Complimentary Beverage List

[UUNetBill]

25 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

I never bother pre-ordering booze. The cabin stewardess will be in your room within minutes of your arrival and introduce herself. She will take your order and you will have it before dinner in most cases. This includes booze, wine, re-stocking the menu bar as per your requirements and snacks.

 

5 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I'm with Pcardad.  It's easy, and your choices usually appear swiftly.  All the usual brands are available--unless you want something really special or unusual, you'll probably get it. Of course, if you have a PH or up, you can order these things in advance online before the cruise. 

Count me in on this group, too - filling out the butler request on PH and above somewhat speeds things up, but our stewards have always been great about setting us up quickly.  Hell, if there's a delay in getting your preferred libation while you're unpacking/unwinding, just call for cocktails or mosey to one of the bars.  Lots of options...

[Pcardad]

I've re-read my post(s) and I don't think it is possible to overstate how well you will be treated by the crew...it is an amazing experience!!!

[RetiredandTravel]

Funny.  Our last cruise (Concierge Suite) there was nothing in our  fridge and we were never given a request form in the room or from my TA.  So we never had anything in the fridge.   I thought Regent had just cut back.  We really don't drink from the fridge much so it wasn't a big issue.  I just thought it was strange.  Don't get me wrong we are far from teetotalers.  I usually just walk to the Observation lounge if we would like a drink in the room, I enjoy the walk.  If we were at sea more days it may have been an issue.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2021 by RetiredandTravel
typo

[Pcardad]

29 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

Funny.  Our last cruise (Concierge Suite) there was nothing in our  fridge and we were never given a request form in the room or from my TA.  So we never had anything in the fridge.   I thought Regent had just cut back.  We really don't drink from the fridge much so it wasn't a big issue.  I just thought it was strange.  Don't get me wrong we are far from teetotalers.  I usually just walk to the Observation lounge if we would like a drink in the room, I enjoy the walk.  If we were at sea more days it may have been an issue.

 

 

Strange. I have never, in hundreds of nights, seen an empty fridge. It is checked every time your room is serviced. I have also never boarded without being asked what booze we would like the room to be stocked with.

 

Next time, speak to her when you get to your cabin and tell her what you would like. It will be there very soon.

[daetchief]

In addition to Wendy's and Pcardad's spot on guidance, when you've sailed a time or two with Regent and have consistently asked for the same set-up, your preferred wine and liquors are very often waiting for you when you get to your suite.   I think Regent is keeping a 'file' on us ...😀

[Pcardad]

6 hours ago, daetchief said:

In addition to Wendy's and Pcardad's spot on guidance, when you've sailed a time or two with Regent and have consistently asked for the same set-up, your preferred wine and liquors are very often waiting for you when you get to your suite.   I think Regent is keeping a 'file' on us ...😀

Regent keeps a VIP passenger file for each voyage with high night people, big recent spenders and people in named suites. The bar staff and others are required to study these people and pass a quiz on them. This makes for excellent service. Remember the kindness the crew shows to you when you have an opportunity to return the favor.

[GOARMY]

As usual, Pcardad beat me to the punch on this Thread.   As is my wont--will steal a line or two from that movie classic, (no Pcardad--not Sci Fi) "Casablanca".  Evil German Major Heinrich Strasser, portrayed by Conrad Veidt, confronts Rick.  "Well, Rick, we have been keeping a complete dossier on you since your arrival. . ."  And, so on.  Wonderful back-and-forth continues, with Rick always counter punching.   

 

Relevance:  Notes are certainly taken and kept concerning alumni guests.   Case in point, and this goes back several, several years, as do most of my musings.  And, also related on an earlier Thread now probably lost in the mist of time. 

 

Noted the Singapore Sling sampled on a Voyager cruise did not  taste the same as that I sampled while at the original Raffles' Hotel Bar way, back in the early '80s in a totally-different context from cruising.  (Federal criminal investigation of an international mail fraud scheme which took me to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.)  Successful, BTW.  

 

Asked the Voyager bartender for the recipe'.  What was missing--and for some reason I distinctly remembered this--was Sloe Gin. Reason:  Obtained the ingredients for the original from the Raffles barkeep.  At that time, a Singapore Sling went for about $3.50, American; on our last cruise visit to Singapore in 2016, the price was around $33.00.  Upon return home from that '80s trip, obtained all the ingredients enabling replication from time to time. 

 

So, mentioned this tale to that Voyager bartender.   And, just-in passing as to whether any Sloe Gin was onboard.  No big deal when the answer was no.   This occurred rather late on that particular itinerary.   

