grumpy posters

[rallydave]

I believe that the Jones Act was modified several years ago. In 2003 our Hawaiian cruise was required to stop in Kiribati because of it, but since then cruise lines have been able to do Hawaiian-exclusive itineraries.

 

As for American crews, last year we asked our CD about this and he stated that it was because of US tax laws. Americans would make next to nothing after paying taxes according to him. Made complete sense to us.

 

Jo

 

Have done some research and the US flagged, crewed by American citizens, etc. appears to still be in effect. Believe NCL does have a US flagged ship, the Pride of America, cruising only in Hawaii. All the other cruise ships do make a stop outside the US. While taxes might be an issue, the Jones Act is the trigger that stops non-US flagged ships from avoiding at least one foreign stop. The act was codified in 2006 but, that didn't change the content.

 

There was a cruise line formed that was all american several years ago but, it couldn't make enough money to stay in business. NCL, I believe bought one of the ships (the ships have to be built in the US as well) and has the financial ability with their large fleet to keep the ship going until it starts to make money.

 

If you check out the Steamship companies that have run in the Mississippi River and Columbia River areas, you will see that they have come and gone mostly because of being required as well to comply with the Jones Act. A new cruise line is starting this spring and is being run by executives from some of the other luxury and mainstream cruise lines. Believe that have refurbished only one steamboat from one of the failed lines. Will be interesting to see if they can get enough people to pay the kind of rates they need to cover their costs while only having one ship??

[tombo]

The most pernicious effect of the Jones Act is the potential liability it imposes on non-US flagged vessels that employ US nationals. Virtually all passenger cruise lines, including Regent, operate non-US flagged ships and employ only non-Americans. The few Americans you will see working on the ships are usually employed by the dance troupe, spa center, casino or other sub-contracted operations.

[Roland4]

I believe the law you are discussing is actually the Passenger Vessel Services Act and it has been around for many, many years. It is often confused with the Jones Act, which is something similar, but different. The PVSA requires foreign-flagged ships carrying passengers between two US cities to stop at a "distant foreign port" along the way. For roundtrip itineraries it must stop at a "foreign port". The Hawaii roundtrip cruises from LA/San Diego stop at Ensenada to satisfy this requirement. The ones to Alaska stop in Canada. The "old" Hawaii cruises had to go to Kirabati as that qualified as a "distant foreign port".

 

Several years ago, at the apparent "urging" of the senior Senator from Hawaii, NCL incorporated NCL America with three purpose-built American flagged and American crewed ships, in compliance with the PVSA, specifically to sail the Hawaiian Islands in 7 night cruises. Unfortunately, the demand was not there, the three ships sailed at something like 50% capacity and were losing money. NCL reflagged two of the three and moved them into the NCL fleet as Pearl and, I believe, Gem, leaving Pride of America as the only NCL America ship. Unfortunately the reports of bad service are not exaggerated. The joke goes that with an American crew "everyone wants to be the Captain, but no one wants to clean the toilets" and as a result it is reported that turnover is a really serious problem, hence poor service.

[joelmomma]

One would think law-makers would see the great folly in these regulations. Besides being ridiculous in the cruise industry, it applies to other commercial venues. We were told that ships transporting goods between the mainland (California) and Hawaii must stop in Canada in order to comply! :eek: If this is indeed the case, what a waste of time, energy and MONEY!

 

Jo

[alexandra cruiser]

bringing up,,,on Dec.16 sailing,,you can check below for thread,I complained about 3 hrs.waiting at terminal for embarkation,,with no food,info,etc.Those that did respond criticized my posting style AND saying Regent wasn t responsible for "port problem". But this was NOT the "luxury" experience I expected and MANY passengers around me we also ANGRY.I just ignored the personal comments,but felt they were rude and should have been erased. Ex.for that snafu,really enjoyed the Mariner and MAY consider going again.Do you think thats "PICKY"???:confused:

 

Regent agrees with those other posters,,in response to my email they just sent a letter saying in effect sorry not resposible for port problem...and sure hope to see me again..we ll have to see...:(

[Emperor Norton]

Wendy, Glad to disagree. A difference in expectations. In my own home I wait to be asked to refill a glass be it family or guest. I, therefore, expect no difference at a restaurant be it Daniel, The French Laundry, Le Bernadin or Compass Rose all of which I have patronized.

