JMARINER

On Splendor, debark tomorrow 12/7/21. Both Rapid and PCR tests offered at no cost.  But I think that starting in January, they will charge for Covid Testing.

J

On Splendor right now.  They took new Photos at check-in. 

The new facial recognition scanners at gangway work great. Nice to not have to deal with getting out  cards while going up gang way stairs. The whole process is much faster than the card swipe/scan procedure.

J

9 hours ago, fyree39 said:

....... For our cruise next week, we'll be using a home test from Abbott Labs called BinaxNow. The test is done through an accompanying app and video chat with a medical professional. ...

 These home test have a very high "False positive" rate. Some report say as high as 20%. The last thing you want to deal with is a positive test result 3 days before you travel. Look around your area and you should be able to find a free testing site that does the antigen tests; those results usually take 15 minutes. 

J

Fairly certain they can only be used to book NCL only. Sorry

I would recommend a private tour and transfer. We like Isram tours in Israel. They can get you a private car and driver and handle all the arrangements. I would suggest including a trip to Caesarea. It is a small country and you can see a lot in a full day.

J

Nov 2007 Mariner New Zealand to Los Los Angeles

J

In my 4 Explorer cruises, I never saw the aft infinity pool filled more than half full. Nothing like in the brochure photos. Design flaw? Too much sloughing at sea? I don't know.

Is it fixed on the newer ships ?

J

Stargazing while at sea is marginal at best due to the high humidity. Will you be able to see the Southern Cross; sure. But don't expect the stars to be as crisp or bright as a clear dark location on land. 

J 

6 hours ago, nonu731 said:

 

With that line, I fear the conversation will turn to vaccine discussion which isn't allowed. 

 

Agreed for what it's worth. Considering the demographics of luxury cruisers (older etc.), Regent definitely will lose more customers than they gain if they allowed unvaccinated people on board. 

I agree. And I don't think that Regent is in anyway obligated to be forced into making any accomodation as would a brick and mortar business.  Cruise lines have been exempt from many accommodation requirements in the past, because of the nature of the product/service makes it impossible to provide. This was the basis of the NCLH v Florida lawsuit and Court Ruling. 

I also agree that they would loose business.  Crystal did an about face on vaccine requirements a few months ago and many Pax bailed. (Now since reversed again, following NCLH v Florida ruling.) 

And I don't particularly blame Regent for their decision. These are tough times to try to run a ship. One bad outbreak and the whole cruise industry could come crashing down. 

J

On 9/16/2021 at 9:18 PM, Pcardad said:

Religious exemptions make no sense.

 

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/hospital-staff-must-swear-off-tylenol-tums-to-get-religious-vaccine-exemption/

These are State specific rules. Other states like California are very liberal in their interpretation of what qualifies as "religious" and almost anything goes.  

J

I have done 2 Transatlantic crossings on the Explorer, the Grandeur's "sister" ship. I think the ship rides much better than any other ship I have sailed (100+ cruises).

I would tell you to definitely avoid any cabin forward of the center of the ship and also be as low as possible. The most stable part of the ship is not the center, but under the smoke stacks, which are above the engines and the heaviest part of the ship, so about 2/3 of the way to the back. 

For the most part, the Caribbean is a big lake with minimal waves/swells and therefore almost no motion. As I write, we have been in the Crystal Serenity for around the Bahamas for the last week, and most of the time I can  it tell if we are docked or sailing. Seas have been under 1 meter.

But to be absolutely safe, I would avi anything during hurricane season, August to November. 

Lastly, take drugs before you board and go see the ships Doc if you feel the slightest bit sick. I have gotten sea-sick before a few times and it can be beyond miserable.

J

Hate the tub/shower combo. There is a large height difference between the tub floor and bathroom floor which makes getting in and out cumbersome and ungainly. Many people have fallen and injured. 

On my first Mariner cruise in 2001 the ship was new and everyone complained about the tub, which led to the eventual remodeling of most of them into the shower only configuration.  

J

15 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

I second Flossie's comments - there is usually a way to get into town but not always. Often you can take a short excursion and then just notify the guide that you're staying in town (so they don't waste time looking for you) and make your way back to the ship after some on-your-own time.  A lot depends on the port you're docked in, and in this Covid world, well, who really knows?

