pingpong1

1 minute ago, cruiseluv said:

Why would anyone want to jump through hoops to go on excursions in filthy San Francisco is beyond me

The communications we've gotten so far is unclear.  Regent needs to provide more clarification  If we decide (which pretty much had anyway) to stay on the ship after docking, and just going immediately to the airport on Wednesday morning, do we we still need to go through any of this testing each day, at all?  We are U.S. citizens returning to Phoenix.  Wouldn't need to do any of this if had just driving from Phoenix to SF for a couple of day and had driven back home (which we definitely would not do!).

It's about 6AM off the southern California coast.  The lights of San Diego can now be seen just east of us, and I'm "up and about".  Staying up late for the New Years celebrations onboard held no particular interest for me.  DW and her friend kept the celebration going, while I and "Chuck" went off to our separate suites and "called it a night".  Dinner in CR was really good and finished off our Cherry Pie from last night's in-suite dinner.  Yumm!

The pilot boat just pulled alongside and transferred our pilot to the Mariner and we've now begun to pick up a bit of speed and are heading towards the harbor.  A little bit of daylight is just "peaking above the eastern horizon".

A few minutes later.....Looking out my patio window, I can see that we have just now passed the outermost channel markers and are heading towards Cabrillo Point and will be seeing the Coronado Bridge within the next 15 minutes.  Customs and Boarder Protection Officers will be boarding as soon as we securely tie up and everyone on the ship will have to go through a "face to face" immigration check with the officers.

I would imagine after that, they'll open up ship and many folks will be eagerly setting foot onto U.S. soil for the first time since we departed Key West on the afternoon of Dec 19.  DW and I have no actual Excursions booked, as we've been to SD many, many times over the years and we're now "just" a 5-hour drive back home (to Arizona) and do the occasional road trip over to SD.  We might just walk around the Gaslight District a bit to stretch the legs.  But we'll be staying with the cruise until we finally depart the ship on Jan 5 in San Francisco.

We had given a 5-second consideration about leaving the ship today, but didn't see any compelling benefit to doing that (packing up is such a "pain").  We're enjoying all the entertainment and meals onboard and are having a great time seeing some of the other passengers we've become friends with.  I'll "check in" later and let everyone know how things are going and how the "Cruise to Nowhere" continues.  Best Regards

17 hours ago, flossie009 said:

Yes, A very enjoyable get together of some CC members on Mariner last night

Eight of us met for dinner in Compass Rose, where Regent staff kindly set up a special oblong table for us; much easier to converse than around one of the large round tables.

We should have been nine but one member must have been off playing whiff-whaff 🤨 

 

Then it was off to the theatre for the production show Tuxedo. The new cast are excellent; very good singers & dancers.

 

 

Today the weather has turned colder as we head north, with cloud & rain forecast for tomorrow, New Years Eve

Hope we have a reasonable day for our call in to San Diego on January 1st.

I would just heartily verify Flossie's report.  All the "private CC dinner guests" had a wonderful evening together.  To clarify so there is no future confusion, this was not an "official" CC-sponsored or arranged event.  It was just a gathering opportunity for some of us who normally chat on this board to meet each other in person and have a nice dinner together.  And it worked out very well.

Despite some of the supposed (or real) "short-comings" you might be reading about on some of the cruises at the moment, I can personally attest to the fact that all the Regent folks "on the ground" and in direct contact with us passengers, are working their hearts out to make our cruise experiences the best they can possibly be under the circumstances.  Last night, 4 of us travel friends enjoyed a wonderful/private in-suite cocktail and dinner party in our own Seven Seas (Aft) Suite.  Our hard-working and totally dedicated Butler ("Vikas") pulled this off for us "Flawlessly", and we owe him many thanks and much gratitude for this!

We started at 5:30 PM with beautiful wines and appetizers comprising of cold shrimp and charcuterie.  We were able to enjoy this in the suite and out on our own lovely (huge) balcony (the seas have been like "glass" that past few days).  After an hour or so of drinks and appetizers, this was all taken away and Vikas presented us with a beautifully set table for 4, complete with table cloth, all the proper silverware, napkins, and with all the proper glassware for the various wine pours to be served with the meal.

