Trying to decide if we would like a Transatlantic

One of the things TC2 and other long time cruisers on Regent keep talking about is how every cruiser is treated the same and that's what makes Regent so great. No one cruiser is treated better, every person in the lowest suite to the bigger suites. Doesn't sound like that is the way it is for these post. Just asking. Rick

There are special events for the Full Cruisers during the World Cruise - some on board and some on shore - but on a daily basis, all passengers are treated the same.

Peggy

World Cruisers are spending a huge sum for the privilege, so they should get some special recognitions. Doesn’t have to mean others are treated less than very well.

Also, when people spend a several months together, they will naturally form tighter friendships with their fellow passengers.

Thank you for the good wishes, Wes. I hope we can cruise with you and Ida again someday.

Cliques--also known as groups of friends--do form. That's what making friends is all about. And people who have forged friendships from before find each other the first couple of days of any subsequent cruise, and usually rekindle those friendships. But that does not, and should not, foreclose welcoming and building friendships with those who join the journey along the way.

I've now been on two "grand voyage/World cruise" type trips. One in 2008 on Regent Navigator and one in 2016 on Crystal Serenity. Both had similar cultures among passengers and crew, so I am taking that these elements may be universal:

-There will be a couple of events that are "full cruiser" only, as Peggy mentions. And usually there are some perks offered as incentives. On Regent, they may be free luggage shipping to and from U.S. ports, additional wifi log-in for the cabin, included laundry (tip o' the hat to another thread), visa service, etc. On Crystal, they may be a luggage allowance, a limo transfer from airport to ship, unlimited included visits to the specialty restaurants (Crystal charges for more than one visit to a couple of its specialty restaurants). But otherwise, again as Peggy notes, the treatment is the same whether you are on for 7 or 107 days.

-The crew provides the same fine service to all. It may seem, particularly in later segments, that preference is shown to full cruisers, but this is simply because they've had more time to get to know them and thus don't have to learn that you prefer this wine, that type of dinner roll, etc., or that you are usually up and out of your cabin with the sunrise (or don't peek out before noon). The differentiation, such as it is, is much akin to that between newbies to a particular ship and frequent sailors returning.

-Some full cruisers will not mix with those who join for segments;* most do. The difference between the two may be a little more obvious on Regent because of the open seating in the dining room--who you ask to sit with can be very telling. On Crystal, you sit with who they tell you to sit with (and will mix full and segment cruisers, particularly if you ask). I have come away from both lengthy cruises with enduring friendships--the 2008 one lasting nearly a decade-- from amongst both full and segment cruisers.

*A story from the Regent 2008 cruise: That one had "full cruisers" and "nearly full cruisers." You could join the ship in either one port (I forget which) or at the next segment in Athens, and either would be considered full cruisers from a perks perspective. We joined in Athens--the later segment. There were a handful of people who would have nothing to do with us because we were not "true" full cruisers. A couple even actively snubbed us. The thing is, that was useful for us. It sometimes takes a while to find that a person may not be someone you really want to spend time with. This attitude helped us know that about them from the outset and spend our time in much friendlier company--company that comprised the vast majority of the cruisers. Being a jerk is their burden in life, and not one I have to share in.

One of the things TC2 and other long time cruisers on Regent keep talking about is how every cruiser is treated the same and that's what makes Regent so great. No one cruiser is treated better, every person in the lowest suite to the bigger suites. Doesn't sound like that is the way it is for these post. Just asking. Rick

Everyone is treated the same but not everyone is the same. For instance, there are posters that are emphatic that they do not want to interact with the crew, have dinner with officers, etc. One poster that had difficulty on a Regent cruise didn't report it because they didn't want to interrupt their vacation to do so. Then there are posters like us that find the officers and crew a bit more interesting than a lot of passengers so we interact with them as much as their schedules allow. For this reason, we know. a lot of people that work on the ships.

When return customers board a Regent ship, there are hugs and greetings as they welcome passengers that they have sailed with before. Special treatment? Not in my opinion. It would be strange if the crew hugged everyone that boarded the ship. Those of us that interact with the crew also ask them what their day is going to be (i.e. are you going ashore, etc.). One of the main reasons we dine early is so that we have 5-10 minutes to chat with servers before everyone else arrives.

