Dolebludger

We have cruised in suite class on main-stream lines, and on lux lines only, for the last 30 years. Not because we are “entitled”, as we pay for this. The reason is that rather than being subject to lines, crowds, and nickel and dimming we see in non-suite accommodations on main-stream lines, we’d rather stay home. Because the price of cruise accommodations like this has gone through the roof in very recent years, we have been staying home a lot. We really aren’t concerned much about the butler situation. We ARE concerned about reports of Celebrity eliminating or diminishing inclusions for those who have previously paid in full when those inclusions were in place. The particular inclusion I’m talking about that has recently been eliminated is the included mini-bar use in Sky Suites. They seem to be pay-as-you-use mini-bars now, probably at prices 500% or more of ordinary retail. When we are paying several $thousand pp for a week’s cruise, the line will not go broke if they include a few $1,50 cans of beer and $.50 cans of soda. If not, we will book elsewhere, or stay home

The Luminae is the major reason for us to book in the Retreat also. We understand included suite mini-bar has been eliminated from the SS list of perks. The in-suite mini-bar is another major reason. We used to book in CS and RS, but I can’t see paying the price for these now. We can book a 100% lux line for less. So I guess Celebrity is off our list — at least for now.

We were in a Celebrity Suite in 2018 and a Royal Suite in 2019. We felt at that time that Clebrity Suites were as good an experience as our regular cruise line (Regent) with a bit more room space -- for less cost. We didn't cruise from 2020 to 2022 for obvious reasons When we did our comparissons for 2023 we found that even if we went for a Sky Suite, there was really no price difference. And I had heard "rumblings" about diminished Retreat inclusions. So our cruise taken this year was on Regent, with no dimished inclusions and no onboard issues. It is a shame that Celebrity has seemingly gone on a program of decreasing inclusions in the Retreat, and on the ship in general (what happened to "Always Included"?). As a single cruise line will not always have the itenerary and timing we want, it is good to have more than one "on your list". Celebrity was on mine, but being reconsidered.

Yes, my wife’s party also to the observation car on the train, and they rate it highly. We don’t know anything about the bus that is recent information. In 2002 when I last took this cruise on the Navigator, the bus was a huge affair that was only about 1/3 full, but I have been told that it is not that pleasant now. And by staying an extra night is Seward, they reported at the ship terminal at the appointed time, and just walked on the ship with zero lines — as the bus was late and had not arrived.

In mid June of this year, my wife, daughter, and granddaughter did this Alaska cruise on the Explorer. They opted out of the Regent provided Anchorage Hilton due to horrible reviews on the hotel rating sites on the internet. I did not go, as this was a “girl’s vacation”. They booked the Anchorage Aloft hotel in Anchorage. They opted for the train. This proved to be a very good move, as there have been reports on this board indicating not only that the Anchorage Hilton is bad, but also that Regent’s contractor responsible for getting guests from the hotel to the bus has been causing very long lines. We take Regent because we greatly dislike long lines! They also decided to spend a night at the Harbor 360 hotel in Seward a night before the cruise, and left home a day early. They report that the Anchorage hotel was fairly close to the train station and adequate. And the hotel in Seward was adequate, and just across the street from the port terminal. The cruise itself is reported to me as excellent. I should note that the last time I personally stayed in the Regent-provided Anchorage Hilton was in 2002. Even back then the air conditioning didn’t work well, and the place was due for redecorating — which I am told hasn’t happened. I hope Regent checks the hotel to bus transfer problem in Anchorage, and makes the needed corrections.

Just a question. What has been cut from the perks that those is Sky and Celebrity suites received about five years ago?

Big Vin, I hope the Vancouver airport and the airline is more hospitable to you than than they were to my wife's party in June. Of course, Regent has no control over them. As far as the differences between your review, and that of my wife for the same cruise just two months before, I have my own interpretation. It is that the cruise lines have not sufficiently recovered from the pandemic situation to be able to offer consistant cruise experiences. So we can no longer rely on an excellent review (or a "meh" one) as a prediction on how a future cruise will be on the same ship. Maybe someday.

Yes, Big Vin,,nobody here is in a hurry for your review of your Explorer on board experience in Alaska. But I will consider any specific negative comments as we have a Caribbean cruise booked on the Splendor in March 2024, and will consider any comments about the Explorer as relevant as it as it is a “sister ship” of the Explorer. And I was once a Radisson/Regent “cheer leader” because back in 2002 we booked on the then Radisson Paul Gauguin for the price if about $2500 pp for a 7 nighter. We were picked up at our house, taken to the airport, and flown to LAX, and from there flown to Tahiti. Now nothing like that is happening for over 4X that price. Please post your experiences at your convenience, I’m interested.

