Return to Regent on "Journey to the Arctic"

I am following your blog with great interest as we will be leaving on a very similar itinerary on Crystal on July 9. We will visit Norway, The Faroes and Iceland as well as several other ports.

 

I have been looking at the temps and am going to start packing next week. When you say cold, what level of cold ? [emoji4] Any tips?

 

Thanks so much.

Your itinerary looks amazing! We almost booked that one, but went with this one because of the addition of Greenland and because it departed earlier than yours (we're impatient lol). You'll LOVE the Faroe Islands - absolutely magical! I'll be back on in a couple of days (connection - dependent) to report on our first two ports in Iceland.

It's not bitterly cold in the ports - more chilly and mild, but the past couple of sea days have been bone-chilling. Scotland was wet and in the 50s, Faroes were sunny and in the 50s, and just arrived in Iceland and it is damp and in the 40s. We are just layering items on that we can strip off if we get too warm. We did buy long underwear in one of the ports just in case.

Michael

Your itinerary looks amazing! We almost booked that one, but went with this one because of the addition of Greenland and because it departed earlier than yours (we're impatient lol). You'll LOVE the Faroe Islands - absolutely magical! I'll be back on in a couple of days (connection - dependent) to report on our first two ports in Iceland.

 

 

 

It's not bitterly cold in the ports - more chilly and mild, but the past couple of sea days have been bone-chilling. Scotland was wet and in the 50s, Faroes were sunny and in the 50s, and just arrived in Iceland and it is damp and in the 40s. We are just layering items on that we can strip off if we get too warm. We did buy long underwear in one of the ports just in case.

 

 

 

 

 

Michael

Thanks for the advice. We had originally booked an Oceania cruise that hit Greenland, but ended up changing. It looks amazing too. Can't wait to read your reports.

Will pack warm clothes and layers ... Sounds like a big change from our Brazilian weather, lol.

We have a beautiful private tour planned for the Faroes. I can hardly contain my excitement!

We had a lovely day yesterday in Akureyi. Weather was cold and rainy, so our flight to Grimsey Island was cancelled. Instead we switched to a 4-hour bus tour (which we always hate) that allowed us to see the spectacular Godafoss waterfall. That was our second choice of sites behind the flight tour anyway, so it was great to be able to see it. We also spent an hour or so on our own walking the town. The setting was beautiful even with the inclement weather. This was long underwear and multiple layers kind of day. The rain felt like sleet. We saw a couple of whales on our sail out last night.

Today we are in Isafjordur and there are no words to describe how beautiful this port is. We are also fortunate to have amazing weather today - the first blue skies we've seen in days. Much warmer today where just a jacket is needed. This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen - charming town at the foot of towering peaks, beautiful birds and friendly people. Isafjordur is very special. When people have always told me how amazing Iceland is, this must be the town they are talking about.

However, Regent royally screwed up our tour booking. We had booked a kayaking tour for 1:50pm before we left home. Then a couple of days ago, we got a note on our door informing us that due to operational reasons with the port, we were being moved to the 9:50am tour and to pick up our new tickets. So I went to the shore excursion office and got tickets for the 9:50. Then yesterday, a lady from shore ex called to say there was a double-booking and she wanted to know if we wanted the 9:50 or 1:50 time. I said great, let's do the 1:50 if it's available now. So I went back down and switched the tickets out again. Then this morning at 9:45, we were leaving our room to get breakfast and saw tickets on our door for the 9:50 tour. So I went down to ask about this. The lady said "Where did you get tickets for 1:50?" I told her that the lady had given them to me yesterday. She made phone calls and told me that I needed to be on the 9:50. At this point it is 10:00. So then I call my husband and tell him to hurry downstairs and I run down to the gangway and the shore ex lady is mad at me for being late. This is the same lady who gave me the 1:50 tickets yesterday. This is also the lady who escorted the tour we did yesterday and she miscounted passengers and left two people behind at a coffee shop. Anyway, we ended up doing the kayaking trip after the embarrassment of being 15 minutes late. No apologies from anyone in the shore ex department - just an attitude like it was my screw up.

Iceland has been wonderful and everything we expected. Now we have two days at sea before we reach Greenland.

Prime 7 was last night's dinner and far exceeded what I remember from last time. Every course in our meal was an amazing experience and the staff could not have taken better care of us! Compass Rose food is becoming a little more hit and miss (more hits) and most things are moving a long very well onboard.

Michael

You did not stop in Reykjavik? Really looking forward to your impressions of Greenland.

Brazilgirl,

This cruise goes from Dublin to Iceland and Greenland, then back down to Reykjavik, which is the end of the cruise (for most, as we go on the next leg to Copenhagen).

You did not stop in Reykjavik? Really looking forward to your impressions of Greenland.

This cruise ends with an overnight in Reykjavik.

We spent all morning today cruising Greenland's Prins Christian Sund fjord. It was absolutely spectacular. We entered the fjord around 4am and sailed out around 10am. What a gorgeous morning. The sunshine was out and the icebergs were putting on a great show. The twists and turns of the fjord were impressive, and the mountains were incredible. This was a really great day. Tomorrow we arrive in Nuuk, where we have a whale watching excursion lined up.

