GOARMY

Sheila: Short answer. No. But, again, it is obvious from postings by other CCers that YMMV. In this matter, their Mileage did vary from mine. Such is life. Really nothing more I can offer other than best recollections from our past Mariner experiences. Now--less than 40 days before boarding Navigator in NYC for a B/t/B to Canada and Bermuda. I will take note to note conditions of our Suite. Do not anticipate issues; but will not hesitate to report same--to the Staff for appropriate remuneration. Best to all, and hopefully see some of you who have followed this extended Thread either at Hotel Lotte day before boarding, or when on Navigator. GOARMY!

That someone was George Orwell. Book was "Animal Farm". Devastating critique of totalitarian political systems. GOARMY!

Sheila: Whenever on Mariner--and this goes back many, many years--have always booked a Penthouse. Reason: more Suite interior "moving-around" room meeting our bottom line requirement--on any ship, on any cruise line over the past 25+ cruising years--of at-least 300 interior square feet. [Aside: Regent's post-Mariner Voyager and Explorer ships addressed this situation by increasing the basic Suite footprint.] Anyway, cannot recall any instance where a diminution in quality as to accoutrements was noted. Updates were subtle and really nothing causing us to comment that the Penthouse we just walked into was significantly different from the last one. Certainly, nothing in a negative way. Vaguely recall a brighter paint style on interior walls; and a storage drawer added here and there. "Old looking" is in the mind of the beholder. Self and spouse certainly are looking older. We attempt not to act older. GOARMY!

Sheila: Last October it was 834 on Mariner. GOARMY!

It is so true that YMMV. Also on Mariner last October. Tours were pretty much the same as we had on Navigator in 2018. No complaints as to tour quality, although we took only a few, having been there before, and done that. Also had a Penthouse. No issues there as to condition of Suite. It is consistency and reliability of service standards that counts, which has kept us sailing the majority of time w/Regent on all ships except Splendor. COVID scuttled that March, 2020 sailing while we were at Regent's San Diego hotel. Alas, our planned return to Crystal's Symphony was canceled not due to COVID, but that financial debacle. Looking forward to Grandeur in 2024 and 2025. GOARMY!

Wonder if this change is due to concern that pranksters can easily enter fraudulent texts; or start a new Thread with bogus "complaints". This has happened in the past. It takes time for CC Monitors to react to concerns from legit posters as to a possible scam. Just last-week, for example. That particular bogus Thread not-only had a hasp put on it; but was stricken from the CC site. Thankfully. Perhaps this enhanced level will serve as a deterrent to others with less than honorable intentions. Just a hunch, as I have not-yet gotten the message referenced above. GOARMY!

Gray Lady: Hang in there. I experienced the same frustration earlier today when attempting to log-in. This was to confirm a change in the Tokyo hotel we will be at while doing a 3-day post-cruise stay this October after debarking Explorer. Finally--about a half-hour ago, got the prompt as to "maintenance" as to reason for not being able to connect. Will check-back in Sunday afternoon. Would have appreciated receiving this heads-up about five hours ago. Left hand; right hand. Common sense. GOARMY!

TS: To lower your stress level as making that 1210H airport departure-- Stress, if possible, keeping your bags with you rather than putting them in the hallway night before disembarkation. Coordinate this with General Manager beforehand. Request being in first group to depart, with your stuff as soon as ship has been "cleared by local authorities". This procedure has worked for us in the past. Utilize a limo service (such as Blacklane) for transport to airport rather than waiting in a taxi line. This has also worked for us. GOARMY!

Blacklane. GOARMY!

TS: To aid your Google search: Insert 3011 Miner Street, Los Angeles, CA 90731. The picture says it all about being (almost) out-to-sea when at Pier 46. Whole complex is also referred to as Los Angeles World Cruise Center. See, also: Mariner Roll Call, Page 2. Topic: Mariner October 3, 2022. Particularly Posts 146 and 148. GOARMY!