While my wife, daughter and grand daughter had a great onboard experience six weeks ago, this does not mean negate the fact that there could be problems right now. I’m sure we would all like to hear about any current problems, specifically. I have not cruised since the pandemic, and I asked my wife to note and tell me of any problems she observed. The ones she observed were very minor — not worth mentioning. (Smoke from the cigar bar getting into the observation lounge, one incident of understaffing at the pool bar, and one show that she didn’t like) Very minor. But we can all recall the first post-pandemic cruise of the Voyager when on-board restaurant service was reported by many as — bad. Reports of on-board problems are important to most here, I think. I am considering whether I want to cruise again, given the known problems of getting to the cruise and home from it.

In mid-June my wife, daughter, and grand daughter cruised Seward to Vancouver on the Explorer for a “girls only” cruise. They took credits and booked their own air, hotel, and ground transfers. They took the train from Anchorage to Seward, and spent an extra pre cruise night in Seward. As for the Cruise itself, the wife and I have been on more Regent cruises (and a few other lux cruises) than I can count. My wife reports that this recent cruise was the best on-board experience of them all. Otherwise, all went well until they arrived at the Vancouver airport, and were greeted by a very long line to check in for the United flight home. A long wait later, the wife raised some cane because the shortcomings of United Staff almost made the party miss their flight. Of course, Regent had nothing to do with that flight. The story here is that once onboard a Regent ship, the service and experience is great. Getting to and from the ship may be a different matter. It seems that Regent’s contractor in Anchorage has a severe problem. I hope the OP contacts Regent with this information. I’m confident that Regent will do all possible to correct this. That may not be easy. All land hospitality providers seem to be short staffed these days.

True. What I meant is there is no additional AIRLINE charge for the stopover. Iceland, like all tourist destinations, is very expensive regarding hotels and meals.

For what it may be worth, we flew Iceland Air on the way to a river cruise in Europe. We booked Business/First. One reason was the low price. Another was the nonstop flight from Denver to Iceland. It was not a “lay down seat” accommodation but it was fine. Another plus (or minus) if your destination is not Iceland is the need for a connection in Iceland (possible minus). A possible plus is that you can “lay over” in Iceland for up to seven days, then fly on, for no additional cost. We decided on a two night extension in Iceland, and really enjoyed our time there. As I understand, Iceland Air is government owned, and it offers the no cost stay in Iceland as a positive way to boost tourism there. Should we ever visit Europe again, we will not hesitate to look into Iceland Air again..

Actually, we have been to some AI land resorts where staff is forbidden to accept tips. I don’t think Regent has such a rule, so guests can do what they wish. And we always donate to the crew fund, as a way to show appreciation for the good service we always receive without starting a trend.

We have been on numerous Regent cruises, and have never tipped anybody on board. I guess we are too literal in our interpretation of ‘tips included”. Once, in the case of lost luggage, we offered our room steward a tip for getting what clothes we had washed and returned quickly. It was rejected. In the USA, tipping expectations have gone way beyond the customary “tip for personal service” customs. We were in a retail store here not long ago (self service) and went to pay via CC. A tip prompt came up, though there was no personal service. Actually, my wife went a bit ballistic about this. In the USA there is an attempt to expand tipping way beyond its original, customary definitions. So if any cruise is advertised to me as “tips included” I’ll just believe that.

This is right. Children of 2 years old do not belong on ANY cruise, and certainly not on Regent. A child of 5 years old belongs only on a Disney cruise — or one like it. Children misbehave primarily when there is nothing interesting to them to do. And there is little on a Regent cruise for them to do. As I posted before, my 12 years old grand daughter loved her Explorer Alaska cruise, and I think she disturbed nobody. But we never took her on any cruise (except for Disney) when she was younger.

If one of the children is really 22 tears old, he/she will love a Regent cruise. But if the “22” is a typo and the child is really 2 years old — no way.

