Poor review

[Jay23]

We are booked on our first RSSC and of course most reviews are favourable. However there is a new review by Piers…??….. and it is very damning, in fact they left the ship after 4 days!!

 

Please tell me this is not the norm, that these things don't happen. Have they posted about RSSC, or are they on the wrong review page?

 

They mentioned Regent Hotels, are they the same company?

[rarin2go]

We are booked on our first RSSC and of course most reviews are favourable. However there is a new review by Piers…??….. and it is very damning, in fact they left the ship after 4 days!!

 

Please tell me this is not the norm, that these things don't happen. Have they posted about RSSC, or are they on the wrong review page?

 

They mentioned Regent Hotels, are they the same company?

 

I too have never heard of Regent Hotels and that review is so bad that it is very difficult to credit! To describe the PH suites as 'bijou' is absurd IMO. Clearly they were badly affected by the vibration problem that comes with rear cabins in Voyager but some of their expectations - to be shown around the ship etc - were quite unrealistic. I suggest you read the preceding 3 reviews which seem to be the same cruise (?) - that sould dispel any fears! :)

[Host Dan]

I too have never heard of Regent Hotels and that review is so bad that it is very difficult to credit! To describe the PH suites as 'bijou' is absurd IMO. Clearly they were badly affected by the vibration problem that comes with rear cabins in Voyager but some of their expectations - to be shown around the ship etc - were quite unrealistic. I suggest you read the preceding 3 reviews which seem to be the same cruise (?) - that sould dispel any fears! :)

Here we go again. Heaven forbid a bad review on CruiseCritic! Definitely not credible...

 

BTW, Regent Hotels are a luxury hotel brand that has been around for many years prior to the cruise line.. (Let's not forget that Regent Seven Seas Cruises was originally Radisson Seven Seas Cruises)

[Travelcat2]

Here is a link to the review http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=244987 .

 

Although I have read poor reviews, this is the first time in the ten years we have been sailing Regent that someone actually left the ship. Very interesting indeed.

 

It sounds as if several things went wrong that caused the experience to be poor. When we embark on any Regent ship we are directed to the theater and.... yes, given a "dribble" of champagne. Perhaps they did not hear the instructions but it is certainly possible that the a Regent employee failed to tell them. As far as the champagne, when we embark on a ship, our hands are fairly full -- pulling a carry-on, carrying my handbag, etc. I don't mind the small taste of champagne since I know a bottle will be waiting in my suite. Upon check-in we are always handed a sheet a paper telling us the hours (and location) of La Veranda and that it is available for lunch. You can also get a bite to eat on the pool deck.

 

While it would be nice if everyone were shown to their cabin (I believe this is done on one of the luxury lines), there are at least two to three hundred people waiting for the announcement that the suites are ready and many rush to their suite the minute the announcement is made. Perhaps the announcement should include a statement to go to Reception if you need assistance getting to your cabin.

 

This also seems like a case of someone not doing their homework and someone that did not use a TA (or not one familiar with Regent). It would be difficult not to know that there is a aft vibration on the Voyager*. While it does not bother some people, it is intolerable to others.

 

There are pictures of the suite on the Regent website. Why would someone be surprised by the layout?

 

It seems that the expectations were way off. Yes -- Compass Rose holds 500 or so guests and I suppose it can get noisy. We go early to avoid the crowds and it works well for us. Perhaps a smaller ship would have been better for this couple (thinking of the small Silversea or Seabourn ships).

 

Jay23: Fortunately you have come to the right place to learn about Regent and the ships. Cruise Critic members are happy to answer any questions that you have. From experience, I can tell you that this review is not typical but I am not doubting his experience. It is also not typical that a soap holder in the shower would not be attached to the wall. I should also mention that the Voyager was just refurbished. The refurbishment included penthouse suites and someone may have neglected to reattach the soap holder.

 

Many Regent cruises we have been on have 80% repeat customers. When I look at reviews, I look at what most of the reviewers are saying -- not only the best and worst reviews. While I am not sure when your cruise is or what ship it is on, I urge you to ask questions on Cruise Critic and to do as much research as possible.

 

*After warning people for years about the Voyager's aft vibration, we will be in an aft suite later this month (long story). I will be posting live from the Voyager to share what the menus, food and celebrations are like for Christmas and New Year's:)

[nana541]

We are booked on our first RSSC and of course most reviews are favourable. However there is a new review by Piers…??….. and it is very damning, in fact they left the ship after 4 days!!

 

Please tell me this is not the norm, that these things don't happen. Have they posted about RSSC, or are they on the wrong review page?

 

They mentioned Regent Hotels, are they the same company?

 

Would love to know what ship you are sailing on and which itinerary?? It's easier to provide better information so as a new Regent cruiser you will know what to expect.

 

So which ship, which itinerary, sailing date, even embarkation port! Has you cabin been assigned, let us tell you about it :)

 

You will love Regent and we know that because you are all ready here on CC doing your homework prior to sailing!