Michael

Sounds a wonderful cruise. Jean.

txnAcquarian, thanks very much for sharing your Iceland/Greenland voyage with us--your wonderfully descriptive Iceland posts very fondly bring back memories of our Iceland cruise a few years ago.

Hopefully, you won't mind if I post a few pictures of the lovely port of Isaforjour and the magnificent Godafoss in Akureyri, taken from our (Silversea) Iceland cruise:

Isaforjour pix:

Akureryi Godafoss pix:

We're very interested in this part of the world (Norway too), so like your other responders, I'm much appreciating your reporting-- and others chiming in as well. Thanks for the good posts, and hoping for good weather for you for the rest of your trip.

Thanks everyone for chiming in with comments and photos!

We are in Nuuk, Greenland today. We are lucky with an extraordinarily beautiful day here. Not too cold - in the 40s and 50s, although much colder out at sea. The town doesn't offer much, but the landscape here is stunning. We are fortunate to be here with the sun hitting the snowy mountain peaks at just the right angle, the low fog and mist making the Voyager look like a ghost ship. It's just beautiful. It was like an episode of The Amazing Race with everyone from the ship trying to find wifi, which has not been working on the ship. We have a whale watching tour this evening - really excited to sail out into the fjord with this incredible scenery.

Service on the ship during week two has become much more inconsistent. Everyone is still incredibly nice, but the service flow is way off, such as getting incorrect drink orders or not getting drinks at all. The DVD player in our room wasn't working, so we called reception to ask for assistance. They said they would send someone. An hour later no one had come, so we called again. They then sent our stewardess who couldn't do anything obviously. So again we wait and wait.... The smiles are great, but consistent service delivery has to be there, too.

Went to a fun James Bond-themed event last night before dinner, followed by another delicious meal in Prime 7 (again confusing service).

Looking forward to the rest of our day in Nuuk and then two more Greenlandic ports.

Michael

Hi Michael, consistency is what makes a difference in a cruise line and you know this from your other cruises.

We were in Nuuk and it was beautiful but not much there to really see. The people were very nice but us two Florida boys were damp and cold. We are doing Antartica in Febuary for the third time on the Serenity because it is a place that never ceases to amaze us and we won't be in a cold climate for long.

We are also on this cruise with Michael.

I am keeping a log and photo page.

It is at BillinLodi.com

The ship's internet has problems getting a signal from up here in Greenland and they posted in "Passages" yesterday that the mechanical part of the antenna is broken and they have to fix it in Reykjavik on Sunday. They are trying to physically aim it. We are getting a few minutes of good internet here and there.

We are also on this cruise with Michael.

 

I am keeping a log and photo page.

 

It is at BillinLodi.com

 

The ship's internet has problems getting a signal from up here in Greenland and they posted in "Passages" yesterday that the mechanical part of the antenna is broken and they have to fix it in Reykjavik on Sunday. They are trying to physically aim it. We are getting a few minutes of good internet here and there.

Are you by chance from Lodi? I grew up in Stockton.

I will check out your blog now... Sounds like a wonderful cruise. I am in the van on my way to the plane and our North Circle cruise on the Symphony.

Hi Michael, consistency is what makes a difference in a cruise line and you know this from your other cruises.

 

We were in Nuuk and it was beautiful but not much there to really see. The people were very nice but us two Florida boys were damp and cold. We are doing Antartica in Febuary for the third time on the Serenity because it is a place that never ceases to amaze us and we won't be in a cold climate for long.

We would love to do Antarctica one day, but I can't handle more than 12 or 13 days on a ship. All of the cruises down there are a bit long. This one is 15 and I'm starting to go a little stir crazy lol

We loved Nuuk. It was absolutely gorgeous and the fjord cruise we did was beautiful. True, there's not much in the town, but the beauty of the area was impressive.

Today we are in Paamiut, a much smaller town. It was worth an hour walk. We did a nice hike up to a scenic look out. There is one cafe with wifi that was literally standing room only (two ships in port today). Quite funny.

I've really enjoyed what I've seen of Greenland - the sparseness makes it really fascinating to me.

Michael

Our friends are on this cruise and I was wondering why I haven't heard much from them! The Internet on Voyager in May was slow as molasses but, at least, it existed!

Are you by chance from Lodi?

Yes, I am from Lodi.

Today we are anchored off Qaqortoq, Greenland. No interesting excursions were offered here, so we just did our own thing and walked through most of the town. It's another gorgeous day here - didn't even need a jacket. We visited a couple of grocery stores (something we really love to do in different countries), walked the hills and got some lovely photos. I have really loved Greenland! There is not much at all in the towns, but the setting here is stunning. Last night we cruised along the coast and got to see some of the most gorgeous mountain ranges glowing from the midnight sun. The icebergs that are scattered through the town's harbors add a stunning touch. Today we sail at 3pm for Reykjavik, a day at sea tomorrow and then an overnight once we reach Reykjavik.

We've been skipping the shows, as the production ones we saw weren't that good and the other variety shows haven't interested us. We visited the casino last night and came out ahead. Tonight we go to Signatures for dinner....very excited since we haven't gone there yet on this trip.