We then sat down to eat dinner, while Vikas brought in perfectly cooked lobster tail (very tender and not over-cooked) for 3 of us and ample pork chop for the 4th person, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and rolls.  For almost an hour, we listed to nice music on the sound system and enjoyed each others company.

Vikas then came back, cleared our table, and presented a "custom-made" cherry pie for the 4 of us, complete with vanilla ice cream to go on top.  I had asked Vikas the day before if he could speak to the bakery chef about making this pie for us.  The chef was quite happy to do this (with a day's notice), and the pie was absolutely wonderful and the effort by the chef was most appreciated!  We will finishing the rest of that pie this evening in CR.  After desert, Vikas brought us all coffee and nice servings of "Ruby Port".  What a wonderful meal this was for the 4 of us, and if I might remind everyone, it is because of this level of personal service, that we continue to be "Regent Regulars"!

Thank-you again "Vikas", and Thank-you Regent!  😄    

Just now, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Agreed.

 

I don't really care that much about the cruise test requirement but as you mention it would be nice to have some consistency. 

 

 

Absolutely Right!!   👍

And yet, flying on airplanes (with masks...just like we're now doing on Regent) I guess, is "perfectly safe"??

10 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

US citizens who fly internationally need to take a Covid test before re entering the US.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#:~:text=Air passengers traveling to the,all passengers before boarding.

I guess we might call it an "anomaly" in our travel policy.  Thousands of people are arriving into the U.S. every day by land without need for any testing or vaccination documentation.  The same for sea travel.  But the testing requirement is in place for international air travel.  "It is a puzzlement".

16 hours ago, Pcardad said:

Interesting note...not a single mandatory guest test since boarding on 12/20....nor will there be one before leaving for us citizens. 

And if they were to start "mandatory testing" of everyone....and did result in "positive results".....then what?

54 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

Just a question. Is evening entertainment being presented?

Hi "Dole" - Over on Mariner, Andy the CD just came on the announcement system and said that theater shows would still "go on" but that there would NOT be beverage service, Masks would be required at all times, and "social distancing would be practiced" for seating.  "Lot's more fun"!  Also, larger group gatherings like the Captain's Reception and the SSS meeting would NOT be held for the rest of the cruise.  Certainly NOT your "average Regent Cruise experience" no matter how hard the might be trying to "sell it" that way.  We're now on our "5-day sailing" from Costa Rica to San Diego.   Regards. 😉

2 hours ago, KBs mum said:

What happened to the dress codes on board? Is sportswear and casual allowed during the day?  

 

Absolutely!  That's the way it's been for at least 11 years.  Before 6 pm shorts, T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers are completely acceptable.  Only after 6PM does attire "shift" to more "elegant casual"....which is STILL NOT sports coats and ties, but collared shirts and dress slacks.  And I would guess that those who do not like that regime, have already found other cruise lines more acceptable to their taste long ago.

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

So media reporting on cruising has reverted to that seen in 2020.

This hype will no doubt feed into the paranoia of politicians and port authorities; notwithstanding factual data regarding cruise line safety protocols, number of positive cases or severity of symptoms.

So devastating for those employed in the travel industry and those of us enjoying, or looking forward to, travelling & cruising again.
 

 

Very well said, Susan!  Mary and I (along with our friends) feel perfectly safe, relaxed, and are "having a ball" onboard Mariner.  I'm not really sure that I'll even go ashore in San Diego, or for our extended days in San Franciso.  Although missing some ports has probably disappointed some on board, it has not deterred us in the least from having a good time.  Yesterday was spent in one of the hot tubs, relaxing on the pool deck, enjoying a cigar and some cocktails with "new found friends", and seeing/listening to the beautiful singing of Jeri Sager (Broadway Melodies) in the theater last night.

Regards to all!

3 hours ago, BBWC said:

What did you think of the excursion? We are booked on it next month, but not sure if it is worth the long drive as we have been to the rain forest in CR before.

