jmalux

7 hours ago, Portolan said:

That's my understanding.  So, for us, no problem with the Japan entry requirements, but concerned about the extra hassle of doing and documenting the antigen self-test 72-hours before boarding.  Finding a local clinic in Japan doesn't make sense.  Seems like Regent should organize something since everyone on the Vibrant Tokyo land program will have the same problem.

 

Considering that Self-Testing is accepted, it isn't really much of a hassle, and there is no need to find a local clinic.

We embark on March 28, and it is obviously not ideal flying to Japan without being 100% sure to be able to embark. However, the testing requirement was made clear when it was announced that Japan would allow cruises to resume.

An alternative to Self-Testing is this clinic close to Tokyo Hilton at Shinjuku station: https://www.team-medical.or.jp/location/english/

What happened to episode 3 and 4 of season 2? When will they air?

During our Muse cruise in December/January we were told that Starlink had been installed, but it will only be activated in March.

Shinko Pier Cruise Terminal, Yokohama, is used in March 2023

It was indeed rather chaotic and very slow in Sydney a couple of days ago with unclear procedures. 
 

We arrived at 1:35pm, were given cards showing check-in group 7, we were asked to fill in the health questionnaire, and then sit down and wait. Later when our group was called, we were told that we had to go to a different desk first to get a pink sticker to check the NZ immigration documents. If we had known, we could easily have done that during the long waiting time. 
 

When the big crowds arrived after 2pm, it got very chaotic as not everyone were told that a check-in number card was needed, so they just tried to immediately line up for check-in. 
 

Check-in started at 2pm, and half an hour later they had only managed to process group consisting of +/-10 people. 
 

As part of group 7, we were eventually on the ship at 3:30pm, but we were among the lucky ones, as there were +/- 20 check-in groups. 

4 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Do you know who discovered the items and where?    Was DHL the carrier?   I have read about a few problems along these lines when the luggage is crossing borders and customs discovers the contraband.    I don't think luggage forward has any employees that actually inspect anything.  

 

I have never heard of a luggage forward issue  with alcohol products when the shipment was entirely in the US 

Yes, it was DHL returning the luggage to the cruise terminal, with this justification :cargo laws restrict us from shipping said products as they can explode if not in an air regulated cabin hold

I still find it slightly odd, as toiletries, cosmetics,  medicine, vitamins, electronic devices, batteries or any food can be bought online, and shipped without any problem. 

I find it odd that there is still only computer generated photos/videos available of the ship. Even in the official launch email from Ritz Carlton Yacht.

I would be interested in seeing the real thing

We have done the Greek islands twice in October. Perfect warm weather, and we didn't notice any closed shops or restaurants.

I was told 60 days in advance. The email address is : SereneSpa@rssc.com

1 hour ago, wishIweretravelling said:

The part that is surprising is the toiletries.  I just set up my shipping with Luggage Forward, and yes the website does say nothing with alcohol including perfume etc. It doesn’t say high content, so it’s anything with alcohol. I just didn’t realize that things like my Kiel’s moisturizer contain alcohol. I’d been planning to ship my regular toiletries and not check a bag for my flight, but this makes me re-think it.  

Well, this web page actually says 'or anything with a high alcohol content', so there is some inconsistency:

https://support.luggageforward.com/article/242-ship#send

I suppose that many people don't realize that ordinary toiletries contain some kind of alcohol, and consequently are disallowed, but I also doubt that the luggage would have been stopped, if moisturizer and cream had been the only offense.

Luggage Forward has now refunded USD 100 for items that they acknowledge were unduly removed (toothpaste, razor, some toiletries without alcohol).

Some of you may consider the Luggage Forward service promoted by Regent, so I just want to share our experience, as you must be very careful with what you pack. 

We used Luggage Forward for a Splendor cruise in July,  the luggage made it to our suite without any problem and we very much enjoyed travelling without checked baggage. 

