lambert.studio

We have now dined twice in Compass Rose. Once we tried for a table around 8.15 pm and had a 15 minute wait to be seated. When we were it was in a section near the entrance. It was very noisy, making normal conversation difficult. The food was adequate rather than exceptional and the large rectangular area, combined with the lack of any features gives the ambience of an, admittedly upmarket, refectory. The menu lacks the variety that we have found previously - I know there is the 'mix & match' of different entrees and sauces but think the chefs must find it rather inhibits creativity. The sauces also tend toward the bland - certainly the green pepper was almost flavour free.

 

The next time (last night) was better. We dined around 6.45pm and managed to secure a table in the rear section where, despite the rather low ceiling, it was pleasantly quiet except for a young couple making and taking calls on their cell phones! Service in both sections was very good, certainly as good as any other Regent ship we've sailed and maybe a notch or two better.

 

We also tried Prime 7 which is definitely bigger and better laid out than on the older ships. Again it was not full at any time that night. Perhaps I should add, in case I haven't said before, that the ship is full. We have, however, managed to secure additional bookings in all the specialty restaurants, so clearly Compass Rose is very popular with the majority of passengers.

 

I've just noticed that CR has Miso-Glazed Sea Bass on the menu tonight so that's one decision already made!

 

Excursions next.

 

 

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Thanks again for your updates - unbelievable that people can't put down their cell phones. I was looking forward to not seeing those things everywhere :rolleyes:

Onboard now. Signed up for the Meet & Mingle but never received an invitation. Maybe others are in the same boat so to speak and that could be why attendance was poor. Having a great time except for the weather.

You're on the next cruise with us - hope they do better with the invites for the Meet & Mingle :D Glad to hear you're having a good time (weather excepted)!

Excuses first: internet is too slow and unreliable to post pictures but will try again later.

 

We boarded last Saturday at Southampton - smooth and pleasant service from the port personnel as well as from Regent. Our berth was switched at fairly short notice - received an email from Regent on Friday - but this caused no issues as far as I can tell.

 

Our first trip on Explorer and so far very impressed. We are in an E category suite on deck 6 and it is generally excellent in terms of space, fittings and finish.

 

Two minor criticisms: first the curtain separating bed from sitting area is too close to the end of the bed so that we couldn't use it at night for fear it would cause trips if I have stumble around in the semi-darkness at night. Second, the tiles on the floor of the shower and nearby are beginning to show yellow/brown staining. They are regularly cleaned, of course, so it would seem to be the effect of water lying on them. No noise from sliding door so far but we have had no wind to speak of.

 

The CC meet & mingle was not a great success. Only two couples turned up although 16 people had signed up! It was great to meet the others but with an area roped off for Special Event and the GM (Franck Galszy) and CD (John Barron) in attendance, it was rather embarrassing! However, it was great to meet Franck again (last time was on Voyager back in 2014) and John for the first time. I think the poor attendance can be put down, at least in part, to the timing - first night and barely an hour after lifeboat drill.

 

More later.

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for your up to the minute observations! I'm on the next cruise and we have the same category cabin - so the cabin info is really helpful. We've got 26 signed up for our Meet & Mingle so we'll see who actually shows :D

Susan

Not wanting to be a downer on this (and I do hope that you get the reservations that you want) but Regent holds back reservations for a reason. Not everyone books online and Regent guarantees that every passenger can dine in a specialty restaurant once. So, they may not be willing to book the "saved reservations" on day one - especially since I presume that you already have one reservation. I do agree that it is easiest to get into a specialty restaurant on the first night and there are last minute cancellations pretty much every night so that would be something else to keep in mind.

 

If you cannot get a reservation on the first day, keep trying! I would hold open the second night as that is the night of the Captain's Reception and there are some extra special items on the Compass Rose menu (the same is true of the night of the Captain's Farewell which is generally the second to the last night).

OK, thanks. I just looked at the reservations (which I made literally the first minute they were available) and I did leave those nights free. Phew. I'll try the first cruise day for other reservations but I'm easy ;)

On the afternoon that you board go to the restaurant reservations desk (deck 5, opposite reception) to see what extra reservations are available. Two things to try when looking for additional reservations:

1. Opt for a sharing table; there are likely to be more options available
   
2. Ask for something on the first evening. Many people do not pre-book a speciality restaurant for the first night as they fear they will be too tired to enjoy
   

I believe that speciality lunch venues alternate between Chartreuse and Prime 7; I don't think Pacific Rim ever opens for lunch. Also open for lunch daily are La Veranda (excellent hot & cold buffet) and the Pool Grill.