Since this was our first visit to Costa Rica and our first to the Rain Forest (a beautiful slow, leisurely ride through the forest up to the "top" via an 8-person gondola ride), we really liked it.

I actually also enjoyed the bus ride through the port city, the countryside, and out to the park...but I don't think I'd do it a second time.  The guide was very informative and really knew his "stuff", about plants, wildlife, leaf-cutter ants, and other botanical facts of the forest.  But I would compare it to my first (and hopefully "only") tour of the Sistine Chapel.  After you've seen your first 20 tapestries of "Madonna and Child" (Sistine), and your hundredth tropical plant or butterfly...these tired old legs of mine could hardly make it to the "end of the tour".

I was quite happy for my ride (in the blissfully air-conditioned bus) back to the ship and the cold beer that was waiting for me!  "Glad I did it but was also glad when it was over".  😄  The Forest you saw is exactly the same forest I "saw".  Hasn't changed a bit.  Regards.

A nice all day trip into the Costa Rican rain forest today.  Our weather throughout this trip has been superb, so far.  Tomorrow is a sea day (which I don't mind at all), and then on Monday, we're supposed to spend a day in Guatemala.  We'll see if the "Port gods" cooperate!  🤪  The only "Pain" encountered is having to walk around the inside the ship with a mask on....and then sit down in a lounge and take the mask off while drinking and eating.  My own personal belief is that his is doing absolutely nothing positive to improve or degrade anyone's health....but again, only my opinion!  I've left the Suite 3 times, gotten halfway down the passageway (half the length of the ship), only to realize that I had forgotten the damn thing!  And of course, I'm not the only one, others "of a certain age" are doing the same thing!  Then we "spin around", walk all the way back to the room again, put on the mask, and then head out again to where we were first heading.  Arggghhh!

We're now off to dinner in Compass Rose.  Stay well, everyone!

Mariner docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica about an 1-1/2 hours ago.  A bright sunny morning.  In 20 minutes, we head to the Theater for our 7-hour "Aerial Tram & Rain Forest Adventure" Excursion.  Looking forward to my first time off the ship in 7 days.  A "piece of cake" after 60 to 90-day deployments during my "Navy days".  The food, drinks, and entertainment are also better on Regent than in the Navy!  😁   

1 hour ago, Roger88 said:

According to photos, everyone is wearing masks. Great job people! I hate it when I come to a place and only the place's empoyees wear masks and gloves while everyone else is just sitting there as if nothing is happening!

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay Healthy, Stay Strong ! 

Something is happening...we're all having fun onboard!  No one is sitting around in panic...worrying about whether we're going to still be alive for dinner tonight!  I'm now off to smoke an afternoon cigar and have a couple of "Rusty Nails" in the Connoisseur Club...That's probably more risky behavior than walking around this ship (with everyone fully vaccinated) without a mask on!  Regards   🤪

Hello Everyone - Please excuse any typo errors...It's now 10:30PM and I am one "whipped puppy".  Just finished a nice cigar and a couple of "Rusty Nails" in the Connoisseur Club.  This "cruising life" is tough if you're not in shape for it!  The "2 Mary's" are either still down in the theater....or in a lounge somewhere having a "nightcap".  Chuck and I said, "Goodnight" to each other and headed off to our respective suites.  Even without the shore excursions, I'm finding that there's so much to do on the Mariner...you just can't keep up with it all! The lectures, the casino (where so far, I'm losing/spending our children's inheritance - Oh...wait...I don't have any children!), the meals, the lounging on the balcony, etc., etc.  You all are going to have a great time, believe me! 

Tomorrow of course, we'll be up in the Observation Lounge or on the jogging track to view our day-long passage through the Panama Canal...Really, why we booked this cruise and what we really came here to see.  Tonight, we "did" Chartreuse.  A wonderful dinner.  I did take some "food porn" pictures but am just too tired to up load it to you tonight.  Hope to be getting those to you tomorrow. I had the lamb chops, "My Mary" had the floating desert, and we all had the "French Coffee" to finish off the meals - coffee with Cognac - and heavy cream floating on top.  The wait staff is performing their duties to "perfection"!  They are so happy to be back onboard and are trying so very hard to make everything "fabulous" for us...and succeeding!  The wines have been very good and the meals have been delicious.