From recent experience(s): Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, [or, San Pedro--take your pick] CA. Pier 46--at the very, very end of the Quay. Nearest airport is LAX. About a 45-minute (depending on day of week as to traffic) 20 mile drive almost due-South from LAX to the extensive Port area. One just keeps driving and driving through the Port complex until running out of land. You then arrive at Pier 46. Do a Google. Last time there--October, 2022 when boarding Mariner: Pier 46 appeared to be a "work-in-progess". Restrooms were exterior "Honey Pot" types. Go any further South, and you are really at-sea. A very rudimentary facility. Perhaps it has been improved in the interim--or Regent has been assigned a different Pier. We passed several other berthed cruise ships (and a WWII battleship) at the Port while on the circuitous route to Pier 46. GOARMY!

MarEll1: To keep this Thread on-topic-- You can get additional inputs as to laundry service from CCers with many nights on Regent by going to Page 3. Topic begun on March 1st is: "Included Laundry Question". GOARMY!

MarEll1: Our uniform experience is that Regent knows how to do laundry. The Laundry form(s) which you complete provide opportunity for special instructions as to hangers/folded; starch--light, heavy, none; and so-on. Delicate items come back, neatly-folded, if asked, as commented-on above. You can also write down any other special instructions. No worries. GOARMY!

For some reason, my Post #26 just "resurfaced" as a new Post. So, deleted the duplicate text. GOARMY!

D&L Thomas: I would gainsay that other contiguous shipmates of yours have experienced some of the shortfalls in service you have described concerning that "missing in action" steward. He may not even be currently onboard; or possibly ill? We have been fortunate in over 25 years' with Radisson/Regent not to have had to deal with a similar situation. Suite attendants (or Butlers, on occasion when coordinating duties with those attendants) have been responsive to requests when advised either verbally, or by a note left on the bed. Do not be reticent to review this ongoing situation with Housekeeping. You will also have the opportunity to fill out a mid-cruise evaluation. Yet another venue for communication with ship's management. But, no need to wait to do that. Regent staff strives to do things right. Give them the opportunity to do that. GOARMY!

After reviewing red1head's Post: Went back into our file. Did a B/t/B aboard Explorer in 2019 with change-over at Southampton. One Booking Number. Our next segment was around the U.K. ending again at Southampton. No excursions were initially offered at Southampton when we booked. Had planned to get a cab and go on our own to the nearby Naval Museum. Did check in, from time-to-time for changes. About four days before initial arrival at Southampton--got the word a five hour Tour, "Winchester Cathedral and Town" was available. No-cost. Booked it. Glad we did. So--it pays to keep checking when onboard. The above comports with our overall experiences which is when the change-over occurs at a Port such as Southampton, Barcelona, Sydney, or San Juan, Puerto Rico--then those continuing on have an opportunity for a same day excursion. A definitive answer might not be available until a few days before that change-over. GOARMY!

cwn: Way back in the days when Seabourn's "triplets" sailed the South Pacific-- Nuka Hiva on Legend. Two tours were offered. The one we took was a horseback trek (with guides) up in the hills to the base of a volcano. Then, up a side trail to the lodge near the top. There to enjoy the panoramic view; take pictures; have a cold drink; and ride back down to the ship. Wife and self signed up for this 3.5 hour or so outing. The caveat was that it would be hot, involve riding on a narrow trail, and again HOT. Therefore, admonition was that it would be beneficial if participants had some prior experience with horses and extreme heat. We had both. Sooos--at dinner the night before, the Cruise Director comes up to inquire if we were serious. Yes. Well, we were the only ones going; so, protocol was that someone from the ship had to go with us. He had drawn the short stick, so he would accompany us. The guy cautioned that he had little familiarity riding horses. Not to worry, says I. The horse he would be riding would have no intention to fall off the trail. It was an interesting excursion. Glad we went. The CD did not enjoy it so-much, as he insisted in clinging to his horse's neck most of the way. The guides were tolerant; the gods smiled on us; horses cooperated; and all returned intact. The heat/humidity promised did not disappoint. We, literally, had to peal our salt-encrusted clothing off upon return to the suite. Then, long showers and more liquids. That night was a "formal" one. What a change in attire! Ah, those were the days--- We returned to Nuka Hiva aboard Regent about 10 years ago. Looked to see if a similar excursion was available. It was not; and I cannot recall if there were any shore outings offered at that time. But, there was the volcano; there was the heat/humidity. GOARMY!