The problems started a couple of days after our cruise, when we received an email announcing that our luggage had been returned to the baggage handler, as it contained disallowed items such as aerosols, perfumes, medicines, an disinfection wipes. I must admit that we hadn’t paid attention to the small print, as we only packed items that we always put into the checked baggage (aerosol with sunscreen, sea sickness medicine, cologne). 

As a result, a significant part of our luggage was removed, and is stranded in Stockholm where the cruise ended. Our toiletry bags were returned completely empty, all sun screen products were removed, so was my favourite hand cream of which I bought many tubes in Copenhagen.

In Luggage Forward’s list of disallowed items it is indicated that items with a high alcohol content are disallowed. Nevertheless, they now argue that it was perfectly justified to remove items such as sun screen, face moisturizer, eye cream, hand cream etc., as they all contain alcohol. They have investigated the ingredients of the products removed and found:

·      Our favourite hand cream bought in Copenhagen contains Cetearyl alcohol

·      Our different sun screen product contain Behenyl alcohol

·      Our Kiehl’s moisturizer contains Propylene glycol

·      Our face serum contains Butylene glycol

·      Etc. 

SPA PRICE LIST.xls.xlsxSPA PRICE LIST.xls.xlsx

Here is a price list from October 2021. I find it very expensive.

We have just finished a 18 night cruise on Splendor, and Prime 7 or Chartreuse were open every day for lunch. 

We very much enjoy having lunch in the speciality restaurants, as it is more relaxing than the usual buffet style lunch, and we actually eat less because we don't get tempted by the many different buffet items. 

Unfortunately, the excursions often end so late, that it is impossible to have lunch in the speciality restaurants, where the last seating is at 1:30pm. 

In addition to the ordinary lunch menu, there is number of daily specials. You will find the same daily specials in La Veranda, but it is a nicer presentation in the specialty restaurants. 

530 passengers on the Splendor cruise, which left Copenhagen today

5 hours ago, FengShui@Sea said:

This brings back such fond memories of our first Regent cruise (also on the Explorer).  My advice is to avoid the Splendor.  Although a newer sister ship, sadly it pales in comparison.  

I really see no reason for avoiding the Splendor. It is very similar to the Explorer, but with a less dark colour scheme. 

We love the Splendor.

We were in 966 in March (Explorer) with Chartreuse above the suite. We never heard any noise from the restaurant. 

It's a great suite, but the bathrooms feel a bit cramped.

5 hours ago, labonnevie said:

You generally can find bottled water (plastic bottles) in the fitness center along with Gatorade and other drinks. 
Just pick up a couple extra for your excursions. 
The refillable water stations do not seem to me to use “tap” water. 
I did find the refillable water bottles disturbingly heavy for carrying on shore excursions. 

No plastic water bottles in the fitness center on Explorer in March, only Vero water stations and sports drinks, and the water is perfectly fine. 

https://www.verowater.com

The 270 days validity limit of vaccination certificates was adopted by EU in December 2021, so it isn't exactly a new requirement. 

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_6837

We are on Explorer now, and haven’t noticed any unruly chair hogging. There are always plenty of loungers available, but the weather isn’t exactly great either. 
 

the 30 minutes rule is repeated daily in Passages. 

Just received this. Face coverings are no longer required as from March 1 (but still highly recommended)

