Cruise Critic heading out on Mariner! What do you want to know?

[Kwaj girl]

6 hours ago, RachelG said:

The welcome bottle of Vieve is in every room, not just those new to Regent.  

Definitely NOT Vieuve! Heidsieck Monopole is in all suites on embarkation.  VC is only  provided at embarkation for Titanium and above SSS members as well as those in upper/named suites.

[RachelG]

9 minutes ago, Kwaj girl said:

Definitely NOT Vieuve! Heidsieck Monopole is in all suites on embarkation.  VC is only  provided at embarkation for Titanium and above SSS members as well as those in upper/named suites.

Noted—it is what we received.

[Kwaj girl]

24 minutes ago, RachelG said:

Noted—it is what we received.

 

VC or HM?  If VC perhaps your higher suite or SSS status?  Or maybe RSSC is now going to the better product for everyone regardless?  "Inquiring minds want to know..."  🤔

[rcandkc]

7 hours ago, Cruise Critic Chris said:

The big news for tomorrow is that we've been told that wind and stormy conditions are preventing us from going to Sitka. Icy Strait Point has been substituted. 

 

I love Sitka but have never been to ISP so I'm not upset about the change. Plus the ship was going to tender in Sitka, which is never a good idea in rough conditions (we had some swells this am that bothered a lot of people, my plus one included).

 

However, we were not given many included options for excursions in ISP which is a bummer. The only thing that's free is a gondola ride. 

 

Other for-fee excursions are a whale watching trip ($159) and  the zip line ($119), neither of which appeal. We are going to wing it and get off the ship a bit later, do the gondola and walk around Hoonah. 

We did the zip line last month and it was thrilling.

[Sunprince]

On 6/8/2022 at 10:16 PM, Cruise Critic Chris said:

Only hiccup is that the first glass of wine we ordered, a French rose, was clearly corked

Was the rose “The Palm” Whispering Angel? We had the exact same problem with that wine being corked, so we switched to the other French rose (starts with a “V”).  Much better.  Also had same problem with a corked Petit Chablis.  
 

14 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

Not all the time but enough that it was something we mentioned to the head sommelier.  May be a storage issue.

Yes, definitely a storage issue. The Sommelier told us that when the Mariner was not operating during the pandemic, that the wines held onboard were not stored properly and they were getting too many bad bottles.  That’s why they always asked us to taste each new bottle opened rather than just go ahead and pour.  I would think that “old stock” that was onboard should be used up by now, but not sure of the onboard wine storage capacity. 
 

[Kwaj girl]

9 minutes ago, Sunprince said:

Was the rose “The Palm” Whispering Angel? We had the exact same problem with that wine being corked, so we switched to the other French rose (starts with a “V”).  Much better.  Also had same problem with a corked Petit Chablis.  
 

Yes, definitely a storage issue. The Sommelier told us that when the Mariner was not operating during the pandemic, that the wines held onboard were not stored properly and they were getting too many bad bottles.  That’s why they always asked us to taste each new bottle opened rather than just go ahead and pour.  I would think that “old stock” that was onboard should be used up by now, but not sure of the onboard wine storage capacity. 
 

 

Velastrel (sp?) was the rose we had - some bottles still were 'off.'  The Palm never was to my taste...RSSC used to have a better-quality Whispering Angel in years passed.

[Cruise Critic Chris]

A great day in Icy Strait Point! 

 

Carnival Splendor was also here. Both ships had problems with available excursions and we found out it's because Celebration, a parade/party for native Alaskans, is being held in Juneau this weekend. So not Regent's fault that there were few excursions to be had. 

 

We took the shuttle into Hoonah and wandered into the local tackle shop. This is where things got interesting. A local man named Jack Diamond was in there, telling a couple from Carnival that he had a tour company, Rivers Alaska, but no customers today. Would we all like to do a 2 1/2 hour tour for $80? He promised us that we'd see bears. 

 

What the heck, great price - far less than the official tours in ISP. So we hopped in his branded van. He stopped at his house to pick up his dad, Howard Diamond, and off we went. 

 

We not only saw a mama bear and her cub playing, we had several hours of entertaining stories and lore as we drove around the island. Jack is native and Howard is his adopted father. Howard came to Alaska in 1979 as a school teacher and has lived around the state. He knows everything about Hoonah and the area. 

 

At the end of the tour, Jack gave us a demonstration of cultural games that he coaches at the native Olympics. He and Howard recommended lunch at the local Fisherman's Daughter and it was delicious. Go early before they run out of halibut (we had to settle for rockfish). 

 

Rivers Alaska has a website, www.riversalaska.com. I definitely recommend this as an alternative in Icy Strait Point. Jack and Howard are quite the characters. 