Thanks - invaluable! I will do that day one (which is coming in just a few weeks - yay!!) :D

Glad you enjoyed this thread and found it helpful.

 

The reviewer who talked about a caste system was mistaken in their belief that Concierge Suites and above have priority over others when booking additional dining reservations on board; with the exception of the very top suites (as noted by TC2).

The same reviewer did not care for the food in Compass Rose; this is very surprising as most guests find the extensive menu excellent and the dishes offered delicious.

 

Thanks Travelcat and Flossie! I read that review with dismay (and weirdly my husband found it too - the one thing I think he's ever read on here 🙄). I'm hoping we can get in Pacific Rim a couple more times because I like Asian fusion type food but I'm sure we'll enjoy everything. Good to hear about the lack of lunch reservations. Thx 😀

So much great info here - thanks Flossie for your comprehensive reviews and photos! I especially valued the super detailed restaurant and lounge info. I see you ate at the specialty restaurants several times during your cruise. I read a review from someone who claimed there was a "caste system" that kept people out of the specialty dining if they didn't have an upgraded suite (we have a Concierge Suite). Can I take that then with a grain of salt (or a whole shaker?)? Thanks

If you have not done so as of yet, you may wish to visit the port board. There is a lot of information about

SPB there.

Second that - I looked there first for info. It's a great more general (multi-cruise line) resource...

Hi Susan/Lambert... Have you decided between SPB and Alla? We're trying to choose which one to use for the three day tour. Other than times at the P and P Fortress, I don't see many differences. Interested in yours or others thoughts or experiences. Thanks..

 

 

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I chose SPB - it was a matter of communication. I think both their tours are similar. Alla was hopeless with their customer service interface - I sent both my specific tour request/date/time/ship etc and SPb wrote back right away with their response. Alla told me they'd be happy to help if I told them what I wanted (they didn't read the message). Then they asked when I was coming (still not reading). Then they told me the ship didn't exist. By then I'd already booked SPb and I gave up ;p Maybe you get someone different there!

I would agree with Gilly regarding a visit to the P&P Cathedral. It doesn't really merit a long visit; but it is quite interesting to see the imperial tombs and rather touching to see the special memorial burial site of the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. The visit to that site will appeal to anyone who loved the book, "Nicholas and Alexandra" or even enjoyed the film.

Oh yeah ;)

Lambert.studio.. I think we're on the same cruise, embarking June 14th from London. Originally we were planning on using the inclusive Regent tours in St. Petersburg. In fact we have already signed up for three days and one night (ballet) of Regent tours.

 

Following this thread, I'm beginning to have serious second thoughts about that decision. After doing some research, we will probably be switching to a three day grand tour (including Jewish Heritage) with Alla. We'll keep the Regent ballet excursion at night. Using the Regent tours exclusively seemed to leave too much "down time" on the ship.

 

Thanks to all who have offered their experience on this thread. It's very much appreciated. Lambert... hopefully we'll cross paths on our cruise... Steve

 

 

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Hi Steve (I'm Susan and John is my husband) - I'll no doubt meet you at the reception thing which I signed up for :D My idea with the tours is to ask Alla (2 day Grand Tour) and SPb (2 day Deluxe Tour) about tweaking their 2 day tours to skip the cathedrals (and more time in the Hermitage if poss) and do the Regent cathedrals tour (LED-006) on day 3. Right now my husband and I are planning on doing this as a private tour but if you're interested too let me know...

Thanks Gilly - sounds like it's worth taking a look at P&P - 45 minutes probably suffices:) And I do want the Faberge museum - I read somewhere about them moving the eggs out of the HErmitage so even though it's a pain going to see them separately I still want to. I'm busy reading a stack of guide books and Trip Advisor and I now realize that what I want to see at the Hermitage (Dutch, Flemish and Italian Renaissance as well as antiquities) are exactly where the crowds will be;p Oh well... If I go back there I will spend a whole day for sure!

Thanks GIlly, I'll plan out the collections ahead at the Hermitage. I bet most tours visit the same areas but I would like to specify the areas I'd prefer. I'll see what they say.

It looks like SPb has 45 minutes at P&P and Alla has 1.5 hours which includes the cathedral. Both only have 1.5 hours at the Catherine Palace - is that long enough do you think? Should I ask to skip the P&P altogether and spend the time at Catherine's instead?