 

Next cruise was on Mariner about a year later.  There, waiting for us in our stateroom--without prompting--was a bottle of Dekuyper Sloe Gin.  And, a Note from Management to take that bottle to a Lounge for safekeeping.  It would be utilized at whatever venue should I order a Singapore Sling.  Which, of course, I was then obligated to do.   

 

Now, that is attention to detail.  Because--on our next two cruises, there was, again, another Dekuyper bottle waiting for us.   At that point, I advised:  No need for a trifecta. 

 

The bottom line is:  make a reasonable request for something reasonable--and Regent's representative will respond:  "Of course."

  

GOARMY!

 

 

 

  

[mj_holiday]

 

Loriva:   It was not a large list--onebottle of rum and two different types of sodas/mixers.  No response yet (two days and counting).

Don’t expect a response other than your requested products will be in your cabin when you get there. 

[RetiredandTravel]

13 hours ago, Pcardad said:

Strange. I have never, in hundreds of nights, seen an empty fridge. It is checked every time your room is serviced. I have also never boarded without being asked what booze we would like the room to be stocked with.

 

Next time, speak to her when you get to your cabin and tell her what you would like. It will be there very soon.

 

Yup the fridge was bone dry for the entire cruise.  I remembered being impressed with what was available for the fridge and how it was serviced on our prior Regent cruise.  Housekeeping was fantastic, best service on the ship, I'm sort of surprised it was their responsibility and they missed it.  Maybe they had the impression we didn't want anything.  We aren't shy if it were that important to us we would have pursued it more vigorously.  Its not like its difficult to get a drink and we drink water not sodas etc.

 

Its great that Regent focuses so strongly on frequent cruisers.  Do you think this gives the crew the impression newer clients aren't as important?

 

 

 

 

[UUNetBill]

1 hour ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Yup the fridge was bone dry for the entire cruise.  I remembered being impressed with what was available for the fridge and how it was serviced on our prior Regent cruise.  Housekeeping was fantastic, best service on the ship, I'm sort of surprised it was their responsibility and they missed it.  Maybe they had the impression we didn't want anything.  We aren't shy if it were that important to us we would have pursued it more vigorously.  Its not like its difficult to get a drink and we drink water not sodas etc.

 

Its great that Regent focuses so strongly on frequent cruisers.  Do you think this gives the crew the impression newer clients aren't as important?

I've never had an empty fridge on any Regent cruise.  It's never even gotten low on any items - stocked daily, if not multiple times daily.

 

And no, I don't believe the crew thinks any passengers are 'less important' - we received stellar service on our first few Regent cruises - that's what kept us coming back.  I think it's just easier for them to meet your needs once they've determined your likes and wants.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

2 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Yup the fridge was bone dry for the entire cruise.  I remembered being impressed with what was available for the fridge and how it was serviced on our prior Regent cruise.  Housekeeping was fantastic, best service on the ship, I'm sort of surprised it was their responsibility and they missed it.  Maybe they had the impression we didn't want anything.  We aren't shy if it were that important to us we would have pursued it more vigorously.  Its not like its difficult to get a drink and we drink water not sodas etc.

 

Its great that Regent focuses so strongly on frequent cruisers.  Do you think this gives the crew the impression newer clients aren't as important?

 

I hope not, really.  It's important to impress new clients, obviously.  I hope this doesn't give the impression that the ships are cliquey, and that there's some kind of secret society of 'regulars' (despite there being the Seven Seas Society, lol.) 

 

Perhaps you had a new steward who didn't know better.  And you didn't either, so didn't complain.

 

As for the VIP list, I remember the time we realized we were on it.  We were on the Paul Gauguin (then a Radisson ship), on a TA-escorted B2B.  I think that latter part may have been part of it--we were in a modest little window cabin on deck 4, but when we were escorted to the cabin for the first time, we had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a full-sized box of Godiva chocolates waiting for us, and canapes I believe in the afternoons.  We wondered about that, thought it might have been our TA (but we were part of a largish group of about 20.)  The staff all called us by name, which is great, but a little odd so early in the cruise. Then, towards the end of the week we did a Galley Tour, and happened to notice a list on a bulletin board with our name and cabin # on it.  That was the VIP list, and we were on it.  Still inexplicable. When the second week started, the canapes stopped--no more VIPs!

[Emdee]

On 9/30/2021 at 9:30 AM, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I hope not, really.  It's important to impress new clients, obviously.  I hope this doesn't give the impression that the ships are cliquey, and that there's some kind of secret society of 'regulars' (despite there being the Seven Seas Society, lol.) 