 

I love it when travel magic happens and you have a better experience than you even thought you'd have! 

 

Edited June 12, 2022 by Cruise Critic Chris

[2012_Alaska_bound]

What a fun experience!

[NanJ0508]

21 hours ago, Cruise Critic Chris said:

Today we were at Hubbard Glacier. I was here once on Royal Princess and an excursion boat was available to take us closer to the glacier than we were today. Still, we had a great two hours here and the ship moved around so every side could have a great view. Mulled wine and hot chocolate were served and commentary from the bridge was given by speaker Karen Dodd. 

 

 

We were on the June 1 cruise from Vancouver to Seward. We had the same experience at Hubbard Glacier. The announcement was made when we arrived that due to the numerous icebergs in the bay the captain could not get us closer. A little disappointing but we know how it went with the Titanic..... 🙂

[Cruise Critic Chris]

A tale of two excursions... 

 

A fantastic morning hike in Juneau! I had signed up for the Adventure Hike at Mendenhall Glacier. It's billed as strenuous and I'd agree with that assessment, as there were a lot of stairs and uphill walking on uneven and damp surfaces. 

 

Regent contracts with Gastineau Guiding and their main naturalist Laurie was fantastic. She had so much enthusiasm for the flora and fauna. She really made the trip. 

 

We took the East Glacier Trail and saw very fresh bear scat along the route. All guides travel with bear spray, as black bears do live in the area. Luckily we didn't run into them. 

 

The day started off with rain but cleared up as we went along. Everyone on our hike had good rain gear and hiking shoes. If you like activity, I highly recommend this tour. 

 

After the tour, I went for a late lunch at The Hangar at the Wharf. This is one of my favorite Juneau stops. An Alaskan white and a bowl of halibut chowder hit the spot! 

 

I went back to the ship and took a nap for a few hours. My friend and I had signed up for the salmon bake so we headed there for dinner. We shouldn't have - the experience was underwhelming. We didn't stay long. I think this is one excursion you can skip - I would have been happier eating onboard. 

 

Both excursions were ones that were included in the fare. 

 

 

 

 

[wishIweretravelling]

On 6/10/2022 at 12:56 AM, RachelG said:

The welcome bottle of Vieve is in every room, not just those new to Regent.  

Actually, no. Vieve is only for those Titanium and above. Otherwise, it is a different brand (I'm blanking on the name).

[RetiredandTravel]

On 6/10/2022 at 7:51 AM, Kwaj girl said:

Definitely NOT Vieuve! Heidsieck Monopole is in all suites on embarkation.  VC is only  provided at embarkation for Titanium and above SSS members as well as those in upper/named suites.

 

Its nice to see Regent has moved back up to Monopole.  On our 2019 Mariner cruise they downgraded the champagne to something that retailed for $13.  This is what was served ship wide and was  complimentary in the room (concierge).  We did get Veuve on our first cruise in a veranda suite in 2016, that cruise served Monopole

 

Thanks for the report Cruise Critic Chris, one question.  Do the Regent employees all know you work for Cruise Critic?

 

 

 

 

[WineOh]

Please compare your Mariner experience to Silverseas cruise lines.

 

Are there any cruise lines which offer superb complimentary internet?

 

It seems incredulous that a $100mm+ cruise ship with state-of-the-art electronics and navigation systems could not EASILY provide complimentary high-speed internet to every guest.

 

If Elon Musk can do it for Ukraine, why can’t the cruise lines?!?!

Edited June 13, 2022 by WineOh

[Tutuma]

Hi,

 

We are new to Regent.  Will be on the 2023 World Cruise.

 

Since we have always been Seabourn people, wondering if you could so some comparisons between the two lines.  Especially interested in the condition of the suites and public areas (Seabourn vs. Mariner).

 

(We chose Regent for the World Cruise mainly because of the itinerary)

 

Happy Sailing!!

[cwn]

We like the Seabourn entry level suites better than Regent Mariner and Navigator. Seating area much more comfortable but over all we like the over all feel of Regent ships little better. About 200 days on each though.

[Cruise Critic Chris]

My first story from the trip is about the labor shortage here in Alaska this summer and how it might affect your cruise: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=6989

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

On 6/12/2022 at 4:06 AM, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Its nice to see Regent has moved back up to Monopole.  On our 2019 Mariner cruise they downgraded the champagne to something that retailed for $13.  This is what was served ship wide and was  complimentary in the room (concierge).  We did get Veuve on our first cruise in a veranda suite in 2016, that cruise served Monopole

 

Thanks for the report Cruise Critic Chris, one question.  Do the Regent employees all know you work for Cruise Critic?

