bebop bonnie

Having a fabulous cruise. Eating drinking and laughing way too much. But that’s the whole point!....right!!  Yesterday we went in Roatan Honduras to the gumbalimba preservation park. Magnificent parrots sat on our shoulders and monkeys sat on my head. I’m not sure who had more fun, me or the monkeys!  Everything on the Explorer is beyond perfection!!  If I can figure out the picture posting process I’ll post a picture of monkeys and me!

Z and TB, it was great to finally catch up with you last night even if only for a short visit!  your food porn from compass Rose was over the top!
 

This afternoon we are doing an excursion that involves some kind of jungle/rainforest with monkeys and parrots and Iguanas. In South Florida I sometimes see An iguana slither across the road. Not sure I want to get too up close and personal with one of those guys today!

 I don’t think will be getting back to the ship until about 6 o’clock. So if we miss you in explore lounge at cocktail time will look for you after dinner and there’s always tomorrow! When and where does the BM & M society meet?  Is there an initiation fee??  hope to catch up with everyone else also that is on rollcall.  Bonnie 

2 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

I really screwed up on location.  It is the Explorer Lounge (feel free to give me the evil eye - I deserve it).

🤨  No problem Jackie I think I got it now ...will be stalking the explore lounge at 6 o’clock tonight!

Hey Z and TBA, where are you? I can’t hang out at the pool bar, the observation lounge, the explore lounge, and the Meridian lounge all at the same time!  but would love to say hi ....you need to do a spreadsheet on your bar visits so we can find you!!  Bonnie 

Hey, Z and TB....I will not only "hop on and enjoy the ride....." I will be there with you!  Can't wait for this cruise....and to meet you!

7 minutes ago, petlover said:

Same notice we received Dave as we too were scheduled and already had our confirmation to visit the Splendor on March 14th in San Diego. Obviously, we were very disappointed. We were originally booked on this sailing but took a generous "bump" offer from Regent to change to a different sailing. 

I'm still unclear why humans visiting the ship for 4 hours are more at risk than humans boarding the ship for 2+ weeks?  I would have had no problem showing our passports to see where we've been the past few months or taking our temperatures etc. for precaution.

 I just hope for everyone booked for the sailing (as we once were) that there's not a last minute cancellation of the entire cruise. 

Hi Marci!  I remember finally meeting you when you and Tom came aboard the Mariner for a visit prior to our sailing out of Long Beach many years ago.  But I agree with you.  Makes no sense that a few hour visit puts anyone at more risk.  And if you can't visit, I assume that applies to travel agents as well.  If not, why?

13 minutes ago, Zqueeze1 said:

I see what you mean about the cheese cart not fitting in Chartreuse. Plus, it looks like the selection may be pretty limited. 

Z and TB

FUNNY!!!!

My future travels don't take me to Asia until next year, so I don't feel the frustration and anxiety so many of you are experiencing. I can appreciate that stress!  However, obviously those directly affected with the illness or exposure is of greater concern to all of us.  I also think that while Regent is perhaps not communicating as quickly as we'd like.... I have a friend ready to sail on another luxury cruise line, experiencing the similar lack of communication.  Having said that, I do feel great empathy for everyone in the travel business effected by this (which pretty much means the total travel industry).  For the cruise and airline industries, and particularly the travel agents, I can't imagine the stress they are all feeling.  Travel agents are clearly caught in the middle, waiting for direction from the cruise lines, trying to keep their clients calm and scrambling to reschedule, and keep together  so many components of any trip/cruise.  Just my thoughts.

Love reading this thread...thank you so much!  One of my favorite dishes at Pacific Rim is a starter course of Duck and Watermelon salad.  I know, it doesn't make sense and I can't begin to describe it to you, but it's sensational!  Enjoy ..  and again, thank you for sharing!

Hey, Wendy, I'm really impressed.  Never did just carry on (wheelie, roll aboard, whatever!) for any cruise.  But...for land trips, always!  My personal best was 17 days in Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi and Bangkok!  I was really proud of that one! 😃.

You can add my name to the Prakash Fan Club!

And one of the most important reasons we love Regent.... there are so many wonderful people that take care of us all.  But Prakash is indeed special!

Thank you, Jackie, as always for you incredibly informative comments,  responses (to all our never-ending questions!) and photos!  Love all your posts....and the kitties are precious!!

Thank you all for your wonderful posts and photos.  Hope you'll continue posting for a bit with 'post cruise afterthoughts'.

One question...Perhaps I missed it in this thread, but were there any refurbishments done in the suites besides recarpeting?  We sailed on the last cruise before dry dock and will be back on the Explorer again in March. Can't wait!  And, as always, thank you for taking us all with you on this journey!

We have always had wonderful butlers.  On our last two cruises on Explorer we were beyond fortunate to have Prakash.  He arranged a cocktail party for 8.  He rearranged the living room, had flowers, served cocktails  and created a magnificent display of spectacular canapés.  I felt like the only thing missing from this party was the bride!  On a Voyager cruise, I tripped on the curb in Rome.  Don't ask.  The ship's doctor said it was just a bad sprain.  Our butler saw me limping back to our suite and without me asking, brought  ice for my ankle practically every hour!  And the next morning, he served breakfast with a side of more ice bags.  Just two of the many experiences I'll always remember!

On 11/30/2019 at 10:45 AM, briar14 said:

 I agree with you, “Papa”. Regent is about the total experience, and we really like that experience. We are on this cruise also. Our experience has been quite good from efficient boarding to an excellent butler (Prakash) and cabin stewards, to good restaurant service with some familiar faces. I know tours can be hit or miss, but we have had 3 good ones, not crowded and run efficiently. Internet has worked pretty well for our needs, but I agree Regent needs to improve to keep up with the competition. Thank you, Jackie, for all you are posting and for taking the time to download pictures of menus, activities, etc., that takes a lot of patience 😊.

