BaileyMJ

I have not been on Ritz Carlton Yacht but there is a excellent you tube channel Travels with Daren and Johnetta - they have done vlog on both Regent and RCYT and they are very informative and they document their experiences.

Hope this helps!

https://youtube.com/@djtravels?si=QMop9WR9yY_rMacs

On 5/7/2024 at 11:42 PM, akronmaid said:

i think all he cabins on Regent are suites.I may be wrong.

No you are not wrong - all are suites!  Just check the fine print it the zero or low single supplement is usually on the 2 liwest suite categories - just note on the Navigator ship those categories are ocean view not veranda - all the other Regent ships have balcony!

One more note even if wait list is only available- go for it they usually clear plus you may get a upgrade.

Thanks for taking us along - its like a 2fer London and a cruise!

12 hours ago, Crew News said:

Disembarkation Day

As the ship crossed under the Vancouver Lions Gate Bridge, the weather was heavily overcast and chilly.

 

The Lido Market opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast and with a Blue 1 luggage tag for 8:00 AM, I ate breakfast at 7:00 AM and had no trouble finding a table.

 

About 15 minutes before 8:00 AM, I found a seat at the Rolling Stone bar and observed the ongoing disembarkation process.  The pathway to the gangway was created to pass through the Rolling Stone Lounge, between the wall and the counter behind the seats (a narrow passage).  The "Gangway" sign was situated in the middle of the entrance to the Rolling Stone seating area and waiting passengers gathered in the hallway thinking that the seating area was closed.  After watching from my bar seat for about 20 minutes, the Guest Services traffic guard moved the sign a bit and began asking passengers to take seats.  The traffic guard was ineffective, so passengers waiting for their luggage tag color to be called were helping passengers find the narrow passage behind the seating area. 

 

Disembarkation began at least 30 minutes late which caused a backup at the entrance to the Rolling Stone Lounge.  I overheard a number of airport shuttle bus passengers expressing concern about making their morning flights. Interestingly, passengers with their own luggage did not all lineup at the designated 7:30 AM time and wandered toward the gangway all the while I was seated.  I overheard at least two passengers who had left their stateroom cards in their staterooms and could not get back inside to retrieve them.

 

My Blue 1 luggage tag (first of three airport shuttle bus departures) was called at 8:45 AM (45 minutes late) and I entered the narrow passage that led back to the three Deck 2 Security checkpoints.  Yes, despite all of the announcements, stateroom cards could not be found by some passengers when they arrived at the checkpoints.  I appreciated the three checkpoints and I could move to another line.  Passengers were then funneled into the single-lane gangway.

 

The terminal had lots of signs and Canadian guides who remained silent as they just watched the passenger flow.  I spotted a red-haired member of the SHOREX staff (same person who answered my Kenaji Fjords question posted on this thread) and was given amazing instructions how and where to join the correct line for the prepaid airport shuttle.  I followed the far right wall and ended up at the prepaid bus line.  When I saw my luggage loaded into the bus, I boarded the comfortable bus.  My bus departed for the airport as soon as it was nearly full.  It was announced that the bus would make two stops with the first at the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal to follow.  The bus paused momentarily at a holding area until a terminal unloading spot was available.  I was at my Delta Airlines check-in counter at 10:15 AM. 

 

Global Entry made the Security screening a breeze (no shoes, laptops, liquids, or belts were removed).  A facial recognition photo was taken that immediately recognized me. A few steps latter, I heard my first name called, asked if I had anything to declare, and then a "Welcome back to the USA" greeting followed.

 

I unlocked my front door a bit before midnight. 

 

Photos to follow in the next few days.

While the Embarkation process on day one went smoothly on day 1 my disembarkation was similar to @Crew News experience above with some added delays.

