Christmas/New Year's - LIVE - Voyager

[Travelcat2]

More corrections and comments.

 

We will be in Brisbane in two days - not Darwin (already been there - done that). As you may expect, I have a lot of things going on in my mind when on a ship.

 

I take back whatever positive things I said about children. There are 30 children under the age of 21 on board (many not English speaking). They are apparently now comfortable on the ship and their parents are letting them out on their own at night running the hallways (and being corrected by Regent staff). When two of them jumped up on the bar stools in the Observation Lounge - next to relatives and stood on the stools to look over the bar at 10:00 p.m., I realized that we prefer being on board with as few children as possible. A different set of children ran through Compass Rose twice during dinner. Okay -- my fault -- I booked a Christmas cruise (unfortunately).

 

Regent staff continues to disinfect the ship and meals continue to follow strict sanitation guidelines. I applaud what they are doing but feel badly for the crew. Unlike Oceania that has the space and crew to serve food to passengers from the buffet. I now understand why there are limited items on the salad bar on Oceania. I just had a salad and had to be served lettuce, tomato, cucumber, salad dressing and blue cheese crumbles (and my salad was simple) before the next guest could be served. I am even handed jam for my toast. At dinner, bread is not left at the table but is served to you by the staff. Butter is now wrapped - silverware enclosed in the napkin. I am not complaining -- this is something that is important and Regent is doing a great job. BTW, I am in the computer room where Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are all around the room (so are people who are obviously sick:-(

 

Problems with some excursions but what else is new? Cancelled today's excursion after yesterday's excursion was 1-2 hours longer than advertised (depending upon which information you read). Communication needs to be improved in this area.

 

I can not stress enough how wonderful the Regent crew is. My comments specifically exclude officers (although certainly not all of them - there are some that are great). Paul Reynolds (C.D.) is still wonderful (also the Asst. Cruise Director) as is Donald (do not know his last name) the head of F&B is delightful as is the Dining Room Manager (think that is his title) -- he is a very tall man -- quite lovely and friendly to guests. Gudrun (Cruise Consultant) is also a pleasure to speak with. The officers that are questionable will be mentioned by name on my final comment card.

 

I had a "duh" moment the other day. I had copied the Bar List and emailed it to myself before leaving on the cruise. Sometime since being on the ship I deleted it. This morning I realized that it was on Cruise Critic so I did a search and found it. The next post is the updated Bar Menu.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Travelcat2

[Travelcat2]

CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKING WINES BY THE GLASS (note: listings without prices are included)

 

Bellini

Champagne Cocktail

French 75

Kir Royale

Mimosa

Bouver Sparkling

Montaudon Champagne Brut

Bottega Alexander

 

CHAMPAGNE BY THE BOTTLE

Domaine mondois Brut non-vintage - $41.00

Tattinger "La Francaise" non vintage - $69.00

Veuve Clicquot "Poasardin" non vintage - $69.00

Brice Brut Rose non vint age - $88.00

Robert Moncuit "Grand Cuvee" 2005 $88.00

deVonoge LouiA XV 1995 - $194.00

Moet et chandon "Dom Perignon" 2000 - $199.00

Tattinger 'Comtes de Champagne" Blanc de Blanc 1998 -- $225.00

Louyis Roederer Cristal 2002 - $325.00

Armand de Brignac Rose 2002 - $499.00

Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2009 $525.00

 

WINES BY THE GLASS

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Pinot Grigio

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Pinor Noir

Shiraz

 

APERTIFS

Compari

Dubonnet

Pernod

Pimms No. 1

 

SHERRY

Dry Sack

Harveys Bristol Cream

Tio Pepe

 

ALL THE MARY'S

Bloody Mary - Vodka

English Mary - Gin

Mexican Mary - Tequila

Norwegian Mary - Aquivit

 

INTERNATIONAL BREWS

Amstel Light

becks

Carlsberg

Corona

Grolsch

Guinness

Heineken

Pilsner Unquell

Savannah Cider

 

