Pack Leader

I asked the Sommelier for a copy in Prime 7. As a red drinker I can recommend the Cline, Raymond and Barberra

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Would be an expensive mistake if we did not like Silversea. As for the opinions of others I find them useful- that is one positive of a forum. The point regarding American versus European style is valid and was not something at the forefront of my mind, but a point to consider. Searching the forum may not have brought to light such recent experiences, particularly post covid, where many lines are at a different rate of return to full service and many have made cutbacks, making recent experiences on both lines even more pertinent. Thanks to those who replied.

Apologies if this has been done to death. Currently on Regent Voyager (thoughts posted elsewhere) and passengers here are telling me, in the main, that Silversea are better, "more for the passenger" Voyager seems great and although nothing is perfect the Regent product is very good. I understand that Silversea now include shore excursions so they are even more comparable to Regent price wise. I thought Silversea were more formal? Quite enjoy, given that this is a fly cruise, the lack of formal wear to pack for my wife and I. For those who have sailed both lines in recent, post pandemic times, how would you compare the experiences? Thanks

Agree exactly, like cardboard. There wasn't really a problem with Chartreuse it was just average, given it is a specialty restaurant.

Disappointing meal in Chartreuse yesterday evening. Would not bother again. My Salmon starter was difficult to cut. My Chicken Supreme was small but moist but vegetables were very limited. My mashed potato which I said should have been called Pomme Puree, lacked seasoning and butter. My wife received 3 pieces if Asparagus. I know you could ask for more but our meals had arrived and we were sharing a table. Apple tart was difficult to cut through and resembled a piece of toast. My fellow lady guest gave up trying to cut it. Wine waiter went AWOL and when he returned to our 4 empty glasses gave my neighbour the same Chardonnay my wife had been drinking, even though this gentleman had been drinking Sancerre all through the dinner. To be honest Compass Rose is as good and offers some of same dishes found in speciality restaurants. First World problems I know but just wanted to share my experience. YMMV. Would like to eat outside with view of Kos but have found this is only possible at Sette Mare. Having looked there this morning for breakfast when it was La Veranda, realised there arevonly about 6-8 tables outside at the rear of the ship. Not much anyone can do but a limitation of the age and design of the ship. Did say to my wife would be more of a sore point perhaps if this was a Caribbean itinerary. Staff are all amazing and extremely friendly and attentive, obviously well trained and happy in their jobs. We handed in our mid cruise competition card which stated that we would have loved a kettle, my English wife's wish and the Housekeeping Supervisor came to see us and a tray of cups milk, tea bags and a kettle were provided. We were very surprised as it was not a criticism just an observation. Very British not to want to trouble room service for a single cup of tea every now and then. So far, very impressed with Regent and would happily cruise with them again. Only with so many passengers telling us, in conversation, that they preferred Silversea, makes us also want to try them, as it is 20 years since we sailed on Silver Whisper. And they are now including shore excursions.

Have thought of that!

Voyager Suite 750 May 2023 Quiet location, unobstructed views, no noise although some rattling of ceiling panels, probably common on this age of ship. Would book again. Full Bath and shower in good size bathroom, walk in shower. No usb ports, fridge struggles to chill items so order ice.

If you are touring Santorini there are lots if steps, even though our tour was stated as being Moderate, but Aspendos and Side tours, stated as Strenuous, was very easy, unless you want to climb all the steps of the Amphitheatre, which I did, as this tests your thigh muscles! Otherwise it was an easy walking tour.

Ship is creaking a bit in the cabin during the journey to Antalya, following the cancellation of Limassol due to 38 knot winds, so a day at sea, which is a nice break from touring. Seems that the ceiling panels creak and rattle quite a bit. There are so many individual panels I guess this is inevitable but more modern ships seem to have one piece ceiling construction.

Shower pressure is good. Temperatures higher than expected around 28 degrees, feels hot in the sun. Issue with passengers luggage was that they were now onboard and it appeared, from what they said, that Regent did not own their issue. Yet to catch up with them which shows how much space there us on board! Setti Mare not becoming busy until around 7.15. Room service, which we have used for breakfast when we have early tours, is good, although there is always 1 item missing.

May have to ask for our room mini bar fridge to be looked at or replaced. White wine and beers of our choice placed in there over 24 hours ago are not cold. Literally 2 degrees colder to the touch to the bottles but contents still room temperature. 1st World problem I know.

