Embarkation

[chrislcruise]

We just received our cruise docs for the Dec 18 Voyager cruise. It says we may not board til 2:30pm.

Is this the case or will they let you board before published time?

thanks.....

[Travelcat2]

Our experience has been that they allow boarding beginning at noon. The suites, however, will not be ready until approximately 2:30 p.m. (they announce when you can proceed to your suite). La Veranda restaurant has a buffet set up so you can enjoy a leisurely lunch.

[chrislcruise]

Thanks, Travelcat2!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your postings, you are a wealth of knowledge.

[Jim B]

On almost all of our cruises when we arrived about
12:30 to 1:00 pm. No problem boarding but like said you have to wait until about
2:30 pm before they make the announcement that you may go to your cabin.

TWICE we got to the pier only to be delayed and have to sit there and wait until they opened the gates so we could proceed to the ticking agents.
Not Regents fault. Customs doing their thing. Got on the ship about 2 pm then.

We've kind of started dragging our feet a little and try to get there around 1 to 1:30
because of this.

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

Here is what is posted on the Regent site:

Embarkation/Disembarkation

The ship is ready for embarkation between 12pm (noon) and 1pm. However, the suites are not usually available before 3pm. If sailing from a U.S. port, in order to meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements, all guests must embark the ship no later than an hour and a half prior to sailing time. All other sailings require guests to embark no later than an hour prior to sailing time. For disembarkation, guests should plan on vacating their suites shortly after the scheduled arrival time into port. Cruise-only guests should not schedule flights prior to four hours after disembarkation.

[Travelcat2]

Thanks, Travelcat2!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your postings, you are a wealth of knowledge.


Thank you;) There are many people on CC that enjoy sharing their experiences with others in the hopes that it will make their trip a bit easier. We still use CC to learn about places we have yet to visit.

Hope you have a great cruise!

[DebbieH103]

Cruisel, our docs mentioned 2:30, but when I went on Navigator from FLL, they let us board at exactly noon, and by then there were quite a few people there waiting. If you go on early, you are able to have a nice lunch and relax a bit and then address your luggage and unpacking situation before the boat drill. We are all boarding after the dry dock, so I don't know if that will present any issues or not.

We are coming in on Continental at 10:25, so we will be anxious to board early.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

When we boarded Navigator in FLL right after drydock we had to wait in the port waiting area for almost an hour, because the ship wasn't ready to board (we had gone about noon.) And they were still bustling around finishing things when we boarded. Cleaning up, changing light bulbs, doing the Christmas decos, things like that.

[Travelcat2]

Wendy brings up a good point. . . . this is right after drydock. This can definitely make a difference. As anxious as I would be to board, I would probably wait until 1 p.m.

[DebbieH103]

That was why I mentioned the drydock (potential delays), but I hadn't thought about the decorations and such. I do think they will get us on as quickly as possible.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Originally the entire fleet had a 3 p.m. embarkation. They only started letting people on earlier, except for the PG, when people started showing up early. I think it makes it tougher for the ship. If it's a nice day in FLL, why not go for a walk on the beach instead, or shopping on Los Olas? Show up at 1:30 or 2 p.m. instead of 12, and you'll glide right in!

[DebbieH103]

Last time, I was there at a few minutes after 11 and was about the 7th person on the ship. They took us 12 at a time into the line and probably had about 5 rows of people there waiting to get on.

I don't like Regent embarkations as it is, but I do appreciate them letting people on early and plan to look at it a bit more favorably than my previous harsh reviews of it (I'll try).

Todd used to live in Fort Lauderdale, and on our May cruise, I thought he'd want to look around, but all he wanted to do was get on the ship and get the cruise started. We'll see how it goes, but we will definitely want rid of our stuff.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well I can understand if you're not overnighting there but coming straight from an airplane. Luggage can be the big hassle I guess. I just rued the fact that we bothered trying to get there early when we could have had the doorman hold our bags for an hour or two and we could have gone for a nice walk looking at the waves. Not that iwas unpleasant in our case, they just sat us in a big room and gave us champagne. But...

[cruzndiz]

I notice that RSSC doesn't seem to make a practice of boarding people early (for example, my NCL cruise last month, I was on board, in my bathing suit, sipping my first cocktail poolside before 12:30). If that truly is the case where Regent pax are let aboard later, does that mean they don't rush you off first thing in the morning as soon as the ship docks?? That would be a big plus!

