Regent Voyager Sydney to Auckland a review

[kej1]

This cruise on boarding was delayed out of Sydney first due to a thorough cleaning if the ship due to sick passengers and crew. We don't know how many but at least over 2% reported, so they said had procedures to go through. We thought a good thing! Boarding delayed from 12:00 for some, 2:00 for others to 5:00 with a scheduled sail away moved from 5:00 to 8:00. Once on board sail away again delayed due to weather to sometime after 1;00am or later. Left about 6:00 am - 8 hours late.

 

Crossing not terrible but evidently some sea sick and some sick from prior leg and prior non seasick problem still on board. Ny husband and i despite an aft corner suite had no problem with sea sickness but could hear and hear about other illness on the ship, however we set about to have as great time, always washed hands, used sanitizer, no buffets, and were not effected by the rough seas.

 

Two days in we heard very disappointing news, would not make cruising of Milfird Sound clearly a highlight. Just told once matter of factly two days in, very upsetting, nothing extra done to make up for it, but decisions had been made.

 

Our butler and cabin service were excellent. Although the quality of the food in the MDR was inconsistent we felt the service good. The staff on general tried really hard to please and that was terrific.

 

The one area that was a let down was destination services. They were quite rude when asking about status, and we were never cleared for several tours - our highest priorities despite waitlisting in Oct. one pay extra tour we cleared the night before but had already booked a private very expensive tour through regent in its place but told non refundable, the whole tour stuff was a disaster and could prevent me from going again - you pay - in your price, but you cannot get what you want? Charge less and charge for tours would eliminate this problem.

 

Loved our room in the aft and did not mind the vibration and noise, but some might. I thought the complimentary wines pretty good although splurged on a few others on occasion. Did not do the entertainment or casino so could not comment there. The specialty restaurants we thought the best, although had a few very good special orders in Compass Rose a couple of nights.

 

Overall despite foibles happy with cruise til last full day when husband came down with the dreaded thing going around. Saw dr in NZ as we stayed over and today dr. At home. My husband has picked up bug only about 8 times in 22 years marriage, he goes for physical once a year. And that is it Clearly was on ship despite our diligence so now debating whether to do another with regent or back to Seabourne. Time heels all so we will see shortly. I has a bit of 24 hour symptoms the last day but his have gone on and on.....anybody else care to comment? Loved Dunedin and did akaroa on own z( did not get tours). Did Wellington on own as well. Missed Tangarua as husband sick that day. Loved cruising in and out of Charlotte Sound!

[WesW]

Kej1, Thanks for taking the time to share your Voyager review. Sorry to hear your husband got the "bug."

[kej1]

Sorry for the poor spelling, but using an IPAD! Just to clarify, we actually really liked the cruise and liked Regent. We had some disappointments, but nonetheless had very good service and would consider it again based on the itinerary.

[Travelcat2]

We were on the sailing before you. Which "bug" did he get....... the stomach bug or "kennel cough" (the name I'm now calling the coughing and sore throat illness that lasts for weeks -- we still have it)? We knew the ship was being disinfected when we disembarked but wondered how they could control all of the people already on board - continuing on the next leg -- that were sick.

 

Was the buffet serve yourself or did the crew serve you?

 

Guess I'm asking a lot of questions....... we are finally home and recovering from our cruise and am very curious about the Voyager as we will be on here again in less than two months:o