Regent v Oceania revisited!

[Hambagahle]

3 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Gerry, in an earlier post when I said that there are some areas on Oceania that passengers in lower categories cannot access, I am referring to the Executive Lounge and the one (forgot the name and I am currently in Reno without access to the information) for PH guests.  They have windowed doors where people that cannot go in can look to see what is going on but cannot enter.  All that is in there are two computers, a rather poor selection of snacks, coffee, etc.  I found these two places quite offputting.

The two are the Executive and the Concierge Lounges.  I see no difference between them and Business or First class lounges in airports.  And many cruise lines have these - Neptune Lounge on HAL for example.   But I agree, they are offputting to me too.  Not for the reason you give but because I find them uncomfortable.  Bad decoration and chairs which you really do not want to sit in for a long time.    The few times I went to the Executive Lounge on Riviera I was the only person there and the reason I went was to get a cup of tea!  The EL was closer to our suite than any other place where I could get tea.    I think these fall into the same "pot" as preferential boarding for high-end suites and you don't like that either.   And as you know, I have no problem with that at all!!

 

There is supposed to be a Concierge on duty in each lounge.  I never encountered one.  What his/her role is - don't ask me!!  Dinner reservations or excursions perhaps ??

[Hambagahle]

10 hours ago, commodore2010 said:

 

Have you looked at the R ships that have gone thru the recent refurbishment?  The ships look beautiful from the pictures I have seen. Far from old worn out decor that they had.   We are planning an Asia cruise on the Regatta for Nov 2020. Looking forward to trying one of the smaller ships for the first time. 

No I had not seen these photos and I totally agree - what a wonderful change!!  Thank you for pointing it out.   The R ships might be a possibility for us now...

[Travelcat2]

Unfortuately, refurbishment will not change the size of the staterooms or the teeny, tiny bathroom

[Travelcat2]

11 hours ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

TC - A bit off topic just for a minute, but believe you mentioned on another thread a while ago that you and Dennis are going to have a (somewhat untraditional) vow renewal in Reno this month for your 40th wedding anniversary.  If so, congratulations and best wishes!! 

 

Thank you - really appreciate your post.  We are currently in Reno and will have our vow renewal in a little over an hour (very excited).  It is unique because it will be in a Buddhist Temple (not trying to discuss religion - to me this is a way of life - learning to be kind to others - not hurting a living thing, etc.). After 40 years, we wanted a more spiritual ceremony so we flew to Reno to have it.

 

The minute we are on the plane on our way home, my mind will be on our Regent cruise next month.  

 

Again, thank you for your kind wishes!

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

On 10/10/2019 at 8:45 AM, Hambagahle said:

When we originally booked this cruise it was for 2019 (last March) on the Explorer.  Then we thought we would put it off for a year because we had other things to do here at home.  So we were due to sail on the Explorer next March.  Regent swopped the Splendor for the Explorer - we were asked if that would be OK for us - and we switched our booking from Miami to LA to LA to Miami so we could be on the cruise with TravelCat2 and Bellagio Cruisers.  So now we are on the Splendor, San Diego (port change from LA) in mid March.

All of which to say - no -- we had not intended the cruise to be on the Splendor.  Our interest was purely the itinerary.  The fact that we are going to be on the Splendor, in the suite we want (Grand Suite aft on 7) is "gravy" so to speak.   Of course we are interested to see how the Splendor is, but that is not the reason we chose the cruise.

Hi Gerry

It was forever ago that we were having these conversations about you and Ken switching to the LAX-MIA cruise after we both cancelled the March 2019 cruise. I remember how concerned you were about the 2020 date because of your spring gardening. We convinced you to come with us, and you did! 

Can wait to give you a big hug in just a few months, after all our discussions..

Sheila

[Hambagahle]

14 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

Unfortuately, refurbishment will not change the size of the staterooms or the teeny, tiny bathroom

As you know Jackie we normally take a large suite.  Smallest we have had on Oceania was an Oceania suite.  Largest - the Owners (and all on Riviera).  I would not consider a suite with only one bathroom so that might be an issue too...

[Hambagahle]

11 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Hi Gerry

It was forever ago that we were having these conversations about you and Ken switching to the LAX-MIA cruise after we both cancelled the March 2019 cruise. I remember how concerned you were about the 2020 date because of your spring gardening. We convinced you to come with us, and you did! 

Can wait to give you a big hug in just a few months, after all our discussions..

Sheila

Sheila - I am waiting too !!   It will be such fun to be on the Splendor with you and Herb, Jackie and Dennis and all the other 45 CCers who will be on board too!   I think we made a very good decision to switch cruises.