Navigator - Live, June 8:SDYC Addict On First Regent Voyage

[frequent traveler]

Our bags are packed (at least mine is) and we are heading to the airport tomorrow for an all day journey to Vancouver to board the Navigator on Wednesday. Our first flight leaves at 8:15 a.m. EDST and by the time we arrive, it will be 4:30 pm local Vancouver time (assuming DELTA Does Eventually Leave The Airport somewhat close to schedule). We had much better connections when I originally booked the flights but of course schedules changes wiped that out and our only alternative was to be at the airport for a 5:30 am flight. :eek: No thanks.

 

I am a die hard Sea Dream addict and this will be my first Regent voyage. Years ago I swore the off mass markets and since 2001 have only been on Sea Dream. This ship seems extremely large to me (I don’t do lines and crowds very well) but we are very excited to see Alaska and have a cabin with a balcony. Other benefits that convinced us to try Regent are of course being all inclusive – I hate ending up with a bar bill at the end of the voyage, the included excursions (I know there are some on this board who hate, but it was a nice add for us), the ability to have a real meal in a cabin (SD only has a limited snack menu), and a casino with slot machines (SD yanked those out and now only has one poker/blackjack table). While we won’t be able to take advantage of the free internet given to repeat guests, that’s another benefit SD doesn’t provide.

 

Thanks to all for packing, dining, and excursion tips. Can’t wait for tomorrow to get here and our adventure to begin. :D:D:D

 

FT

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I hope you have a wonderful time!

[hvsteve1]

Navigator is about 8 times the size with a little over four times the number of passengers. It it will feel less like a private yacht and more like an exclusive spa resort. We have been on all three Regent ships and,every once in a while,fear we're the only ones left alive on a ghost ship as we wander the nearly deserted public areas. And I don't recall waiting in line for anything other than a tender. And that isn't so bad on shore as they are handing out hot chocolate as you wait.:p

[frequent traveler]

I love spa resorts, too. Sounds wonderful. And since it is gosh awful hot here in NC, just being able to have hot chocolate handed to me also sounds wonderful.

Thanks

FT

[TheSeaAroundUs]

ft, you are going to love it!!!

 

I've always been curious about SeaDream, though, ...sooo... if after your cruise you could post some points of comparison, well, I'll buy you a drink if we ever meet (on either line)!!

[frequent traveler]

ft, you are going to love it!!!

 

I've always been curious about SeaDream, though, ...sooo... if after your cruise you could post some points of comparison, well, I'll buy you a drink if we ever meet (on either line)!!

 

 

Wow, based on your voyages - I'm betting you have run up quite a bar tab on Regent :Oh wait, they are all inclusive, duh! I'll try stay fairly current on postings while on board and definitely will compare with SD. It sounds like for regulars on Regent, there are some common points with SD, I love the fact that staff on SD know my name after the first day and never let my glass of champagne get empty unless I beg them to take it away. But I hear on Regent, its not champagne, but instead "sparkling wine." That will be a bummer, especially since we splurged on a Penthouse Suite with a "butler". Now after reading these boards, I"m not sure a butler will add much to the experience, but one can hope;) I will be disappointed if we encounter "surly" service that has been mentioned in another thread, but I'm not expecting it. That would be a total difference from SD, where even with extremely difficult guests (I don't think any line is exempt), I've never seen less than grace and composure, extreme politeness and courtesy under fire.

 

Totally, absolutely packed - even addressed and stamped those Father's Day cards that need to go out. READY TO GO!

 

FT

[TheSeaAroundUs]

frequent traveler:

 

1) Yes, my bar bill would have been quiiiite high, had I been paying per drink! As usual...:)

 

2) "real" champagne will be delivered if you ask for it. Not my taste really but they do so (I more like the dinner wines, and, during the day, exploring the repertoire of the Pool Bar, which varies due to local fruits and liquors. Oh, and if it's your kind of thing, don't miss the Savannah Dry Cider from South Africa.)

 

3) I have, of course, read the reports of "surly" staff, and am completely dumfounded. I do not doubt the eyes and ears of those who have reported such; however, I cannot fit the facts as stated into my mental milieux, while taking into account my previous Regent experiences. If these staff do exist (as they must, I'm sure*, from time to time) then surely they are unceremoniously dumped off into the sea as soon as reported. For, I've never witnessed one.

 

4) Yeah, the presence of the butler himself has never really done very much for me in any particular instance, but it's nice overall to have that umbrella, I guess....

 

5) Have a blast!!!!!

 

* ... (I know for a fact that I could not do (any one of) their jobs, nor work that hard!) :)

[mimito4]

Bon voyage FT & Zqvol ! Safe travels, and have a blast.

 

Are you taking your "kids"? Can't wait to hear your opinions. . .I'll be checking in here frequently just for your reporting. I know you'll be fair and well-balanced.

[frequent traveler]

 

Are you taking your "kids"? .

