RJ2002

I also agree with @papaflamingo . Would recommend that you research some of your preferred routings and deviate. Even though the recent chaos at the major European hubs seems to have improved, I would still avoid a connection at airports such as LHR, AMS, CDG, FRA, MUC, and connect in the US somewhere. If you are booked on the same carrier, you'll more than likely have domestic first class seating from AUS or DFW to your longhaul connection city.

I'll echo earlier comments. Really enjoyed reading your reports. I'm relieved that your flights home worked out OK, and kudos to Air Canada for making it work for you and your Mom.

Well said @papaflamingo

Sorry to read about these issues. Who was the General Manager on Navigator?

Yes, it seems most suites were converted to shower only ("star" on the deck plans). Always helps me to review previous guest suite comments here on CC, and of course review Bill's Suite Guru spreadsheets, in order to select our preferred suite. As to Wifi, I'd say that was the main shortcoming on our recent Explorer cruise. Regent has to do better. OP, also sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise.

Always good to read these types of reports. Glad you received your first choice. How long did it take Regent to respond to your TA with your flights, and did you have to pay any fare differential?

Agree with @BBWC. I think those are pretty good flights in general. Looking at your options on Google Flights, there are no non-stops out of ATL - as you noted. Your main options are a connection in New York or Chicago, and then on to Barcelona. Or, a flight from ATL to a European gateway and then on to Barcelona as you currently have booked. Before all the recent flight issues, we generally preferred long hauls to a European gateway so that we could maximize sleep (probably more of a consideration for those of us on the West Coast). The drawback for European connections is the intra-Europe business class concept (economy seat with the middle seat blocked). And there's the increased risk these days of baggage misconnections at a European airport. However, for now if it was me, I'd forego optimal sleep time in order to avoid a connection at a European airport. If you are ticketed on the same carrier, your odds are pretty good (but not guaranteed) that you'd have domestic first class from ATL to JFK/EWR or ORD, then of course business class on to BCN. Have you considered researching your preferred flights and paying the deviation? Might be a little late for that now. edit: as I mentioned upthread, we recently returned from our Explorer cruise (BCN-Rome), and used Regent Air, a first for us. It was a last minute booking and we could have never beat Regent's air credit amount on our own at that point. Regent booked us LAX-ORD-BCN, then FCO-ORD-LAX on American. It worked out well.

As your cruise continued, you probably discovered that each evening La Veranda is 'transformed' to the Italian venue, Setti Mare. Lots of dining choices on Explorer. Hope you were able to experience some of the other options. We were on Explorer a couple of segments before you (Barcelona-Rome), and I'm enjoying reading about you and your Mom's time onboard.

Really enjoying your travelogue. Looking forward to more.

Found this on the Virtuoso website: For more than three decades, we have been elevating ocean travel, becoming the most-inclusive luxury cruise line. To celebrate these last 30 years — and as we look to the decades ahead — we have curated and enhanced 30 unique sailings. Experience each of these 30th Anniversary Voyages, including commemorative pins and gifts, an anniversary party on each cruise, specialty drinks and one-of-a-kind dining options, alongside enhanced entertainment and more. Plus, as a thank-you to our loyal past guests, we’re offering double Seven Seas Society® savings* on these voyages. https://www.virtuoso.com/promotions/16264667/30th-anniversary-voyages# We were on Explorer recently, and received the commemorative lapel pins and gift (our gift was a set of coasters). I seem to recall there was a special 30th Anniversary menu one night in CR. Might check with your TA for specifics.

Check this thread, right at the top of the forum. edit: just checked after I posted. Doesn't look like there are any reviews of an H yet, but then again, there don't appear to be many H suites.

@Guerncruising is right... I don't need TOO many of these on a cruise. On the Explorer recently, I found them to be a little chewy and dense compared to previous cruises, but then again most of the breads and pastries on that sailing were not quite as good as I'd remembered. Maybe a new pastry chef? Will definitely give them another try next cruise.

Great shots of the Volvo museum. Enjoying your reports.

We just disembarked Explorer on Saturday in Civitavecchia, and a passenger on our transfer to the airport said that a crew member told her that masking for crew was ending as of the next segment (Rome-Athens). Can't confirm if this is indeed true... watching for comments from those currently onboard.

I will also share a positive experience. Booked the recent July/August Explorer sailing - Barcelona to Rome. It was a last minute booking, just outside the 30 day window where Regent still provided air. The same day I booked, I was assigned American Airlines flights through Chicago. All the flights operated on time, and thankfully there were no delays with luggage for me. No extended connection times. I will state that up return, FCO-ORD, I likely would have missed the connection in Chicago on to LA if I didn't have GE. There was a line as far as the line could see for passengers trying to pass through immigration. Thankfully I had Global Entry and was able to walk straight through. AA personnel in the baggage claim area said that passengers where waiting 2 1/2 hours to reach a CBP agent.

Thanks for taking time to share. Looking forward to your reports. We just disembarked yesterday, so I can tell you from very recent experience that you are in store for a wonderful time onboard Explorer. BTW, there were 40 guests under 18 years of age on our sailing. Enjoy!

Our first Regent cruise was aboard Mariner. You are in for a great experience. No need for beverage package! 😉

On Explorer currently, some passengers are quarantining in their own suite. I have not asked if the block of designated quarantine suites is full or not.

The current Social Hostess onboard Explorer is Rachel. In the daily Passages, it shows she has a nightly 6:45pm cocktail gathering in the Observation Lounge. Not sure if they continue on to dinner.

I always like to read reviews from someone's first cruise on Regent. Brings back great memories of our first Regent cruise. It is easy to get 'hooked' on Regent. The way Regent handles the post cruise survey is a pet peeve of mine as well.

I mentioned this on the Regent Flights sticky thread, but will restate here since it is pertinent. We recently booked a last minute sailing, within about 35 days from embarkation. This was just within Regent's window for providing air. Our flight arrangements showed up on our RSSC account the same day we made our full payment - so it was really fast. I would agree with previous comments that Regent seems to be prioritizing air arrangements based on sail date. At least that was my experience.

Just took time to look at all your Flickr photos @eroller. Great! Thanks very much for sharing them all.

Agree @Dwtlion. We prefer to deal directly with the Air Department. Our TA is busy enough already, without having to be the go-between for air matters that we'd prefer to handle ourselves. @Mike Moore Hope Regent will consider this option.

Yes, there have been changes. Check out this thread for the latest.

I think this is a good suggestion. I was looking at the options on Google Flights and really don't see anything with just one stop that doesn't involve lengthy layovers.