Hoping to bump into them again and I will ask them if the luggage has arrived. We are only on day 2, Rhodes. Ailitalia lost their luggage from Rome into Athens but the passengers have GPS in their cases showing it is at Athens Airport. Not heard of that before but sounds like a good idea. I know Apple make Air Tags althoughi am Android. A lot of our upcoming tours have had their times changed and some new ones have been added. Yesterday's tour guide was brilliant but today's guide was talking non stop, giving us information overload and most people mentally switched off. Restaurants seem to like putting Truffle oil onto food- fries in Prime 7 with Truffle oil were inedible as they tasted of burnt rubber. Not for me. Fillet in Compass Rose was a natch for Prime 7 Fillet Mingon so not sure if I would chase a 2nd booking in Prime 7. Some reports I have read stated Setti Mare is v busy and you have to get there early but fellow passenger today said she turned up at 7.45 and just missed the "rush" so maybe not as bad as some other cruises. We are intending going there tonight so will report if there are any issues. Have yet to check occupancy with crew but, as per my other post, there were 50 cabins unsold a week before this cruise. May explain why the two Restaurants we have tried were not overly busy. No table around the pool for placement of chair hogs possessions as per other posts here, but so far, lots of beds free in and out of the sun.

Must say cabin is beautiful and the bathroom is much larger than lesser resort type ships. My wife was particularly impressed by the cabin. We are in Suite 750 mid ships. Minor vibrations but nothing significant. We have a bath and a shower and walk in wardrobe with plenty of storage. Room service breakfast with a view of Santorini is hard to beat!

First Regent cruise. So far very impressed. Embarkation was super quick, literally 10 minutes then final check in was in the theatre about another 15 minutes or so. Lots of staff Portside, never seen so many people directing you. Ship feels small compared to what we are used to. Only other ultra luxury cruise was Silver Whisper 20 years ago. Just arrived into Santorini. Thoughtfully the tours have been moved to the afternoon as there are 3 other ships in, so the island will be busy first thing. Staff so far are amazing. Food in Prime 7 was great. People are very friendly. I think I am going to enjoy this. Contrary to reports WiFi does work in the cabin but is slow. Think dial up speeds, although I expected this. Lots of stories of issues with Regent air. We did our own thing. 2 Passengers have no cases. They have GPS on them and they are at Athens Airport. Why the airline is not repatriating the luggage with their passengers God only knows. They have been told they may have them next island! Regent should have sorted this. They flew from Orlando, but their flights were to NY, Rome then Athens. Crazy, they are in their 70s. Should have gone London, Athens, less changes and much shorter. Their homeward flight has been cancelled with no news on an alternative as yet. Regent Concierge was supposed to sort this but they have not "turned up" yet!. Their first Regent cruise. Not a good first impression.

We rang them, to ask about a wait listed tour and asked them then

Exactly I am hoping that is the case We may just be lucky with the cruise we booked. At the time our agent said that it may be too cold for those passengers from the US who might choose that itinerary later in the summer, whereas for us Brits the temperatures will be perfect. First Regent cruise. Can't wait!

Agree, I am hopeful it stays undersold. Regarding discounts I was surprised there were no last minute promotions to sell the remaining cabins.

Voyager Athens to Istanbul 12 nights

Is that unusual? Sounds like a lot of unsold cabins to me. Figures provided by Regent. No signs of any discounting. Just wondering if ships are sailing below capacity at the moment.

Quite a poor experience by Paul&CarollovetoTravel on Youtube - customer service issues on board. I have looked at Azamara in the past. Good food, smallish ships and great itinerates with a loyal customer base. I nearly booked a cruise with them until i found out my daughter would have to sleep in a Cube Chair 9she is 5' 8", that they obviously considered to be a put you up bed for a third cabin occupant (definitely not a sofa bed) for essentially a full passenger fare! There are also reports of tiny bathrooms, tiny shower spaces and shower curtains? which put me off.

I was hoping our Silver Anniversary might help there

We wanted to travel in April and were looking at a Seabourn cruise but chose Regent instead, on reputation. I found around 24 cabins available, if you include base Verandas, which we have booked. Would be nice to get an upgrade as it is our Silver anniversary 🤞

Interesting to hear so many cruises are waitlisted, whereas my Athens to Istanbul cruise is wide open

Just did a dummy booking. Could pick cabin numbers for over 20 suites, plus the guaranteed suites on top of that number. Interesting.