Confusing review--Voyager

[Stickrod]

Hi Everyone
I enjoy reading the cruise reviews, but I almost missed the review by Madam 81 as it was entitled Voyager of the Seas, along w/ the picture of a RCI ship, but then when I clicked on it, it was indeed a review of the Voyager. Just wanted to give the Regent fans a heads-up in case you want to read it.

[OrpingtonT]

Hi Everyone
I enjoy reading the cruise reviews, but I almost missed the review by Madam 81 as it was entitled Voyager of the Seas, along w/ the picture of a RCI ship, but then when I clicked on it, it was indeed a review of the Voyager. Just wanted to give the Regent fans a heads-up in case you want to read it.

I have now found and read this disappointing review. It doesn't seem to be representative of others in the Baltic but it seems genuine and I feel for her disappointment and problems after her holiday was cut short following a bereavement. For others, here is the link.

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=57595

[Host Dan]

This review will be re-branded as Regent Voyager. Thanks for the heads up!

Host Dan

[Stickrod]

You're very welcome! At first I thought it was just me, not having had my second cup of coffee this a.m. :-)

[nana541]

Wow, I did that exact cruise last summer (even the same dates) and that sure was not my experience!!!

[Travelcat2]

Interesting review. I hope the itinerary wasn't being rated:confused: Food is subjective -- we have found items that we love and others that we would not order again.

I'm only posting here because of the difficulty she had getting off the ship for an emergency. IMO this shows, once again, the importance of booking through a good TA rather than Regent. I know that our TA would be on the phone with Regent making sure that we were being taken care of. It is sad that she had this experience.

[Stickrod]

I so agree w/ you, TravelCat, about having a good TA, especially during a time of such sorrow w/ a death in the family. I know that a call to my TA would help alleviate much of the added stress at such a time.
We are thinking about trying the Navigator again either this spring or summer, possibly to Alaska (last trip w/ them was 2 years ago, which we loved). I read posts almost daily to keep up w/ the many changes/happenings!

[wripro]

From reading this review the one thing that sticks out for me (aside from the air ticket home issue) is the complaint about the port intensity of this cruise. In an effort to attract a younger demographic Regent has turned the Baltic itinerary into a 7 day one with 3 days in St. Petersburg alone and no sea days. This provides no time to rest up between ports and/or excursions. This itinerary used to be 14 days or at least 12 which was a more reasonable length of time to visit all these Baltic ports without becoming exhausted. A week is just not enough time.

[RachelG]

A couple of points: I suspect her view of the entire cruise was colored by the bad ending. I don't book Regent air because I prefer to just deal with this sort of thing myself.
As far as someone taking you to a table in La Veranda, I see no point in this unless you are disabled in some way. We always pick out our table and order drinks before loading up the plate at the buffet, so not an issue. Not sure why you would do otherwise.
As far as port intensive, you know that before you book the cruise. I love port intensive cruises and will pick them over ones with lots of sea days. Each person has their preference on this, but not a reason to bash the cruiseline.
Having been on Voyager multiple times in the past (and will be again in 3 weeks), I have never perceived any lack of service based on the staff not working hard because of the no tipping policy. They seem to work really hard to me and are generally very eager to help you. I have sailed on Celebrity, and staff was no better (for sure). Some were definitely worse. Our stewardess on our recent Voyager cruise was without a doubt the best we have had on any cruise on any line.

[ruechalgrin]

I posted a rather long review on this board today -- Baltics August 14th-21st. I go into more detail in my review, but thought I would give a couple summary counter-points here. I respectfully disagree with about all the negative points made by the reviewer here (perhaps just different experiences).

(1) Everytime we ate at the Veranda, we were personally escorted to our table -- we ate their 2x at dinner and 3x for breakfast. They also got our drinks for us promptly.

(2) Agree that the chef team was absolutely concerned about the presentation of the food. Living in Paris, France for the past few years, most chefs would tell you visual presentation, the aroma of the food, and the taste all contribute to the dining experience. I am glad the dining team cared about the visual presentaiton of the food. Was the food comparable to the best Paris eateries, of course not, but it was consistently excellent and the wine was very good also. I agree with the assesment of weak salads as my review states, high-quality was lettuce was not abundant. Prime 7 and Signatures were great.

(3) Room service was great. We received too much coffee every morning. While I prefer expresso and my wife cafe latte (sorry if wrong spelling), the coffee was basic american coffee which we did not object to.

(4) The staff was amazing. Every person greeted us warmly when we went past them from maintenance individuals to officers and everyone in between. The service level was comparable to some of the nicest hotels we have stayed in the world. Same with the dinning service experience.

(5) I went with 2 kids aged 4 and 7 (who just returned to Europe from the U.S. with one day before our cruise). They were able to keep up with 2.5 days of Saint Petersburg touring. Would I have liked to have a couple more days -- of course. It was clear when we booked there would be no cruising days and it was port-intensive. Saying that, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Visby could be 1/2 days each if you want more boat time.

Anyway, I feel very bad for the author for her family tragedy, but believe the service level on the Baltics cruise we sailed on was absolutely amazing. It is what would make me go back to RSSC again.

[LauraS]

Hi folks!

We'll be fixing that review today!