NORTH AMERICAN BREWS

Budweiser

Budweiser Light

Coors Light

Miller Lite

Samuel Adams

Sierra Nevada

 

ALCOHOL FREE BEERS

Buckler

O'Doul's

 

POOLSIDE CLASSICS

Banada Daiquiri

Peach Daiquiri

Pina Colada

Strawberry Daiquiri

 

GRAPPA

Grappa Sandro Bottega

 

Sette Mari Grappa $58

 

SAKE

Ty Ku

Sho Chiku Bai

 

IRISH WHISKEY

Bushmills

Jamesons

 

Middleton Very Rare $18.00

 

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKEY

Glenfiddish

Glenlivit

Glenmorangie

Macallan Select Oak

 

Cragganmore 12 years $11.00

Talisker 10 years - $11.00

Lagavulin 16 years $15.00

Macallan Estate Reserve $19.00

Dalmore 12 year - $24.00

Yama Zaki 18 years $23.00

 

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKEY

Ballentines

Chivas Regal

Cutty Sark

Dewar's White Lael

Dimple

Famous Grouse

J & B Rare

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Johnnie Walker Red Label

 

Johnnie Walker Green Label $11.0 0

Johnnie Walker Gold Label $18.00

Chivas Royal Salute $21.00

Johnnie Walker Blue label $33.00

 

COFFEE DRINKS

Cafed Nelson - Baileys and Frangelico

French Coffee - Cognac and Grand Marnier

Irish Cofrfee - Jameson Irish Whiskey

Jamaican Coffee - Meyers and Tia Maria

Mexican Coffee - Tequila and Kahlua

 

LIQUEURS

Amaretto Disaronno

B & B

Baileys Irish Cream

Chambord

Cherry Peter Heering

Chocolate Godiva Liqueur

Cointreau

Creme de Cacao (Brown)

Creme de Cacao (White)

Creme de Cassis

Creme de Menthe (Green)

Creme de Menthe (White)

Dramabui

D O M Benedictine

Frangelico

Grand Marnier

Kahlua

Limoncello

Malibu

Midori

Peppermint Schnapps

Sambuca

Southern Comfort

St. Germain

Tia Maria

 

Grand Marnier Cuvee de Centenaire $14.00

 

DIGESTIFS

Fernet Branca

Jaegermeister

 

CALVADOS

Baron de La Touque

 

Morin Hors d'Age 15 years - $11.00

 

FAVORITES

Bay Breeze

Caipirinha

Cape Cod

Cuba Lilbra

Greyhound

Long Island Iced Tea

Mai-tai

Margarita

Mojito

Screwdriver

Sea Breeze

Singapore Sling

Tequila Sunrise

 

PRE-DINNER COCKTAILS

Americano

Gibson

Manhattan

Negroni

 

MARTINIS

Angel Martini

Apple Martini

Blondie

Classic Martini

Chocolate Martini

Cosmopolitan

Washington Apple Martini

 

FIZZES

Gin Fizz

Sour Melon Fizz

Whiskey Fizz

 

SOURS

Brandy Sour

Rum Sour

Vodka Sour

Whiskey Sour

 

VODKA

 

Absolute

Absolut Citron

Belevedere

Chopin

Grey Goose

Ketel One

Smirnoff

Stolichnaya

Van Gogh Espresso

Van Gogh Chocolate

 

Blue Ice Potato Vodka - 4$11.00

Ultimate Vodka -- $16.00

 

GIN

Beefeater London Dry

Bombay Sapphire

Gordon's London dry

Tangueray, Special Dry

 

C'Vine - $16.00

 

RUM

Bacardi Carta Blanca

Captain Morgan

Mount Cay

Myer's

Barcardi Limon

 

Atlantico Private Cask $9.00

Mount Gay Extra Old Rum $11.00

Pyrat XO Reserve $11.00

 