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, the company knows that I'm with Cruise Critic. We do not travel anonymously. Not every person knows who I am, but I do talk to the hotel manager on every ship. I also like to talk to other passengers about their experience and if they feel they are getting value for their money. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

20 hours ago, WineOh said:

Please compare your Mariner experience to Silverseas cruise lines.

 

Are there any cruise lines which offer superb complimentary internet?

 

It seems incredulous that a $100mm+ cruise ship with state-of-the-art electronics and navigation systems could not EASILY provide complimentary high-speed internet to every guest.

 

If Elon Musk can do it for Ukraine, why can’t the cruise lines?!?!

 

I think your experience with any line is going to depend on how new the ship's hardware is. Mariner is not the same as Explorer or Splendor. Likewise, Silver Shadow is not the same as Silver Muse. 

 

I am a bit surprised that some things that I am used to on luxury lines are not being done on this cruise. There's no one welcoming you back with a hot drink, for example, which would have been welcome in chilly Skagway yesterday. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Skagway's excursion for me was the extra cost Jet Boat ride on the Chilkat River outside Haines.  I believe it was $170. 
 

This would have been excellent on a warm sunny day. That's not what we had, however. Temps were in low 50s, with steady rain. 

 

You can't predict the weather when you book. And we did see three different moose with calves. The guides were good. 

 

Still, I'm not sure I would do this again unless it was later in the season and the eagles were starting to return. 

 

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Today we have been docked in Ketchikan. It's my first time at Ward Cove which is a nice facility, but it's not nearly as convenient as being right downtown. Ships downtown today were Royal Princess, HAL Zuiderdam, Carnival Spirit and Seabourn Odyssey. 

 

We did an included excursion that went to the Lumberjack Show and the Saxman Totem Village. 

 

The Lunberjack Show is good fun! Cheesy, of course, but I enjoyed it. Fun for kids. 

 

I had been to the Saxman totem village before so I knew what to expect. We watched a video about the culture; saw some dances and visited the totem carving center. 

 

Master carver Nathan Jackson was in the workshop, along with two other carvers. He got up and answered a few questions. He's a legend so that was a real treat. 

 

My friend had never been to Alaska before so she appreciated the intro into Tlingit culture.

 

We didn't have a ton of time to spend walking around Ketchikan and many stores appeared closed. So rather than dealing with the shuttle, we just went back. A nice day, nonetheless, with little rain and warmer temps. 

 

 

[ronrick1943]

Nice photos and write up, enjoying your cruise.  Thank you.

[JandKsVistas]

We’re you able to use taxis or Ubers or Lyft to get to and from Ward Cove?

 

 

[ChucktownSteve]

9 hours ago, Cruise Critic Chris said:

 

Yes, the company knows that I'm with Cruise Critic. We do not travel anonymously. Not every person knows who I am, but I do talk to the hotel manager on every ship. I also like to talk to other passengers about their experience and if they feel they are getting value for their money. 

 

Chris,

Thank you for this excellent report and other linked stories. I am following closely since we'll be doing this cruise in three months.  I'm also enjoying the pics.

 

We were given Monopole when we embarked the Navigator last month. Then we were given a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for the first two bad evenings in Compass Rose.  We gave the two bottles to the hostess for taking very good care of us the rest of the cruise.

 

Chris, my question relates to your statement about speaking with other passengers on their experience and if they feel they are getting value for their money.   Do you feel that you are getting your value for the money on this cruise?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

18 hours ago, Tutuma said:

Hi,

 

We are new to Regent.  Will be on the 2023 World Cruise.

 

Since we have always been Seabourn people, wondering if you could so some comparisons between the two lines.  Especially interested in the condition of the suites and public areas (Seabourn vs. Mariner).

 

(We chose Regent for the World Cruise mainly because of the itinerary)

 

Happy Sailing!!

I think  you'll like Mariner, it's a lovely ship.  That being said, the standard balcony cabins on Seabourn (at least on Quests), are nicer.  You'll perhaps miss Seabourn Square, but Mariner's public spaces are spacious and well-thought-out.  I'm very jealous.  We were booked on the 2021 WC, and we all know what happened to that.

 

(BTW, that lumberjack show looks like it would appeal to more than kids, if you know what I mean.)

[cwn]

3 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

I think  you'll like Mariner, it's a lovely ship.  That being said, the standard balcony cabins on Seabourn (at least on Quests), are nicer.  You'll perhaps miss Seabourn Square, but Mariner's public spaces are spacious and well-thought-out.  I'm very jealous.  We were booked on the 2021 WC, and we all know what happened to that.

 

(BTW, that lumberjack show looks like it would appeal to more than kids, if you know what I mean.)

Totally agree with your comments, Wendy.