Wendy The Wanderer

So they're turning it into another bar at those times? Another place to have a drink, sigh. I wonder how that'll work.

Good question. I'll be boarding Splendor in Miami in January, and I will be wearing warm-weather gear during the day (or "Florida in winter" apparel, as it were). I don't wear shorts too often, but I will have a pair for excursions. Onboard I'll be wearing capris, in the main, or cropped (lightweight) pants, since that's what I'm most comfortable doing, with various types of short-sleeved shirts. I'm not a leggings person, but I can't imagine it being cool enough for something that warm. For chilly breezes on deck or in a lounge or theatre, I'll probably have a lightweight fleece or a shawl, depending on the circumstance. The latter in the evenings for sure, sometimes with a long skirt for a change with a somewhat nicer top than during the day.

Hard to believe that it's used for the WC? It's a lovely ship. BTW, we did this Miami to Lima trip in 2017, loved every minute. Are you spending any time in Lima?

Yeah, we usually get the NYTimes. And as you said, people bring their printed "newspapers" down to the library when they're done with them, so there's usually some around to read. I also believe you can pay for this if you're not Gold--good way to use a credit.

We're in a Concierge suite in January, for the first time. Being Gold, we normally wouldn't bother, it just worked out that way because of what was first available when clearing waitlists. I would much rather choose my own hotels, pay the deviation fee, and arrange our own transportation.

yes, of course, sorry. I was mainly thinking of a phone that has no cellphone service, that you can use with Wifi, but of course Bluetooth too.

So presumably then you could use an old phone with no cellphone plan at all, just wifi?

Wow, what time of day is that? I have fond memories of listening to the piano in the afternoons.

Where's your hotel? I know that Regent sometimes chooses properties that are not in the centre of Rome. Car services can be expensive; we shared one with another couple on our single Azamara cruise, but then transportation to the port was not included. So I'd probably go with the Regent bus.

They won't compensate you unless you test before boarding.

Oh, they send you the tests? They do not observe you doing them? That's kind of odd I think. I would have thought you had to do it in front of somebody (live or virtual?)

So as above, "no", the test doesn't have to be proctored by video, but has to be done by a certifiable company, like a test lab or pharmacy. At least that's how I'm reading the above.

Yeah, as expected. No matter what, we'll no doubt being doing a test at Walgreen's a couple of days before our cruise.

No, I didn't mean that. I was unaware that they'd done away with testing for boarding within the U.S.--guess I should have been more specific in my post. I knew they'd one away with pre-embarkation testing in other places.

I wonder when that will translate into rule changes for Regent cruises? Testing, for instance.

I can concur that the area around Les Tipaniers is an area where many snorkel tours go. We've stayed at the hotel twice, plus we've taken ship's excursions that go to that area (sting rays.) I've also done the ship's tour sailing on a catamaran and snorkeling on Moorea. I must say that the snorkeling is not what it was 20 years ago, sadly, in the Societies. On Fakarava I just did a bit of snorkeling from the side of the road, nothing special, but something, but I'm sure you can do better than that--the Blue Lagoon is well-known, but the problem often is, are you there long enough to do it.

Good for you, Kathy!

No snorkelling to speak of in the Marquesas as I remember. Those islands, i.e., Fatu Hiva and Hiva Oa don't have coral reefs.

There are no "sittings", per se. You can walk into Compass Rose or Sette Mari anytime you like, but they both open at 6:30.

Hmm, so I'm seeing mixed results. Since this will be our situation in Miami in January, I'll ask the Regent rep at the pre-cruise hotel and see. We will be driving our own car to the port, and can easily take our own bags with us, but it might be handy to send them on the bus.

Haven't done this for a while, but I remember just getting a voucher on check-in.

Colleen, I'm also surprised you weren't grandfathered. I certainly remember those days!

I presume you're not stopping in Colombia. They sold coffee on the dock there.

You can request a specific alcohol in advance, if it's not usually stocked. They may or may not get that for you. I would imagine Kahlua would be something that would normally be stocked, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The normal suites are stocked with liquor after boarding, as opposed to requesting it in advance, which is true for PH's and named suites. You just ask your room steward.

Not everyone has that luxury, unfortunately. Hope you stay safe and healthy.