My travel home had a 5:52pm departure from YVR therefore I booked the Vancouver Sightseeing tour with Airpot transfer.  It was detailed as a 3 hr tour available for those passengers with flights departing after 2pm.  I received the disembarkation information with luggage tags Pink 3 and listed on the paper a 8:00 am departure.  I left my cabin at 7:45am and thought I could wait in Pinnacle Bar on deck 2 which had the gangway - well deck 2 was packed so I went up to deck 3 Ocean Bar to wait.  As stated by Roger he was Blue 1 called at 8:45am well Pink 3 was called just a couple of minutes before and I proceeded down to deck 2 by stairs and it was so crowded and then following the gangway signs I got to the Rolling stone lounge and pointed to that narrow lane at which time they announced Blue 1 but then the couple in front of me was Green tag which hadn’t been called so more delay for them to move forward so I could depart - it was a mess!  When I got to the luggage claim I noted I was not the last of Pink 3 bags.  The following steps were just as Roger detailed except prior to the numbered lane which you line up in prior to moving to your bus they had a holding line for Pink 3 - I was pretty much at the end - the shore excursion rep Jessica was double checking everyone’s tickets or boarding cards.  Jessica I knew from prior HAL excursions and she is a superstar - her hair is not red but maybe auburn so she nay be the rep Roger mentioned.  Waiting on this line was frustrating- our Tour Guide Jeff was also there and was trying to help some passengers who with canes or walkers by getting some folding chairs for them - no official reason for this delay but first they said waiting for 3 missing passengers and also the delay was that the Pink tag baggage was delayed backup from ship to baggage claim area.  The standing on this holding line for me was maybe 15min but I was in the back.  Next Jessica was then directing us to the final line and we were assigned line 4 and another wait - where all the other lines where moving swiftly but #4 did not - it was in credibly frustrating- especially when you would see other lines move onto their buses - you also noted that the other lines where given a green laminated card for the start of a bus and a red card to the end - we noted no cards on our #4 line.  When we finally departed it was about 10:30am and Jeff our guide had to ask everyone what time was everyones flight time - we had a family with a 2:30pm departure but it was a domestic departure so Jeff assured everyone that we will all arrive at YVR with plenty of time but our 3 tour was shortened.  It was a excellent tour we had 2 short stops at Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park and we got to YVR at 12:15pm.

Also when I was waiting on deck 3 I walked around and they had a security entrance/exit set up - there were a few people with some luggage tags thought they were red and I asked - is this the security entrance for embarkation - I got a abrupt No from one of the waiting passengers so I moved on but I took a picture.

With all the congestion on deck 2 especially with many wheelchairs I don’t understand why they couldn’t have say wheel chair passengers depart from the deck 3 security since it basically is flat out to Canada Place and they could take a elevator down to the baggage claim.

On 5/21/2024 at 12:25 AM, sunchaser49 said:

Wondering if there’s been any Alaskan beers available on the recent Koningsdam Alaska sailings? Thanks!

I was on the Nieuw Amsterdam 14 day Great Alaska cruise which was wonderful- they did have Alaska Brewery beer and Pike from Seattle from day 1 Vancouver however the HAL 150 Pils was never available.  
 

All the bars had a display.

7 hours ago, booksfan said:

Just out of curiosity, has anyone noticed if the Nieuw Amsterdam has oat milk available for lattes?

I am not 100% sure but think I saw a carton of oat milk in Explorers Cafe.

37 minutes ago, greensprout said:

Aaaaannnd... the "cold" that hub acquired half way through the cruise and that I saw symptoms 3-4 days later, has turned up POSITIVE for COVID.  Both fine pre cruise and fully vaccinated.  One of the two of part\y we were with has tested positive today as well.  

 

Clearly some person with COVID was on the ship and passed it around.  FYI if you have any symptoms after this trip.  We have not had any cold or other respiratory illness for at least 6 or more years,.

 

☹️

Think more than one person and towards the second half I saw a-lot more persons wearing masks and more coughing especially on the tour buses.
Just hope you have a fast recovery!

Vancouver May19

Did my regular routine except later - up to Deck 10 my adopted balcony - had my last latte in crows nest - Lido opened at 6 am packed like I have never seen before!

I have Vancouver Tour and drop off at YVR - my first flight is at 5:52pm to Seattle connect to red eye to Atlanta.

Safe Travels to all - its been a great cruise!

Today in Lido for lunch we got a crew parade 

Highest temperature and sun is out so I noticed they have cracked open the lido pool retractable roof just a bit.

Inside Passage Scenic Cruising May 18

Absolutely Beautiful Day - Beautiful vistas and I just had to put the phone down and just enjoy life sailing by!

4 hours ago, Alberta Quilter said:

Oh boy, I really wish brownies hadn't been brought up and with a picture of them, no less!  OMG!  I'll have to try them on my cruise. They look fabulous, and with Crew News' description, I fear I'll be going to the Explorations Cafe every afternoon I can.