When I say that everyone is treated the same it means that if I am in the top suite and go to CR for dinner, I'll wait in the same line as everyone else -- tables with be first come - first served. If we are boarding a tender, there are no special privileges for anyone -- get in line. Unlike Oceania, there is no place on a Regent ship (except one tiny area on the Explorer that is reserved for guests of the Regent suite) that everyone can not visit. Since card keys are rarely shown (generally just to board or disembark the ship), servers/bartenders do not know who is in the top suites and who is in the least expensive suites (and they don't really care).

I cannot say 100% that no one receives special treatment - there has been talk of reserved tables (verified by Regent to be against their policy). What I can share is our experiences having stayed in all levels of suites - from Master to category "E" (before it was concierge). We obviously sailed Regent when we had no Seven Seas Society status and while we worked our way up to where we are now - 13 1/2 years later).

Rick, you may well find some former (or current) Oceania officers/crew/butlers on Regent. One of our favorite G.M.'s - Andreas (that will be on our upcoming cruise) is from Oceania (another one of our favorite G.M.'s is still on Oceania - Thierry Tholon) and one of our favorite butlers is on Oceania now. When I speak with them, one "known" difference between working on Oceania and Regent is the interaction with guests. Regent crew interacts with guests -- the General Manager's office is accessible to guests. On Oceania, you almost need to know the secret password in order to get Reception to speak to the G.M. onboard and have someone escort the passengers to their hideaway on another deck.

You will be spending quite a bit of time on the Explorer and will likely have the opportunity to know the ship pretty well. It may be difficult not to make comparisons with Oceania but IMO, it will rate fairly high. As I've mentioned before, we find the food better on Regent, the service about the same (except for two butlers that are better on Oceania ) and the ambience on Explorer just a tad better than Riviera and Marina. We like the Vista Suite (Riviera) better than the Grand Suite on Explorer, the PH suites on Riviera better than PH suites on Explorer but the lower suites are much better on Explorer.

Sorry for getting a bit off topic. When talking about "everyone being treated the same", it automatically brings me back to Oceania - a cruise line that you know well. It is the fact that everyone is not treated the same on Oceania. Heck - you can't even get a hot breakfast through room service if you are in a lower suites and you have to wait to board - depending upon suite category. These are the type of things that were a make-it or break it scenario for us on Oceania.

I also was a "segmenter" on the Silversea LALA cruise along with Wes. There were definitely some people on the whole voyage who didn't interact with segmenters, but that being said, we had a great time. Probably partly because Wes and Ida and a couple of our other friends were onboard. Yes, there was definitely favoritism shown by some crew to people on the entire voyage as far as dining reservations, but that was Silversea, not Regent.

I have also been a "segmenter" on the regent circle South America cruise, but it was the first segment, so can't really comment how later in the cruise would have gone. My trivia team was very sad to see me go, and they were all on for the entire voyage.

In my post above, let me clarify something. In no way on what was (sort of) the last leg of a world cruise did the crew treat us any differently than the world cruisers. The fellow guests, in my analysis, were just a bit tired and cranky, and that's all I meant. And understandably so as they had been at sea a LONG time!

TC2, I didn't say anything about cruisers treating other cruisers different. I was asking a question regarding other posters that stated "CREW" treated cruisers different on a WC than those that just join for part of the cruise. Another poster stated will, WC pay more so they should get more-so tell me whats the difference paying more for a cruise or paying more for a suite. Perks are perks, service is service-crew should treat everyone the same. But that's not what these posters are saying-I just asked the question since these are people with a lot of days cruising on Regent. They seem to expect more from the crew. Rick

TC2, I didn't say anything about cruisers treating other cruisers different. I was asking a question regarding other posters that stated "CREW" treated cruisers different on a WC than those that just join for part of the cruise. Another poster stated will, WC pay more so they should get more-so tell me whats the difference paying more for a cruise or paying more for a suite. Perks are perks, service is service-crew should treat everyone the same. But that's not what these posters are saying-I just asked the question since these are people with a lot of days cruising on Regent. They seem to expect more from the crew. Rick

My response to your post was that the "CREW" did not treat guests differently but that it can be perceived that way if you look at the warm welcome they are giving returning guests. This is true of any cruise that you are on. What posters are saying (and have been saying for years) is that "GUESTS" tend to treat "segmenters" differently.

