DeepFreeze63

Well, we now know that Explorer is: beautiful, spacious, likely to have 3 specialty restaurants, and likely to provide "big" comfortable beds. I suggest that we now take up the challenge to Regent for: practical as well as comfortable seating in Lounges; "enough" electrical outlets in the cabins to handle modern needs; and "sufficient" vanity space. The latter is my "holy grail" as I'm tired of sitting enjoying my wine and canapes as my DW gets ready for dinner and hear her #@*! about not enough space on the vanity.

Unless I'm missing something, aren't there exactly two category H mini suites on the entire ship? If so, it seems like it's hardly worth mentioning them. They don't define the ship any more than the 3,000 square foot Regent suite does. It's unlikely that we'll stay in either one.

 

What will define the ship, imho is the larger balconies. And the extra space is depth, it'll be usable too.

Well said. There is a lot to like about the Explorer; not the least of which is it'll provide more itineraries - hopefully new and/or interesting! I'm having fun pouring through the info but I'll hold judgment until some of you write actual cruise experiences. I have a "significant" birthday in 2017 and would love to find that the Explorer is THE place to spend it.

Those cruises aren't selling well. Probably because of the turmoil in Russia and its flexing its muscle near its borders. Great opportunity though\; we're booked.

I'm sure that others will comment also but from my experience:

yes, you can use OBCs at Canyon Ranch

I think that my bed on the Voyager was listed as a "European King".

Great idea to start this thread; I hope that you get some good responses so I can consider cruises with our older grandkids.

My DW and I loved our 6 Regent trips (2 more booked). Not only the "all-inclusive" aspects but also: interesting fellow passengers, the genuine friendliness of the crew, the terrific cabins (especially the beds and walk-in closets), and the size of Mariner and Voyager (not too big and not too small). The adults will love it.

Complication is the teenagers! Maybe, Regent's "cousin" line Oceania would be better. I'm taking my 17 year-old granddaughter on a Regent 30 day Baltic/Norway this June. We got a terrific fare for her as she is under 18 and will share our room Your boys would need a second cabin but any of the "smaller" cabins would be great for them. Our GD should do fine with us as she is very personable and loves to sing, dance (there's Kareoke and the dance troupe is often on duty in a lounge) and hike with me. For her, our up-coming itinerary is for all new places.

I'm not impressed! At least as yet - the devil is in the details. Hope you're right about more specialty restaurants. I'd hoped for more space on the counters in bathroom, on desk and for makeup vanity. Smaller beds in "Deluxe" cabins is a bummer. Fewer Laundry rooms - really? A Horizon lounge that's not on the horizon!

Well, we have opted out of any early trips on Explorer.

Stayed in Istanbul for 3 nights at the Hilton in Old Town across from University, near the Covered Bazaar, and on the tram line. Super location. Very nice hotel; we had a room at the back which was quiet.

Stayed in Dubai at the Hilton on the Creek. Nice property with a super restaurant. Fun to use the abras for water travel.

My opinions: We've traveled six times on Regent and loved them - 3 were on Voyager. we generally get a deck 6 or 7 mid-ship, Category G or F. We did a recent 3 week in a B on Voyager deck 6 that we got on a bargain upsell and had a butler - not worth the full fare but super at a bargain price. The standard cabins on Voyager are great and lower mid-ships has less sway and no vibration.

What a great read on Christmas morning; thanks for your reporting.

Best wishes for the trip home.

Happy Holidays!

Jim C

1982... thanks for being diligent with daily updates.

 

Will you have any pictures for us when you return.

 

I ask because, reading the dialogs, I am less and less persuaded to do that African itinerary.. one that we have been seriously considering.

 

Dubai was on our targets as well, and it sounded quite unappealing.

Hi: I'm also following this thread as we may do a future Regent/Africa cruise.

Just off our 6th Regent cruise that ended in Dubai; Dubai (and Abu Dhabi) are great short stops.

In Abu Dhabi, we did the Regent tours: "Off -road through the Dunes" was thrilling while "Tea at the Emerates Palace Hotel" was delightful. I wish we had had another day there.

We stayed over in Dubai for 2 full days. Loved the clean, neat town. Shopped the Gold Souk (it has 350 stores), the fascinating Spice Souk next door, and the old soul across the "Creek". The Dubai Museum is a wonderful little place) go when the crowds from the ships haven't arrived).

Cruised and crossed the "Creek" (which is really a big waterway) in one of the little motorized, raft-like abras. That was fun and inexpensive.

We went crazy and had the tasting meal at Burz Al Arab. A great venue but go for lunch at the top floor . Much cheaper and you can see more during daylight.

Thanks people for an enjoyable read. I'm reminded:" Different strokes for different folks".

We're committed to Regent for various reasons but it is fun to explore our options. We're having some issues with Regent about their re-pricing policies so we've been "thinking"!