Thanks Travelcat and Cardinal Gal - I'm starting with SPb and Alla because both have gotten thumbs up from every Regent cruiser I've seen so far. I figure both are similar... Unfortunately, being a first timer, I want to see what everyone else wants to see too (and at peak time in June ugghh), so crowds are inevitable :(

Which cruise are you on?

 

We are booked to do the Baltic on Navigator this fall and if my DH's medical condition allows we will go. I was also thinking about doing a private tour as i was also told by my TA that Regent would not allow us to book more than 1 tour per day unless they were over 1.5 hours apart. Coincidentally every 1/2 day tour offered is 1 to 1.25 hours apart.

 

The frustrating part is that you can't just get off the ship and do your own thing because of the visa situation. The only way to take advantage of the total day is to book private tours where the Visa is included. I would happily pay for a Regent choice excursion for the other part of the day if 1/2 day ones were offered where the timing worked.

 

I have been once before but my DH hasn't so i was trying to arrange for him to see as much as possible. I would like to see a few things i haven't seen as well as spend more time at the Hermitage.

 

I hope you will post what you work out.

June 14th on the Explorer - it feels all the sudden like it's coming soon. Hope you get to go. I so agree with you about the frustration of the visa and Regent's booking limitations. I wanted to do like 6 different tours all with at least an hour between each but not being able to book ahead of time makes me wary of going without the reservations. So a private tour it will be for two days and the cathedrals tour on the last day. I was surprised that it was easy to get the cathedrals tour after everyone had booked but not sure that means it might be available after we get on the ship... Good luck:D

OK, I'll add my two-pennorth here having just (yesterday) returned from our fourth visit to St Petersburg. We did the Regent Baltic cruise on Voyager last year with the three days in the city and we've travelled there previously as part of an independent land based tour and also on another cruise line. Not point scoring there but simply offering the background to my comments.

 

The (included) Regent tours we did last Autumn were great and considering we paid no extra for them whatsoever, it's hard to argue against them. We chose the Peterhof, the cathedrals and canals and the tour to the Yusopov Palace,and were pleased with our choices, even though we found it tricky to juggle what we could do on each day (because the programme on offer was day-specific) Bearing in mind, this was not our first visit and we had been to most places before, I appreciate that we didn't feel the same pressure as those for whom this might be a one-off opportunity. Once on board, we visited the Destinations desk and asked if we might fit something else in on our one free afternoon (which we'd found impossible to fill previously). We accepted the offer of two places on the Faberge Museum visit.

 

I would give full marks for the Peterhof tour. An early start, but our group (of about 16 px) were first in the queue for the Palace and we had as good a tour as we'd had with a private guide. We had researched what we wanted to see and prepared for our visit, so had great places to watch the fountains too. I'd say the Cathedrals tour was similarly great - again, we'd prepared and were really happy with our guide and the timings, having enough time to see what we wanted to see. The Yusopov Palace was the highlight for us - a fantastic guide (all guides on the Regent tours are local guides btw) and that remains a really great memory. The canal tour was good and a perfect opportunity to see the city and rest at the same time (!!) The Baltic itinerary is not one for cissies - full on day after day of sightseeing is pretty tiring! The big let down was the Faberge Museum... The last afternoon of our visit,we were in a tour with mostly elderly people who were tired and grumpy. Add that to a pretty hopeless guide who simply read out every museum information sign, let's say we simply walked through the museum ourselves, following the notes in a guide we'd picked up at the information desk and met the group at the exit. No matter, it was our "bonus" and if it didn't turn out well, it didn't matter.

 

We left St Petersburg wanting to return then. Partly, to share the city with other members of the family but partly to be in the city independently and experience other aspects of it which are impossible when on a tour (even with a private guide, as we did on our first two visits). There is no doubt that being independent is the most effective way to experience the city - BUT - I doubt that we could have done as much without the experience of the first three trips there, not to mention the painful process of getting a visa!! It's actually a small city, very compact and the main city sights are well within walking distance of one another. But that takes time and to see everything - well, I'd say that's impossible. We'd seen both Peterhof (twice) and Tsarskoye Selo so didn't feel the need to visit either of those again, so this time, we focused on the Hermitage (a whole day and we still have seen only a small part of it), the Peter and Paul Fortress (with two historians in the family, that was a must-see) and the cathedrals. We went to the (real) opera (not a tourist performance) and spent time walking around the city and subsequently in the hotel spa recovering ;p (Highly recommend the Four Seasons Lion Palace, btw)