Another “no”, this time from the standpoint of the children. Age 2 is too young for the child to enjoy any cruise. Age 5 is too young for the child to enjoy a Regent cruise. As the children would not enjoy a cruise on the Navigator, it would be a waste of money to subject them to it. At what age might a child actually like a Regent cruise? Well, our grand daughter, who turns 12 tomorrow, was on the Explorer in Alaska last month. I was concerned that she wouldn’t enjoy it. But she is mature for her age, and she loved it for the educational and culinary experience. When she was 6 and 8, she was on Disney cruises and liked them too — at that time. But, as she says, she is too old for Disney now.

I don’t know what the staffing situation is at Regent’s home office, but if it is like that in my location, Regent is understaffed. Businesses in many areas can’t hire the people they need to provide their historical level of service, no matter how much they raise salaries and wages. Regent may not have the staff to assemble and mail out the packet it used to send. Or perhaps there was a problem with the supplier of these items. The main thing is the onboard experience. My wife just returned from a “girls cruise” with our daughter and grand daughter on the Explorer. After more Regent (and Radisson) cruises that we can count, she reports that it was the best cruise yet.

Actually, there were children’s programs on the Explorer — one program for younger children and another for teenagers. But my grand daughter at age 12 didn’t think she fit in either program. But she was able to meet people of her own age group, and have a good time.

Well, wife, daughter, and grand daughter have returned. The reports are positive about Regent, with only a few minor issues. But the airline service was hideous, even though they all flew first class. The problems with Regent were few and small. They include smell from the cigar lounge in the observation lounge, musical performers who lacked enthusiasm, and some understaffing at the pool lounge. Like I said, problems few and small. And Regent had no responsibility for the airline incompetence. We even booked the air ourselves. The flight home was another matter. There was a blocks-long line at the entrance to the Vancouver airport where ONE guy was checking passports AND rescheduling people whose flights were cancelled by United. This would have caused my people to miss their flight if wife hadn’t raised cain with a United manager, who brought in reinforcements. Then when they boarded their flight to Denver, there was a delay because United couldn’t find their flight crew! This put them in a tight spot for catching the Denver to Durango flight. Except the day was saved because the United flight to Durango was also late in getting to Denver. This service was in stark negative contrast with the service they had received on Regent. Wife booked a Caribbean cruise for she and I on the Splendor in March, which we can cancel within 30 days. While I would love a cruise on the Splendor, I don’t know if I can tolerate the gross lack of service by and incompetence of our airlines. And I should note that the airline problem described is not the only such problem we have had with airlines in recent past — nor is it the worst. I won’t go into those now. But our entire recent experience with airlines make me hesitant to attempt a cruise that also involves flying —unless and until the airlines get their acts together.

Well, she rapidly met other kids onboard. I don’t know about any Regent teen programs, but I’m sure I’ll have more info on this when she gets home in about two days. But she is not a teen yet, as she is only 12. And I understand that all the kids onboard were very well behaved, and caused no problems at all. In fact, the 25 or so kids on this cruise were much like “little adults” from what I have been told. That has been our experience with all the kids on the many Regent cruises we have taken in the past.

Sorry about the mess in my post above. Either my computer or I were malfunctioning. My wife, daughter, and grand daughter are on the last leg of their cruise — Ketchikan to Vancouver. They have really enjoyed the Explorer. Great food and drinks and service. Only problems reported to me were about cigar smoke getting into the observation lounge, and view blockage in the theater. And these are well known, I think. And there was a problem beyond Regent’s control. And that was the number of “mega ships” in the ports at the same time. In most of the ports, there were twice the number of passengers from other lines in the port at the same time as the population of those port cities. So the ports were “slammed” with “over population” while the Regent ship was in port. As we are locals of Durango, Colorado, we are experienced in the problem of “excessive tourism” and all the port stops in Alaska have this problem — on steroids. But again, this is not Regent’s problem. But all should ensure that they are on a ship they enjoy being on (like the Explorer) in booking an Alaska cruise, as the ship experience may be the majority of the trip due to “excessive tourism” in the ports. Of course, Regent has included shore excursions, but not all of us older people can take some of those. Again, not Regent’s fault. We are thinking about taking another Regent cruise to the Caribbean next spring for my wife and I. But are worried that “over population” in port towns due to other mega ships may be a problem. By the way, I hate to fly, the way our airlines are now, so the Caribbean seems to be the only choice, unless air service improves.

Thank you for the information.

I see. For now I ask about the Radiance. But let me ask where I can get this info on all classes of ships. I couldn’t find it on any web site.

I was looking at the Radiance of the Seas, but my question is about the entire line.