TEQUILA

Don Julio Anejo

Jose Cuervo Gold

Margaritaville Silver

Patron Silver

 

Casa Dragones 100% Blue Agave Joven $33.00

 

BOURBON

Jack Daniels

Jim Beam

Maker's Mark

Old Grand Dad

Wild Turkey

 

Blanton Single Barrel - $11.00

Knob Creek - $11.00

 

CANADIAN WHISKEY

Canadian Club

Crown Royal

Seagram's Seven

Seagram's VO

 

VERMOUTH

Martini Bianco

Martini Dry

Martini Rosso

 

EAU DE VIE

Framboise

Poire Williams

 

AQUAVIT

Loiten's Lime

 

AFTER DINNER COCKTAILS

B52

Black Russian

White Russian

Brandy Alexander

Golden Cadillac

Golden Dream

Grasshopper

Old Fashioned

Rusty Nail

Sidecar

Stinger

 

ARMAGNAC

Cies Des Ducs

Larresingle Laubed X.O. $11.00

COGNAC

Carrus V.S.O.P.

Couvoisier V.S.O.P.

Martell V.S.O.P.

Remy Martn V.S.O.P.

 

Couvoisier X.O. $11.00

Camus "Josephine" $11.00

Martel Cordon Bleu $19.00

Remy Martin X.O. - $13.00

Hennessy X.O. - $34.00

Hennessy Paradis $52.00

Remy Martin Louis XIII - $140.00

PORT

Dow's White

Croft Fine Ruby

Croft Fine Tawny

 

Dow's Tawny 20 year old - $13.00

Taylor Fladgate Tawney 20 year old $13.00

 

Some notable changes from previous list:

 

Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2009 increased in price from $225.00 to $525.00

Miller Genuine Draft is removed from the list.

Becks alcohol free beer removed from list

Middleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey decreased in price from $33.00 to $18.00

Yama Zaki single malt scotch was added with a price tag of $23.00

Johnnie Walker Gold Label decreased from $21.00 to $18.0

Johnnie Walker Blue Label decreased in price from $44.00 to $33.00

The only tequila with a cost is the new Casa Dragones 100% pure Agave Joven $33.00

Remy Martin Louis XIII increased from $125.00 to $140.00

[Travelcat2]

I choose not to address the Crystalized posters that visit the Regent boards whenever there is a thread regarding Crystal and Regent. You are certainly entitled to post whatever and I am free to ignore them. I would wager than there is no one on the Crystal board posting how great Regent's policy is. We (Regent posters) simply do not do that. I respect Crystal's new policy - whether I agree with it or not.

 

IMO, the fact that Regent permits electronic cigarettes certainly does not have anything to do with smoking cessation programs. However, in order for smokers to go onto any luxury cruise, they will have to limit their habits. Electronic cigarettes is one way of doing that.

 

Worrying about everything around us would certainly make most people unhappy. There is smoke, other pollutants in the air, perfumes that make some people ill, car exhaust, the fumes that come from the engines of this ship.....the list goes on and on Let's just ban everything!

 

journeyfan: Again, my opinion, since there is no conclusive data to back anything regarding electronic cigarettes (and there are many kinds that may or may not affect us differently) what you or I say is as valid (or not) as what other posters are saying. This is a debate that is not based on proven evidence.

 

As mentioned previously, no one on Regent is vaping right now. The sky is not falling. This is simply an issue to discuss. Looks like 2014 is shaping up to be like 2013.

 

nana541, I have cruised on Disney and believe that it is a much better choice for your grandchildren than Regent.

 

In terms of voting with your dollars, that is a great idea as it is becoming difficult to get the suite we want on Regent. Hoping people will try Silversea (a great cruise line) or even Seabourn or Crystal.

[Travelcat2]

Oops - wrong thread:eek:

[sevenseassailor]

Still hoping to find out what suites (area) are having sewage smell coming from air conditioning.