 

Nope, no grown children on this one. Just the two of us. They have to start living the life which they can afford -- which means Carnival . . . :rolleyes: But we are doing Christmas on SD II for the family . . . I don't have to bake, cook, or decorate the house (so I don't have to undecorate after New Years).;)

 

I know you are doing the helicopter/dog sledding that Regent offers as an upcharged excursion -- I'm leaning towards landing on a glacier from McKinley on our post cruise Princess excursion. Any thoughts from others who have gone before us?

 

FT

[frequent traveler]

frequent traveler:

 

2) "real" champagne will be delivered if you ask for it. Not my taste really but they do so (I more like the dinner wines, and, during the day, exploring the repertoire of the Pool Bar, which varies due to local fruits and liquors. Oh, and if it's your kind of thing, don't miss the Savannah Dry Cider from South Africa.)

 

 

3) I have, of course, read the reports of "surly" staff, and am completely dumfounded. I do not doubt the eyes and ears of those who have reported such; however, I cannot fit the facts as stated into my mental milieux, while taking into account my previous Regent experiences. If these staff do exist (as they must, I'm sure*, from time to time) then surely they are unceremoniously dumped off into the sea as soon as reported. For, I've never witnessed one.

 

* ... (I know for a fact that I could not do (any one of) their jobs, nor work that hard!) :)

 

It is nice to know - and I will definitely ask for the "real" champagne. And thanks for the tip on Savannah Dry Cider. I've had it in J'burg and love it. I would not have thought to ask for it, though. Definitely something SD does not have. Any other suggestions?

 

And you are so right, I would probably be locked up in the brig on my first day at work on in a service job on a cruise ship and escorted off the ship at the very next stop. Dealing with the public is difficult and dealing with the public with unlimited access to alcohol can be really difficult.

 

And if for some strange reason we don't have a blast, it will definitely not be for lack of trying. I have a horrid sense of direction, so I plan on sticking close to the guide while hiking and not ending up somewhere in Western Canada. That or too close an encounter with a bear while fishing is about the only thing that would likely downgrade the trip.

 

FT

[tallship]

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to hear your trip reports. As you are in a Penthouse Suite, you likely will get "real" champagne if requested

[Sheltieluv]

Have a wonderful time on the Nav! Please say hello to Alberto (Compass Rose) from "Miss Mary and Mr. Donald"---you will find the staff to be gracious and smiling; they work very hard to please.

 

We have wanted to try SeaDream for a while now; will look forward to your comparison.

 

Have fun!

[vitacura]

Have a great trip, look forward to your thoughts upon your return!

[zqvol]

We are on our way!

[TheSeaAroundUs]

It is nice to know - and I will definitely ask for the "real" champagne. And thanks for the tip on Savannah Dry Cider. I've had it in J'burg and love it. I would not have thought to ask for it, though. Definitely something SD does not have. Any other suggestions?

ummmm ... look over the bar menu; there are drinks there I'd never heard of and liked ... i.e. Golden Cadillac ... Also you'll see liqueurs listed there (like Poire William, one of my favorite after-dinner doings) ... *also: the hot canapes pre-dinner were not visible (in their hot-trays) in Observation last trip, but folks were eating them, so you now ask the bar staff (they keep them in back) ... *ummmm*, it's been said before but if you want any sort of special meal, given 24 hours' notice you can have it in CR, or served course-by-course in your sweet suite; ... ummm ... (gee, all my suggestions are food-related. no surprise at all to those who know me.)

 

And you are so right, I would probably be locked up in the brig on my first day at work on in a service job on a cruise ship and escorted off the ship at the very next stop. Dealing with the public is difficult and dealing with the public with unlimited access to alcohol can be really difficult.

I would also be locked in the brig, but they might "drop me" a few times on my way there ... and I would definitely deserve it! I love people but have an extremely low tolerance for some kinds of behavior and attitudes and would flunk right out.

 

And if for some strange reason we don't have a blast, it will definitely not be for lack of trying. I have a horrid sense of direction, so I plan on sticking close to the guide while hiking and not ending up somewhere in Western Canada. That or too close an encounter with a bear while fishing is about the only thing that would likely downgrade the trip.

Have you seen a video of a bear fishing???? Yikes!!! They like the skin, so they eat it first, delicately stripping it from its owner....

You sound like you would have a blast even if everyone around you were doing their best to prevent it!

 

FT

The Sea Around Us

(which, though nobody has mentioned noticing, is a reference to a *classic* book by Rachel Carson, bought for me by a friend of the family when I was not yet a teenager....)

[Jim Avery]

Bon Voyage FT and ZQVOL. Eagerly anticipating your review/comparison.

Jim & Lois

[zqvol]

Thanks Jim

 

Sitting at SEATAC waiting on a 4 hour layover to Vancouver. Delta got us here 30 minutes early.

[frequent traveler]

We have made it to Seattle and are now enjoying lunch at Anthony"s between concourse B and C. The sourdough bread is very yummy, especially when dipped in the white wine, lemon, and garlic sauce left over from the clams. just don't get sourdough bread like that in our town.