The wifi has been very spotty, which has been upsetting a lot of people. I prefer not to come on a cruise and sit on the internet all day anyway, but I know a lot of people need to be in touch with work regularly (such as my husband). It's working now that we are in port, but no guarantees for the next day-and-a-half at sea.

Looking forward to a long workout today and then finishing up my book, so I don't have to pack it :)

Michael

Well, another cruise comes to a close. After a night of rough weather, we are making our way into Reykjavik late, around 6pm. Looking forward to exploring this city as everyone has spoken so highly of it. The shore ex team is scrambling to reschedule everyone's tours for this evening. This will be the first time in 50 cruises that I have done a tour the night be disembarkation. Feels weird to be packing, yet also touring on the last night. We are scheduled to do a tour to the Blue Lagoon this evening, and then tomorrow we disembark and fly home. Although we are taking the loooong route back to San Francisco - through Abu Dhabi so that we can fly on Etihad on the A380 in the First Apartment (yes, I'm an airline geek!).

This was a great itinerary! I highly recommend it to anyone who's thinking about it. All the ports offered something of interest to me, although I could've lived without the stop at Greenock, Scotland. We loved the Faroe Islands, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Greenland. It's not about the level of activity in the towns there, but the natural beauty of these areas. Also, since I'm a runner, I love any port where I can just step off the ship and go for a long run. The coastal sailing off Greenland was beautiful.

After 15 days onboard this ship, I fail to see the price vs product value. For a cruise in which we paid $40k, I was surprised to find things broken in the room. The crew on here have been incredibly friendly, but the service has been so disjointed, with drinks ordered that never came or wrong drinks being delivered. Either the crew is inexperienced or overworked, but they manage through it with smiles and great conversation. The shore ex office giving us tickets for tour times that didn't exist was odd, too, although they reimbursed all our tour costs for the whole cruise which I appreciated. Regent is not the same as it was when I did the bulk of my cruising with them back in 2004-2009. We might book again if there is an amazing itinerary, but will generally stick with other lines like Crystal and Azamara where we feel as if we get the product that we pay for.

Going to enjoy my last day onboard here (even though I've already lost Bingo today lol). Thanks to everyone who paid attention to my little posts on here. If anyone has questions about these ports we visited, feel free to ask.

Michael

Michael,

Thanks for your posts and reviews of the cruise. It's been very enjoyable. It's an itinery we consider but it's always timing dependant on booking leave. You have been honest in noting the cruise has not been to the same level of standard you were used to on previous Regent cruises.

Have a wonderful tour this evening, and a great flight home. Thanks again, Jean.

Michael, thanks so much for your informative thread.

It was a good read.

I am also a traveler who enjoys visiting grocery stores. Always interesting.

We would love to do Antarctica one day, but I can't handle more than 12 or 13 days on a ship. All of the cruises down there are a bit long. This one is 15 and I'm starting to go a little stir crazy lol

 

We loved Nuuk. It was absolutely gorgeous and the fjord cruise we did was beautiful. True, there's not much in the town, but the beauty of the area was impressive.

 

Today we are in Paamiut, a much smaller town. It was worth an hour walk. We did a nice hike up to a scenic look out. There is one cafe with wifi that was literally standing room only (two ships in port today). Quite funny.

 

I've really enjoyed what I've seen of Greenland - the sparseness makes it really fascinating to me.

 

Michael

The longest stretch we were on was on the Symphony for 34 days and that was too long for us.

We wanted to do the Christmas cruise on the Mozart but we have to go to a wedding in Buenos Aires. I am sure that cruise will be beautiful.

Safe travels home.

Miles

Tell me what you think of the Blue Lagoon. We have been to Iceland 3 times, but have never gone there, preferring to spend time hiking.

Also the etihad first class--want to hear all about that!

Tell me what you think of the Blue Lagoon. We have been to Iceland 3 times, but have never gone there, preferring to spend time hiking.

 

Also the etihad first class--want to hear all about that!

Rachel we have been in the Eithad Aparment and on a longer flight. You have your own butler and food preferences can be booked in advance. Very similar to Emirates and Quatar...they are all excellent.

If you have a great TA, which we do, you do not pay the published price but it still is expensive.

On Emirtates and all the Middle East airlines in business and first they will limo you to their hotel if you have a long layover. BA does nothing for you. You just can't beat these airlines including Asian carriers such as Singapore or Cathay and we never pay full fare for first class but you need to know how to do it and plan ahead.

Here a a brief summary of the Apartment from YouTube.

Thanks for the info. I know you can use AA miles to book F, but not the apartment. We have been in just business on Qatar Using miles, and it is awesome.

Rachel, we used a ticket consolidator as the AMEX miles would not work either. We were simply upgraded but paid more money. That being said, you can't beat these airlines either in business class or first class they are all amazing. Once you are spoiled you are forever spoiled. Sadly, none of the US carriers provide anything comparable on international.

As for our cruises we book our own air we don't want a cruise line doing this for us. What really still pisses me off is that shoddy BA charges you in biz class to book your seat in advance even when you paid the fare. Shame on them.