or above.

Frankly I find it creepy that you go around asking to see fellow cruisers' key cards. I have found no class system at all on Regent, and yes we we are forced to do a HAL cruise for one reason or another, we DO get a suite with access to the Neptune lounge. It saves standing in line for ordinary shipboard services.

For our 14 day Norway cruise in June we booked the Pinnacle for every night-cirque included.

A small price to pay for service and atmosphere. Same table, same server and spectacular service at that.

Agree about the wheelchair idea in airports, even if he is very mobile. A lot of walking just tires older people out. We recently returned from a river cruise with our good friends. He is 74 and usually fine, but the walking in the Frankfort airport almost did him in.

Ask for assistance in Frankfurt--we did and got a motorized vehicle! Otherwise would never made the gate--I won't go into all of that again!! They wanted to use a wheelchair but we would never had made the connection. As it was the connection time was shortened from 45 to 30 minutes without our knowledge ( and yes I checked the day before) so we were lucky to have asked for assistance in Venice when we checked in. Never ever again!

After almost two hours on the phone with HAL and with the card member services of Barclay we too are cutting up the card. The Barclays people don't speak English and have no idea what a cruise is. The HAL people refer you to Barclays. Enough.

Saw this posted on the HAL page and commented there.

It amazes me that the bartenders treated you in the manner you described. Our service on the ship is as good as our Club at home--we are greeted by name and our drinks are brought to us without asking on the second day. Some days I DO confuse them and change but they always remember our first order.

As to the movement of the ship-pitching and rolling adequately describes the movement on many HAL ships when I have been thrown across my Neptune Suite and landed face first! What a way to wake up! The Navigator thankfully has some movement so that we know we are on a ship but we have never felt uncomfortable.

After being on the Voyager this past October we find that we prefer the Navigator for the small size. We are taking a HAL cruise in June--for the ports and the timing. We have booked the Pinnacle Grill for every night because of the dreadful atmosphere in the HAL MDR. And that is why we prefer Regent-- it seems as though the Regent passengers seem to have a bit more consideration for their fellow passenger. Now that's just our opinion but it is also driving our pocketbook. There is no comparison--and when all is said and done the Regent cruises are the same price as booking a Neptune Suite on HAL. The difference is the treatment of the passenger. Regent sincerely is interested is the passengers enjoyment and satisfaction, while HAL gets you from Point A to Point B--no frills, no amenities so lets get there.

We have come to the point in our lives where we are more than happy to pay for --and receive-- what makes us happy. The Regent experience makes us happy and going forward that line may be the only one we book for ocean cruising.

I'm sorry, but the things she was complaining about were things that are SUPPOSED to happen on a cruise. You're supposed to feel like the crew knows your name and cares about your cruise experience. You're supposed to feel pampered. These are things that cruise companies use to sell the experience. They don't say "We'll get you from point A to point B and we won't lose your baggage."

 

Telling her that cruising isn't for her because she had a bad experience, based on things that are SUPPOSED to happen on a cruise, is just cheerleading. Sorry.

Some people are not meant to be cruisers--I'm not meant to go to big cities. And HAL is not a luxury, pampering type of cruise line. You get on the ships for the itinerary not for the service experience. We know that we we board a HAL ship that the experience will be different from our Regent cruises-- we have chosen HAL for the ports, not the service. It is not a criticism of the OP but maybe she should search for a different type of vacation experience. I purely abhor long plane rides and we are re-thinking our travel schedules. It's not the fault of the carrier--it's my decision. We happen to like cruises because we can be on the ship in 2 hours and when we get home, our laundry is done before noon!

I love to cruise but it certainly is not a vacation that many would chose.

Debi

Perhaps cruising is just not for you. Time to find a new venture where you have more of the upper hand.

Great review! We love Regent for many reasons--but sail HAL if the Regent dates don't work. We just got back from an Italian cruise on the Voyager and are booked for our third Navigator cruise in January. We will continue to book Regent for many reasons and will scale down the HAL cruises.

We found the meals on Regent to be much better than HAL in all ways--quality, service and variety. We always have a butler so perhaps our room service experience is better because of that. Have never had a bad meal. As to the bar service--by the second day on both ships I didn't even have to ask for my drink-it was handed to me! And this is a cocktail before dinner drink as well. Once they became very upset that my wine was not on that deck and went to another deck to get some!

We have always been forward in the ships and while feeling some movement (we ARE on a ship!) have never felt excessive movement. And in the past on HAL we lost count of how many times we were unable to tender in to HMC. It all depends on the weather for your cruise!

Another reason to book with Regent is the smallness of course, but all in all not so many children. The MDR has a nicer feel to it--not so rushed and just a bit more refinement so that you feel you are in dining room instead of a cafeteria. On our upcoming Norway cruise we have booked the Pinnacle grill for every night--just finished doing that last week!

We feel strongly that the Regent service far outweighs the HAL experience!

With a $600K + entry fee and charges of $7000 a month, cruising would have been much better for my parents. Of course there would have been the problem of stopping Daddy from wandering........ I know both of them would have preferred the cruise line!