Why should I cruise on Regent?

[hmh60]

I am one of those low lifes that has cruised mostly on Princess. I have been following this board since a good friend has sailed with Regent.

 

I am not sure that I would be welcomed because there is a poster on this board that seems that we are not worthy.

 

We have cruised with Crystal this past year and have another cruise booked this year.

 

I would love to try Regent, but so afraid that I will run into the people who would put me down for cruising on Princess.

 

We have travelled the world in different modes. Not always luxury, but always a good time.

 

Why should I try Regent?

[jhp]

Well to begin with, how about shedding that word, low life? lol, I am a long time cruiser Regent (30+ cruises, and can assure you none of them more than 25 nights) Just give them a try. I would run the other way from a person who who put me down for cruising Princess! Actually, I would like to try them some day, as one of my favorite cruise couples on Regent does so almost every year addition to her cruises on Regent.

 

Just don't listen to whatever poster you are talking about. When we get on the ship, we've all paid the same fare, and no one is different from the others. I hate that people think Regent might be the way you fear. Because I know it is not.

 

Well, why should you try Regent? I hardly know what to say, as I don't know you, and what you are looking for to enhance your Princess experience. The differences? To begin with, everything is included in the fare, like airfare, pre-cruise hotel, and all your excursions (within limits) and gratuities, and drinks. Aside from that, the cabins are wonderful, so big and spacious compared to most cruises at the "entry" level. It is smaller than most Princess ships.

 

 

For me, the nicest thing is that your fellow cruisers are SO nice, all well-traveled for the most part, never flashy sorts. It is just hard to describe. You just have to try it for size, so to speak. I don't think you will be disapointed if it suits you.

[tallship]

I concur with everything JHP says. Do NOT let the comments of a few ruin your holiday. Trust me that these are minority voices. Once you cruise Regent, you will absolutely be hooked.

[Ricky Starbuck]

We just debarked from our cruise from Hong Kong to Beijing and have once again left the ship knowing that we made the right choice - for our fourth Regent Cruise. In 2010, we traveled on Princess to Alaska and the same summer cruised on Regent in the Mediterranean.

 

Believe me, comparing the two lines is like trying to compare night and day. I know that Princess seems like such a bargain when matching prices to Regent, but as many wise people have said, "You get what you pay for."

 

I won't criticize Princess because I think that they do a fair to good job for the price you pay, but the EXPERIENCE is totally different. The CREW is totally different. The AMBIANCE is totally different. The PASSENGERS are totally different. The FOOD is astonishingly different. My mom used to say, "For ten cents extra, you can go first class." Yes, Regent costs more, but not THAT much more when you factor in all the extras that Regent provides.

 

I will leave you with this example: We arrived by taxi to embark the ship in Hong Kong. There was no crowd, no line, no noise, and nobody from the ship selling anything to us. Check-in was swift and efficient. We walked on the ship and were handed a glass of champagne, greeted warmly by crew members, and ESCORTED to our suite. [Note: the word "cabin" is not used on Regent.] And this is the good part - When we arrived at the suite, we were greeted immediately by our lovely stewardess Annalyn and her assistant Ye; on the table, we found bowls of assorted salted nuts and potato chips in addition to a tray of fresh fruit. In the refrigerator were cans of Coke Zero and Sprite Free. What makes all of this so wonderful is that all of these items were our requested choices from one year ago when we sailed from Sydney to Singapore. Regent kept our request in our profile and had our favorite items waiting for us! That is the REGENT EXPERIENCE!

[ridolphi]

Agree with jhp as well, and we know both her and the couple she referred to. We love Regent for all the reasons she mentioned and then some, Ricky's comments were right on also.

 

We too cruise Princess, in fact did a two week Hawaii last Spring and enjoy Princess very much, we don't even try to compare the two, so when we are on Princess we enjoy that experience and when on Regent we enjoy it to the fullest. We have met the most delightful people on Regent and love the atmosphere onboard from the staff to the fellow passengers, and many people we have met cruise other lines as well, Princess, HAL, etc, as we do ourselves.