[DebbieH103]

Good point, Wendy. I know in Rome, I stayed at Hassler and had a great lunch and then went to see the colosseum and came down there at 2:30, but being FLL, we want to get on. That is about the only place I would do same day. It is great that you brought this up because it really is important to consider each situation and location. If we are in a hotel, we do stay and enjoy it and don't just tear off after breakfast.

The big ships have a ton of people to board, so they do spread these things out for ours, then there is Silversea where you have to pay IF they have it for that cruise. We love our early embarkations on SS when we get them, but they cost us $200 for two, and we also do enjoy a place and board at the regular time when it makes sense.

Cruzndiz, you have time to have a nice breakfast, something I always do. Lots of people get off, and there will be plenty of color calling, but if you have independent plans, you can stay on till 9:45 (they don't mean 9:46, either). You do have to give up your cabin earlier than that, and I would stick the private sign on in the a.m. or they may bust in by 7:30. That happened to me on Navigator. I sent them away and stayed till the permissable time.

[Island Cruiser]

We made a last minute decision to try early boarding on Silversea's Silver Whisper last April in Dubai. They let us do it. We paid $100pp. We boarded at noon, had a liesurely and excellent lunch in The Restaurant, and then learned about the added bonus you get paying to board early on Silversea--they notify housekeeping and housekeeping prepares your cabin on a priority basis. We were unpacked and sipping champagne when standard boarding commenced. We have congradulated ourselves on making this decision ever since. We would have spent $75pp on lunch and libations back at our hotel.

Regent's early boarding practices are GREAT given the price. (Love my steak sandwich and fries from the Pool Grill!) But we think Silversea offers a great alternative--a full meal in The Restaurant followed by early access to your cabin.

[Gail C]

Island Cruiser, we did exactly the same thing and were so pleased we made that choice. To have had a lovely lunch such as we had on board with wine, including tax and tip would have been right up there close to $200. We ate leisurely and were in our cabin with our luggage by the time we finished.

[Travelcat2]

Well I can understand if you're not overnighting there but coming straight from an airplane. Luggage can be the big hassle I guess. I just rued the fact that we bothered trying to get there early when we could have had the doorman hold our bags for an hour or two and we could have gone for a nice walk looking at the waves. Not that iwas unpleasant in our case, they just sat us in a big room and gave us champagne. But...

I'm a bit confused. . . did Regent check you in, give you champagne and make you sit in a big room somewhere? Could you elaborate on that a bit?

also.......Originally the entire fleet had a 3 p.m. embarkation. They only started letting people on earlier, except for the PG, when people started showing up early. I think it makes it tougher for the ship.

We heard that it was much more difficult on the crew when passengers stay in their suites until the last minute. They need the time to redo the room. We've even let them in early to work on the beds, even though we had not vacated the room. Regent appears to be completely ready for the people that board at noon. All check-in stations open -- buffet and staff ready, etc.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Don't know if you've embarked in Fort Lauderdale, but it's a big port. Each berth has a big building to process passengers. We sat in a large waiting room, probably about 100 people. Then they called us up a bunch at a time for check-in and boarding.

[DebbieH103]

Pat, it was in Dubai that we didn't want to do the $100 on SS because we were at Jumeriah Beach Hotel, and it was just divine. In Antigua, they did not allow it because the previous cruise had been a charter. We boarded early both times in San Juan. Once, they said it would not be allowed, but we were staying across the street at Sheraton and walked over and got on. We got scolded, but they took the money.

On Regent in Rome, I wanted to spend as much time as possible there, but I loved getting on early in FLL. By then I already expected not to be wowed by embarkation, but this time, I am taking (trying) the attitude you mentioned, great for the price. Certainly beats lunch at the airport for sure!

[Travelcat2]

Don't know if you've embarked in Fort Lauderdale, but it's a big port. Each berth has a big building to process passengers. We sat in a large waiting room, probably about 100 people. Then they called us up a bunch at a time for check-in and boarding.

We boarded in Fort Lauderdale last year. We were the only ship in port -- that probably made the difference. When we embark in February, there will be quite a few more people. It would be great if we could just fly in and go directly to the ship. Unfortunately, that isn't possible when flying from the west coast. My experience with with Regent for both embarking and disembarking has been excellent. The best was in Vancouver -- the "least best":confused: would be Ft. Lauderdale.