 

I've taken some LONG hikes in the past after misjudging just exactly how far the port was from the town center.  🙂

 

Final word:  The ship WILL leave on time whether you're back or not.  Not speaking from experience, but I have seem some interesting YouTube videos of some 'Pier Runners'.

Regent will go to extraordinary lengths not to leave any passengers ashore. I have never seen it happen In my over 50 Regent cruise. But don't rely on my opinion. Because they might. Also. Always take the port agent contact info with you if you go ashore independently, just in case of emergency.

Lastly, if you are on a B2B cruise, they never have a town shuttle on turnaround day.

J

They have a Facebook page that you can follow. As does Natures Rhythms.

j

There are lights on the Rock until about 10:00 pm. Even with the lights off, unless it is a very cloudy/rainy night, you will still be able to see it fairly clearly. The city lights below cast enough light that you will see the rough outline. The stone is fairly white chalky color that stands out particularly from the western view. 

J

If you are worried about the window issue on Deck 6 starboard, I suggest you consider the cabins on Deck 5. 529 and 531 are bigger than the ones deck 6 above. The rest are the same size but without any catwalk outside.

J

They better!! We are signed up for Splendor  T/A. Besides, why couldn't the ship test onboard?

J

Anyone working off the ship is not  part of Regent and they do not share in Regent's compensation.

Even while on board, many pax feel that an extra gratuity is sometime warranted. (I do it.)

Do whatever you feel comfortable with. There are no "rules." 

J

(727/50)

1 hour ago, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

..........Balcony partitions at fire zone boundaries are not allowed to be opened, as this will negate the fire boundary between zones, .........

On the Mariner as on most ships, the "fire wall" partition is not a door, but a solid metal panel that goes from deck to overhead and from bulkhead to the railing. These occur about every 20 cabins.

We have always had our request to open the balcony door granted.

J

On 6/24/2021 at 10:04 AM, UUNetBill said:

......I'd be hesitant to book anything much longer than about 21 days or so as I think the lack of variety in the restaurants would start to show after about 3 weeks.  

 

But other than that I'd sail on any Regent ship any time, any where.    🙂

I am with Bill. Anything long and the NAV seems claustrophobic.

We did the very first Discovery cruise in 2008 on the NAV, It was 84 days. After about 50 days I was ready to go. The ship seemed to close in on me and the food got repetitive.

J

I think that there are actually two islands. One is NCL/Regent and the other is RCCL. When I was last there, about 3 years ago only the RCCL island had a water park and a dock. The Oasis was at that island. The NCL island is large and only the beach on the east side was open. It is a big beach with hundreds of lounge chairs many in the shade of palm trees. The beach area is in a partial cove; no waves. Great swimming beach, but not much to see if wanting to snorkel.  Regent has a BBQ in a nearby pavilion with beer, soda, and wine. At the far west end was a jet ski area. The jet skis were included at no charge. No zipline then.

There were other beach areas to the west that could have accommodated another ship with ease.

J

In almost every circumstance I have found it far cheaper to take the hotel (and transfer) credit and do it on my own. I have always found a similar or better hotel at a much lower price. As other have said, the Japaneses are extremely helpful to tourist. If you just stand in front of the subway ticket machine for more than 10 seconds, trying to read the instructions, someone will come up and offer to help you. Especially in Tokyo, almost everyone speaks English. It is a very safe city, but can get crowded on an intense level.

J

Regent website often has glitches and problems. Have your Travel Agent handle it. Send your agent an email. If they don't answer you within 24 hours, find a better agent. For what you are paying the gent for services, they should give you their personal cell phone number.

J

Yes, you should be able to pay for an extra night and still get the ship-hotel transfer and probably hotel - airport too. Same on the post cruise. As far as the included post cruise tour/hotel packages, you are usually stuck with the tour as a part of the package. You could opt out of the tour and book a private transfer to the hotel, but that would be your extra cost.

IMO the hotel packages and/or paid transfers are rarely worth the money. Particularity in most major ports in large cities anywhere in the world. I can usually find the same (grade) hotel for much less. The same ia true with booking private car transfers. (Titaniums and above get free transfers.) There are exceptions, sometimes, particularity when schedules are very tight. Any good, experienced Travel Agent should be able to figure out the best options for you.

J