No one seems to be "worried" or even talking about the few Covid outbreaks on the ship or the various port stops that we will be missing.  It's all been a joy to just be onboard.  We're all wearing our masks where required...and not wearing them when not required....in the dining venues while eating, in the lounges when drinking....and out on the pool deck when lounging or at the bar.  The masks simply haven't been a big deal!  And I would urge everyone to "accept" things like that - it's all simply "working out".  Regent is fully aware of what "needs to be done" to keep us "safe" and we are all happily abiding by their rules.

So, "off to bed now".  I'll give you more updates tomorrow.  Best Regards to all. 

Okay, A few general ramblings here on a lazy afternoon.  We left the port of Cartagena about 12:30 PM after docking there for about 5 hours.  We're now heading almost due West towards the Panama Canal.  I think I heard the Captain say that we'll be arriving at the entrance around 6AM tomorrow morning (Thursday).

The ship seems to "feel" empty!  That's not a "bad thing"...that's "Great" as far as I'm concerned!  But probably not too good if I were a Regent Accountant.  Many folks are enjoying the warm sunny weather laying on their recliner lounges up on the pool deck.  A few are in the hot tubs, and a few are in the pool.

Some groups and lectures are going on inside around the ship.  A Panama Canal lecture going on in the theater, some tables of bridge are going on in the Garden Promenade....and the Casino is opened now, that we are out of Columbian coastal waters....I'll be there as soon as I "sign off" here.

All in all, the internet speed isn't really too bad.  Of course, I'm just on Email and not doing any real data or bandwidth sucking,  or video-intensive "stuff" but it's quite tolerable for what I'm doing.  Tonight in the Theater, Jeri Sager and the Regent Signature Orchestra will be performing.  Yesterday, One of our travelling companions enjoyed a "full body massage" up in the Serene Spa.

So for "this 70+ something", who doesn't want to burn too many calories, this is turning out to be a "perfect cruise".  Tomorrow's excitement will be the transit of the canal. If you have any questions....just ask and I will try to "dig up" an answer.  Just don't make it too much of a  labor-intensive question!!  🤪  Best Regards. 

2 hours ago, giustot said:

Thanks for your reports Flossie. I have a question please since I am on almost the exact same itinerary in less than two weeks on the Explorer.

 

Knowing what you know now, would you still take the cruise, or reschedule it?

 

Thanks. Tom.

Hi, Tom - Although you addressed your specific question to Flossie (we met Susan and David  yesterday afternoon in the Horizon Lounge for a "Christmas Sing-Along")...We also met Bob and Susan (Daetchief) there, and Roz and Mike (Mrskigen) earlier in the day at another presentation.

If I may, I'd like to add some perspective to the cruise (mine only - I'm not speaking for anyone else).  Yes, I would book this cruise again "In a Heartbeat"!!  I had no particular hankering of going on many/most of the excursions, to begin with.  I am quite happy to be on Mariner for the full 18-day "cruise  to nowhere"!

The food is delicious, the staff (from room attendants, to the CD, and all the way up to the Captain) couldn't be more helpful and friendly.  The entertainment in the Theater is wonderful and energized, and the booze is free-flowing!

Everyone is positively complying with the masks mandate and if someone "forgets" to put theirs on (or accidentally leaves it in the room - like both myself, DW, and others have done at least once), a gentle reminder, along with a smile from someone else, gets an immediate return smile and the errant mask is quickly found!  They are not being worn (or required) in the pool or when relaxing on the loungers.

I see no one on the ship who is "cowering in fear".  And why should they?  Regent is acting with the safety of everyone on board being their primary concern.  If "the authorities" think it's unsafe for us to go ashore in Cartagena or Mexico - I am happy for them to "make that call", with my safety in mind.  On board, the Casino and Lounges are "open for business".

I would think that the medical information regarding any particular crew or passengers is private HIPPA protected information.  I would not want details of "My Condition" reported to anyone, either.  I respect the way Regent is handling this.  And even if anyone "knew"....what would/could they do about it, anyway??  Just leaving your home and travelling anywhere carries certain risks with it that we all seem comfortable and used to accepting.

