Smithsonian Lecturers

[Brownie54]

I haven't seen this mentioned, but we were on the World Cruise, and Jason Montague came on board and conducted a Town Hall meeting. He did say that Regent would be ending their relationship with the Smithsonian lecturers and would be doing their own bookings in the future. In some cases, they will be booking the same lecturers, for example, a very popular person on our cruise, Terry Bishop.

[Travelcat2]

Thank you for sharing this very good news. Reviews of Smithsonian lecturers have been less that expected. We looking forward to Regent booking direct in the future. Did Jason happen to mention when the contract will be ending?

[Brownie54]

I am not positive, but I want to say the contract was ending at the end of 2017.

[Travelcat2]

Thanks much!:D

[GOARMY]

Reference quality of Smithsonian lecturers:

 

Evaluating same is akin to evaluating food--it depends on one's taste and experience. Even then, there could be a clinker, and a bad meal at a 4-star restaurant.

 

We have had very positive experiences with Smithsonian lecturers with whom we have sailed on numerous occasions on various Regent ships. Of course, Regent reads the reviews; and staff, when onboard, listens to passengers' comments.

 

Our current guy on Navigator is doing a great job; the most-recent one(s) on Explorer did so as well.

 

To each his own.

 

GoARMY!

[Travelcat2]

Our current guy on Navigator is doing a great job; the most-recent one(s) on Explorer did so as well.

 

To each his own.

 

GoARMY!

 

Off topic, but, some of us on the next Amazon cruise are very anxious to hear how things are going. Pease do a report when you have some time (hope that the internet is cooperating). Thanks much!

[CYNSport]

Off topic, but, some of us on the next Amazon cruise are very anxious to hear how things are going. Pease do a report when you have some time (hope that the internet is cooperating). Thanks much!

 

I've been following this blog from the Navigator Amazon cruise

 

http://amazonmay2017.blogspot.com/

[Travelcat2]

CYNSport - thanks so much that the link!:D

[CYNSport]

CYNSport - thanks so much that the link!:D

 

Happy to :) Travelcat2!

 

 

We were booked this cruise with friends, but we had to cancel due to health issues. Happily, our friends are aboard (they aren't doing this blog, though). Can't wait to hear all about the cruise from them when they return.

[GOARMY]

Travelcat:

 

Reference your previous (even, as you acknowledged a bit off-Thread): Owe this to you, as we recently cruised together on Explorer from Miami to Barcelona. A quick response, couched in initial on-thread comment that today's Smithsonian lecture was excellent. He stressed that any passengers who did not bring aboard the appropriate anti-malaria prescription medication visit the doctor to discuss same--prior to participating in planned upcoming off-ship excursions while in the Amazon River ( "The River"). In our case, my wife and I just took our first malaria pill.

 

I must leave it to the other fellow- voyager with us currently aboard Navigator to continue posting as to particulars concerning this 25-day Miami-Amazon River-Amazon cruise. I am not in the best position to provide a daily summary; extreme heat at various ports-of-call after leaving Miami required my wife and me to turn in tickets for excursions initially booked about eight months ago. It seemed a good idea at the time; but this time the prudent option was to stay onboard and drink plenty of water.

 

Simply cannot take the heat on a five or six hour off-ship excursion. Also, we have been fortunate in having visited and toured most of these intermediate stops on prior cruises (when I was younger).

 

On doctor's orders, I have fairly-much been restricted to the ship while in The River. This is due to Army experiences dealing with mosquitoes and malaria "back in the day" (almost 50 years ago in another time and place). Thus, pass that reporting baton on to others for daily inputs as to shore experience(s) at the five ports we will be visiting while in The River. My wife and I will, with one exception at Manaus, will remain on board.

 

Just to say: all positive as to accommodation, amenities, service, and crew attitude since leaving Miami last Tuesday. Typical Regent attention to detail. No concerns.

 

And, as I write this, the ocean has--finally--calmed-down a bit as we approach the Mouth of The River. It has been a rather rough last two day, which has restricted use of exterior decks.

 

Best to all--

 

GoARMY!

[Travelcat2]

So sorry about your restrictions. Thank you for your detailed response - I have posted it on our Roll Call. Do you know if this malaria issue is just at this time of the year? I read that the Amazon is too acidic for mosquitos. If you have time, kindly reply on our November 17th Amazon Roll Call as I don't want someone to hit me for being so bloody off topic.

