Jayayeff Posted September 26, 2008 #1 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I've just booked my first Regent cruise - Istanbul to Barcelona, June 20-30, 2009. It's a Spotlight on Cabaret cruise, has anyone been on one of those? I'd also appreciate any comments on the Cat. E suites on Deck 7 - as Cat. F was only available as a guarantee I've gone with an assigned suite on Deck 7 (726), as I don't know the ship I didn't want to risk not knowing where they would put me! I've read the mixed comments on Portofino but my question is, if I want to try it how do they accommodate solo passengers? Is it possible to join a table or would they seat me by myself (if so then that's a non-starter!)? I've only cruised with Oceania and Crystal previously on ships that have 2 or 3 alternative dining venues, is it very restrictive only having Compass Rose (plus Portofino if available) for 10 nights? I'm sure I'll have lots more questions but the above will do for now. Thanks - Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted September 26, 2008 #2 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Anne, Regent does very well with solo travelers. They usually have a meet and greet for others early in the cruise, and they will make sure you get invites to group tables. Once the maitr'd knows you are solo, they will make sure you are seated with others at dinner. Just remind them when you come to the dining room. As for Portofino's, make sure they know that when you make the reservation. It's certainly fun once. They also have a couple of "gentleman hosts", if you like to dance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzndiz Posted September 26, 2008 #3 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Wendy: thanks for mentioning the gentleman hosts.....are you "allowed" to use them even if you are with your spouse? My husband is a dud (when it comes to dancing);) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RachelG Posted September 26, 2008 #4 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Yes, you can dance with the gentleman hosts even if you have a husband. My girlfriend and I did this on our Greek cruise, and it worked out very well actually. A couple of dances with the guys, and our husbands started paying much more attention us instead of hanging out in the casino every evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted September 26, 2008 #5 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Our first cruise with gentleman hosts was on the Diamond, and a young wife with a fairly elderly husband completely monopolized one of the hosts. So yes, they will certainly dance with married ladies. They probably won't invite you to dinner, however! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzndiz Posted September 26, 2008 #6 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Rachel: it sounds like a plot line from an old "I Love Lucy" but I hope it works for me too :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare wishIweretravelling Posted September 26, 2008 #7 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I've sailed Regent solo a number of times. Not to worry on dining. Even if you don't go to the get-togethers, just tell the maitre d' that you want to be seated at a larger table with others, and he'll make sure you are. I have never felt unwelcomed at any table. Also, since the line has gone all-inclusive, I've found the social situation in the lounges much more conducive to mixing. Go, have a seat, order a drink and fall into chatting with whoever sits near you. or ask to join someone already there if they look friendly. When the line wasn't all-inclusive, the lounges tended to be pretty empty. No more. And, since there's no question about who will pick up the check, no one feels the need to be reticent about mixing. Since you mention there's only 2 restaurants, I'm assuming you're on the Navigator. The relatively small number of passengers on this ship makes the social situation all the friendlier. Also, every time I've sailed solo, I've been invited to an officer's table at least once on the sailing. I've been told that they try to invite solos to dine with an officer, but have never had that confirmed. But my experience would seem to support that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted September 27, 2008 Author #8 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Thank you all for your replies, especially the dining and solo meeting info. Wendy - I will pass on the 'gentleman hosts' and leave those to any ladies, married or single, in need as ballroom dancing is not really me.... Crys - Yes it is the Navigator I will be on. Does anyone have any comments on the Spotlight on Cabaret theme or the Cat. E suites on Deck 7 (I have 726 booked)... Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare wishIweretravelling Posted September 27, 2008 #9 Share Posted September 27, 2008 The general truism is that you can't go wrong with a Cat E forward cabin, which you have. The Cat Es are nice--though all the balcony cabins are pretty much the same until you get into the higher ends. It's all a matter of location. Deck 7 is relatively low, which means you feel movement less, and forward cabins do not pick up the vibration so often mentioned here (vibration which has never bothered me, but does bother some). I've never been on a cabaret spotlight, but I generally like the way Regent does its spotlights. The things associated with it are not in your face, and don't permeate the cruise, but are there if you want them. Have a great time. I'll be boarding Navigator in less than 2 weeks, for a 71-day trip, so obviously I like the ship. Not solo this time--I'm going with a friend I met on previous cruises. But solo or with a cabin-mate, it's always a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted September 27, 2008 #10 Share Posted September 27, 2008 The cabaret spotlight sounds intriguing. Sounds like intimate entertainment, which suits me. Let us know how it turns out. As for dancing, they will tutor you, those guys, if you ask them. We actually took a ballroom class on Voyager last year, and I've been rhumba-ing around the living room ever since. Fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebbieH103 Posted September 27, 2008 #11 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Both my Regent cruises have been solo, though I am married. My husband just can't travel as much as I do, and he doesn't want me to miss anything. The first time I went was Voyager, and I attended the solo get-together. I was barely 46 at the time, and I was the youngest there and always was the youngest at all the activities. This doesn't matter, though. An 85 year old guy that looked like Sid Caesar had me laughing so much, my face hurt. You are not obligated to hang with this group at any time, but you are always welcome. They typically meet officially or unofficially nightly and then go to dinner. The gentlemen hosts typically are at tables with both solo men and women and just help the social hostesses make sure people are welcome and enjoying. I certainly never stepped one foot on a ballroom dancing floor (though I did love the Halloween dance in Voyager Lounge). I think