For over a year now, we've been told that masks, the vaccine, and the booster  "where the answer", or at least the best way to lower (not eliminate) risk.  So okay, I think most of us have "bought into that" line of thinking.  I'm prepared to "trust that approach", use my own judgement, and simply "get on with my life".  No one ever claimed that vaccines or masks were a 100% fail-safe solution - and at the end of the day, no one can give any one of us a 100% "safety guarantee".  As others have repeatedly said on this forum...if cruising is just "too risky" for some of us the moment....then they should simply not do it - but they also shouldn't try to impose their own aversion to risk on the rest of us, either!

  Best Regards to all.  Now, I'm heading back up to the pool deck and bar!!

17 hours ago, docmark said:

I doubt "triple Vax" people are   a big majority.... hoping I am wrong 

Everyone I've spoken to on Mariner so far...is "triple vaxed".  2 Pfizers plus the booster.  Regards

38 minutes ago, ysolde said:

We are moving to Scottsdale early next year (sometime after our upcoming Regent cruise).  In 2023, we have a TA cruise out of Miami, ending in Barcelona.  We have advised our Regent travel advisor of our upcoming move, and she has made the adjustment to our reservation without a problem.  However, I looked up flights between PHX and MIA and noticed that to get to Miami from Phoenix by late morning, you have to fly out around between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am.  There are not a whole lot of options.  A JetBlue flight leaving Phoenix at 11:00 pm and arriving in Fort Lauderdale at 6:15 am.  An AA flight leaving Phoenix at 10:40 pm and landing in Miami at 5:45 am.  There is a SW flight leaving at 5 something in the evening, but that one lands in Miami sometime after midnight.  Would Regent put us on that one and leave us stranded at the airport until morning?

 

There are flights that land around 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  I don't see those working.  So much for the non-stops.

 

When I plug in flights with connections, I get one flight with a very tight (57 minute) connection in Orlando.  Leaves Phoenix at 10:45, arrives Orlando 5:43. Depart Orlando 6:40.  Arrive Miami 7:49.  This connection seems very tight to me.  Similarly, there is an 11:44 to CLT with a 47 minute connection.  Arrives CLT 6:33.  Departs CLT 7:20.  Arrive FLL 9:21.

 

What does Regent usually do when flying people from PHX to MIA?  I am assuming it puts people on the non-stops, even if they land very early in the morning.  So that probably means the AA flight (since it lands in Miami)?  I am assuming there will be more and different flight options a year from now.  I just want to get a sense of scheduling.

Ysolde - Remember, when flying eastbound (from Phoenix to Miami) you have time zones "working against you".  There's no way you can leave Phoenix in the morning (between 6AM and 9AM)....and ALSO arrive in Miami on the same morning (unless you're flying in an Air Force F-35 at Mach1-2 with in-flight refueling somewhere over Texas/Louisiana).  Flying non-stop, it's a 4 hour flight between PHX and MIA as well as a 3 hours time difference during the summer months (Day light Savings Time - AZ doesn't observe DST) and a 2 hours time difference during the winter months.

Don't forget that if using Regent Air and Regent's provided pre-cruise hotel (Concierge and above), you'll leave PHX in the morning on the day before the flight....stay overnight in a Regent-provided hotel in Miami....and then be taken to the ship from the hotel on the morning of "Cruise Day".

16 hours ago, Aloha 1 said:

Two South America cruises that venture down to Antarctic waters. One on Oceania Marina, the other on Regent Voyager. Ports and number of nights essentially the same. Oceania cabin is a Penthouse Cat 2, Regent cabin is a Cat F Veranda. O cost without air is $9,400 per person. Regent cost again without air is $15,150 PP.

At first glance it appears the choice should be a no-brainer but does the Regent ship get any closer to Antarctic land than the O ship??  If not, why the big discrepancy in cost? Both cruises embark within 10 days of each other. Thoughts?