The Mariner converted to mostly showers a few years ago. We only use showers on Regent. The deck layouts show the "shower cabins" with a STAR.

The premier Wine list (loose) is in the cabin in the info book. Maybe some can have it scanned in to this thread. Ask at the computer room. I have a copy but, sorry, this MIT engineer doesn't know how to scan!

We were on the Istanbul to Dubai cruise which also did not sell well. Price dropped $3000.

Regent offered us (through our great TA) an upgrade from G to B, which we declined in favor of $3000 OBC (used most of it for Regent Choice excursions which we loved. Regent also made "an unbelievably great offer" to those on the cruise following our cruise to come on for our leg. Regent also had a group of TAs from Central/South America and their families on board for 10 of the 21 days. Lots of Swedish couples that were happy with their "special" price. As our TA told me Regent finds novel ways to fill the cruises.

Thanks for the memories. We visited the Taj in 1981 (when the Russians were the pre-dominate visitors); I still can visualize its beauty. Also had an interesting airport security "event". I had uncut gem stones from Thailand in my pocket - WOW did that get Security excited!

Just confirmed that the two postcards that we sent from the Reception Desk of the Voyager in early November to our grandson had arrived. Nice way to save postage and time finding foreign stamps.

Just off the Voyager from Istanbul to Dubai. Our Complimentary Wine list was similar BUT NOT the same as your Mariner list. Our list had twenty whites and blushes and 18 reds. I like d to have the Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio ($24/bottle at discount in Va.) while wife often had Cellier du Rhone's Chateau Neuf du Pape ($20/bottle @ home). We often tasted the wine offered at the meal and decided then whether or not to try another. You're right; you can have any of the wines on the list at any of the venues any night.

The "Connoisseur Wine List (in the info packet in your room) is very extensive and not all of those wines are expensive.

Just got copy of available wines. No complimentary NZ cAb sav; one (Clouudy Bay Estate is available for $52). Twenty included whites are available with 2 cav/sav (Franceu and Chile). Eighteen reds.

Our extra cost wine tasting lunch was cancelled - only two cabins signed up!

We are in Muscat, Oman. Lovely - ringed by mountains, green, clean, neat, and people are friendly. The Sultan, whose birthday is today, built a beautiful country. Oil money spent wisely - no taxes, free education provided for ALL children, free health care, free land for any family when the man is over 24.

Did the "Splendors of Muscat" tour - very enjoyable. Had 3 photo stops (mosque, town overlook, Nd royal palace). Visited a small museum - interesting but maybe too long! Also stopped at Muttah souk . Some nice fabrics and souvenirs as well as the usual not so nice stuff. Many stoes close from 1 to4 .

It is a great trip! Lecturers are Dr. Isbouts, a historian from, California who did the fascinating cultural talks ( he leaves the ship today) and Hugh Neighbors, a retired Naval Officer/State Dept., who did the destination ( and nearby areas) talks.

Fabulous "Bond" show last night! Usual quiz but dance routines were spectacular - lead male dancers stay on until March. Mother of one has been on board to celebrate her son' birthday.

We had a safe, secure, and fun night. Mad- cap " country fair" was held inside because of wind. Ray's puppet was,as expected, marvelous. Had a Japanese warship escort us.

Had a fun dinner in Signatures with Staff Captain Vasta; he leaves in Dubai for vacation at home in Sciliy. He is a great diner companion; I peppered him with questions about navigation. Chef Kelley stays aboard; DW loves his pastries and desserts (other than the cupcakes).

3rd sea day; entering Gulf of Aden. Have had an anti- piracy drill - go into hall and sit on floor. Ship will be blacked out tonight.

Ray S leaves in Dubai for a 4 month vacation; Jamie and his wife take over as CD. Dravor ( spell?) leaves about 10 days after Dubai and a replacement GM arrives.

High winds last two days. Captain has ship at top speed. Vibration is significant in aft locations. Minor in cabin 659 and in 5 th deck theater.

Food has been very good; DW and I will post details upon our return home. Entertainment has been marvelous! Ray will have done 3 puppet skits - unbelievable talent! Best pair of lecturers of any of our 6 Regent cruises; of course, these locations lend themselves to great presentations.

My only disappointment ( nit ) has been that the pizza is not hot enough for me.

We are on board the Voyager. We used the trailer to shorten new slacks and DW's long dress for formal night; it cost less than at home and tailor came to room. Delivered the next day.

First sea day of 4. Had breakfast at 8 and there were only 4 of us. Guess 3 long bus ride days exhausted us! Ate on aft center of La Veranda and vibration was significant. Can also feel it for first time since Istanbul in our cabin(659). Will check out other location in awhile.

Internet works well in our cabin and is as fast as my on-line provider at home (maybe I should find a new provider).

Tc2 - will find out about the wine tonight; having dinner with Ray. "Mexico" group was families who were mostly from Mexico but also from Columbia, Ecuador, etc.