edels

This most interesting cruise from the Falklands to Deception Island somewhat follows a path of the “Antarctic Magistrate” Edward Beveridge Binnie. He was born in the Falklands on Oct 8, 1884 and became Magistrate to the Antarctic Peninsula in Graham land and visited Deception Island in 1907. In 1922, he officiated at the funeral of Ernest Shackleton the Antarctic Explorer.

I had two cruises on Voyager where the pool bar was unapproachable because of a smoke cloud, and the smoke spread across to the other side of the deck area. The pool deck now has a different designated area for smoking, but will the smoke simply spread from this area across the whole deck, as is my experience of “designated areas”? The entrance area to the main dining room was constantly smoky, and on one occasion the smoke reached up the atrium to the 7th deck level. One got tired of having to traipse around the ship to get to the rear entrance to the dining room. Perhaps this entrance area has now been improved, but is there smoke escape from the connoisseur club? The discouraging result of these past experiences was my cancelling a booked cruise on Mariner and my discontinuing a planned extension cruise on Voyager.

 

On one occasion on the Navigator I had to slowly run the gauntlet of a heavy smoke cloud in the corridor in the area of the connoisseur club, to get to a rather nice reception, which therefore had a “smoky aftertaste”. This experience dissuaded me from taking a planned Alaska cruise on the Navigator. Additionally, I was left with somewhat of an impression that Regent did not really care about passengers being smoked-out.

 

In contrast, I took a two-month-plus splendid cruise on the well-appointed Oceania Marina, where there were no issues with smoking. Smokers were accommodated in two defined areas, apparently comfortably: a small corner of deck and a partitioned-off corner of a lounge. I suggest that Oceania is the most smoking-limiting of the cruise lines, and that there is a possible route here for Regent to improve their limiting the exposure of passengers to smoke.

 

Regent’s recent policy change permitting electronic cigarettes throughout the ship (except dining areas), with their emissions, fume or particulate, is a most retrograde step. Allowing them in the cabins of all places is shocking. This is the place where one spends most of one’s time breathing. These cigarettes are an obfuscation of the hazards of smoking, and are also an insidious encouragement to smoking, particularly among the young. At present, I do not feel comfortable about cruising with Regent.

Toronto's medical officer recommends city-wide e-cigarettes ban

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/toronto-s-medical-officer-recommends-city-wide-e-cigarettes-ban-1.1956021

How long has it been since you cruised Regent, Edels? Smoking is now confined on the pool deck to one area at the opposite end of the ship from the pool bar. As I recall, there are two doors leading outside on either side of the ship so that you could avoid it. The smoking area in Mariner Lounge, next to the dining room,has been eliminated. I don't recall a smoking lounge at the entrance to either the Voyager or the Navigator. Smoking has been eliminated indoors in all lounges, all balconies and cabins,and only outside in Horizons Lounge, and I assume Gallileos, on one side of the ship. I don't know what more you could ask, other than a complete ban on smoking on all ships, period.

I had two cruises on Voyager where the pool bar was unapproachable because of a smoke cloud, and the smoke spread across to the other side of the deck area. The pool deck now has a different designated area for smoking, but will the smoke simply spread from this area across the whole deck, as is my experience of “designated areas”? The entrance area to the main dining room was constantly smoky, and on one occasion the smoke reached up the atrium to the 7th deck level. One got tired of having to traipse around the ship to get to the rear entrance to the dining room. Perhaps this entrance area has now been improved, but is there smoke escape from the connoisseur club? The discouraging result of these past experiences was my cancelling a booked cruise on Mariner and my discontinuing a planned extension cruise on Voyager.

On one occasion on the Navigator I had to slowly run the gauntlet of a heavy smoke cloud in the corridor in the area of the connoisseur club, to get to a rather nice reception, which therefore had a “smoky aftertaste”. This experience dissuaded me from taking a planned Alaska cruise on the Navigator. Additionally, I was left with somewhat of an impression that Regent did not really care about passengers being smoked-out.

In contrast, I took a two-month-plus splendid cruise on the well-appointed Oceania Marina, where there were no issues with smoking. Smokers were accommodated in two defined areas, apparently comfortably: a small corner of deck and a partitioned-off corner of a lounge. I suggest that Oceania is the most smoking-limiting of the cruise lines, and that there is a possible route here for Regent to improve their limiting the exposure of passengers to smoke.

Regent’s recent policy change permitting electronic cigarettes throughout the ship (except dining areas), with their emissions, fume or particulate, is a most retrograde step. Allowing them in the cabins of all places is shocking. This is the place where one spends most of one’s time breathing. These cigarettes are an obfuscation of the hazards of smoking, and are also an insidious encouragement to smoking, particularly among the young. At present, I do not feel comfortable about cruising with Regent.

TahoeTravler (like the moniker BTW) captures mostly why we've returned.

We first started in 2008/9 when I had to pick a cruise line for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary cruise. I am terribly allergic to tobacco smoke and had reached the point in life where I wouldn't go anywhere where I might have room that the last person smoked in and or had a bunch of drifting second hand smoke. At the time Regent was almost the only line that didn't allow smoking in cabins or on verandas. I also loved the idea that it was a small ship (the Navigator) as my mom uses a walker. This being their 50th -- i convinced everyone that we should do luxury. This BTW was a hard sell to my Dad -- he wasn't sure about the price at ALL. Everyone LOVED the cruise for all the reasons TahoeTravler mentions. My Dad, the skeptic, RAVED for the rest of his life about how good the cruise was and how he didn't have to sign for a thing and everyone took great care of of Mom and him. My Husband and I, continue to come back but not often. In fact, for my mom's birthday, we are going on Princess because we couldn't afford the Regent single supplements and because a RT out of Seattle will be much easier for her. This trip with my Mom will be my first mass market cruise. I'll tell you what think between the two after I get back.

My experiences with Regent have included, having to avoid the pool deck because of a cloud of tobacco smoke, and having to penetrate a heavy cloud of smoke before entering the main dining room. Now electronic cigarettes with their questionable and disturbing emissions are permitted throughout most of the ship including cabins. This is unacceptable to me, so I will not be cruising with Regent again. I regret having to do this, because I had plans for other cruises with Regent, and was looking forward to the new ship.