 

Give them a try and judge for yourself, not by what one poster has said, bet you will love the experience.

[LindaM]

We have only sailed with Regent once, but are sailing again in a little over a week. You will find the typical Regent passenger to be very normal and down to earth. We have cruised around 25 times on other lines and have done numerous land trips throughout Europe. Not once did we meet someone who made us feel inferior because we traveled on mainstream lines, or used mainstream land tour companies.

 

Yes, there are some unbelievable snobs on this board. I am willing to bet if we met them onboard, they would be nothing like their personas here. They are smart enough to know others would avoid them like the plague if they acted so superior onboard.

 

Don't worry about Regent---you will love it. Paying upfront and having no bill at debarkation is wonderful.

[UUNetBill]

HMH - we just started cruising several years ago, and we selected Regent for our first cruise based on the reviews, itinerary, pricing (yes, pricing), and all-inclusive nature. As others have stated, you may suffer from 'sticker-shock' when you price out your cruise initially, but when you factor in everything that's included, the price gap closes significantly.

 

So far, we've cruised on Regent three times (with a fourth cruise booked this summer) and on Cunard once. The QM2 was a beautiful ship and the itinerary was nice, but I really don't see myself returning to them any time soon. The Regent customer service is fantastic, each cruise makes me feel like a rock star, and I don't think I've met one person who was 'snobby'...to be honest, I've overhead a few people make what I would consider snooty comments or behave boorishly at dinner, but they're the exception, not the rule. And they're so few in number, well, it's easy to just ignore them and find people you enjoy cruising with!

 

We're still in touch with people we've met on board and I actually think the Regent passengers are more laid back and down-to-earth than a lot of the people we met on Cunard. I wouldn't hesitate to book a cruise with Regent, regardless of what other lines you've sailed in the past!

 

Good luck and happy sailing. :)

[FPJC03]

I can give you my angle as a newbie on Regent who has cruised first on Carnival, then on HAL, then Royal, Celebrity and then Princess. All the lines have their plusses and minuses. When I was researching an Alaska cruise with land excursions, my TA and several Alaska cruisers strongly suggested booking on Princess, since they owned several of the lodges, part of the train and were experts in touring Alaska. So we booked a 4day land and 7 day cruise and had a wonderful time.

 

As others have said before here, there are so many negative posters on this site that you have to mostly ignore their remarks. If you have ever gone on TRIPADVISOR, it is the land equivalent of cruisecritic. You have to throw out the super-bubbly praise that some give and then the really bad negative remarks that others throw out.

 

I only pay attention to those that bring up IMPORTANT objective issues, not trivial or subjective rants that seem only pertinent to their puny brains. Mechanical issues on ships or poor conditions in public areas are red flags for others to be concerned. In the end, if you go with a positive attitude, you will most likely have a joyous experience.

GOOD LUCK....

October 24th Monte Carlo to Venice - MARINER

[HanaleiSailor]

Aloha HMH,

 

Last year, my wife and I took our first ever cruise, though we were not new to international travel having lived abroad and traveled a great deal for many years. We decided on a Regent sailing from Venice to Rome.

 

While waiting to go on our trip, I read a great deal on Cruise Critic for around six months, and I became very concerned about whether we would fit in on the Voyager due to some of the very petty, even mean-spirited comments I was reading on these boards. We even considered cancelling because of the tenor of some of the posts here.

 

All I can say is that we are very grateful that we chose to ignore much of the nonsense here and take the trip; Regent did a fantastic job throughout our entire experience. The food ranged from good to excellent, the cabin was great and the service was consistently excellent. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we have booked another Regent trip this year.

 

On board, we found that we could socialize with others as much or as little as we desired. Since we operate a very busy business in a high-end tourist location, we really preferred to spend much of our time together, without lots of additional company, and this was quite easy to do on the ship, but the people we did meet and interact with were really nice, down to earth, many of the younger folks we met (non-retirees), like us, owned small businesses, or worked in professional jobs. No snobbery, just nice well-traveled people enjoying the beautiful Italian ports.