They are also available in the Pinnacle Bar - I tried one and super hard to not ask for another please!

I really want to thank @Crew News Roger for graciously allowing me to post my rambling thoughts - I have learned I am not ready for a live thread.  Also he started the Roll Call and that has been one of the best roll calls - so good people are still posting!

Update on the pastries offered in Explorers Cafe noon carrot cake mini muffins & brownie bites

Cake me away - got pictures- no did not have any cake.  Long lines and the question I heard was how many slices!

3 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I believe what @SilvertoGold wanted to know was were the olives actually Kalamata olives which are tastier (imo) and more than expensive than black olives because they remain on the tree until fully ripe and are processed salt, not lye.  On the NS in March, the pizza had black olives, not kalamata, regardless of what it said on the menu.

They were definitely better than the black olives available in salad bar that said I would say probably yes - there is obviously no one standard for a kalamata olive and these were definitely pitted and lost that elongated look of one with its pit they were black but did not have a pronounced olive oil coating but that may be due to the cooking or supplier.  They have had several dishes in MDR with Kalamata olives so I think you will not be disappointed.

Today May 18 Scenic Cruising Inside Passage

Today 11:30am Cake Away - never either had it on my only previous HAL cruise ot I didn’t attend.  I came down early but already a crowd gathering - so I shot pictures through the screen.  

1 hour ago, SilvertoGold said:

Roger or BaileyMJ: we love NY Pizza and are wondering if this ship actually has the kalamta olives the menu lists. In the past and even pre-Covid we have seen only regular black olives. No change in the sign to be true true to form, so it is always a question mark. If wither of you can find out, it would be much appreciated.  Thanks to both of you for the great photos and commentary.

I stand corrected the black olives in NY Pizza are Kalamata

18 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Roger or BaileyMJ: we love NY Pizza and are wondering if this ship actually has the kalamta olives the menu lists. In the past and even pre-Covid we have seen only regular black olives. No change in the sign to be true true to form, so it is always a question mark. If wither of you can find out, it would be much appreciated.  Thanks to both of you for the great photos and commentary.

I have had the pizza several times and on 1 occasion I did have black olives added and pretty sure I did not see Kalamata Olives.  Now the black olives that they did add were very good and not the small sliced ones that are in the lido salad station.  Sadly I did not take picture but below is a picture of a recent pizza which was very good but I have noted that they have been shrinking the pizzas.  I embarkation day pizza was my lunch and Zi ordered a whole pie - the Bronx because the slices available just were to sad looking - tiny square not appetizing.  I never saw on menu a size and got a pizza that filled the size of the metal tray - I would say 12/14 inch - that was repeated on my next 2 pizzas (sea days) but see below when next ordered it was much smaller however still very good! Fast forward to scenic cruising day - I ordered pizza and it was so small that instead of having it on the metal tray they had on a plate the crust was very thin - I did not request a skinny pie snd it was really over done and it reminded more of the sad slices.  
 

I know food is subjective but I think reasonable to say that something may have changed on this cruise with the oven settings or prep.

I can’t say anything about Klawock but yesterday I was In Ketchikan and there were 5 ships and just the start of the season - while I love Ketchikan Juneau had 6 ships Skagway had 4 - there are just too many big ships and too many people so I do welcome new less crowded ports of call to explore!  Just my opinion.

For any caffeine coffee lovers - Ketchikan has the best store - they sell online and I will do my Christmas shopping with them!

They had other things besides coffee but all local Alaska made!

On 5/15/2024 at 6:01 PM, SilvertoGold said:

Any info about what edibles are available in this Explorations Cafe? I was asking Roger about brownies in particular.

Explorers/Crows Nest - its 3:25pm getting my caffeine fix here are the afternoon offerings.  Danny was just putting them out:

Mini Muffins

Raspberry 

Carrot Cake

and vanilla macarons 

Biscotti 

41 minutes ago, ferretktf said:

Are there any nuts in the Fruit Crisp?

I did not taste any nuts - crisp flour sugar and maybe oats.  They have been doing a good job labeling the items in the menus gluten sugar free nuts vegan etc

4 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

That's a shame; did they say why it was cancelled?

Got letter last night saying it was canceled by the operator due to technical reasons.

Good Morning from Ketchikan May 17

Free day since my HAL excursion Food & Wine tour Oyster Farm was canceled.  5 ships in town.