the "focus" on these cruises is not too heavy on the theme - and sometimes many are not even that aware it IS a theme. However, I am sure the cabaret part will be great. My second cruise, I met Crys and some others from another board, and we did our own thing AND joined up and had a ball, whenever we found each other or planned something, and I can't tell you how much that enhanced my trip. I spent special alone time, too, at least on my first cruise, and I discovered some neat things about Regent and the ports. I was not entirely in love with the Portofino menu on Navigator, but it was a super fun evening. I surely would not have missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy The Wanderer Posted September 27, 2008 #12 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Anne, you may want to see if there's a roll call for your cruise as well. Then you can meet a few people right off the bat. You can always start one if there isn't one. On the subject of Compass Rose, it's no hardship eating there for an entire cruise. Very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted September 28, 2008 Author #13 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Have a great time. I'll be boarding Navigator in less than 2 weeks, for a 71-day trip, so obviously I like the ship. Not solo this time--I'm going with a friend I met on previous cruises. But solo or with a cabin-mate, it's always a good time. Thanks for the additional info, I'm looking forward to trying Regent and to my fairly short trip in June next year. Sadly, I still have to work for a living so a 71 day trip would be a non-starter for me - however, I believe the one you are making stops here in Dubai for a few days, I hope you enjoy your visit, I must try and get over that side of town and see if I can't get a glimpse of the Navigator whilst she's in port... Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted September 28, 2008 Author #14 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Anne, you may want to see if there's a roll call for your cruise as well. Then you can meet a few people right off the bat. You can always start one if there isn't one. On the subject of Compass Rose, it's no hardship eating there for an entire cruise. Very nice. If checked the roll-call thread and this one but so far I appear to be the only CC'er on this sailing. I'll keep checking both threads and then start one about six months out if one hasn't already been started by then.... Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted September 28, 2008 Author #15 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Both my Regent cruises have been solo, though I am married. My husband just can't travel as much as I do, and he doesn't want me to miss anything. The first time I went was Voyager, and I attended the solo get-together. I was barely 46 at the time, and I was the youngest there and always was the youngest at all the activities. This doesn't matter, though. An 85 year old guy that looked like Sid Caesar had me laughing so much, my face hurt. You are not obligated to hang with this group at any time, but you are always welcome. They typically meet officially or unofficially nightly and then go to dinner. The gentlemen hosts typically are at tables with both solo men and women and just help the social hostesses make sure people are welcome and enjoying. I certainly never stepped one foot on a ballroom dancing floor (though I did love the Halloween dance in Voyager Lounge). I think the "focus" on these cruises is not too heavy on the theme - and sometimes many are not even that aware it IS a theme. However, I am sure the cabaret part will be great. My second cruise, I met Crys and some others from another board, and we did our own thing AND joined up and had a ball, whenever we found each other or planned something, and I can't tell you how much that enhanced my trip. I spent special alone time, too, at least on my first cruise, and I discovered some neat things about Regent and the ports. I was not entirely in love with the Portofino menu on Navigator, but it was a super fun evening. I surely would not have missed it. Thanks Debbie - I'm not concerned about being onboard 'solo'. I'm used to travelling alone and as my leisure trips are usually well earned (and well deserved) breaks from work I like to enjoy a mix of both 'me' time and 'shared' time. I will probably go to any initial 'solo get together' then play the rest of the trip by ear.....meeting up with fun, like minded people is more important to me than whether they are singles or couples.... Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebbieH103 Posted September 28, 2008 #16 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Anne, sounds like me exactly. With an attitude like that, you are absolutely guaranteed a wonderful time. Crys, I will be watching your and Beth's itinerary. I know you are going to see so many places. I hope you ladies have a lot of photo cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommy275 Posted October 3, 2008 #17 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I've only cruised with Oceania and Crystal previously on ships that have 2 or 3 alternative dining venues, is it very restrictive only having Compass Rose (plus Portofino if available) for 10 nights? We just got back from a cruise on the Navigator (first cruise ever, so I'm not sure how it compares). We're very much into food, and were worried that the food wasn't going to be all that good (good for a cruise we figured, but not good in general). However, we were pleasantly surprised with the Compass Rose, and very pleased with the number of options on the menu. I could have eaten there for 2 weeks straight easily. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick geek Posted October 3, 2008 #18 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Jayayeff-We are booked on that cruise as well. 3rd Regent sailing. We enjoy Regent very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayayeff Posted October 4, 2008 Author #19 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Jayayeff-We are booked on that cruise as well. 3rd Regent sailing. We enjoy Regent very much. Excellent, I was beginning to think there was something untoward about this sailing, in so much as it had no other CC'ers signed up to date...I know it's still 9 months away and these are 'troubled times' to be making holiday plans but I need to plan around set times for vacations from work. This sailing ticked all the right boxes and gives me the opportunity to try Regent... I look forward to meeting you onboard...We can start a Roll-call now and see if anyone else joins us... Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCCruzQueen Posted October 4, 2008 #20 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Excellent, I was beginning to think there was something untoward about this sailing, in so much as it had no other CC'ers signed up to date...Anne Anne, It's still early. I'm sure you will find more CCers to join you. Ten nights onboard is just right. The menu in the Compass Rose won't feel restrictive after you get onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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