For voyages beginning on or after March 1, 2022, the following health and safety protocols will go into effect.   1)    Our voyages will operate with 100% fully vaccinated guests and crew, therefore, face coverings are highly recommended but not required for guests on board, subject to local oversight of authorities in the jurisdiction(s) in which the ships are sailing, which may result in face coverings being required for guests.    2)    Regent Seven Seas Cruises will require that all guests arrive at the embarkation terminal with a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result from a third-party verified laboratory or pharmacy, taken within 48 hours of arriving to the terminal for cruises beginning in a U.S. port or within 72 hours for all other cruises.  All guests must provide proof of a negative test result at embarkation in a digital or printed format.  Guests not in possession of a negative, third-party Covid-19 test result will not be allowed to embark for the voyage.    Test result documentation must be provided in English and must include the following information: ·          Your name, which should match the name on your travel documents ·          Your date of birth ·          The result of the test ·          The date the test sample was collected ·          The name of the test provider  ·          Confirmation of the type of test provided    Should guests require assistance finding a COVID-19 testing location prior to departing home or while traveling, please click here to visit Test for Travel, an easy-to-use online tool for locating COVID-19 testing providers around the world. Simply enter your zip code, or city and country, and the website will display locations, contact information, and testing hours. It also allows you to search by test type – PCR or Antigen.     Additionally, we have partnered with Inspire Diagnostics to provide hassle-free, online testing for our guests from the convenience of your own home. Inspire Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services that provides FDA-approved, proctored, in-home antigen testing for our guests.  For more information on Inspire Diagnostics please click here.   Please refer to the chart below for guidance on the earliest day you should test based on the cruise embarkation day and country of embarkation.     Covid test taken no earlier than Cruise Embark Day Cruise originates in U.S. port Cruise originates in non-U.S. port Sunday Friday Thursday Monday Saturday Friday Tuesday  Sunday Saturday Wednesday Monday Sunday Thursday Tuesday Monday Friday  Wednesday Tuesday Saturday  Thursday Wednesday   For guests unable to arrange a test within 48 or 72 hours of arriving to the terminal, Regent will have on-site testing available at the pier for a fee of $99 per test. Please be advised that testing at the terminal may result in delayed embarkation.  In the event you test positive at the terminal prior to embarkation there are mandatory isolation protocols that must be followed, including close contact quarantine requirements in accordance with CDC guidelines specific to cruise vessels.   Regent Seven Seas Cruises will continue to evaluate and modify health and safety protocols as the public health environment evolves and we will communicate any changes.   We will be back in touch approximately 30 days prior to your cruise embarkation date to provide additional updates.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the numbers below. Our commitment is to offer you the safest and most enjoyable cruise possible — we are here to help.

Hi. We left Grand Suite 784 on Splendor yesterday, which basically is identical to 785 on Explorer. It was a great suite. The living room is slightly dark due to a dark colour scheme, and a relatively small window. 

The bedroom and the principal bathroom are both very spacious with lots of light. The bathtub is huge. And yes, the outdoor space is huge. It was late summer in the Mediterranean, so we didn't really make much use of the deck, as it often was a bit too cold and windy. However, we have previously been in a front suite, and definitely prefer the aft suites like 784 + 785, as the terraces are more useable. 

The second bathroom in the suite is very convenient. 

We did experience some vibration in the suite depending on speed and weather conditions, but nothing too bad. When the ship is docking or leaving, everything stakes and vibrates for +/- 15 minutes, but in the morning it is usually around the time, where we have to get up anyway, so no big deal. 

Just let me know if have any questions. I attach some photos

8 hours ago, jmalux said:

The captain is called Diego Michelozzi. 
 

Cruise director: David

assistant cruise director: Blake

social hostess: Clair

 

I don’t really know to what extent these people make a difference, but so far it has been a wonderful cruise

And the full names are:
 

Cruise director: David Nevin

assistant cruise director: Blake Richardson

social hostess: Clair Wilson

3 hours ago, Ladys Mom said:

Back to the original question.  Does anyone know who is the captain and  the cruise director on the Splendor right now?

The captain is called Diego Michelozzi. 
 

Cruise director: David

assistant cruise director: Blake

social hostess: Clair

I don’t really know to what extent these people make a difference, but so far it has been a wonderful cruise

We are in grand suite 784 on Splendor right now, and there is definitely no noise whatsoever. It’s a wonderful suite

For those interested, here is a link to the step-by-step checkin guide. The photo can either be uploaded or taken directly during the process. 

https://www.rssc.com/sites/default/files/2021-08/onlinecheckinhelp_081621.pdf