 

gnomie1 are you still there??

[Suite Travels]

TC, I am enjoying reading your travel posts as well as Keith"s on the Crystal board who is now on the world cruise.

 

The bar menu on the Voyager is very extensive and I think a bit better than on Crystal. The menu items that you shared here sound delicious.

 

We have not sailed Regent for over seven years but everything I have read looks like a big improvement from our last Regent cruise. Of course you can find some faults with any line.

The bottom line is to be comfortable with any line one chooses.

 

I do apoligize for at times in the past making snarky remarks on this board. Oh what people come up with to argue about. Silly.

 

Anyway,have a great time. We will never do another Christmas cruise for the reasons you mentioned...been there done that and lesson learned.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Suite Travels

[cAPS lOCK oN]

Thanks for posting the bar menu! It's far more extensive than I expected, and much better than what SeaDream offered. I'm thrilled to see Don Julio anejo on the included tequila list; that's a terrific, top shelf tequila.

[Baggywrinkle99]

I also agree that Park West is a blot on Regents landscape wherever they set up shop on board, but taking up precious space in the computer room is baffling unless we assume some kind of deal has been done. What has happened to the space they used to occupy opposite the Library on deck 6? We are currently planning our next Regent cruise so some of the comments and observations here are a little alarming but long experience has shown that one person's "cruise from hell" is another's trip of a lifetime. It's all about expectations and now realistic they are.

 

As for Internet access, we've never had a problem with iPads and expect a satellite service at sea to be patchy/slow anyway. But we don't spend our lives tethered to an electronic life support device - a cruise is the place to get away from all that and so far the sky hasn't fallen in. If our business/family depends on us being available 24/7 either we can't afford to leave it in the first place, even for a few days, or we don't know how to delegate.

[Travelcat2]

TC, I am enjoying reading your travel posts as well as Keith"s on the Crystal board who is now on the world cruise.

 

The bar menu on the Voyager is very extensive and I think a bit better than on Crystal. The menu items that you shared here sound delicious.

 

We have not sailed Regent for over seven years but everything I have read looks like a big improvement from our last Regent cruise. Of course you can find some faults with any line.

The bottom line is to be comfortable with any line one chooses.

 

I do apoligize for at times in the past making snarky remarks on this board. Oh what people come up with to argue about. Silly.

 

Anyway,have a great time. We will never do another Christmas cruise for the reasons you mentioned...been there done that and lesson learned.

 

No apology necessary. I am pleased that we "met" on another board -- one that was positive and showed compassion. It now makes me smile when I see you on the Regent board.

 

Before posting what I feel is the "yummiest" menu yet, I felt that last night's menu was also excellent. We had chateaubriand (horribly misspelled) for dinner. It was prepared to perfection. The salt sticks have grown throughout the cruise and are both to Regent deliciousness.

 

The Seven Seas Society Gold and above cocktail party was really nice. The buffet had several really delicious items -- served in unique little plates that we have not seen before. The best part (for me) was Paul Reynolds accompanying a singer on the piano. It was a funny bit -- the singer portrayed a prisoner that was sent to Australia from England (that does not sound funny but it was done very well). Paul should be at the piano more often.

 

Tonight's menu follows.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Travelcat2

[Travelcat2]

COMPASS ROSE - January 4, 2014

 

Appetizers

Crushed Fingerling Potatoes with Sturgeon Caviar and Lemon Sour Cream

Grilled Marinated Vegetable Terrine with Crispy Focaccia Bread

Fresh Seasonal Fruit Cup with Rosa Regale

Sauteed Escalope of Hudson Valley Duck Foie Gras with Brioche, Mango and Almond Tuile

Risotto con Gamberi e Zucchine, Risotto with Shrimps and Zucchini

 

Soups

Vichyssoise, Chilled Potato and Leek Soup with Chives

Chicken Consomme Flavigny, Steamed Rice, Chicken and Mushroom Julienne

 