As a person with "a lot of days cruising on Regent", we do not expect more from the crew but rather are excited to see them and the warmth between former passengers and the crew could lead one to believe that they are receiving special attention. My response to that is that crew members are human beings that are away from their families for months at a time. Some of us remind crew members of their parents so we grow close to them. This is not the same as "expecting more from the crew".

The way that passengers on a WC or a long cruise act towards "segmenters" is a different thing altogether. Plus, if I wanted to look for issues or are looking to see how others are treated, I would likely not enjoy Regent. It is our own experience that I care about that the experience has exceeded expectations at least 90% of the time.

TC2, I agree---but that isn't what the other poster state.

I started this thread with an honest question. It is now taking an ugly turn not intended. It would be fine with me for it to end. Thanks for the insight that was given, but I feel now too much is being read into simple statements. So, I'm done. Thanks again for y'all's insight.

Does seem as though the conversation took an unneeded turn for the worse.... I'll just say we sailed Explorer's inaugural TA last year. Many cruisers on that voyage, who are also participating in this thread, were already on the ship from earlier segments. We've never encountered a more friendly, social, gracious and polite group of cruisers than those we met on Regent. If you want the company of your fellow cruisers it will never go lacking on this line. At the same time, your privacy is well respected.

You are in for a treat. Have a great time on Explorer.

Does seem as though the conversation took an unneeded turn for the worse.... I'll just say we sailed Explorer's inaugural TA last year. Many cruisers on that voyage, who are also participating in this thread, were already on the ship from earlier segments. We've never encountered a more friendly, social, gracious and polite group of cruisers than those we met on Regent. If you want the company of your fellow cruisers it will never go lacking on this line. At the same time, your privacy is well respected.

 

You are in for a treat. Have a great time on Explorer.

We were on the TA (and the prior segment) on the Explorer last year. You're right - such a wonderful group of people (over 50 CC'ers). It would be great if all cruises were that special!

We have done TA's on Voyager, Navigator and Mariner (as well as Riviera). We love them - especially love the lecture series which are better (IMO) on Regent than on Oceania.

The most outstanding TA we have done was on the Navigator. The Theatre Guild from NYC were on board and the entertainment/lectures etc they gave were just superb. One of the actors was Patricia Neal who spoke about her life, dealing with the results of a stroke etc etc.

The ship was fine but we didn't get into any storms. A little "tight" for tea and Trivia in Gallileo's though. And by a stroke of chance we re-met people we had done a crossing with in 1971 on the Italian line...and are still in touch with them. All in all it was a great cruise. We had a Navigator Suite which was a bit small, especially the balcony, but we enjoyed it. No perceptible vibration there but a LOT one day in the theatre.

I must have stated my question poorly...too much as a statement. Does anyone have experience going on the last leg of a world cruise? I'm sure there are many that have not been on for whole world cruise but we have no experience with this. Any insight would be helpful. Looking at TA April 2019 or 2020. Thank you.

It was several years ago that we did the last segment of the world cruise from Istanbul to Miami. We love all the sea days, lots of time to relax and enjoy the ship. There are always lots of activities scheduled. My only negative had to do more with the attitudes of the "world cruisers" , they had been together for a long time and were not very friendly to us. In fact we heard several negative comments about "seggies" . I overheard one woman state (regarding a special event) "if the seggies are invited I am not going".

Life is too short to feel out of place by the World Cruisers on an ending segment (April 2019 Navigator) of a TA cruise. I've been on plenty of cruises that some are continuing or had been on cruise before without any issue at all. I feel end of world cruise is pushing it so we are out. Everyone helped me very much. Thank you.

I do understand about the Navigator. We have been on her 4 times. We have been in 30 foot seas on the Voyager where 2 dining room windows busted and many stayed in their cabins. We enjoyed watching the sea and had no sea sickness. My only problem is I get my "sea legs" and they stay with me after I leave the ship for days��. Since land is not moving...I do.

You may suffer from MDDS, it's an unusual illness that I get a well. See your doctor and get an Rx for Klonapin before the cruise and it won't happen!

