On board Solendor!

NCCruzQueen · April 6, 2022

6 hours ago, artlee said:

In our suite I don’t think I mentioned our balcony is very nice and quite roomy. I do wish they had ottomans for the chairs but I managed to nap out there without one.

@artlee On Navigator last week, we kicked back the recliner and put our feet up on the railing.

desibee · April 7, 2022

3 hours ago, islandchick said:

So far food is a little too hit or miss, hoping that improves.

I wonder if the kitchen staff are struggling due to members being in quarantine for covid? I heard the Navigator cruise just got cancelled days before embarkation due to an outbreak of covid among the crew. Doesn't seem too far-fetched that the same problem might be happening on the Splendor.

pnsnkr · April 7, 2022

After a hectic, often chaotic, embarkation process, we finally boarded the ship to be greeted by friendly staff providing directions to our muster station. We love this - new to us - streamlined process, hopefully all other lines will follow suit.

No welcome drinks to greet us when we got on board and the nearest watering hole was on Deck 11 Aft. We made our way to LA Veranda, found a lovely set of chairs outdoors and ordered our champagne. Surprisingly, there were only a couple other folks seated outside, the rest choosing to stay in the cool confines of the A/C interior.

I checked with the wait staff which champagne was being served and he brought the bottle to our table along with a flyer for the Champagne tasting event. He was pushing for us to sign up but we declined - maybe if we get lucky at the casino.

We stuffed our plates a sampler of the buffet offering and got to our seat. You can order fresh-cooked food and state your table number and they'll bring it over to you once cooked. We'd ordered fresh grilled fish - Cobia - and it was promptly delivered to our table. Overall, it was a very delicious lunch, the shrimp was succulent and fresh, the fish was amazingly fresh, the prime-rib rib was delicious though we had a tough time getting all the meat out, the seafood paella was OK, and of course the chicken makhanwala was the star of the buffet spread selection on our plate. We love Indian food and plan to do a special Indian dinner and this dish had given us hope that we'll have a great time with our special dinner. The spices were properly cooked and melded with the sauce and the butter made it rich and flavorful.

At around 2p, there was finally an announcement that our rooms were ready, maybe they were ready a bit earlier but it worked out well for us as we headed straight to our room right after lunch; what is to be our home-away from home for the rest of the cruise. And boy, is it an amazing suite or what! More to come later

I took pictures on my camera but can't figure out how to upload from it and so have started taking pictures with my phone as well. Will post them if I can.

artlee · April 7, 2022

We went to Sette Mari last night and the service was much better than Compass Rose. My wife liked her lobster fra diablo. Not big pieces of lobster but many smaller ones so there was plenty there. I had chicken cacciatore which i didn’t like but I think it was more me than them. We each have our own way we like certain dishes and theirs was not mine, lol. Not a tomato based sauce, more of a brown gravy mushroom sauce. I am sure we will go back and there are plenty of things that look good so no problem.

We have a group we are really enjoying watching Boogie and Kasia. Great personalities and really fun to listen to and watch. Most fun of any group we have seen on a cruise. We are now groupies following them around. I can’t dance worth a darn but it is not stopping my wife from dancing. She danced with Kasia while she sang her song. She had a blast.

I think I will be making an appointment with the cruise consultant to see what benefits we get by booking on board and what cruises and their costs there are that appeal to us. We are still comparing with Oceania but I will collect more info.

I’ve stopped in the shops a little and I must say I am totally unimpressed. Quite surprised really. This maybe the least interesting shops at sea I have encountered. Inventory seems low and selections are meh.

artlee · April 7, 2022

One of the crew told us it is almost at full capacity. Got to love how there it’s never crowded. It’s a little cooler today and nice sitting out on deck and here is the crowd!

NCCruzQueen · April 7, 2022

3 minutes ago, artlee said:

One of the crew told us it is almost at full capacity. Got to love how there it’s never crowded. It’s a little cooler today and nice sitting out on deck and here is the crowd!

That's "The Life", @artlee Continue to enjoy your cruise!!

1982CruzStart · April 7, 2022

2 hours ago, artlee said:

think I will be making an appointment with the cruise consultant to see what benefits we get by booking on board

To me the best benefit of booking on board is the small deposit that you have to pay. I think a $1000 for the 2 of us as opposed to several thousands per person depending on the cruise. The other discounts are nice but not huge but something is better than nothing. At least in the past you could change cruises once and still keep the benefits. I hope you find something you like.

Gpilon · April 8, 2022

On 4/7/2022 at 10:25 AM, artlee said:

One of the crew told us it is almost at full capacity. Got to love how there it’s never crowded. It’s a little cooler today and nice sitting out on deck and here is the crowd!

On our Splendor cruise March 17, Miami to Miami, these loungers were always full, taken by the usual chair hogs. Nice to see them "vacant" for all to enjoy. If you see Vita at either pool bar or Observation bar, please say hello for Louise and Glen.

ronrick1943 · April 8, 2022

23 hours ago, 1982CruzStart said:

To me the best benefit of booking on board is the small deposit that you have to pay. I think a $1000 for the 2 of us as opposed to several thousands per person depending on the cruise. The other discounts are nice but not huge but something is better than nothing. At least in the past you could change cruises once and still keep the benefits. I hope you find something you like.

I realize when you book on board with any cruise line it’s not much—but like you say it’s better than nothing.