[Travelcat2]

We have made it to Seattle and are now enjoying lunch at Anthony"s between concourse B and C. The sourdough bread is very yummy, especially when dipped in the white wine, lemon, and garlic sauce left over from the clams. just don't get sourdough bread like that in our town.

 

Welcome to Washington!!! You found the right place to eat very quickly:-) We are fortunate enough to have an Anthony's up here as well -- love the clams and the bread! Great start to a great trip!

[frequent traveler]

Welcome to Washington!!! You found the right place to eat very quickly:-) We are fortunate enough to have an Anthony's up here as well -- love the clams and the bread! Great start to a great trip!

 

And the barbecue prawns were very tasty also:D ZQVOL enjoyed a local brew or two (Nellie something ...I didn't get the full name.)!

 

We were supposed to board the puddle jumper for Vancouver at 3:45. At 3:55 we heard the dreaded "maintenance is on board and please remain in the gate area. We will have an update no later than 4:20. " At 4:25, we will have an update shortly. Now ZQ VOL starts muttering "we should have taken the train" and since am I the one who refuses to lug luggage between airport and cab and train station, we know what that really means.:rolleyes:

 

At 4:35 they announce we've been able to locate another plane and it's taxiing here now. 4:45 the plane shows up. Not an unreasonable delay but why the "don't leave the gate area" for an hour? Since there are 20 seats in the gate area for a 76 seat plane there are a lot of people standing around.

 

We do board and have a quick up and down to Vancouver. Beautiful day and we have seats on the ocean side. As we approach for landing it's 5:45 and there is no traffic on the freeways. Where is everyone? Turns out we've landed during a Stanley Cup day and it's the equivalent of a national holiday. No seats at any local pub or bar but you can zip right along on the freeway.

 

BTW, on a puddle jumper now passengers are not allowed allowed off the plane in Vancouver until the gate checked luggage is unloaded and brought up front. New security rule.

 

Cab fare for two plus luggage to pan pacific is about $38 usd and taxis accept mc and visa.

 

At the pan pacific, there was an error in our reservation and we were going to have to move rooms tomorrow :eek: but the wonderful Shawna solved. So we had a lovely water view dinner and are looking forward to tomorrow.

 

Ft

[Wendy The Wanderer]

... As we approach for landing it's 5:45 and there is no traffic on the freeways. Where is everyone? Turns out we've landed during a Stanley Cup day and it's the equivalent of a national holiday. No seats at any local pub or bar but you can zip right along on the freeway.

 

 

Yes it was, and we lost big time! Boo hoo! Next game is on the 8th, but you'll probably be sailing away about the time the game starts.

 

Glad you made it safe and sound after all those air troubles--aren't you glad you weren't flying in the day of the cruise?

[frequent traveler]

As we debate where to head to first today -Stanley Park or Grouse Mountain, another burning question. Boarding time is listed as 2 pm tomorrow. Is this 2 SDYC time or Carnival time? I am used to not boarding before the stated time per Sea Dream policy but ZQ VOL who actually will do mass markets with our children:eek: is used to boarding early.

 

Thanks

FT

 

PS yes, I am very glad we didnt fly in the day of departure. Control freak that I am risking a night on board is not an option for the sanity of anyone traveling with me.

[tallship]

We boarded at noon

[Travelcat2]

As we debate where to head to first today -Stanley Park or Grouse Mountain, another burning question. Boarding time is listed as 2 pm tomorrow. Is this 2 SDYC time or Carnival time? I am used to not boarding before the stated time per Sea Dream policy but ZQ VOL who actually will do mass markets with our children:eek: is used to boarding early.

 

Thanks

FT

 

PS yes, I am very glad we didnt fly in the day of departure. Control freak that I am risking a night on board is not an option for the sanity of anyone traveling with me.

 

Sorry to hear that you got caught up in the flight issues getting out of Seattle. The problems at SEATAC are so consistent that we will no longer fly out of there (to Bellingham or anywhere else). For others reading this thread that are flying into Seattle, I strongly suggest using alternate methods of transportation. There is a bus that goes up to Vancouver. . . or, you can rent a car. IMO, there is a 50% chance flights from Seattle to Vancouver will be on time. (I'm specifically referring to the Horizon/Alaska flights)

 

Anxious to hear your opinions of Regent. While not nearly as big as a mainstream cruise line, it's huge compared to Sea Dream. We have considered sailing on Sea Dream but think it is a bit too small (despite reading about the amazing food and service).

 

Don't let the weather deter you. . . .. Vancouver is lovely -- rain or shine!

[RachelG]

Enjoy your cruise. I am leaving tomorrow for a Danube River cruise so may not follow as closely as I normally would. But you will have a great time!

 

The news about the puddle jumper between Seattle and Vancouver is getting me stressed as my husband is scheduled to go to BC to our cabin as soon as we return from our Danube trip. Normally he flies directly to Vancouver, but the flight he wanted was all sold out in business, so he is going through Seattle instead. I hope he makes his connection from Vancouver to Prince George in time. I think I will just keep my mouth shut about the problems and play dumb (since I am the one who made his reservation).