Greetings, Everyone, from South Beach. Most interesting thread. First, it got me thinking about time changes. We are booked on next Spring's TA on Explorer, We have sailed many TAs, and parts of this thread have me thinking of changing to next Fall's TA on Explorer. I recall some of the same feeling Travelcat2 mentioned after a few days. West to East feels much more luxurious. Haven't decided yet. The comment about "seggies" really amused me. What a fun person that one is! Since cruise ships usually sail continuously, everyone is sailing segments, even WCs. They get off, and the ship goes on. Well, usually. Oceania's Insignia had a fire in 2015, ending that season's WC. We were on her through the Panama Canal with a few WCs from that trip who had rejoined Insignia after its repair. They were staying on for another WC beginning in Miami where we were getting off. A very nice lot they were, too.

Mary

There is definitely an Us and Them mentality. Our worst experience of this hostile, rude behaviour was on a segment of a Silversea "LALA" cruise. There was a particularly toxic little clique of WC "ladies of a certain age" who got very snooty with any lowly "segmenter" who even dared to say "good morning". It cast a very uncomfortable shadow over the entire trip to the extent we would never consider an obvious WC segment again on any cruiseline if we can possibly avoid it.

But we would most definitely do more TAs, either direction, although we prefer East-West as we gain a few extra hours thanks to crossing the time zones.

Greetings, Everyone, from South Beach. Most interesting thread. First, it got me thinking about time changes. We are booked on next Spring's TA on Explorer, We have sailed many TAs, and parts of this thread have me thinking of changing to next Fall's TA on Explorer. I recall some of the same feeling Travelcat2 mentioned after a few days. West to East feels much more luxurious. Haven't decided yet. The comment about "seggies" really amused me. What a fun person that one is! Since cruise ships usually sail continuously, everyone is sailing segments, even WCs. They get off, and the ship goes on. Well, usually. Oceania's Insignia had a fire in 2015, ending that season's WC. We were on her through the Panama Canal with a few WCs from that trip who had rejoined Insignia after its repair. They were staying on for another WC beginning in Miami where we were getting off. A very nice lot they were, too.

Mary

We have done a TA both ways on Explorer and do prefer not losing an hours. After doing over 50 nights on Explorer (4 cruises), we changed to the Mariner - will be doing the Voyager next month and for the TA in November then return to Explorer for the foreseeable future (2 cruises booked in 2019 and one in 2020). While some do not love the ship, we do and miss the extra space, Pacific Rim, lunch in P7 and Chartreuse and the lovely suites. Storage is not issue on Explorer - unlike the other three ships.

Have to agree about WC's and even some long cruises. While I would never be rude to someone just boarding, I kind of sit back and wait for them to become accustomed to the ship and then they fit in like everyone else.

WC segments rather reminds me of playing Trivia. Some people think they "own" specific tables for Trivia and can get quite rude to those that simply walk in and want a cup of tea and happen to sit at "their" table. The pettiness I've seen during Trivia caused us to stop playing. Hard to believe that Regent cruisers can be so rude and petty at times but they certainly show their worst side at Trivia.

We love a leisurely TransAtlantic crossing and enjoy the various activities arranged on sea days.

Thus far we have been fortunate to experience reasonable weather and mainly calm seas during crossings of both the North and South Atlantic. Fingers crossed for our next crossing in March.

WC segments rather reminds me of playing Trivia. Some people think they "own" specific tables for Trivia and can get quite rude to those that simply walk in and want a cup of tea and happen to sit at "their" table. The pettiness I've seen during Trivia caused us to stop playing. Hard to believe that Regent cruisers can be so rude and petty at times but they certainly show their worst side at Trivia.

I agree. Some people take this simple entertainment far too seriously. Chair rearrangement and reservation in the Horizon lounge pre Trivia can sometimes be worse than lounger hogging on the Pool Deck.

We enjoy a cup of tea followed by Trivia but not when it becomes too crowded or impassioned.

We love a leisurely TransAtlantic crossing and enjoy the various activities arranged on sea days.

Thus far we have been fortunate to experience reasonable weather and mainly calm seas during crossings of both the North and South Atlantic. Fingers crossed for our next crossing in March.

 

 

I agree. Some people take this simple entertainment far too seriously. Chair rearrangement and reservation in the Horizon lounge pre Trivia can sometimes be worse than lounger hogging on the Pool Deck.

We enjoy a cup of tea followed by Trivia but not when it becomes too crowded or impassioned.

We talked about this as Trivia people. Having tea time and trivia in the same place seemed a little inconvenient for both peoples. On other cruises, Trivia was not held along side of Tea Time. Seemed much better. Although Trivia people became territorial too in this venue. Oh well!

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