 

Be well!

[GOARMY]

Travelcat: Very-quick response to your query as to mosquito situation; then will also post this on the November Roll Call, so as to maintain integrity of this Thread.

 

Our Lecturer gave very-specific information this AM--which, no doubt, has resulted in numerous passengers who may have disregarded earlier warnings about mosquitoes to make an appointment with the ship's doctor.

 

In short: we are at the Equator. There is no seasonal shift. Just tropical, hot and humid 24-7. He showed a map, based on Center for Disease Control information, showing Red (bad) zones regarding mosquitoes in in the specific portion of the Amazon River where we are headed in less than 24 hours. (Currently, just-acquired sight of the Brazilian coast.) Red is not good; mosquitoes must be expected, regardless of the month of the year. He also reemphasized--as he has been doing in earlier lectures--that those venturing on either Regent (or privately-arranged boat tours off the ship into the interior)--wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants; and coat themselves with repellant. He will practice what he preaches, as he will be doing some of both as part of his duties. Also, this is his fourth trip up "The River".

 

Enuf said. Will repost later on that November site.

 

GoARMY!

[flossie009]

Travelcat:

A quick response, couched in initial on-thread comment that today's Smithsonian lecture was excellent. He stressed that any passengers who did not bring aboard the appropriate anti-malaria prescription medication visit the doctor to discuss same--prior to participating in planned upcoming off-ship excursions while in the Amazon River ( "The River"). In our case, my wife and I just took our first malaria pill.

 

Our Lecturer gave very-specific information this AM--which, no doubt, has resulted in numerous passengers who may have disregarded earlier warnings about mosquitoes to make an appointment with the ship's doctor.

 

In short: we are at the Equator. There is no seasonal shift. Just tropical, hot and humid 24-7. He showed a map, based on Center for Disease Control information, showing Red (bad) zones regarding mosquitoes in in the specific portion of the Amazon River where we are headed in less than 24 hours. (Currently, just-acquired sight of the Brazilian coast.) Red is not good; mosquitoes must be expected, regardless of the month of the year. He also reemphasized--as he has been doing in earlier lectures--that those venturing on either Regent (or privately-arranged boat tours off the ship into the interior)--wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants; and coat themselves with repellant. He will practice what he preaches, as he will be doing some of both as part of his duties. Also, this is his fourth trip up "The River".

 

I hope the lecturer warned the ship's medical staff before issuing this advice, so that they could ready themselves for the long queues that might ensue.

 

So sorry to hear that your medical issues are not allowing you to go ashore in some of the stops up the Amazon. Hope you enjoy Manaus.

[GOARMY]

Flossie, and others:

 

Quick update as to today's Smithsonian lecture (staying on-Thread). We are now, technically, in the mouth of "The River". Michael began his talk with a "clarification" reference malaria pills.

 

Bottom line--(and, at Travelcat's request, I will post more details in the appropriate November Navigator Roll Call site--as that itinerary appears almost identical to what we have experienced since May 23rd embark at Miami--and will continue until return to Miami on June 17th)--

 

Malaria pills are NOT required to be taken by crew; The CDC has concluded risk of contracting malaria is VERY LOW. Thus, the CDC does not specifically recommend a malaria regimen of prescription meds for those areas of The River upon which we will cruise.

 

Yes, he mentioned--several folks showed up at Reception following his remarks of yesterday about the CDC map of Brazil showing a Red Zone for malaria. Not to be alarmed; no, the ship does not stock a bunch of pills, like they do for Mal de Mer. Michael again stressed that folks venturing ashore for "nature walks" and such, or going on planned river boat excursions, wear long sleeve shirts and long pants; and most-important, take at least two bottles of water, plus coating their outer clothing with insect repellant.

 

That said--and not to repeat myself--everyone must consider his or her health history. Given my medical history of prior malaria and health problems associated with Army service in Vietnam almost 50 years ago--the M.D. Tropical Disease Specialist my wife and I consulted at Evergreen Hospital's (Kirkland, WA) Infectious Disease Clinic several months ago, strongly recommended the malaria regimen we are now following.

 

GoARMY!

[GOARMY]

A Bit of a "Course Correction" as to my last post:

 

I meant to say Mariner--not Navigator--for that November Amazon itinerary. Noted Travelcat had pasted yesterday's missive re: malaria to that site. I will follow-up later today with an update.

 

GoARMY!