Jlhalldc · April 8, 2022

So sorry to hear some had problems aboard in the beginning. I guess we've been lucky because we've had some terrific meals in Compass Rose and last night's dinner in Pacific Rim was a delightful change of venue AND menu. Boarding the ship wasn't the smoothest due to the many new forms and covid protocols...definitely a pain-point but hopefully a temporary one. We are on a Back-to-Back and have many many other forms (Italy, Croatia, Malta) to navigate in addition to the Bermuda "triangle" form. Once aboard, we settled at the Coffee Connection where I'm happy to report Champagne was offered quickly. Soon they made the announcement and made our way to our home for the next 30+ days...and she's a beaut. We are in a Penthouse for the first time and are thrilled to feel so pampered. The closet alone is AMAZING with more cubbies and drawers than I have at home. Some are actually empty. And that bathroom....two sinks, lots of counter space, drawers and awesome lighting. And we have nicknamed the shower The Carwash. So many heads going so many directions. We are in Bermuda today and had a thrilling eBike tour. It had an element of mountain biking mixed in with city traffic weaving--and adrenaline rush none of us expected or, perhaps, wanted.

The staff has been very attentive and we've seen a couple we recognize from Navigator and Voyager. Had a nice time catching up and hearing their interesting pandemic stories.

All in all, we are thrilled to be back sailing. As the cook in the family, I am especially thrilled to leave the planning and preparing to some expert chefs. Looking forward to many more relaxing days.

artlee · April 8, 2022

Glad to report that Compass Rose was very good last night with excellent service. Whatever the issues on waiting there were previously were not there. I’ve got our waiters name and going to ask for his section next time. It’s at the rear of the room but actually quieter and more intimate there anyway. The main production Divos and Divas was very good with the main singers having excellent voices. Two sets of shows with Boggie and Kasia and we were off to bed the latest yet. Great day.

artlee · April 8, 2022

Prime 7 was a bit tonight. Filet for me and surf and turf for my wife. Will try to make another reservations.

Jlhalldc · April 9, 2022

BTW I think the ship's occupancy is about 560 according to our butler and a bartender. That's over 70 percent and we're enjoying the extra room.

Forgot to mention another thing I like about Regent. The towels are awesome...generous, plush and absorbent. And the bed linens are top quality. That bed is so comfortable I always have a hard time getting out. Yet, with four sea days in a row, I may not have to!

Oh! Another thing...the table linens and table service in La Veranda. Sure beats searching for the non-existent table and pushing ones' way through the buffet. On Oceania, we call it "Elbows and A$$holes". Plus, there is the option of being served in one of the specialty restaurants (and some ship's Compass Rose) for a sit-down lunch.

Sorry to go on and on, but I'm still pinching myself that we made it on the ship. Not everything is perfect, but as they say "a bad day on a ship is better than a good day at work."

Edited April 9, 2022 by Jlhalldc

2012_Alaska_bound · April 9, 2022

14 hours ago, artlee said:

Prime 7 was a bit tonight. Filet for me and surf and turf for my wife. Will try to make another reservations.

Artlee,

We got another reservation in Prime 7 on Monday 4/11 at 7:30. Call me if you want me to see if we can add you.

Martha

717

ronrick1943 · April 9, 2022

Nice posting from all of you (the good, the bad and the very good), looking forward to reading more.

2012_Alaska_bound · April 9, 2022

Fabulous lunch in Prime 7. I had the seared yellow fin tuna and my buddy had the always available honey mustard salmon. We both started with the daily special appetizer spring roll. And of course the dessert sampler.

Furball83 · April 9, 2022

Is Regent having internet problems: my login wouldn’t work today. They sent me two links, changed and STILL can’t get in. Help requested - cfurr18283@aol.com

RetiredandTravel · April 9, 2022

Any information on the wine/champagne either included or connoisseur would be appreciated.

enjoy!!

artlee · April 10, 2022

An other good dinner at Compass Rose. I had chicken and my wife 2 lobster tails at our waiters suggestion. She was quite pleased. 2 Boogie and Kasia shows and off to bed. It was Asian day at lunch time. I had spaghetti, lol. We met our neighbors next door — turns out they are almost neighbors at home — 5 minutes down the road and then met another couple also 5 minutes away. Maybe its a Florida thing being so close to port? Spoke to cruise consultant about booking the next one and as many have said on line here the savings is not significant but the reduced deposit is a big deal — $500 per person. I will study the full brochure and then decide. We love sea days so perhaps another TA. There is a trans pacific as a possibility. Baltic, Greece, and Med are all possibilities. If only I were rich!!

artlee · April 10, 2022

Getting a little cooler now on second sea day out of Bermuda. Long sleeve T shirt type weather. I like the mixed fruit in La Veranda that is cut up in little pieces. Augmenting it with blueberries and strawberries makes it just about perfect. Good day to relax. Wife planning her day. Very quiet on deck.

2012_Alaska_bound · April 10, 2022

Brunch is back!

Fabulous brunch buffet served in Compass Rose on a Sunday sea day only once per cruise on Splendor and Explorer only.

If you are on Splendor brunch is open until 1 p.m.

Brownie54 · April 10, 2022

I second the info about brunch above!

It was fantastic! Raw bar, carving (ham and roast beef, salmon in puff pastry), omelette and crepe stations. Caviar and champagne, plentiful and delicious desserts!