Regent $20M Refurbishment Complete

[Travelcat2]

The following article appeared in Frommers cruise newsletter today:


Regent Completes $20 Million Fleetwide Refurbishment
Three of the four ships operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises (tel. 866/284-4079; www.theregentexperience.com (http://www.theregentexperience.com/)) were launched within the past eight years, but even white-shoed luxury passengers inflict a little wear-and-tear on a vessel. And besides, you gotta keep up on the gizmos if you wanna keep up with the Joneses. Thus the $20 million Regent poured into its vessels during their recent dry-docks, updating many aspects of the passenger experience and adding a few new ones while they were at it. The 700-passenger Seven Seas Voyager (http://www.frommers.com/trip_ideas/cruise/line.cfm?linecd=REGENTSS&shipcd=VOYAGERS) and Seven Seas Mariner (http://www.frommers.com/trip_ideas/cruise/line.cfm?linecd=REGENTSS&shipcd=MARINERS) and the 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator (http://www.frommers.com/trip_ideas/cruise/line.cfm?linecd=REGENTSS&shipcd=NAVIGATO) all received:

Communications upgrades, including wireless service for laptop computers, faster Internet connectivity overall, and onboard cell phone service
iPods with Bose speakers in the Butler suites
Improved bed linens, duvets, cashmere throws, and bathrobes; new towels and slippers; and new Regent-brand bathroom amenities
New carpeting in public areas
Nespresso coffee machines in each of the ships' Master and Grand Suites; a new espresso bar in the ships' Club.com computer lounges; and a new Deck Six coffee and snack bar aboard Seven Seas Mariner
An a la carte butler menu in suites with butler service
Improved gym facilities aboard Seven Seas Navigator
New entertainment programming aboard the Mariner, Voyager, and Navigator, including a new nine-piece bandThe line's fourth ship, the 330-passenger Paul Gauguin, completed extensive refurbishments in 2006.

[count florida]

They forgot to mention that they renovated more baths on the Mariner to replace those high, dangerous bathtubs with large walk-in showers. A big plus for those of us getting on in years, or less steady on our feet!

[BILLP1]

What no Plasma TV'S? Even a Hampton inn that we were in recently had them..

[ITravelNow]

Bill - according to Mark Conroy, they are still trying to figure out where to put them in the Suites - they've even considered placing two - one on the wall at the foot of the bed and another in the wall unit opposite the sitting area. The configuration of the current cabinet holding the TVs is too deep - causing a view problem if the new sets are placed there.

Maybe someone else will know if they have figured this out - when we were on the Navigator there was a flat screen in the living room of the Navigator suite but the conventional set in the bedroom - that was in 2006.

[BILLP1]

One would be fine. I guess a delicate decision like this takes time but pick a wall....

[Judyumcer@aol.com]

They even had them on our river cruise last fall on Vantage. A beautiful TV in our suite. Regent better get with the program and get them installed. People do want them.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It's beyond me why anyone on a cruise of less than a couple of weeks would want to watch TV or movies. On a longer cruise with lots of sea days I can imagine. As for the plasma screens, uh, what's the big deal?

[linda_22003]

We didn't need TV; we had a balcony! :)
The only thing I really used the TV in the room for was to see the view from the front of the ship, and to get some background on a shore excursion.

[Iamboatman]

It is not about whether you use it or not, it is the perception of luxury and being up to date. I may not use all the towels or the glassware in the suite...and most certainly not all the silverware in the dining room... but it is the perception of luxury that is being conveyed.

When the other lux lines have them and you can purchase them relatively cheaply, the question is legitimately raised.