 

 

My point from this long-winded reply? That the Regent-included excursions are a great offer and will allow you to gain a very good oversight of some of the sights. That a bit of preparation on your part will make the experience even better and allow you to capitalise on the time spent in each place. It might inspire you to return and spend longer in the city as we did! But if this is likely to be a one off visit, perhaps it's better to organise a private tour to see exactly what you want to see and focus on those. You'll still follow a programme with limited flexibility but are less likely to have to endure the grumps!! Be warned though, three days is still insufficient time to see everything and there will inevitably be difficult choices to make. In my opinion, however, you've already made the best choice - to take a Regent cruise to the Baltic!

 

 

(I hardly need say that I blogged about it all....:rolleyes: - posts tagged Russia, needless to say)

Thank you Gilly - I loved your response! That was really helpful. I'm no cissy - love that and totally agree! I'm the annoying one that has the boundless energy to see just ONE more thing ;) Thanks for your review of the Yusopov and the Cathedrals tours. Coincidentally I was choosing between those 2 for the third day in port. So I got the cathedrals tour just now and I think I'll do a private tour on the other two days to get in some of the other things. I really want to spend a little more time in the Hermitage (Art History minor:) )... Also, I'm a Russian history buff (when I was a kid 'Nicholas and Alexandra' was one of my favorite books) and I do want to see the Faberge eggs and Tsarskoye Selo - too bad about your tour to see the eggs.

We'll see about returning! Thanks again - I'll look up the blog :)

We used Alla Tours in St. Petersburg (2011). It was wonderful. We were there for two days. We had a group of 12, and our "private van" met 2 more people from a Regent Ship (we were on Holland American at the time). They were the nicest people from London. They talked up the Regent cruise line, so we did look into it for a later trip in 2013 to Alaska and loved it.

The private tour was a great experience. Between the 14 of us we ranged in age from 8 - 80. Everyone was treated well and we saw ALL the sights. Since Regent offers "free" tours, I realize that it is tempting to go with what is included. But, if you really want to see ALL the wonderful sights there are to see in St. Petersburg, I would go with a private tour. It will be worth the cost. They will detail the tour and get you early tickets into most sights. Even with Regent, you are part of a tour. With a smaller tour group, you will be able to see more sights and not have to wait. We loved the two days we were in St. Petersburg. My children think the tour was a big highlight in their lives. :)

Yes, lots of good recommendations for Alla. They sound good and so does a private tour since I want to spend more time in the Hermitage. Memories are what it's all about:D Thanks!

As you probably know, only a small percentage of the passengers on your cruise are on Cruise Critic. Check with the tour provider - they may have others on your cruise that are looking to share excursions. Good luck:)

Yeah, thanks! I'll give them some time too while I'm working up my 'brief':D

Think that your idea is a good one. Some people have not tried private tours so they have nothing to compare it with. We tried Regent tours on one cruise and private tours on another and there is no comparison. I would definitely not wait until I get onboard as you could be left with no excursions at all. Calling Regent headquarters in Miami is, IMO, not the best option but I suppose is worth a try. Unless they can guarantee you an excursion booking, I would forget about Regent excursions.

 

St. Petersburg is an amazing city. In the scheme of things, looking at what you pay for your cruise, paying a little more for wonderful excursions is definitely worth it!

My thoughts exactly ;) Not worth skimping a little bit in the grand scheme of things! Now I have to decide between companies and private/group. Unfortunately my roll call didn't seem much interested in the private tours so it would be just us... Ah, decisions! Thx

Thanks all - I do think I will book one of the 3 day tours because of the smaller group size for one thing. And because of a computer glitch I had to book through the Regent office and they told me I couldn't get the tours I wanted ahead of the cruise because of the time problem. They suggested I ask when I got on the ship, but I want it all sorted out beforehand, given that the cathedrals tour that I wanted to add will probably be full to overflowing anyway!

I tried to book more than one tour per day in St Petersburg but Regent won't allow it even with over an hour between tour end times. I booked the Catherine's Palace tour, the Peterhof tour and the Hermitage tour but I really want to see the Spilt Blood church and some of the city. Is the answer to book through a tour operator or will I be able to add other tours on the ship? I was thinking about the 3 day tours from either SPb, Alla or TJ. Given that it's my first time there would the independent tour be much more thorough?

Thanks for your recommendations :D