Agree with cwn. Got the same email from Regent. Will be on this Vancouver, B.C.-Tokyo Explorer segment in about five months. Our (included) Russian Tea Tour at Kodiak was canceled. Somehow, somehow, will deal with this without going off the deep end. Just have more tea at tea time at either a local establishment; or onboard, or both. Personal experience (based on previous Federal Service) was spending some time on Kodiak back in the day (over 30 years ago) when conducting a criminal investigation. Interesting place. Might just go back to the Post Office which was the center of that investigation. Do not wander into the woods on one's own without backup. There really are bears by the same name out there. Stay safe. GOARMY!

A couple of random remembrances of our Athens visit: Dogs. Street dogs. Big dogs. All had been neutered. They had been, more or less, "adopted" by a particular business, whether hotel or museum. The canines had staked-out their particular turf. But, would move away from a doorway--to include our hotel's--allowing coming and going by two-legged intruders. Ambience. Agree with Techno's comment about somewhat run-down street scenes. The Greek economy was still recovering from expending enormous amounts of money preparing for, and hosting, the Olympic Games. It had really not recovered. Our taxi drivers, and Guide made a uniform observation that the youths of the country were either flocking to Athens--or leaving the country to seek better economic opportunities. The rural areas were suffering. And then--political instability and crisis. A few years later, near-anarchy on the streets we had walked on at, or near Parliament complex. People killed. Tragic. GOARMY!

Anecdotal, and YMMV: But-- Did a 2 1/2 day stay-on, on our own, at Athens way-back when Radisson was converting to Regent. Our TA put us in a hotel two doors from Radisson's assigned post-cruise hotel. On a street adjacent to Parliament complex. We were in a 5+ lodging paying less than half what the Radisson folks were paying. We learned this when rubbing shoulders with some of our recent cruise comrades met when on a visit to a local museum. And--as we were in that hotel's check-in process--Front Desk advised our assigned room was not available. So--had been "upgraded" to a Suite, on an upper floor. What an upgrade; what a Suite! Opened the window blinds upon entry--and there, almost-within seeming touch, was the Acropolis! Easy walking distance to, not-only the Acropolis later that afternoon, and the following day; but two other magnificent museums. Could have spent a day-each in either one. Hotel Concierge facilitated a 1/2 day taxi excursion with a guide to adjacent areas for more visits to ancient sites. Bottom line: When given the chance to visit Athens: Carpet diem. Either on your own, or via Regent. We continue to treasure memories and photos from that all-too-short visit. GOARMY!

This particular DOG will Not Hunt on Regent. But, Been on several Cunard ships doing TAs New York-Europe, and visa-versa. Kennels arranged for canine companions, complete with opportunities for visits by their two-legged owners during specified hours at a designated--and regulated upper deck location. That can be accomplished on a 2,500+ passenger ship. GOARMY!

CrucC2C: We were on Voyager when that particular wave hit. Fortunately, we were not in Compass Rose at time of impact. Several windows were shattered. It was a rough few sea days. As the saying goes: When at sea--ship happens. GOARMY!

Blacklane. GOARMY!

labonnevie: Ditto as to previous experiences when interacting with Jennifer. GOARMY!

First, reinforce Techno123's entry which is (was), basically, Do Not Make the Perfect the Enemy of the Good. Perfection? Not in this life. Not even when paying, at the current tab, a minimum of around $1,000 pp per day when on an extended (10+day) Asian or European itinerary. "Ship happens". Maintain flexibility dealing with these unanticipated issues which may arise on any cruise--on any Line. Like: Port stop being canceled due to--oh, a volcanic eruption; civil war; local labor strike, aftermath from a typhoon/hurricane; or, which has become more common, need to cancel the planned itinerary to direct ship "at all possible speed" to a Port with an airport to offload a passenger with a severe medical emergency. All of the above pertains to personal experiences. Closing on a happier note: Enjoyed a particular Compass Rose dish such as Miso-glazed sea bass (or cod)? Of course, you will have. Provide 24-48 hour's heads-up to request a repeat. The response to us has always been: "Of course". Or--a family favorite not-listed on Compass Rose's extensive menu, something as simple as meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Make a similar request. It will be honored. GOARMY!