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Hi All We’ve just received an email that our Splendor Cruise - 31 August 23 Reykjavik to Copenhagen is now skiing Stavanger for a “relaxing sea day”. I get that things happen, but it seems a fairly long time out before the cruise to be scrapping a port, also, I believe I have seen this being discussed on FB for other RSSC cruises this season. Wonder if anyone has any insight or ideas? Thanks LP

In the UK at the moment we are (eagerly or not depending on your perspective 🤔) awaiting the Eurovision Song Contest final this weekend. TV and radio stations are almost full with B2B ABBA and other Eurovision artists.🙉 I’d happily take B2B Eagles or The Boss any day……..

Seems like Regent “trialled” the inferior pre-cruise package on us in Europe and it was “successful” so is now being rolled out in the USA! I don’t imagine it’s going to go down too well 😬……

Perhaps @Jennefer Teegen would like to raise with Regent how they have managed to alienate a whole nation….….…. ……….actually, I believe this affects all the countries of Europe and Australasia too, so make that a couple of continents 😤

I’ve found that the only way to look at the US website and pricing is when in the US, or onboard a Regent ship. I used to work for a US company and somehow our web server enabled it too. It’s quite ironic isn’t it? We always pay a supplement for Business Class, however, the price Regent wanted for our Mariner cruise this coming Christmas was almost double what our TA arranged it for! The “ticket packet” we are sent is very disappointing, versus the package we used to get BC and that cruisers from the US still get. It makes us feel like second class citizens - pretty disgraceful.

We were on Explorer for Christmas. My husband’s sports jacket got worn once on Christmas Day, other than that it was left hanging in the closet. The Speedos, thankfully, remained in the shop 🙈 Your son won’t look out of place without either 😉. Have a great trip. LP

This is what the restaurant told us - I didn’t verify it 🤷‍♀️ To be fair, we were advised before it was a requirement we ordered, it was the additional tip expectation that left a bad taste.

Tipping in the US is a nightmare for those of us where it’s not such an ingrained part of the culture. Our last visit to Seattle in 2019 one restaurant had a COMPULSORY 25% Service Charge added to the bill, 20% by the City/State and a further 5% by the restaurant, this was regardless of quality of service, which was ok, but nothing special. Unbelievably the bill still had a space for a tip on the bill and the credit card machine. I declined to add any further. At home in the UK I would have left a maximum of 10% on this occasion. Surely 25% is more than enough?

I might consider coming out of retirement for this role….……. ……I’ve got very thick skin 🦏 😂

I really like the Infinity Pool, on our Explorer cruise at Christmas we spent all the sea days there. I just wish they offered a drinks/waiter service.

100% agree @flossie009, the series about Explorer was so much better. These 2 episodes about Splendor are embarrassing 🥴

From the April 2023 to June 2025 Voyages to Explore brochure. Seems the private transport is still a benefit, others on the board may know if it’s a benefit that only kicks in after you have achieved the status?

@GeorgiaPeach51 I loved the Century Series by Ken Follett and was utterly bereft when I finished it. The history lesson was better than any I had at school! Can I suggest: The Clifton Chronicles series by Jeffrey Archer - several parallels with above mentioned Ken Follett series . The Nathan McBride series by Andrew Petersen (shades of David Baldacci). John Milton series by Mark Dawson, fairly easy read rogue/off grid MI6 agent but quite stark - there are LOADS of them, some, predictably, are better than others. Matthew Shardlake Mysteries by CJ Sansom (historical fiction time of Henry VIII) Marc Dane series by James Swallow LP

@GeorgiaPeach51 I loved the Century Series by Ken Follett and was utterly bereft when I finished it. The history lesson was better than any I had at school! Can I suggest: The Clifton Chronicles series by Jeffrey Archer - several parallels with above mentioned Ken Follett series . The Nathan McBride series by Andrew Petersen (shades of David Baldacci). John Milton series by Mark Dawson, fairly easy read rogue/off grid MI6 agent but quite stark - there are LOADS of them, some, predictably, are better than others. Matthew Shardlake Mysteries by CJ Sansom (historical fiction time of Henry VIII) Marc Dane series by James Swallow LP

Doh! Sorry! I guess I’m too excited for our Explorer cruise on 12 December 🙃

I don’t think you will be boarding until 29 December - that’s when Explorer is due to arrive in Sydney?

Hi KB I know you asked GP but as we’re cruising on Explorer over Christmas thought I’d chime in. RP is taking a jacket, but it’s a sports jacket type not a DJ or Tux. There will be a few men in DJ’s but they are in the minority. He’s not taking any ties either…… Ladies do tend to dress up a bit more though. Whatever you decide, you won’t look out of place . Enjoy your cruise - which ship are you on? LP

@GeorgiaPeach51 adding my thanks to the legions who already have. We board Explorer in 10 days - first cruise since we got off Navigator in January 2020….. …..Appetite’s are definitely whetted, excitement levels barely contained. Enjoy your last day and safe travels home. LP

Where’s the angry face emoji when you need it 🤬

Concierge suites on Voyager are the same size and layout as “standard” Veranda suites. The difference being the one night pre-cruise stay and a few additional amenities such as the Illy coffee maker. They may also be in a better position on the ship; personally I’d avoid anything Aft on lower decks - suites in those areas on Voyager can have some vibration issues (similar but not as bad as Navigator). It’s still a lovely ship, nowhere near as glitzy as Explorer or Splendor and sadly lacking Pacific Rim, but we’d happily sail on her again. Happy choosing and cruising. LP

Joanie I loved your report from Explorer, so looking forward to seeing the same from Splendor. There’s a great “Almost Live from Splendor” on the Crystal Boards - I definitely recommend it: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2892555-almost-live-from-regent-seven-seas-splendor-boarding-tomorrow/page/7/#comment-64308348 Love the tree and village - it looks amazing! We’re on Explorer (Singapore to Sydney) leaving home 8 December and not home until mid January, so our tree and decorations are staying in the box this year. Have a fabulous time. L

Please, Please, Please don’t use the donkeys up or down. They are brutally abused by their owners, who hit them with sticks 🤬 They are forced to carry overweight cruise passengers (sometimes 2 on the same beast 😔). We walked/slipped down the last time we were there and I was a CRAZY English lady screaming at both the owners and the tourists!! Take a look at this article, there are many others saying the same thing: https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/santorini

Would love to hear your views on Regent. We never got around to sailing Crystal as we enjoy Regent so much. Happy sailing.

Bitob, sorry I can’t answer your question re Concierge but if you’ve in a Penthouse or above you get a tote bag (and a butler) Just wondered if you were planning to blog about your first Regent cruise - I vicariously followed your Silverseas one on the Crystal CC site? I hope you enjoy your cruise. LP

👏Yeah! So happy you’re double negative 🥳. Personally I wouldn’t blame you if you had painted lipstick 💄 on like a clown 🤡!! Enjoy the rest of your cruise 👏