[OrpingtonT]

. The best was in Vancouver -- the "least best":confused: would be Ft. Lauderdale.

My experience was exactly the opposite. Vancouver was horrendous, but to be fair this was because of the customs formalities. We walked down from the Pan Pacific above and were then held outside customs for a long time (seats available). Then there were long queues to the two customs officers. Once through we were welcomed very quickly through the Regent formalities and greeted by the Captain on board, though at that time we didn't know who he was as he had a lounge suit on.

At FL, we were shuttled from our hotel, Pier 66, and though there were two or three people before us in the Regent queue (mostly people who had dashed off our shuttle ahead of us :)) we were quickly dealt with and on board.

I suppose it is all a matter of luck. Regent do their best and do it well.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Last year in FLL it was very pleasant, although it was stll the "big port" experience. Navigator and Voyager were both there that day, and there were uniformed gentlemen making sure that you were headed for the right ship. Everything went very smoothly.

Monte Carlo was the worst I think. Just because we had to stand in line, and there seemed a fair amount of disorganization involved. Once aboard of course it was wonderful.

The best? Athens, on Diamond. Got out of the cab, walked in, smiling people awaiting us, champagne soon in hand, escorted to our cabin immediately.

Of course embarking on the Paul Gauguin is always very pleasant; smiling, beautiful people hovering around you! Yeah, 2 and a half weeks!

[DebbieH103]

On the debarkation this time, we decided to take the 2:20 flight vs. the 11:05 am flight home because we don't want to give up a single moment in the morning. Continental has a policy that you can pay $25 and board the earlier flight if there is any availability. If we make it, we make it, and if not, we will hang at the airport.

[azgkrudi]

Of course embarking on the Paul Gauguin is always very pleasant; smiling, beautiful people hovering around you! Yeah, 2 and a half weeks!

Our first PG welcome was that way...our last one was not. We were standing at the airport for an hour awaiting our transfer, with no explanation from anyone. There was no Regent rep present.

We later found out we were waiting for Regent's ocean photography group to get off our plane or come in from another plane. We spent all that time waiting for someone in Regent's employ - that left a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. We were all transferred and when we got on the ship, the reception people were pretty tired. This was around 8:00pm. We finally got to our suite at 9:00pm. I mentioned this all on the comment card, and to this date, have never received a response. :(

Oh well, I know this has to be the exception to the rule.

[Host Dan]

Our first PG welcome was that way...our last one was not. We were standing at the airport for an hour awaiting our transfer, with no explanation from anyone. There was no Regent rep present.

We later found out we were waiting for Regent's ocean photography group to get off our plane or come in from another plane. We spent all that time waiting for someone in Regent's employ - that left a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. We were all transferred and when we got on the ship, the reception people were pretty tired. This was around 8:00pm. We finally got to our suite at 9:00pm. I mentioned this all on the comment card, and to this date, have never received a response. :(

Oh well, I know this has to be the exception to the rule.
Kristin,
Your embarkation experience was totally unacceptable. I would write a letter to the main office and let them know first hand. What a horrible way to begin your holiday! I hope the rest of the cruise made up for it!

Host Dan

[azgkrudi]

Thanks, Dan - I probably should have, but it's been almost a year since the cruise. I just let it go. Like I said, I doubt this type of thing happens often. The rest of our Regent embarkations have been excellent.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, I was talking about actually embarking on the ship.

The local tour agent for Regent, which was Tahiti Nui Travel, and may well still be, has always been uneven, in my experience. But then again, it's the islands, they don't hurry there, and a service mentality is not one of their strong points. I've had awful service at the ICB, for example. And been kept waiting in a hot bus, and standing in line for one coming and going.

But the Regent staff themselves, at the ship, are great, or always have been for me.

[azgkrudi]

But the Regent staff themselves, at the ship, are great, or always have been for me.

Us too...that's why I was surprised at never receiving a reply to our comment card while on board. I am sure it must have gotten lost in the shuffle. We still love the PG and would absolutely love to return (but it's not in the cards for us during the rest of the short time that it's part of Regent).

[JDRMYS]

On Regent ships we have usually been able to go directly to our suite to drop off our carry-on bags. We introduce ourselves to the butler or stewardess and ask if we can store our carry-ons in the closet while we go to lunch on deck and make reservations for Signatures. By the time we get back, our suite is usually made up. If it isn't, we go out to sit on deck or in one of the lounges. It has always been a pleasant experience.