Emperor Norton Posted August 26, 2016 Author #251 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I know on Oceania the lighting did cycle in the bars, I think the same is true on Regent. I'm still not sure why they didn't do more to differentiate the lighting schemes of the ships or some other features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted August 26, 2016 #252 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I'm much appreciating this thread. I haven't been on the ship, but from the photos, it does seem (to my eyes) gaudy, tacky, vulgar. Mainly, the decor seems not at all relaxing and comfortable-- qualities we've very much appreciated on Mariner and Voyager. From all the photos, plus the extravagant PR, it does remind me of Vegas, as others have said. Very expensive, but somehow "cheap." Oh, well, different strokes.... If we can afford it, we'd still do an itinerary on Explorer (we do love Regent), but I think we wouldn't be looking forward to it with quite the same enthusiasm as for the other ships. (Haven't sailed Navigator.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted August 26, 2016 #253 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Keeping in mind that only one of the above photos is of the Explorer, it is amazing how gaudy the Riviera looks in your photos compared to how we perceived it when onboard. I'm glad that the Explorer does not look like the pictures of Oceania (or even the Seabourn picture) above. As the Emperor knows, the lighting in the Observation does change colors but it affects only portion of the large space. CR also photographs differently than it is in person. The beautiful blue chandelier that you see when approaching CR is not representative of the décor in the rest of the restaurant. Linda, don't worry, the lighting in the Observation Lounge will not make us look like "crypt keepers" (that brings weird images to mind):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbarianPaul Posted August 26, 2016 #254 Share Posted August 26, 2016 It doesn't appear as if the entire ship is bathed in purple. That said, I was just researching a South American cruise, and the one that worked best schedule and itinerary wise was on some Princess ship where it appears that the designers went a little overboard with acres and acres of yellow accent lighting. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbarianPaul Posted August 26, 2016 #255 Share Posted August 26, 2016 We were on the Crystal Serenity last summer. Don't remember any neon colors. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted August 26, 2016 #256 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Hi Tc: As I was writing my post, I was actually thinking of you, i.e. remembering that you said that "in the flesh" the new ship doesn't have that very flashy, hey-look-at-me tone. Photos are usually pretty accurate, but I do know what you mean. And I'm counting on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
555lavan1t Posted August 26, 2016 #257 Share Posted August 26, 2016 We were on a Crystal Serenity crossing last December and I think there was neon lighting in the Pulse Nightclub. I don't remember seeing it anywhere else. We are scheduled on the Explorer in December and it looks like we will have all the neon we can handle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudhen Posted August 26, 2016 #258 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Keeping in mind that only one of the above photos is of the Explorer, it is amazing how gaudy the Riviera looks in your photos compared to how we perceived it when onboard. I'm glad that the Explorer does not look like the pictures of Oceania (or even the Seabourn picture) above. As the Emperor knows, the lighting in the Observation does change colors but it affects only portion of the large space. CR also photographs differently than it is in person. The beautiful blue chandelier that you see when approaching CR is not representative of the décor in the rest of the restaurant. Linda, don't worry, the lighting in the Observation Lounge will not make us look like "crypt keepers" (that brings weird images to mind):) Glad to hear that, Jackie! haha! I suppose after a few "treats" in the OB Bar, it won't matter what color is in there!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLOU Posted August 26, 2016 #259 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Emperor Norton, it was great seeing Jerry from the Diamond again. I have fond memories of the shows he and Mona Lisa put on. Of course, it only worked on the Diamond. When they tried to move the same show to the Navigator, it failed miserably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela1 Posted August 26, 2016 #260 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Emperor Norton, in post 226 you had a really refreshing looking orange drink, what was it? Also was that arancini and if so, what were the fillings? What did you think of the strange looking pasta bowls? They looked a little cumbersome and odd, did you think that worked well and was there any other strange tableware? Thanks Pam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted August 26, 2016 #261 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Hi Tc: As I was writing my post, I was actually thinking of you, i.e. remembering that you said that "in the flesh" the new ship doesn't have that very flashy, hey-look-at-me tone. Photos are usually pretty accurate, but I do know what you mean. And I'm counting on it! Hi poss - I'll try to explain. Firstly, and I think this bears repeating, all of the very purple and blue photos above were not of the Explorer (as Emperor indicated in small print above each photo). The neon lighting above the Jacuzzi's is from the Explorer but those were the only lights on. To get the whole effect, you need to see the entire area with lights on. Photos are accurate but do not encompass the entire area - only a "slice" of it. So, I'm saying that the perspective is off when you photograph only a small part if a large space. You will find the lounges (particularly the Meridian and Explorer lounges) to be very sedate - not even a mirror behind the bar (that we did miss). There is nothing flashy that I can remember in either bar. Having said that, the Explorer Lounge is the late night "disco type" lounge (it was the Observation Lounge on our cruise) so it may be full of flashing lights at night - we just did not see it. No glitz at all in the specialty restaurants. As mentioned CR is lovely and has one chandelier that could be considered glitzy. Things today may be different than what we saw in July as some items were not complete. I'll have to wait until November 2nd to get a second look at the Explorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towel-animal Posted August 26, 2016 #262 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Emperor Norton, in post 226 you had a really refreshing looking orange drink, what was it? Also was that arancini and if so, what were the fillings?What did you think of the strange looking pasta bowls? They looked a little cumbersome and odd, did you think that worked well and was there any other strange tableware? Thanks Pam. I share Pamela's inquiry about the drink. Looks delicious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 27, 2016 Author #263 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Emperor Norton, in post 226 you had a really refreshing looking orange drink, what was it? Also was that arancini and if so, what were the fillings?What did you think of the strange looking pasta bowls? They looked a little cumbersome and odd, did you think that worked