I'm so jealous...not only are you enjoying the Explorer....but Prakash also!!!!  He is amazing.  Please tell him Bonnie and Debbie send hugs!!  Thanks, Briar 14!!

On 11/22/2019 at 1:50 PM, TrulyBlonde said:

We just returned from Tokyo 2 weeks ago. We stayed at The Peninsula hotel and received Amex upgrade to a fabulous suite. Fabulous location in the Ginza with park views and great area to walk around.

We also stayed at the Peninsula, about 6 months ago.  Loved it!  No upgrade but the room, a level or two above entry level room was absolutely stunning.  Probably one of my top 5 favorite hotels!

I've missed seeing you on CC, Jackie, so glad all is well.  Look forward to reading all of your posts!!

In my experience, the food on Regent is consistently outstanding.  However, even if Regent could manage to serve stone crabs, it couldn't top Joe's!

Just did Miami to Frankfurt and on to Venice.  Luggage was checked all the way through. Gate to gate in Frankfurt took about 25 minutes with an insignificant stop at immigration.  And transiting in Frankfurt was way easier than going through Heathrow.

Thank you both!  And ronrick1943...which date?  We'll be on E March 2.

I think I'm starting to sound redundant .... once again a fantastic Regent cruise. The Explorer  looked as beautiful as a year ago, even though it was heading for dry dock..  Wish I could age that well!!  Food was outstanding as always.  Pacific Rim is still my favorite, but every meal (and those in between!) was superb.  And the service was once again beyond perfection!  

There were a few experiences I think worth mentioning.  We were in the Constellation Theatre with our tickets and about to board the tender for Amalfi. At the very last minute (8:15am) it was announced that the port had to be cancelled.  The seas didn't 'appear' to be very rough, but the Captain determined that the tenders just were not safe enough and the port was cancelled..  Of course we were looking forward to a wonderful day on the Amalfi coast, but ship happens..... What I found amazing was how the entire crew went immediately to Plan B.  Within an hour, a new schedule for the unexpected Sea Day was delivered to our suite.  New activities were offered and Chartreuse and Prime 7 were opened for lunch, along with CR and La Veranda. Service throughout the day didn't skip a beat!  I can't imagine how the F & B staff had to scramble to accommodate a full ship instead of anticipating that a majority of passengers would be ashore that day.

Speaking of difficulty with the tenders... when we were in Portofino two days later, the seas unexpectantly picked up at about mid day.  It was pretty challenging coming back on the tender at about 3pm.  We were definitely rocking and rolling! But at 5, when the last tender was returning to the ship, many of us were on our balconies,  holding our breath as we watched that tender trying to get to the ship. The tender finally was able to be hoisted up onto the ship, after bobbing around in the swells for a very long time!  The staff handling the tenders, and us, were absolutely phenomenal!

And a most unexpected highlight  of this cruise was when we returned to the ship from a day in Firenze.  We did the "Florence On Your Own" excursion.  We had done the same excursion a year ago on the Voyager.  We don't often do ship excursions, but when in a port we know well, and it's a distance from port to city, we take advantage  of the complimentary  motor coach or train. Our day in Firenze was, as always, sensational.  As anticipated, we arrived back at the ship at about 6:15.  Have happily and gratefully cruised on Regent many times but never experienced the reception we received when we began to board the ship from our motorcoach.  As we stepped off the bus one of the butlers was there with hot towels and another with glasses of champagne.  There then were a line on either side of the red carpet of about 50 + staff clapping, singing and welcoming us home, as a band played!  We all took a while to get through the welcoming line of staff because we kept hugging them!  We always are greeted with smiles from the staff, but this was ridiculously fun!!  Our fantastic butler, Prakash, told us they do that welcome frequently when a long full day tour is returning.

And I can't wait to return.  Finally, I'm listening to many of you (and my TA!) and doing a better job of planning and booking ahead.  So, we now have two Explorer and one Splendor cruises in our future! Can't wait!!

I also just got off the Explorer Oct 29.  Sorry we missed each other crusin7!  And on deck 9 they were starting to do something with the ceilings.  Cruise was fantastic, and the Explorer, even as it was going into dry dock, was as beautiful as ever!  Our butler (yahoo, Prakash again!!) told us they are replacing carpets and doing a lot of touch ups.  They will be working 24/7 with apparently about 1,000 workers/contractors coming and going.

12 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

For clarification......... all ships have caviar and champagne on Sunday - whether it is a port day or not -- whether you are in Compass Rose or La Veranda!

 

"Good" caviar is offered at a price on some evenings in the Observation Lounge.

 

Explorer (and Splendor when it launches) has an over the top brunch with champagne (or anything else that you would like to drink) on a Sunday IF it is a sea day.  Other ships do not have this.

And  to add to Jackie's clear explanation, we just returned from a 7 day Explorer cruise.  Sunday was a sea day, so of course I was happily anticipating a fabulous special brunch.  Learned that it's only a 10 or more day cruise when, if it's a Sunday Sea Day, you have this sensational brunch.  We did have, however, one complimentary caviar presentation in our suite due to the suite category we booked.  Now I have to look for a 10 or more day cruise where Sunday is a Sea Day!!  Or.....it's a good way to use your SBC!!

Book a private guide (we used and loved Tours by Locals) to take you to the fish market.  I believe the older market that held the tuna auctions is closed.  But the fish market in Tokyo was a highlight for us....and Tokyo has so many highlights!!

Was in 601 (maybe 20 years ago?) and at that time, except for the silly 'pole', the suite was a bit larger than the standard suite. I do remember spending some time trying to figure out the purpose of pole.....