[rarin2go]

BTW, Regent Hotels are a luxury hotel brand that has been around for many years prior to the cruise line.. (Let's not forget that Regent Seven Seas Cruises was originally Radisson Seven Seas Cruises)

 

Checked the Regent Hotels website and, in my defence, they have only 2 properties in Europe and none in the UK (unlike Radisson) which is why I have not heard of them, I suppose. Interestingly although their logo is the same as RSSC's website, there is no mention of any connection that I could see.

[RachelG]

Agree with Travelcat, Jay. Don't be worried. The person who posted the negative review was a first time cruise who had clearly neglected to do any research ahead of time and therefore had unrealistic expectations.

 

You, on the other hand, are doing your research. You have the knowledge to avoid an aft suite if you think vibration will bother you. You have the knowledge to avoid one high on the ship if you think motion will bother you. And of course, we are here to answer any questions that you care to ask.

[Sunprince]

Checked the Regent Hotels website and, in my defence, they have only 2 properties in Europe and none in the UK (unlike Radisson) which is why I have not heard of them, I suppose. Interestingly although their logo is the same as RSSC's website, there is no mention of any connection that I could see.

 

You are right, the logo looks identical. I always assumed they were associated with the PCH, but not sure about that. I have stayed at the Regent Palms in the Turks and Caicos. It is a condo run as a hotel. It is very nice. There are more than 2 Regent hotels but overall a small number, mainly loated in Asia.

[Jay23]

We are on Mariner in April Venice to Rome. I don't think Mariner has any vibration problems, does she? Beyond the normal ship movement, that is.

 

Of course I know that one person's delight is another's horror, but they must have hated it to have spent all that money, only to leave the ship after such a sort time. We have done a similar itinerary to the one in the review, albeit on a different "luxury" line. It was lovely.

 

They clearly did not do their research….. the suites are shown in the brochures and on line….. a dribble of champagne in the afternoon is probably all I would need! This is the second time I have read of guests boarding a luxury ship and having no information/directions whereas we have never found ourselves without help and direction on any cruise ship that has been new to us. I think what worried me was that the service was not up to scratch.

 

Anyway, I have had lots of advice and info from CC for which I am very grateful.

[RachelG]

No vibration issues on Mariner at all. It is the one Regent ship that I would not mind having an aft suite in. However, I actually like Voyager and Navigator better as the regular suites are a little larger. But I would not avoid sailing on Mariner if I like the itinerary. In fact, our next Regent cruise is on Mariner.

[Emdee]

I recall when the name change to regent happened there was a bulletin that explained that the name was changing to Regent a luxury brand from Radisson that didnt have a luxury rep to align the expectations etc etc.

 

We were used to calling the line Rad at home and it took us a while get used to Regent. In fact I still have a few Rad points which we had obtained from cruising on the line floating around.

[S_D_Sweet_Dougie]

after having read the review in question, and reading that when they informed the staff that they were getting off and the staff did nothing, I've got to believe that they were trouble. I know nothing except what I read. But I started in the service industry years ago before I got a real estate license and there were times that people just complained and you tried to fix whatever was wrong and they complained more and you just tried over and over to help them and they were just never satisfied. Finally they said we're leaving and there was nothing you could do, but say I'm sorry and show them the door.

[gnomie1]

I am on the Voyager right now, going from Dubai to Sydney. While we have had our share our problems with Regent, (including this cruise), I am not buying the scenario reported. Every problem reported has been handled, although some took a reminder or two, but it was done. How can they complain that the menu in Compass Rose was repetitive after only four nights? I think their expectations were beyond what is normal and obviously they had never cruised on any other line, but I agree with the previous poster - it may have been that by the time they announced they were leaving the ship, the staff was not crying any tears.

 

I can assure anyone considering Regent - that review is not the normal Regent experience.

 

gnomie:)

[tallship]

Checked the Regent Hotels website and, in my defence, they have only 2 properties in Europe and none in the UK (unlike Radisson) which is why I have not heard of them, I suppose. Interestingly although their logo is the same as RSSC's website, there is no mention of any connection that I could see.

 

They were part of the Carlson group i believe which has likely sold off some properties. In early days when the name changed from Radisson Seven Seas to Regent, there was a lot of criss-selling and cross- promotion

[Gilly]

Several Regent Hotels became Four Seasons properties; the Landmark hotel in London was formerly The Regent, too (a long time ago). Yes, the logos are very similar though we never made the connection until you explained it, tallship - thanks for that!

 

We still talk about an overheard conversation from our very first Regent cruise in 2008, which was a segment of the world cruise that year: "This is my fourteenth round the world cruise and it's easily the worst". Some people try pretty hard to find something to complain about, don't you think?

[forevertravel]

We have cruised all three Regent ships and our experiences have always been wonderful. As you check in they always tell you to go upstairs for lunch and that an announcement will be made as to when cabins will be ready. What's so difficult about finding your own cabin? We have never experienced vibration issues in the Voyager and I find the cabins very attractive and spacious. I have never seen the same menu in CR even in 16 days cruises. I'm nonplussed by their experiences. There are people who can never be satisfied and I get the feeling this couple belongs there. Leaving a cruise after 4 days sounds ludricous. That said, to each its own. As I said our experiences with Regent have always been great and seem to get better. Are they perfect? Of course no, but you have to flexible. If things are not right, let them know and they will be fixed. At least, that's my experience.