Salads

Medley of Garden Greens with Sliced Beets and Celery Remoulade

Marinated Hearts of Palm with Tomatoes, Green Goddess Dressing

Caesar Salad with Traditional Garnish

 

Intermezzo

Champagne Cointreau Sorbet

 

 

 

Main Courses

Tagliatelle Crudaiola, Pasta Ribbons with Arugula, Tossed in Garlic Tomatoes Sauce

Cannelloni Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta Cheese, Tomato sauce and Gratinated with Mozzarella

Fresh Local Sea Break Fillet with Potato Waffle, Roasted Mediterranean Fig Sauce and Candied Lemon

Butter Poached Florida Lobster Tail, Saffron Pilaf Rice, Remy Martin Cream Sauce

Roasted Guinea Fowl Breast and Leg Ragout with Garlic Herb Butter, Fava Bean Risotto

Beef Tenderloin Wellington Baked in Puff Pastry, Shiraz Red Wine Sauce, Vegetables, Fondant Potato.

 

A Taste from Prime 7 and Signatures Restaurant

Dover Sole, String Beans, sauteed Potatoes Lyonnais, Caper and Lemon Butter

Herb Crusted Roast Rack of Lamb, Pommes Gratin, Ratatouille Nicoise, Garlic Jus

 

The Executive Chef on board is Aurelien Dumeylet -- Dejan Gami is the Dining Room Manager.

 

Before the system cuts me of, I need to logout and sign on again.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Travelcat2

[DaveFr]

I also agree that Park West is a blot on Regents landscape wherever they set up shop on board, but taking up precious space in the computer room is baffling unless we assume some kind of deal has been done. What has happened to the space they used to occupy opposite the Library on deck 6?

I asked the same question and gnomie1 reported that:

 

"One has to admit that Regent (and their designers) did a lovely job with the space on the 6th floor formally occupied by Park West - it has become a delightful sitting area - there are three sofas and 14 very comfy chairs. On sea days (as well as other times), there are many people curled up with either a good book, or their kindle or ipad, enjoying a cup of joe, relaxing and reading away. I have actually "adopted" a corner of the 6th floor to use as my office since the desk in my suite is not large enough for me to work. Although, I still would have preferred a larger computer room and Park West moved to non-prime real estate." (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41047712&postcount=56)

 

I'll see for myself in March. Like gnomie1, I wish Park West had been moved to some secluded space but we don't always get everything we wish for. :)

[DeepFreeze63]

Thanks TC2. I,(a wine only drinker), now have a list of "I'll try once" cocktails etc. for a 33 days starting 2/1.

Hope we sail together someday.

Jim C

[Travelcat2]

DaveFr, the photograph I showed of Park West did not show that it is twice the width of the computer room (only the front part -- the computer room is actually larger but is less visible that the flashy Park West space next door. Look forward to your comments in March. We are also back on in March -- the 22nd -- Beijing to Bangkok.

 

DeepFreeze63, it would be lovely to sail together -- you never know what the future holds:)

 

Back to the menu. Rather than taking the time to type everything on the Degustation Menu, Vegetarian Menu, etc., I will only post items that are different than what has previously been posted.

 

Vegetarian Selections

Cannelloni Pasta with Spinach and Ricotta Cheese, Tomato sauce and Gratinated with Mozzarella

 

Canyon Ranch Balanced Selection

Grilled Marinated Vegetable Terrine - 110 calories - 6 fat grams

Bosc Pear and Roquefort Salad on Butter Lettuce with Honey Lemon Dressing - 90 calories - 4 fat grams

Fresh Local Sea Bream Fillet with Vegetable Potato Latke instead of Potato Waffle - also Asparagus Spears - 295 calories - 6 grams of fat.