Laura

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

RueChalgrin...recommend you also consider posting your Voyager baltics review in
the revew section of Cruise Critic to help balance Madam 81's experience.

[ruechalgrin]

RueChalgrin...recommend you also consider posting your Voyager baltics review in
the revew section of Cruise Critic to help balance Madam 81's experience.

Thanks. I submitted about an hour ago. Does it take time to have somebody review it before allowing to be posted or did I do something incorrectly?

[Host Dan]

Thanks. I submitted about an hour ago. Does it take time to have somebody review it before allowing to be posted or did I do something incorrectly?
It will be reviewed, and most likely published in 24 to 48 hours.

Host Dan

[Mr Retired]

I respectfully disagree with about all the negative points made by the reviewer here (perhaps just different experiences).

Anyway, I feel very bad for the author for her family tragedy, but believe the service level on the Baltics cruise we sailed on was absolutely amazing. It is what would make me go back to RSSC again.

I totally concur with the above. We had no adverse experiences on our June Baltics cruise, our first on Regent. In particular, there was no sign whatsoever that the no-extra-tipping policy adversely affected the attitude of the staff.

So much is in the eye of the beholder... but who waits 2 hours to be served without making some sort of effort to flag someone down?

I can see that 3 days in St P on a 7 night cruise might seem imbalanced to some folks... but don't hammer Regent for what was perfectly clear beforehand.

[DocDesdin]

This is a port intensive itinerary with no sea days, which everyone is aware of beforehand. But what makes it exhausting is not the itinerary, but the goal to see everything in the short amount of time you have, fueled in no small part by the mostly free shore excursions. I am in my 50s and in good physical shape and I limited myself to two shore excursions per day, and only one shore excursion on the last day in St. Pete so that I wouldn't be completely exhausted. Complaining the trip was exhausting is similar to going to an all you can eat buffet and then saying you ate too much.

[jhp]

DocDesdin, it is always nice to see your posts! (Doc's been here a long time) So many years here, so few posts, but all of them give a tidbit of help that is out of the ordinary.

Ruechalgrin, I absolutely loved your review. This was an extraoardinary adventure for you and your children, and I appreciate the time you took to post all the details!

wripro: The one and only Baltics cruise I took was on the Navigator, back in 2001. It was 9 days, with no sea days that I remember other than the transit of the Kiel canal to end up in Hamburg. I'm not sure where they would put sea days in this itinerary. Can you suggest a different one that would work for Regent for a season? I love sea days on any itinerary and would love to visit the Baltics again.

Doc, your comments about the cruise being a "buffet" and how we often eat too much were amusing! I'm sure most of us are guilty of the same complaints.

[Travelcat2]

I'm viewing the OPS experience a bit differently. If Madam81 had expectations of having someone in La Veranda assist her with her plate to the table, this expectation was obviously not met. Whether you prefer to have your own plates carried to the table or not isn't the issue. It is the expectation of passengers on most luxury cruise lines.

In terms of the port intensiveness of this cruise. . . . 2009 is a totally different situation than anyone (including myself) who have sailed the 7 day itinerary in the past. Many of us used private tour operators. We set the pace and duration of our daily excursions. With Regent's "free" excursions this year, many of us may have felt the same way as Madam81 (or not - no way to gauge this)

I agree with Wes that everyone should post a review in the "Review" section of CC. However, I do not suggest that to "balance" a negative review. Each review needs to really stand on it's own. Members posting reviews on threads will not be seen by most people beyond a month or so. They fade into oblivion while the "Review" section remains indefinitely for members to refer to.

It's good for people to post reviews -- not necesssary to disagree with someone one else's experience. . . . . but to put their personal experience on the board for others to learn from.

[Caroldoll]

for everyone.

For myself and my DH, we won't go on a cruise that is NOT port intensive. Remember, there is no rule that you MUST get off the ship. Every port is not for everyone, but we like to have the opportunity to see something different if we want to.

I agree with Mr. Doc...it is like going to a buffet and eating too much to get off and do something every minute.

If Regent made all their cruises with lots of sea days, we would not be on Regent.

We love ports.

I feel for OP as she had a bad experience that was clouded her her own family problems. Let's not post and make Regent change their ways. I think 3 days in St. Petersburg is too much for me as I have been there before, but we are taking a Baltics cruise next June and we will REST one of those days, maybe two. I love the ports!

[yarlenna]

I love sea days, but I do love the port intensive even more. If I want to get into the port, I can. If not, I have a day on the ship to enjoy. Nobody is forcing anyone to get off the ship. When I was younger I used to get into every port and try to see EVERYTHING. After a few cruises like that I needed a vacation! Now, I pick what I want to do and what to see. When I get on the ship I am rested and ready for the day's events. Do I miss lots of stuff? Yes. But I get to enjoy every day without being overtired.

[HomeLover]

I think the OP's first paragraph says what the real problem was. Her expectations and excitement of being on a "luxury" cruise was too high before she set foot on the ship.
I was just on the Voyager a month ago, and there were times I could not find something on the menu that I wanted to eat. I am sure she did not understand that you can request many items that are not listed, and, if possible, they will oblige.
I am sorry for her personal problem, but I am also sorry that she seemed to be expecting more than any cruise line would offer.