Bill

 

Having been to all of the listed restaurants, I'm more than a bit perplexed. At none of those places (save CR AFTER Regent took over from Radisson) did I have to flag down a server for a refill of wine or water. Having to do so in a formal setting (eg a six star experience) is counter to the raison d'etre of such an establishment.

 

Do the Clampetts now cruise Regent:confused:

[Travelcat2]

Having been to all of the listed restaurants, I'm more than a bit perplexed. At none of those places (save CR AFTER Regent took over from Radisson) did I have to flag down a server for a refill of wine or water. Having to do so in a formal setting (eg a six star experience) is counter to the raison d'etre of such an establishment.

 

Do the Clampetts now cruise Regent:confused:

 

In CR we rarely have to ask for a refill of wine or water. In fact, the bottle of wine was left on our table. Only once on our 21 night cruise did I refill my own glass. In P-7 and Signatures, we definitely have not had to ask for anything. Nothing is perfect -- not even a six star restaurant. I suppose if my glass was full and I drank it down quickly I could have to wait for a refill:confused:

[RachelG]

Very rarely have ever had to ask for a refill of my wine glass on any regent ship, and this is in 10 cruises. Most times have ask NOT to have refills.

[newlondon]

baychilla, Glad to see someone else who enjoys food as much as we do. My point here is that we don't like to have a waiter hovering over us expecting to fill our glass after every 5 minutes or every 3 swallows. We find it overbearing and almost offensive. At French Laundry prices we don't buy a bottle and we came to an agreement with our serving staff as to how to handle the service. Since you have been there, you know it was handled perfectly. At the other 3 we ask for the bottle to be left on the table so we can time ourselves without constant attempts to pour wine when we're not ready. CR has never been a problem and of course neither have the other two.

[Suite Travels]

"Do the Clampetts now cruise Regent"

 

 

 

Pretty much.

[cruiseluv]

"Do the Clampetts now cruise Regent"

 

 

 

Pretty much.

 

Really? Are you related to them?

[cruiseej]

Do the Clampetts now cruise Regent:confused:

 

Yup, they do. You'll hate Regent. Don't do it.

 

;)

 

Seriously... what we all desire is smooth, seamless, attentive, unobtrusive service, right? But Compass Rose is not The French Laundry or Le Bernadin (and fortunately, is not priced like it!) -- it's a large restaurant seating several hundred people, aiming for high-level food quality and service. Most of the waiters and sommeliers are friendly and efficient; a few are not. Glasses are generally kept filled until you tell them to stop, but occasionally someone gets sidelined and a glass may go empty for a minute or two. I suppose we all have different standards, but to me, this isn't the end of the world. It isn't a tragedy. It doesn't even ruin my meal. If our glasses were frequently empty, if we couldn't get service, that would be bad. But that doesn't happen.

 

If having your glass run dry for a moment will seriously frustrate you, perhaps Regent will not be your cup of tea (Texas or otherwise).

 

-- Jed... er, Eric

[jhp]

Almost funny reading all this. Eric, you have hit the nail on the head. I have never been to French Laundry or La Bernadin and never wish to, long since passed that phase, if ever I went through it. I've enjoyed crusing rather than land travel for several years now for one reason, it is easy, and can be done well! I think I've found the best product to take me where I want to go, among like-minded friends. If not, I would have quit long before those 28 cruises I have under my belt.

[Suite Travels]

Really? Are you related to them?