 

Perhaps you had a new steward who didn't know better.  And you didn't either, so didn't complain.

 

As for the VIP list, I remember the time we realized we were on it.  We were on the Paul Gauguin (then a Radisson ship), on a TA-escorted B2B.  I think that latter part may have been part of it--we were in a modest little window cabin on deck 4, but when we were escorted to the cabin for the first time, we had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a full-sized box of Godiva chocolates waiting for us, and canapes I believe in the afternoons.  We wondered about that, thought it might have been our TA (but we were part of a largish group of about 20.)  The staff all called us by name, which is great, but a little odd so early in the cruise. Then, towards the end of the week we did a Galley Tour, and happened to notice a list on a bulletin board with our name and cabin # on it.  That was the VIP list, and we were on it.  Still inexplicable. When the second week started, the canapes stopped--no more VIPs!

Oh no… we were VIP for both weeks! 

[Wendy The Wanderer]

4 hours ago, Emdee said:

Oh no… we were VIP for both weeks! 

I'm not talking about cruise together.  This was in 2005.

[Emdee]

1 hour ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I'm not talking about cruise together.  This was in 2005.

Me neither….talking about another b2b. 

[charltonkerry]

We come from the UK, and I’ve got a great liking for good old fashioned bitter, served at room temperature, after a few cruises with Regent and I realised this was unavailable I rung Regent UK, to see if they could help get some on board, next cruise there it was, some in the suite and some in the pool bar. Great I thought, then the bitter battle commenced, the excellent cabin staff, had placed it in the fridge, so I thought no problem, I took it out to warm up, went out, yeah you guessed it it was back in fridge upon our return, and so it went on throughout the cruise. I now hide it in our cases under the bed, mind you there’s always the some tins in the fridge😀, just to please the cabin staff and obviously to get necessary refills.

 

Now the pool bar done similar when I was up there, but once I convinced them it was better served warm, they kept it for me in a fridge which was set at about 14 to 16c which in fairness is the correct temperature. So one day it was just me and the bar staff at the bar, and I ordered my bitter, and I could tell they wanted to ask me something, so it ended up as a tasting season, they all very politely said how much they enjoyed it, but I wasn’t convinced, it was at this point I realised that perhaps it is an acquired taste. 
 

This request is now undertaken with every cruise we take and they always appear in my fridge, and to be fair to Regent UK they do ring up to ask how many bottles I require. This one act has convinced me that Regent is the cruise line for me.

Edited October 3, 2021 by charltonkerry

[Aloha 1]

We will be on Voyager in February, Barcelona to Jerusalem. On our first regent cruise in 2013 ( also on Voyager), I recall we received two liter bottles, one scotch and one gin, plus the beer and sodas we requested. 

Is this still the same? Does Regent also provide 50ml minis for the fridge now?

[mj_holiday]

13 hours ago, Aloha 1 said:

We will be on Voyager in February, Barcelona to Jerusalem. On our first regent cruise in 2013 ( also on Voyager), I recall we received two liter bottles, one scotch and one gin, plus the beer and sodas we requested. 

Is this still the same? Does Regent also provide 50ml minis for the fridge now?

They will provide 2 bottles of spirits or wine and beer and soda for you.  If you have any specific choices they will try to accommodate them.  Have not seen minis on Regent.

[charltonkerry]

On 10/5/2021 at 1:52 AM, Aloha 1 said:

We will be on Voyager in February, Barcelona to Jerusalem. On our first regent cruise in 2013 ( also on Voyager), I recall we received two liter bottles, one scotch and one gin, plus the beer and sodas we requested. 

Is this still the same? Does Regent also provide 50ml minis for the fridge now?

We are on this cruise as well.

[Mudhen]

RE: The Empty Fridge....

My big question is: Did you ask why? Did you then tell them what you'd like in the fridge? Call me dense, but I just can't imagine going a whole cruise without saying something or leaving a note for your cabin staff, addressing the problem......Would love an answer to those questions.....

[RetiredandTravel]

On 9/30/2021 at 7:11 AM, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 We aren't shy if it were that important to us we would have pursued it more vigorously.  Its not like its difficult to get a drink and we drink water not sodas etc.

 

 

 

Again, it wasn't that important to us.  I said to my wife near the end "Wasn't there drinks in the fridge the last time", then  I remembered having a couple beers on the veranada in Spain.  Didn't give it that much thought they had downgraded the free Champagne from Veuve to the inexpensive house stuff.  Are you suggesting its our fault because we weren't asked if what we wanted in the fridge and that the people in charge let it go empty for 12 days?

