Updated Mariner

We were on the first outing of the refurbished Mariner (Barcelona to Miami). The room update was first rate: replacing the useless bookcase with a LARGE flat screen TV and the decent sized, marble-topped coffee/whatever table were both excellent ideas.

All the public rooms looked great, but I can't say they ever looked bad.

This was also our first experience with the new menu. I was leery of the change but actually LOVED it. There are so many options, and certain things you used to expect only on special nights were available any time. Good for Regent!

On the downside, we expected that some things wouldn't be finished, and they weren't. So that didn't really bother us. What did bother us was the off-gassing of all the new fabrics/carpets. That affected a lot of folks (coughing, sore throats, etc.). So if you're sensitive to stuff like that, give the refurbishments a few weeks to mellow.

A lot of the crew seemed strangely disoriented. There was some switching between the Explorer and the Mariner, which might have had an impact. Or maybe it was transitioning back to their regular roles after acting as a construction team. Whatever the cause, it was noticeable.

Still love Regent, however.

No doubt we're in the minority and SeaBunny is very much in the majority. But we always found the bookcases very, very useful, and have no desire for a large flatscreen TV. It's interesting to read about different druthers and tastes. Not surprising at all that small and large differences exist. Main thing: Clearly, a lot of people very much enjoy Regent even if certain specifics aren't to our liking.

poss, actually SeaBunny may be the minority as most people complain about the loss of the cabinets. While we did not use them for anything, we do miss the lack of drawer space. You're right - just about everyone loves Regent!

Thanks Seabunny for your Mariner report. We will enjoy the Mariner for a South Pacific Sojourn in October/November (in fact Craig Pavlus) joins us in Acaplulco to San Diego.

It was only the bookcases that were replaced -- the mini-fridge, drawers, and counter beneath were still there. And, there was a small cabinet tucked into a corner for all the glasses, etc. that used to be in the bookcase. We thought that was particularly smart as the room stewards had to secure all those glasses in the large bookcase if the water was rough. They fit snugly in the smaller cabinet so no need to secure them.

We never watch TV when on holiday so a big TV doesn't matter to us. But I thought most people did and would like the larger screen as well as its placement.

It was only the bookcases that were replaced -- the mini-fridge, drawers, and counter beneath were still there. And, there was a small cabinet tucked into a corner for all the glasses, etc. that used to be in the bookcase. We thought that was particularly smart as the room stewards had to secure all those glasses in the large bookcase if the water was rough. They fit snugly in the smaller cabinet so no need to secure them.

 

We never watch TV when on holiday so a big TV doesn't matter to us. But I thought most people did and would like the larger screen as well as its placement.

Thanks so much for letting us know that there are still drawers on the Mariner. Sounds as if the complaints about lack of drawer space on the Voyager and Navigator were heard which is a great thing.