 

Yes, and Mr. Drysdale is my banker. Now I need to go for a swim in my cement pond.:D

[Travelcat2]

Yes, and Mr. Drysdale is my banker. Now I need to go for a swim in my cement pond.:D

 

Suite Travels: Under the sometimes quirky personality you show on the Regent board lies a person with a great heart. Saw you on the Concordia boards -- the only person I recognized from any of the luxury boards:D

[poss]

I saw Wendy. ;-)

[Suite Travels]

TC..thank you. I do have a heart.....and I do feel sorry for those guests.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yeah, I posted there a couple of times. I was glued over there for a couple of days. Couldn't help it.

 

I'd like to comment on this:

 

"At French Laundry prices we don't buy a bottle and we came to an agreement with our serving staff as to how to handle the service. Since you have been there, you know it was handled perfectly."

 

Am I supposed to know what "French Laundry" is? I guess I fit more in with the Clampetts, since I do not!

[LindaM]

Yeah, I posted there a couple of times. I was glued over there for a couple of days. Couldn't help it.

 

I'd like to comment on this:

 

"At French Laundry prices we don't buy a bottle and we came to an agreement with our serving staff as to how to handle the service. Since you have been there, you know it was handled perfectly."

 

Am I supposed to know what "French Laundry" is? I guess I fit more in with the Clampetts, since I do not!

 

I guess I do, too--fit in with the Clampetts! Just when I start to think Regent customers are regular people who enjoy being pampered, someone makes an elitist remark which makes me question our choice. I am not going to make reference to the post numbers---that is pretty tacky!

 

I can't wait to report back our findings and comparisions!

[OrpingtonT]

 

Am I supposed to know what "French Laundry" is? I guess I fit more in with the Clampetts, since I do not!

 

 

Wow! Something I know. French Laundry is posh nosh. But I don't know the Clampetts.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wow! Something I know. French Laundry is posh nosh. But I don't know the Clampetts.

 

Well I thought it was probably some kind of posh nosh. But still don't know what it is beyond that. Jedd Clampett and his family were fictional hillbillies who became millionaires and moved to Beverley Hills, CA. Sitcom.

[fluckey]

Actually, the Clampett's seem like real nice people, and they'd probably be a lot of fun on a cruise.

[newlondon]

Wendy the Wanderer, In general your posts are friendly and informative. A post such as you did about the French Laundry is not your normal style. I responded to baychilla in what I thought was a civilized fashion and to see your gratuitous remark disappointed me. The French Laundry for your information is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the world as are the other two I have referenced in my posts. The French Laundry is in Yountville CA, the other two in NYC. The point of my comments was to make a distinction between expecting that kind of service in Compass Rose and world class establishments. Obviously I didn't make myself clear. CR is an excellent restaurant and I don't feel it is appropriate to complain if it doesn't reach world class. Others may disagree.

[hondorner]

At none of those places (save CR AFTER Regent took over from Radisson)...

Just to set the record straight, it was my impression that when Radisson became Regent, it was not a takeover, but simply a change in names by the same owners (The Carlson family, )...and, I believe, was intended to signify that the cruise line had moved upscale -- as the Regent hotels were more upscale than the Radisson hotels.

 

The name change took place in 2006 -- perhaps the poster was referring to the 2007 sale of Regent by the Carlson family to Prestige Cruise Holdings, which also owns Oceania, which has often compared more favorably in the dining arena.

 

Of course, while Okeechobee is not Beverly Hills, I come from an environment perhaps closer to the Clampett's origins, so what do I know? :rolleyes:

[RachelG]

If you want to meet a real Clampett, that would be my husband-- no indoor plumbing, little electricity, 1 pair of shoes per year in rural Arkansas growing up. I was the "rich" girl. But hopefully he has learned a few social graces. (and he has eaten at French Laundry as well as many other fine restaurants around the world).

What many people don't realize is that a significant number of people who cruise regent are self-made. We got where we are by hard work. So we are not elitist in the least. And we appreciate the hard work of those who staff CR as well as the other venues on bird.