 

I've found that asking specific questions here about people's experience with certain elements of the trip to be much more helpful than asking for speculation. Once the board gets away from personal experience, it often deteriorates into name-calling and nastiness, in my opinion. Also the comparison threads concerning x cruise line vs. Regent are nearly useless as they tend to be glorified personal arguments rather than fact-based information.

 

I learned a great deal that helped me to get more enjoyment out of our cruise by reading Cruise Critic, but I also learned that there is a good deal to simply ignore here as well.

 

Take the cruise! You won't regret it.

 

Aloha from Hanalei.

[EAGLESLOVER]

I am one of those low lifes that has cruised mostly on Princess. I have been following this board since a good friend has sailed with Regent.

 

I am not sure that I would be welcomed because there is a poster on this board that seems that we are not worthy.

 

We have cruised with Crystal this past year and have another cruise booked this year.

 

I would love to try Regent, but so afraid that I will run into the people who would put me down for cruising on Princess.

 

We have travelled the world in different modes. Not always luxury, but always a good time.

 

Why should I try Regent?

 

 

 

We are long time Princess cruisers (certainly do not consider ourselves low lifes) who cruised for the first time with Regent on last November's Grand Crossing. We are low key and just like to enjoy ourselves while on vacation. Since we are still working our vacation time is limited so we really want a great time. We had a fabulous time!!

You simply cannot compare the experience to Princess which we have enjoyed very much. Apples and oranges. For us everything about the Regent experience was far and away above our Princess experieces . Best cruise ever!!

I must warn you though. Regent is addictive.

We leave on the Navigator on April 1st.:):):)

[Travelcat2]

Absolutely no one on board cares what cruise lines you have sailed on. Most of us talk about traveling and the day's events (what port you visited -- what you did, etc.). I became friends with a couple -- did not know what they did -- what cruise lines they sailed or even if they had children. At the end of our second cruise together, some of these details came up -- but did not matter at all.

 

You may be confusing posts on CruiseCritic where advertising to Princess customers, etc. has been discussed by regulars. This is about Regent management -- not about the onboard experience. In our 15 cruises, former cruises has not been an issue on board. It has, however, been an issue on Cruisecritic (along with many other issues that have nothing to do with the onboard experience).

 

I definitely agree that Regent is addictive. We wanted to go on one Radisson cruise in 2004 and look what happened.

 

I strongly disagree with paying too much attention to negative comments about the ship's condition or mechanical problems. People reading reports of the Voyager's problems, for the most part, don't have a clue what is going on. The ship is fine except for a minor issue that would happen to any ship with pods. Brown water is also not a big issue.

[Laszlo]

My wife and I are taking a serious look at Regent. We are both 50, low key and really like the idea of less than 500 other passengers on the ship. They seem to have a great deal going on now for a 7 day cruise in November out of Miami.

[Travelcat2]

My wife and I are taking a serious look at Regent. We are both 50, low key and really like the idea of less than 500 other passengers on the ship. They seem to have a great deal going on now for a 7 day cruise in November out of Miami.

 

If you are looking at the Navigator, you would love the cruise. However, Regent's other two ships are also wonderful -- but have 700 passengers instead of 490.

 

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise.

[Laszlo]

If you are looking at the Navigator, you would love the cruise. However, Regent's other two ships are also wonderful -- but have 700 passengers instead of 490.

 

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise.

 

 

Thanks

What is the dress code for the ships restaurants? Is a polo shirt and khakis ok for dinner? Sounds like a might need to wear a suite or a shirt and jacket every night for dinner?

[HanaleiSailor]

Aloha Lazlo,

 

A polo shirt and khakis do meet the RSS dress code, and I saw a number of people dressed this way in the evenings. I wore either a dress shirt and jacket (mostly because all of the dining venues felt very cold to us as we live in Hawaii and have not used air conditioning for 20 years!), or if I was warmer, I wore a button down aloha shirt (ie Tommy Bahama) and slacks. Look at the dress code. It is very clear and very simple. Follow it and do not worry about all of the "advice" you might see here regarding your mode of dress, as long as it meets the evening dress code.