well and was there any other strange tableware? Thanks Pam. The drink was the classical Italian concoction known as the Bahama Mama ;) IIRC two of the little balls were fried mozzarella. The other two were arancini with rice, cheese and I think mushrooms. The UFO pasta bowls? The portion the food sat in was fine. The parts sloping towards the eater and the table, not so much. The strangest tableware were IMO the salt and pepper shakers. The controls didn't always seem to work and especially with the salt not being a finishing salt you needed to be able to grind it down. Also with people placing their fingers where the grind was dispensed to adjust the size, I sincerely hope everyone had clean hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela1 Posted August 27, 2016 #264 Share Posted August 27, 2016 The drink was the classical Italian concoction known as the Bahama Mama ;) IIRC two of the little balls were fried mozzarella. The other two were arancini with rice, cheese and I think mushrooms. The UFO pasta bowls? The portion the food sat in was fine. The parts sloping towards the eater and the table, not so much. The strangest tableware were IMO the salt and pepper shakers. The controls didn't always seem to work and especially with the salt not being a finishing salt you needed to be able to grind it down. Also with people placing their fingers where the grind was dispensed to adjust the size, I sincerely hope everyone had clean hands. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgary3 Posted August 27, 2016 #265 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I share Pamela's inquiry about the drink. Looks delicious! However, I discovered if I press Escape - it stops. Thank God for escape buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted August 27, 2016 #266 Share Posted August 27, 2016 (edited) However, I discovered if I press Escape - it stops. Thank God for escape buttons. Thank you for the tip. That bug is very distracting (but cute in a certain way). Will try the escape button! P.S. It worked!!!!! Edited August 27, 2016 by Travelcat2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela1 Posted August 27, 2016 #267 Share Posted August 27, 2016 The drink was the classical Italian concoction known as the Bahama Mama ;) IIRC two of the little balls were fried mozzarella. The other two were arancini with rice, cheese and I think mushrooms. The UFO pasta bowls? The portion the food sat in was fine. The parts sloping towards the eater and the table, not so much. The strangest tableware were IMO the salt and pepper shakers. The controls didn't always seem to work and especially with the salt not being a finishing salt you needed to be able to grind it down. Also with people placing their fingers where the grind was dispensed to adjust the size, I sincerely hope everyone had clean hands. Update. Got myself some Grenadine and had a little Bahama Mama, delicious but very sweet. :D Ps, that wee plateful looked just great and sounded lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted August 28, 2016 Author #268 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Update. Got myself some Grenadine and had a little Bahama Mama, delicious but very sweet. :D Ps, that wee plateful looked just great and sounded lovely. The more you've been out in the heat of the day and the cooler it is, the better it gets;):D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted September 2, 2016 Author #269 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Lets see, we'd just left a port that worked like a maze and had probably a low point dinner on the cruise. And a fuse had been lit. The following day was a sea day. Sleep in, wake up, wander the ship, or just sleep in. Dinner was in Compass Rose Some different looking prosciutto Aside from the pool grill the other restaurants were good about hitting the requested temp on proteins. Cheese seemed to be a hit or miss experience for me, I should've asked if other options were available if I didn't care for what was on offer on a particular night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Norton Posted September 2, 2016 Author #270 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Our next stop (along with a few thousand of our new best friends) was Kotor. I'd signed up for a walking tour of the old town which meant up way too early then hit the shore and wait around for thirty minutes while the guide learns the difference between a transmitter and receiver. Shortly after the start of the tour our group shrank (some people didn't care for the heat/crowds/chatty guide, I believe I heard TMI a lot in reference to her). The calm before the storm of humanity Either there was a casino nearby or this woman was going to be very dizzy in short order. After a brief walk we were at the entrance to old town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbarianPaul Posted September 2, 2016 #271 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Looks nice, though I'm sure the heat was problematic. The roulette skirt is a hoot! Love the continuing commentary. Aside from a few reviews, I think you're the only person on the internet actually offering up a substantive view of a cruise on the Explorer. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poss Posted September 2, 2016 #272 Share Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) I'm much enjoying the review also. (But had to say "ouch" when I saw the sea urchins dangling from the ceiling. On our honeymoon in Tobago 45 years ago, my husband stepped on one of those things and was in fairly serious pain for several days.) Edited September 2, 2016 by poss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare eroller Posted September 2, 2016 #273 Share Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) I'm really enjoying your pics, comments and review. Very entertaining and quite witty! As for EXPLORER, I can't say I'm all that impressed. She looks to be a creation of what a nouveau-riche person thinks wealth looks like. A bit over the top, a bit ostentatious, and borderline tacky in certain areas. Sometimes less is more! She may be billed as the "most luxurious ship ever built", but perhaps only to some. The statement seems to fit the ship. A bit off-putting. Definitely more South Beach/Vegas than Palm Beach. Not surprise considering where the inspiration comes from. Edited September 2, 2016 by eroller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyRollock Posted September 2, 2016 #274 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Agree completely. When all's said and done it's just another midsize ship, albeit brand new. We didn't see or experience anything extra "luxurious" compared to the other Regent (or Seabourn or Crystal or Silversea) ships and the decor is indeed tacky and vulgar. Proof, if any were needed, that spending lots of money on something doesn't buy "class". I can only assume that the no doubt very expensive interior designers came up with tasteful ideas that were overruled by someone who thought he knew better. A lot of the artwork was personally selected by the same person with the same results. In future, leave it to the experts please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcandkc Posted September 2, 2016 #275 Share Posted September 2, 2016 We have been on Navigator many times and Voyager and Mariner once each. We really like Navigator and Voyager. We will be on Voyager again in January and Explorer August. I'm really curious what we will think of Explorer. We are not "show me the money" type people. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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