Hello Aloha - As other's have already said, you seem to be (erroneously) assuming that Regent and Oceania are essentially "the same" product, and that the only difference is in the Fares.  The comparison is not between "2 apples" but rather, between just an apple and...a warm apple cobbler topped with French vanilla ice cream!  🤣  It is not the fare that is the differentiator, but all the "included extras" that you receive for the (higher) fare on Regent (and have to pay extra for on Oceania).  Regards

9 hours ago, giustot said:

On a related subject, I got an email from Global Entry saying my membership would expire in six months and I should get a head start on renewing since delays could be so long that they extended the expiration date a year for people who put in renewal applications.

 

I got scared, went on line and renewed right away. Four days later my new card arrived in the mail.

 

If your Global Entry expires within six months, this is a great time to renew.

Yessir!  Same thing just happened for me, too!  I re-applied for a new GE card, thinking it would take months... and 4 days later....a new card arrived in the mail (they just re-used the same digital picture they had on file for me from before).  Every now and then, you actually get a "nice surprise" from the government!   🤣  Just don't get too used to it!!

11 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

We may...or may not, be getting off the ship, depending on how complicated this becomes. It WILL NOT make a particle of difference to us. We'll just be happy to get on the ship. If this process is simple, we'll do it, if it gets complicated, maybe not.

Linda - I think I'll be approaching things exactly the same way on Mariner.  We'll just be happy to be cruising again.  If going ashore becomes just too problematic...well, there's always plenty of single-malt in our suite and a nice comfortable lounger on the balcony to take a nap on!  😜

4 minutes ago, Mudhen said:

Apparently there is some sort of form that we need to fill out so we can get the pre boarding antigen test that we all have to take.....at least that's what I gathered from some other posts. Someone mentioned that this Eurofin thing will be emailed to us 5 days prior to boarding. Either way, I don't think it's anything we missed. Will keep an eye out for "this" and if it comes, great, if it doesn't, I'm not going to worry about it. I will however, watch my spam folder as well as email.

Linda - You are absolutely correct.  We depart from Miami on Sat, the 18th and we received our Email notice from Eurofin this morning.  Eurofin is the name of the company who has the contract with Regent to handle all the Covid testing prior to boarding.  It doesn't make any difference about the nationality of the passengers or where they're coming (U.S. or overseas), or where the ship is.  They need everyone to fill out the forms (yes....more *- - - - forms) and be "registered with Eurofin and then Eurofin will send the "barcodes" back out to for each passenger (online) in order to "process and report" your Antigen tests on cruise day before boarding the ship.  Best Regards.

I.m sincerely hoping we won't have any production film crews to have to deal with or "step around" on our Mariner 12/18 Holiday cruise.  Probably not....since Mariner isn't the "newest toy in the fleet". I think all of us normal folks want to spontaneously participate in and enjoy our own "REAL Holiday Celebration", without being used as incidental/unpaid "props" for a Regent publicity opportunity.  Perhaps it's just me, but I think this is a bit "cheesy" on the part of Regent Corporate, actually.

Hi "Mum" - I agree with you.  When I watched that program over here in the U.S. ("World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship")  I came away with the thought that this was definitely "not the Regent" that DW and I sail on!  I don't think it showed Regent in the best light....at least not for an American audience.  I wouldn't continue to sail on Regent if it was "really" like that!

The script writing, video editing, and overall story line promoted a feeling of "total snootiness" and a complete obsession and focus on the "ritz, cost, and lavishness" of sailing on the Explorer.   It reminded me of the old TV program over here called, "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", hosted by Robin Leach (a Brit).

I don't think it did Regent any favors, at least not with an American audience.  The U.S. was not originally formed with any reverence for a "class system", and even if many of us might be able to afford a Regent Cruise, we don't "brag about it" or "wear it on our sleeve". And most well-mannered folks who might have a comfortable bank account don't openly flaunt it in front of others.  That show about "Christmas on Explorer" was nothing but the "Flaunting of excessive wealth".  Especially the segment about the lady purchasing the necklace in the ship's boutique!

I wonder if ITN plans on setting that same fake and pretentious "tone" for this new production, as well?  I hope not.  Regards.