 

Here is the official RSS Dress code from their webiste:

The recommended onboard dress in the evenings is Elegant Casual. Dinner dress includes skirt, or slacks with blouse or sweater, pant suit or dress for ladies; slacks and collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or tennis shoes are not to be worn at dinner. Ties are not required. On sailings of 16 nights or more, Formal and Semi-Formal attire is optional on two evenings.

 

On the two Formal Optional evenings, guests are welcome to dress as per the Elegant Casual dress code or opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with tie for gentlemen.

 

I found this very easy to follow without worrying about it!

 

Aloha From Hanalei.

[Ricky Starbuck]

Lazlo, I agree with HanaleiSailor about the evening dress code. After 6:00 pm, I wear black or gray wool dress slacks and a long sleeve button-down collar dress shirt (no tie or jacket) or a long-sleeve knit shirt. I have some long sleeve pima cotton polo shirts from Land's End that work well for me. For the formal-optional nights, I will add a sports jacket and tie to the mix.

 

On the formal-optional nights, some men do wear a tuxedo or a dark business suit, but they probably just feel comfortable in that style as opposed to dressing up to follow a dress code. I would say that nearly 100% of the passengers follow the relaxed evening dress code. Being dressed for dinner and the evening's activities adds an elegant ambiance to the ship.

[Travelcat2]

Formal optional only on cruises over fifteen nights.

[Laszlo]

Thanks for the dress code information

[Hambagahle]

Dress code is pretty relaxed. For a man, even a blazer and open neck shirt does well on these new "formal optional" nights... and certainly many men wear polo shirts to dinner. Women - well! Women are always "dressier" than men... but it certainly is nice not to have to pack all the "regalia" that one used to have to take along...

 

We have cruised a lot on Regent. And often when we meet people we ask with whom have they cruised before. It is always interesting to learn about other companies, what they offer and what they don't. But this is never at question of "how on earth could you have gone with them...!!" It is more of a conversation opener really. Regent - like any other line - needs new passengers all the time. And they are most welcome on board.

[Travelcat2]

I am onboard the Mariner and will attend the Captain's Reception this evening. As expected, the posted dress code is "Elegant Casual". Some men will choose to wear a sports jacket but, as already stated, it is not required. I'm looking at the men in the Coffee Connection right now (don't mind doing that a bit) and 90% are wearing shorts -- also see some jogging clothes and one pair of slacks. The women do tend to wear pants more than shorts -- jeans are allowed but are very rare -- just too hot and heavy to wear (IMO).

 

This is probably the friendliest group of passengers we have seen in a long time. Everyone is happy and willing to chat. Not a negative comment anywhere. There are quite a few first time Regent cruisers and also long time cruisers - great mix!

 

The only tiny complaint is that the internet is too slow..... but that is almost always the case during the day on a ship.

[LindaM]

I am onboard the Mariner and will attend the Captain's Reception this evening. As expected, the posted dress code is "Elegant Casual". Some men will choose to wear a sports jacket but, as already stated, it is not required. I'm looking at the men in the Coffee Connection right now (don't mind doing that a bit) and 90% are wearing shorts -- also see some jogging clothes and one pair of slacks. The women do tend to wear pants more than shorts -- jeans are allowed but are very rare -- just too hot and heavy to wear (IMO).

 

This is probably the friendliest group of passengers we have seen in a long time. Everyone is happy and willing to chat. Not a negative comment anywhere. There are quite a few first time Regent cruisers and also long time cruisers - great mix!

 

The only tiny complaint is that the internet is too slow..... but that is almost always the case during the day on a ship.

 

One of the best Regent perks is free internet after 21 days. Our first cruise was 11 days, so our next with 10 qualifies us. Then we won't care if it's slow. On our first cruise, a person was nice enough to let us use their account, to print our boarding passes!