[Travelcat2]

Thinking about the food in CR -- the couple apparently did not know that you can order practically anything with 24 hours notice. Although we don't do this often we have ordered Beef Wellington on cruise..... there was no problem getting it.

[nana541]

I must say I miss the days when entering the ship, crew were all lined up in uniform and I remember being escorted to our cabin. It was a very nice touch but that was before the PCH ownership.

[AWED23]

I must say I miss the days when entering the ship, crew were all lined up in uniform and I remember being escorted to our cabin. It was a very nice touch but that was before the PCH ownership.

....I too remember those days but was that not prior to our being allowed to board at noon? Perhaps those crew members are now otherwise engaged...It was elegent to be escorted to your room with champagne flute in hand but it was usually around 2:00 PM, as I remember it...So much has changed, for better as well as worse.. Edited December 6, 2013 by AWED23

[RachelG]

....I too remember those days but was that not prior to our being allowed to board at noon? Perhaps those crew members are now otherwise engaged...It was elegent to be escorted to your room with champagne flute in hand but it was usually around 2:00 PM, as I remember it...So much has changed, for better as well as worse..

 

And there was no lunch in la veranda in those days as I recall.

[penfriend]

We are booked on our first RSSC and of course most reviews are favourable. However there is a new review by Piers…??….. and it is very damning, in fact they left the ship after 4 days!!

 

Please tell me this is not the norm, that these things don't happen. Have they posted about RSSC, or are they on the wrong review page?

 

They mentioned Regent Hotels, are they the same company?

 

Don't believe a word of it. This guy clearly didn't do his homework and read the explanatory material provided by Regent. The review tells you more about the reviewer than it does about Regent, and non of it reflects well on him.

 

We are just about to disembark from our first cruise ever on the Regent Mariner. We could not be more impressed and satisfied. When someone starts a review complaining about run-down port facilities then you can stop reading, confident that there is nothing useful to follow.

[nana541]

....I too remember those days but was that not prior to our being allowed to board at noon? Perhaps those crew members are now otherwise engaged...It was elegent to be escorted to your room with champagne flute in hand but it was usually around 2:00 PM, as I remember it...So much has changed, for better as well as worse..

 

They knew our names and I seem to recall "White Gloves" !!! Very elegant and it sure set the tone and we knew we had found our new home :)

[Gilly]

I know the conversation about Regent Hotels is really done and finished, so apologise for continuing it! However, pulling an apron on just now, coincidentally, I see it's branded "Regent Resort, Chiang Mai", because it came from a cooking class we did there some years ago. That prompted me to google Regent Hotels and I found this interesting wiki there which tells the whole story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent_International_Hotels

 

Right, off to do the cooking which sent me to the cupboard for an apron in the first place. Am I easily distracted? You bet!

[Travelcat2]

I know the conversation about Regent Hotels is really done and finished, so apologise for continuing it! However, pulling an apron on just now, coincidentally, I see it's branded "Regent Resort, Chiang Mai", because it came from a cooking class we did there some years ago. That prompted me to google Regent Hotels and I found this interesting wiki there which tells the whole story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regent_International_Hotels

 

Right, off to do the cooking which sent me to the cupboard for an apron in the first place. Am I easily distracted? You bet!

 

Thanks for getting distracted...... that was a really interesting read:)

[drcandon]

Wow..what ship was the reviewer on...it sure was not the same ship we were on less then 2 months ago...

 

So...Compass Rose repetitive..really..what menu did they look at, the only thing repetative on the menu was the "daily offerings"..I have photos of every menu and they are all much different. As far as the Compass Rose being crowded..that is a complete joke...even on a full sailing because of the other 3 restaurants, very rarely is every table taken...maybe they should check out RCL, or the Disney lines if they want noisy!...

 

As far as embarkation goes...try some of the bigger lines - even one like HAL...you are herded on the ship stuffed in the very crowded Lido deck and told to remain there..the only exception is if you book a suite, then you are allowed to go to the concierge lounge..then an announcement is made the cabins are ready and it is a free for all going to them..

 

We had a penthouse cabin on the last cruise and yes it was not quite a big as say the SA's on HAL, but they were much better appointed...if they want fancy butt bathrooms - don't go on HAL, they are all an aseptic beige..

 

Look, I am not putting down HAL, they are an excellent main stream line, way above the others, but Regent is just better IMHO..

 

Also, at least on Regent the whole staff, including grumpy engineers at least try to smile and say hello....once again, try another cruise line...

 

Oh well we are all entitled to our opinion, I am just critical when that opinion unduly influences others into an incorrect conclusion.

 

Oh yea vibration...we had a more or less aft penthouse on the last Regent cruise ..yes on one particular passage when we were booting it to Sicily it was a bit rough, but once again for comparison try an SC "penthouse" on the rear of any of the HAL ships in the Atlantic and then you will know what rocking and rolling is...we almost rolled out of bed one night!!!