 

Featured Wines

Castino Luigi, Cortese Dell'Alto Monferrato, Cortese, Piedmont, Italy 2011

B'de Beauchene, Cote Du Rhone Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Rhone, France, 2009

 

Recommended Reserve Wines

Angelo Gaja, "Rossj-Bass", D.O.C. Chardonnay, Piedmont Italy, 2008 - $85

Lagier-Meredith Vineyards "Mt. Veeder" Syrah, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2006 - $69

 

International Cheeses

Crottin de Chevre

Bresse Bleu

Camembert

Provolone

Langres

 

Dessert Sensations

No Sugar Added Warm Grand Marnier Souffle, Vanilla Sauce

Choco-Mint Millefeuille, Vanilla-Mint Sauce

Pistachio Tartlet with Citrus, Orange and Grapefruit Segments

Seasonal Fresh Fruit Plate

 

 

Canyon Ranch Selection

Alsatian Plum Cake - 170 calories - 7 fat grams

 

Old Time Favorite

Vanille Creme Brulee

 

Sorbet

Champagne Cointreau

 

Premium Ice Cream

Coconut - Dulce de Leche

No Sugar Added Mango

Homemade Raspberry Lemon

Creme Brulee Tart Frozen Yogurt

 

Gourmandises

Edited January 4, 2014 by Travelcat2

[SnoBirdCruiser]

Thanks Jackie for the great reporting of your cruise. Have really enjoyed reading it each day. Now if I could only get you and Dennis to try a cruise on Crystal!

 

Happy New Year and great cruising!

 

Cheers, Pat and Ray

Edited January 4, 2014 by SnoBirdCruiser

[Suite Travels]

I am gaining weight reading these menus. There is something for everyone so many choices. Not only that, they are very creative.

[thecleave]

I would love to know why Regent doesn't stock Hendricks gin.

[Mudhen]

OMG, someone else who knows Hendrick's!!!!!!........I usually get the two headed creature look when I ask for it......."WHAT??? Never heard of it"........It would be a great and wonderful thing if we could get that onboard for our June Baltic cruise aboard the Voyager. Hope springs eternal...........!!!

[thecleave]

I've been on 2 Regent cruises in the past year and have mentioned it each time on the comment cards. It's one of those nitpicky things that annoys me.

 

Mudhen, you should try The Botanist gin if you can find it. I had it for the first time in Scotland last year and it is absolutely delicious.

[Mudhen]

OOOO! Thank you for the heads up on "the Botanist". I will now launch a search for it. I was really a "vodka kinda gal", until our daughter and son in law introduced us to Hendrick's. They sail competitively and it's a sailor sort of drink. Now I'm a convert.......!!!Who knew a cucumber could make a drink taste so good!

[pingpong1]

Mudhen - Which "Baltic Cruise" will you be on in June? We are on the Voyager June 14 -21 sailing from Stockholm to Copenhagen - "Secrets of Scandinavia. Regards

[tallship]

I love Hendricks as well

[Mudhen]

Mudhen - Which "Baltic Cruise" will you be on in June? We are on the Voyager June 14 -21 sailing from Stockholm to Copenhagen - "Secrets of Scandinavia. Regards

 

June 28th Stockholm to Oslo.........sorry we'll miss you!

[Travelcat2]

Thanks Jackie for the great reporting of your cruise. Have really enjoyed reading it each day. Now if I could only get you and Dennis to try a cruise on Crystal!

 

Happy New Year and great cruising!

 

Cheers, Pat and Ray

 

Maybe we could compromise and go on Silversea:D

 

Regarding Hendricks Gin, it can always be special ordered before the cruise.

[pingpong1]

Mudhen - Maybe next time!

[Travelcat2]

Forgot to say that there isn't anything even remotely interesting to write about except the heat and people sick on board. Don't think anyone is interested in that.

 

Going to Steve Irwin's Crocodile farm and zoo today in probably 100 degree heat but I would not miss the opportunity to go there. I had great respect for him and miss seeing him on television.

 

Another great menu tonight but won't have time to type it. Will try to give highlights.