[jeeee]

My husband and I lost track of time one afternoon while we were enjoying tea time with our Australian friends on the Navigator. Six o'clock came and went and one of the bartenders politely signaled to my husband that he must change from his shorts to long pants because it was after six. No drama just a polite reminder which we appreciated and complied with. We were on the SF-NY voyage and had such a wonderful time we are doing the IST to Rome trip in the Fall. I always hated cruising until I sailed with Regent.

[Travelcat2]

One of the best Regent perks is free internet after 21 days. Our first cruise was 11 days, so our next with 10 qualifies us. Then we won't care if it's slow. On our first cruise, a person was nice enough to let us use their account, to print our boarding passes!

 

Definitely agree about free Internet. We would certainly let someone use our account to print boarding passes. This morning took me fifteen minutes to complete log in. Now I am in my suite and was able to sign in on my Kindle Fire in two minutes.

 

Captain announced that our 12 foot swells will be 15 feet tonight. Everyone is walking around like are drunk.

 

Chili lunch on pool deck was good.

[drcandon]

I have to admit that I had a lot of trepidation cruising the first time on Regent. We were loyal HAL cruisers and also had a go with Carnival (way before the current problems) and Celebrity. I was expecting a bit of snobbish behaviour and was afraid I did not fit in.

 

Was I wrong..for the first time in so many cruises on other lines the first thing that I was NOT asked , was well what do you do for a living? I hate that opening remark. I was asked everything else from are you enjoying yourself?, to how do you like "our" ships ( sense of pride on cruising), to would you like to join us for "whatever"...Just that small thing hooked me. No-one cared what cabin you were in, just if you liked it..

 

I wore a suit jacket to the first time in the dining room, and that was the end of that, it hung up in the closet the rest of the 12 days..I do realize that in longer cruises formal is acceptable, no problem with that either.

 

As far as value goes, my wife is a "retired" accountant and as such; well lets say I can't get away with anything, declares that if you compare true apples to apples, including tips, and all the very small things that you constantly shell out for on other cruise lines, that you don't consider, Regent is equal to or a tiny bit more as compared to others

My biggest win is that I don't have to watch the online shipboard account to see what I just charged and am going to catch heck for.

 

Yes, the extra charge excursions add to cost, and so are the super premium spirits and anything you find in the gift shop (unless it fits into the onboard credit), but the rest is all in.

 

My only next small worry is we are going on the Navigator next year, which will be the smallest ship we have ever been on. From what I have read regardless of the size it is impressive

[nana541]

I have to admit that I had a lot of trepidation cruising the first time on Regent. We were loyal HAL cruisers and also had a go with Carnival (way before the current problems) and Celebrity. I was expecting a bit of snobbish behaviour and was afraid I did not fit in.

 

Was I wrong..for the first time in so many cruises on other lines the first thing that I was NOT asked , was well what do you do for a living? I hate that opening remark. I was asked everything else from are you enjoying yourself?, to how do you like "our" ships ( sense of pride on cruising), to would you like to join us for "whatever"...Just that small thing hooked me. No-one cared what cabin you were in, just if you liked it..

 

I wore a suit jacket to the first time in the dining room, and that was the end of that, it hung up in the closet the rest of the 12 days..I do realize that in longer cruises formal is acceptable, no problem with that either.

 

As far as value goes, my wife is a "retired" accountant and as such; well lets say I can't get away with anything, declares that if you compare true apples to apples, including tips, and all the very small things that you constantly shell out for on other cruise lines, that you don't consider, Regent is equal to or a tiny bit more as compared to others

My biggest win is that I don't have to watch the online shipboard account to see what I just charged and am going to catch heck for.

 

Yes, the extra charge excursions add to cost, and so are the super premium spirits and anything you find in the gift shop (unless it fits into the onboard credit), but the rest is all in.

 

My only next small worry is we are going on the Navigator next year, which will be the smallest ship we have ever been on. From what I have read regardless of the size it is impressive

 

Welcome to Regent!! As you have already figured out it is an addictive habit... But oh such a wonderful one :)