jgm

We are taking this cruise in Feb.  Are the ship's public areas chilly?  Are sweaters needed?  Any suggestions for packing?

We will be leaving on our first Silversea cruise in about 2 weeks. We have sailed on Regent about 6 times, so it is our reference point.

We usually prefer to dine by ourselves. Tables for 2 in Compass Rose are usually available on Regent. Are they regularly available in the Restaurant on Silversea? Are they in demand? Should I talk to the Maitre D’ about our preferences early in the cruise?

We have reservations for several meals at La Terrazza and the Pool Grill. There was no option to specify non-sharing. Can we expect to get a table for 2? Also our dining reservations are for Early 7:00-8:00. What does 7:00-8:00 mean?

How does La Terrazza compare to Sette Mare on Regent?

Is La Champagne similar to Signatures on Regent?

Thank you for your information.

JGM

Travelcat2 asked for an example of a change in Regent policy that has occurred subsequent to the merger. I believe that I can provide one. We have cruised on Regent seven times since 2011. Most of those cruises were bridge cruises that had bridge instruction and play on sea days. While we are bridge players and did participate regularly, we did not choose those cruises because of the opportunity to learn and play bridge. On our last Regent cruise in February of 2015 rumors began among the bridge players that Regent was significantly changing its approach toward bridge cruises. In the future (probably starting in 2016) bridge with a certified instructor would only be offered only if a cabin was available for the instructor several weeks before the cruise. In the past the instructor was assigned a cabin when he/she was offered a contract to join the cruise, typically a year or more in advance. In addition to having only a few weeks notice that the cruise would be available the instructor would now have to pay his/her travel expenses. I don’t believe many people would agree to these conditions.

I asked the cruise director if Regent had plans to reduce or eliminate the number of bridge cruises. He contacted Miami who responded that “Regent was always evaluating activities for their passengers.” I reviewed the 2016 cruises and found none that were advertised as bridge cruises. Bridge instruction and games attracted anywhere from 50-70 people on our cruises. This would seem to be a large interest group that Regent is alienating to save one cabin and one persons travel expenses.

For the past 2-3 Regent cruises that we have taken we have felt a lowering of standards about the food and particularly the on board lecturers, but these are subjective concerns. They are real enough, however, that our next cruise will be our first on Silversea.

My wife and I have taken 6 Regent cruises and have one booked for later this year. All but the first were booked onboard. Our onboard booking savings have typically been $500-800 per person plus the reduced deposit. There is also a period after booking (30 days ?) when you can cancel without penalty. For us a major benefit is the opportunity to sit down across a desk with the Cruise Consultant. We can discuss cruises of interest and often receive comments from a person who recently took that cruise. Alternatively we have told the Consultant what itineraries we are interested in, and he has been able to suggest Regent cruises that fit or let us know of upcoming new Regent itineraries that we should watch for. The Consultants do not receive commissions on cruise sales. They are on salary. Should you be on a cruise with Mike Coleman as Cruise Consultant, we have found him to be particularly knowledgeable, low key, and friendly.

Our recommendation is by all means book onboard if you find a cruise you want to take. Our experience is that you save significant money and receive excellent advice.

My wife and I will be in Amsterdam for several days in mid August 2010. We have been there several times previously, and on this trip we wish to focus on the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum. In other European cities we have engaged guides who were professional art historians for museum tours. Can anyone suggest such a person or organization in Amsterdam?