flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 24, 2018 To set the scene, we have embarked on a double TransAtlantic. West to East on Explorer then, on the same day we arrive in Barcelona, we will board the refurbished Mariner for an East to West crossing. When we saw the coincidence of dates we could not resist and it will be an ideal opportunity to compare and contrast these two beautiful ships. We will not be posting every day, but will compose a blog off-line and post in bursts when the internet is at its best. Will also try to post some photos and, after both crossings are over, we will give some objective & subjective comparisons. Interestingly the Mariner cruise sold well and was waitlisted throughout. Explorer,on the other hand, had many suites free at the beginning of this year. Hope you find this blog of interest and look forward to others on this voyage joining in. Susan & David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #2 Share Posted March 24, 2018 DAY 0 (Tuesday) Left home mid morning with a local car & driver taking us the short journey down to Heathrow. We had taken the air credit from Regent and booked our own flight (using airmiles) and pre-cruise overnight accommodation. After a pleasant time in the T3 Lounge we boarded a British Airways A380 for the flight to Miami. Took off on time and were very comfortable up the front of the top deck (with the large rest-rooms). Glad to see that BA have upped their game in Business Class; good service, reasonable food and improved bedding and amenity packs. So far so good, but then we arrived in Miami. A long time taxiing to the stand and then over an hour long queue for passport control :eek: Checked in to the Hilton Miami Airport where we spent a comfortable night looking forward to joining Seven Seas Explorer the following day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted March 24, 2018 DAY 1 (Wednesday) Left the hotel late morning and took a cab, with a very friendly cab driver, to the cruise terminal. Traffic was good and in no time we were at Cruise Terminal J to be met by pleasant, efficient porters who whisked our luggage away. We had a short wait for check-in to commence at midday. We noted the separate line for upper suite guests but this did not interfere, or significantly slow, the general check-in of the proletariat (If there was someone waiting in the priority line they were offered the next available check-in desk in advance of those in the general line). After boarding and admiring the stunning atrium, with champagne in hand, we headed up to La Veranda for lunch. A pleasant sunny day so we sat at a table outside at the back and were waited on by the usual bevy of efficient Regent staff and crew. So good to back on a Regent ship after more than 6 months since our last cruise. Suites were available at 2:30pm and we were pleasantly surprised to find that our cases had already been put in the suite. For this cruise we are in an F2 and were fortunate enough to book one with an angled balcony. Unpacking was made very easy with the extensive hanging space and storage drawers in this grade of suite. Visited the Dining Reservations desk and managed to get an extra reservation in Pacific Rim for the first night on a sharing table. Met our Steward and confirmed our in-suite bar requirements, then off to our muster station for the safety briefing. After watching sail away from our balcony we changed and went for a delicious meal in Pacific Rim, sharing with a very pleasant and interesting couple. Off to bed relatively early - nothing to beat a comfortable Regent bed, dreaming of a great vacation ahead of us :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Some photos of our F2 suite: The large walk-in closet Well appointed bathroom Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Forward view from our angled balcony Protective hard plastic panel has been added to the bathroom door to protect/mask the dings it receives from clashes with the suite door handle Can anyone enlighten us as to what this bar in the shower is for??? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Many on these Boards are interested in the number/type of sockets in the suites, so here goes: Electric outlets above the countertop of the dressing table / workstation - 1 US, 2 European Each side of the bed above the nightstand - 2 usb, 1 European Each side of the bed under the nightstand - 1 US, 1 European Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted March 24, 2018 DAY 2 (Thursday) CC Meet & Mingle this morning in the Explorer Lounge. A select group of about 10, from the 17 signed up, attended. Regent laid on some nice canapés and the General Manager and Food & Beverage Director were there to welcome guests. Lunch in Chartreuse today; a little mediocre but perhaps we made the wrong menu choices. A lazy afternoon then Captain’s welcome reception. All the guests scrubbed up well for the event; plenty of long and short dresses with suitable bling for the ladies; most gentlemen wore suits or jackets with a number sporting ties as well - not a polo shirt in sight and only one pair of white jeans spotted!! After a drink while listening to the talented duo, Boogie & Kasia, it was off to dinner in Compass Rose, which was excellent, sharing a table with a lovely couple from Florida. After dinner we went to the theatre where John Barron introduced the singers & dancers who performed a few ABBA numbers. Then there was a comedian (?). It has been said that comedy and comedians are unable to cross the Atlantic. Fortunately for us this one is not going to try - he gets off the ship in Bermuda. ;) ................... and so to bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted March 24, 2018 SENIOR OFFICERS & STAFF ON EXPLORER Master: Stanislas de Lacombe (Captain Stan) Staff Captain: Diego Michelozzi Chief Engineer: Antonino Lagana General Manager: Andreas Piccinin F&B Director: Stephane Carriou Exec Chef: Sean Emslie Restaurant Manager: Hayrettin Sugul Cruise Director: John Barron Asst CD: David Nevin Social Hostess: Nicola Richards Exec Concierge: Odul Uzunali Cruise Consultant: Bea Kessler Destinations Manager: Luke Bergado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted March 24, 2018 DAY 3 (Friday) There are two excellent lecturers on this cruise and this morning both gave very interesting and entertaining talks, which were well attended. Dr John Freedman: The Bermuda Triangle Dr Bill Fowler: Steam Titans across the Atlantic There was also a wine tasting event on offer this morning. After lunch in La Veranda it was time to lay on the Pool Deck in the pleasant sunshine and catch up on some reading. Tonight there was the Block Party and we then enjoyed dinner in Chartreuse. A delicious meal with excellent service. Tonight’s show in the theatre was “World Beat”; an excellent production, well performed by the talented singers and dancers. Tomorrow is our first port of call - Bermuda ................ now where are those colourful shorts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted March 24, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Wow, looking forward to reading more. Your suite looks great with a nice deck. That bar near the floor in the shower is to place your foot on so it's easier to wash---at least that's what we're told. Have a great cruise and enjoy your time. Try Chartreuse again, the first time we did lunch it wasn't so great---realized it was what we ordered---next time super good. If you like a burger, we think they are much better at Prime7 at lunch time than the pool grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ronrick1943 Posted March 24, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Flossie009, your list of Officers on the ship is great. If you have time can you do that for the Mariner, I'd like to know who the F&B person is. We board the ship in Miami when you get off. Thanks jin advance--but no matter what enjoy your cruise. Sea days are the best. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlevin Posted March 24, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Stephane is a fantastic F&B; you are lucky. Say hi to Nicola from Arlene and Marc; we had a great time sailing with her on Voyager last year. Also, John Freedman is the best lecturer I have ever met on Regent; he is good fun at trivia too. As for that little bar in the shower, I was informed (by my wife) that it is for women to assist in shaving their legs. Marc PS We are in 911 next year; looks like you have the same cabin on opposite side of ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liptastic Posted March 24, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Flossie, Thanks for this great blog. If we weren’t working and also had the difficulty in scheduling leave together we would have really loved your itinerary for both ships baxk to back. An ideal opportunity to rest and relax on the sea days. Have a great cruise. Really looking forward to your updates and photos when you board Mariner. Thanks, Jean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WesW Posted March 24, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Fair Winds and Following Seas (West to East) and Fair Winds and Following Seas (East to West) Susan and David. Terrific first few on board reports with photos--Thank you. Am especially interested in your Mariner impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrvlcruiser Posted March 24, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 24, 2018 I love the non-slip "rug" on the bathroom floor . . . also the amount of storage in those cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjkov Posted March 24, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Thanks for the great blog and photos Susan! We’ll look forward to meeting you and David when we board Mariner in Barcelona. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1982CruzStart Posted March 24, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Thanks so much for taking us along on your trip. I am looking forward to all your posts. Have a great vacation. I am so envious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RachelG Posted March 24, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Have a couple of great cruises. My problem with the west to east is losing an hour fairly consistently. But you will get them back going the other way. The little bar in the shower is to shave your legs. Really like that F2 suite set up. That is the only suite we have been in on Explorer. But we did not have the angled balcony which looks very nice. I am happy they have put the rubber stoppers in to prevent the doors from colliding. Ours were already beat up when the ship was only 2 months old. John Barron is an excellent CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Zqueeze1 Posted March 24, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Great start to what will be a wonderful cruise and kudos for your back to back coup. We also had an angled deck F2 cabin in Nov 2016 when we crossed the Atlantic east to west and loved the unique viewing perspective. Just like Ronrick, we are also boarding the Mariner when you disembark in Miami. Have a great couple of cruises. Z and TB Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie009 Posted March 24, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Greetings from a very windy Bermuda. More on that when we continue our blog in a couple of days. Posting will be intermittent as the Wi-FI is a bit “spotty”. Thanks for the messages of support & good wishes and for the helpful advice as to what to use the bar in the shower for. We should have known as we have a bar in our shower at home .......... but it looks a bit different PS: When listing the electric sockets/outlets in the suite I missed two further European sockets which are above the countertop under the TV above the fridge. Will post more in the next few days. PPS: Marc & Arlene, we will be sure to pass on your best wishes to Nicola. John, David & Nicola really are the entertainment “dream team” Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WesW Posted March 24, 2018 #21 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Susan and David; like your choice of shower vintages (on the top shower shelf your Allegrini palazzo della torrea is one of our fav pours for Friday nite pizza nite). And must have had the Dream Team (-) last year on the Voyager Grand Voyage (Margaret, David and Nicola). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluv Posted March 24, 2018 #22 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Thanks for your blog and pictures. We recently came back from Explorer, and also did the TA on her last year, and were in a F2 , with angled balcony, both times in 912. Loved it! I figured that bar is to shave your legs, never used it though. I prefer to take my showers in the tub, dont care for the shower gizmo in the walk in shower. Enjoy your cruises! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzy Posted March 24, 2018 #23 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Flossie.....your "bursts" are great. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catpow Posted March 25, 2018 #24 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Flossie, Thanks for posting these pics - we're directly above you in November, our first Explorer trip, and directly below you for our back to back cruise in August 2019. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boblerm Posted March 25, 2018 #25 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Susan and David, just out of curiosity, have you been in the Deluxe Veranda suites on the Navigator or Voyager? I am interested to know how you would compare them to the Superior Suite that you are on now. For us, even though the square footage in higher on the Explorer Superior suite, because of the way it is laid out, it was our impression that we felt just a tad cramped in it. We never felt that way on the Deluxe Veranda suites on the other ships. It could just be our imagination, it's been a while since we were on the other ships, but I am curious at to what you impression is. We did think that the suite is gorgeous, and the bathroom fabulous. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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