[Mudhen]

Of course it wasn't your fault! I guess I just find it unusual to have acknowledged it was empty and not asked your cabin stewards, why was it empty?

The curiosity alone would've killed me...haha!

[RetiredandTravel]

I guess if you've cruised a lot it does but this was our second cruise (Regent) and I figured maybe they changed the approach and didn't really care.   I didn't know if it was empty unless you called for something, to a frequent cruiser well there is always a form to fill out (which we didnt have). If we had more sea days or nice days on the veranda I would maybe have called room service.  The only drinks we had in the room was a Champagne and white wine in the afternoon which I would go to the observation lounge and bring back, I like the walk.  It was a busy cruise with the excursions.

 

In our case it really didn't matter but if it were a first cruiser that wanted the fridge full and you didn't know the policy it could have been very unfortunate.

 

You can say well you should have just asked but that really isnt the point.  The point is someone responsible let the fridge go empty for the entire cruise without asking.

 

I should say we drink a lot of water and we had that in the fridge so it kind of worked out.

Edited October 8, 2021 by RetiredandTravel
typo

[Pcardad]

They actually have to inventory the fridge for internal reasons. I find this oversight to be amazing...something is missing here as they check the fridge twice a day to restock it. My best guess is the previous guest wanted it emptied and the paperwork got confused...possibly combined with a stewardess change. I can't imagine what else it would be.

[RetiredandTravel]

Maybe because we had the bottled water in there?  They must have thought we didn't want anything.  I didn't really think much of it until I saw this thread.  If housekeeping is usually responsible they were fantastic seriously doubt they would just ignore it.  When we drive on vacation we often stay in Hilton Garden Inn's, they have empty fridges. 😲

[SWFLAOK]

On 9/30/2021 at 9:30 AM, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I hope not, really.  It's important to impress new clients, obviously.  I hope this doesn't give the impression that the ships are cliquey, and that there's some kind of secret society of 'regulars' (despite there being the Seven Seas Society, lol.) 

 

Perhaps you had a new steward who didn't know better.  And you didn't either, so didn't complain.

 

As for the VIP list, I remember the time we realized we were on it.  We were on the Paul Gauguin (then a Radisson ship), on a TA-escorted B2B.  I think that latter part may have been part of it--we were in a modest little window cabin on deck 4, but when we were escorted to the cabin for the first time, we had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a full-sized box of Godiva chocolates waiting for us, and canapes I believe in the afternoons.  We wondered about that, thought it might have been our TA (but we were part of a largish group of about 20.)  The staff all called us by name, which is great, but a little odd so early in the cruise. Then, towards the end of the week we did a Galley Tour, and happened to notice a list on a bulletin board with our name and cabin # on it.  That was the VIP list, and we were on it.  Still inexplicable. When the second week started, the canapes stopped--no more VIPs!

Well all of that is still inexplicable to me. We've never received a full sized box of chocolates nor a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in our cabin. The only good bottle of wine in our cabin that we have ever had has been povided by our TA, and the only chocolates on Regent are the little foil wrapped ones left at turn down.

On our first Regent cruise, we were offered a cabin upgrade on Mariner from a cabin we had chosen at the level just below Concierge to a higher level. I don't remember if it was Concierge or Penthouse.

But they called our TA after we had already arrived at the hotel that we had paid for, and had to take a very expensive taxi ride to it. There was a Regent bus with a sign for Regent travelers at the airport in Vancouver that was headed to the same area as our hotel. We were rudely denied boarding since we weren't Concierge or higher. Being offered an upgrade after we had already paid for an expensive hotel room and were denied access to the mostly empty bus made us very unhappy. Since they couldn't tell us what cabin we would have, and we had already filled out our luggage tags for our booked cabin, we declined the offer. We were never offered anything else by Regent, although we've never booked anything less than Concierge.

On that first cruise, we paid $450 for a room at the Pan Pacific with breakfast buffet,  and luggage valet service to the ship at the port in Vancouver included. The food there was great, and our room was not ready when we arrived just after lunch time (the airport in Vancouver was so crowded and unorganized that I would never go again). We were so hungry that we told them we could wait for our room while we ate lunch in their waterview lounge. We were rewarded by an upgrade from our standard room to an 880 square foot Bayview Suite. It was the most amazing hotel room we have ever stayed in.

We have been on PG cruises, and Regent cruises where there is a TA that provides a get together onboard. It's a small cocktail party with hors d'oeuvres, and a chance to meet others on board. They've never tried to sell us anything, and we have gone to dinner with other couples we've met there, as well as the hosts on one of our cruises.