review: Regatta crossing-Lisbon Maimi :-)

[desirod]

My vacations usually consist of separate European train/walking tours, drives out west in a convertible, or a cruise. This was all 3 into one.

 

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

 

The trip started out flying to Lisbon via Heathrow. Heathrow is not efficiently run, do have 2 hours minimum between layovers. I got to my connecting flight within 15 minutes.

 

First stop out of overnighting in Lisbon was Seville, Spain. The bus ride is about 7 hours with 2 transfers. There is no direct train from Lisbon to Southern Spain. The Andalusian and Extremedura countryside is beautiful with vineyards, cliffs, prairie and rolling hills.

 

Seville is a beautiful city of 800,000 people and the fifth largest in Spain. Like most European cities there is a mediaeval quarter [Magdalena] with narrow walking streets where I stayed, grand boulevards: the Resolana comes to mind. There is a walled city area there from the 1400’s. Beautiful parks with palm trees, and orange trees grace the city. Great public buildings are spread throughout the city. The Plaza de Espana is quite spectacular: a Moorish version of the Paris Eisenhower Plaza. The people are very lively and friendly. All would help me with my Spanish or answer in English. The city is slightly run down so one gets a sense of faded glory. It did rain when I was there and a 5e umbrella kept me dry and added to the great ambience.

 

There is nothing unusual or distinctive about Seville except how it all comes together. Like a Gestalt the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I met 3 friends along the way which made the visit even more spectacular.

 

Gay marriage in Spain has not caused the sky to fall. If anything it is looked at throughout the world as a major player now.

 

Returning to Lisbon: I city I visited in 1992 has not changed much. The neighborhoods of interest are the Barrio Alto, Biaxa, and Alfama and the castle atop. The Lisbon Zoo is quite extensive and worth a trip. Like Seville it is slightly run down with a sense of faded glory. The people are less friendly especially the overly touristy Biaxa.

 

Lisbon is a beautiful city but I never quite bonded with it. By contrast to Seville the whole is less than the sum of the parts.

 

For that week I did not speak English and speaking only my high school level Spanish which became quite surreal.

 

The costs for tourists in Spain and Portugal are about 1/3 of Northern Europe and ½ Miami Beach.

 

CROSSING ON THE REGATTA

 

Picked up the ship in Lisbon and had an uneventful embarkation.

 

Ship:

It is essentially a medium size boxboat. The exterior design is generic and tall for its footprint. Inside is a different feel. The space planning of the ship is a descendent nephew/niece of the Love Boat. It makes total sense that Princess bought 2 of them to replace the old ones. It is easy to get around and the spaces flow into one another.

 

The size of the ship is perfect at 30,000 tons. It is big enough for variety of spaces and amenities, yet small enough to navigate easily. The sense of intimacy makes it a floating bed and breakfast. The connection to the sea is very good. The wide boat deck promenades are underutilized spaces with teak deck chairs and low freeboard so one really is close to the waves. You know you are on a ship.

 

The scale of the spaces is comparatively small compared to a megaship. The décor is neo Edwardian. Normally I prefer Edwardian Décor done at the time of his reign. Here it is done in a restrained fashion made necessary by the smaller scaled spaces and the ship takes the look of an old money Northeast Country Club. The wood and brass are real, replete with aroma, and not of the plastic variety that disgraces the Queen Mary 2. The only bad room is the about to be redecorated Toscana restaurant which is more Texas cattle baron than anything I have seen in Tuscany. The forward Horizons Lounge is a low deck head large square room with floor to ceiling windows. The Edwardian look is uncomfortable there. The space wants to be early Frank Lloyd Wright: He was designing at the time of King Edward so it is period appropriate.

 

Cruise Format and Service:

The entertainment is high culture Cunard style with enrichment lectures, a string quartet, and a jazz band that play throughout the ship at many times during the day and evening. The 4:00 tea is right out of Cunard with the string quartet, exotic teas, scones, and finger sandwiches. The service style is LoveBoat era Princess where the staff gets to know the passengers by name, make conversation, and make everyone feel included. Shani the cruise director is an elegant young British lady with a Julie Andrews presence. The evening shows range from musical reviews to juggling acts. One night we had a comedy act where audience members got the mike and told jokes. I indulged and you all know I am not funny. The disco had about 8-20 people and closed down at 1pm which is good for a passenger complement of mostly over 55.

 

The food throughout was among the best of any ship I have been on. The cuisine has no ethnic identity, but everything was tasty and portions were small so you can have 6 courses and not be overfull. I preferred the dining room to the specialty restaurants.

 

Livability:

Smoking is prohibited all over including cabins. One corner of outside deck and a corner of a lounge is a designated smoking area. This really makes the ship so much more pleasant. The country club casual dress makes the experience more pleasant since I do not have to pack the suit. Some dress up, but for dinner, slacks, shoes, and dress shirt are fine for men. Women can wear any nice dress or pants outfit.

 

People:

Most of the 350 passengers where older seasoned travelers. I am 45 and was the 8th youngest person on board. Many passengers where Oceania repeaters which says a lot for a 2.5 year old cruise line. The ethnic make up was about 25 British, 30 Canadian, 2 from Norway, the rest from America.

 

There were about 30 gay passengers: mostly couples. The Friends of Dorothy party held upon my request, had 22 people show up. The FOD party was mid cruise. Before about 11 gay people met up and 10 more jumped out of the woodwork at the event. It was Oceania’s first and the staff was surprised at its popularity. Many of the gay people were breaking bread with heteros transparently and openly as it should be. Horizons Lounge, used as the disco was the ship’s gay bar after 11:30 pm.

 

2 Friday night Sabbath services had 25 people in attendance. The rabbi was a passenger who volunteered.

 

The Storm:

 

The ship rides like more like a motor home or aircraft than a liner. There is not much rocking or pitching, but kicks and jiggles. In smooth seas there is no movement at all.

First day we had 15’ white caps and Force 6 [30mph] winds. The next morning The waves got to 20’. In the top deck forward lounge my coffee cup was dancing on the table, I could barely walk, and a grand piano flipped over and decided to leave the room. My cabin midships lowest passenger deck was calm and undisturbed. My cabin did have a porthole and was fun to watch the wake wash up against it, submerge it with the look and sound of a Maytag. It was good that I did not take an upper deck balcony, as it would have been useless most of the trip. That evening we hit 85mph [Force 12] winds and 30’ waves, had a delicious lobster dinner despite plates and silverware ricocheting about the restaurant.

I went dancing later and slid along the dance floor in obedience to the ship so not to fall. At 1am I went to bed and slept through the worst of it.

 

Oceania: They are not all things to all cruisers. Rather than say what it is, I will say what it is not. The line is not designed for families with children, Pete Party Animal, and Heather High Hair. They should take Disney or Carnival.

 

Miami:

I rented a convertible for my cheap thrill of getting a suntan while driving and an unobstructed view for sightseeing.

There is as much Spanish spoken is South Beach as there is in Spain. South Beach has beautiful art deco that I do not tire of, the people are another story. It reeks with shallow wannabe supermodels and Vogue/Esquire clones. North Beach is less pretentious and the home of the 1950’s Miami Modern called MiMo with the works of Morris Lapidus. The Eden Roc hotel and the Fountainbleau are local landmarks. They were the playground to Frank Sinatra, Arthur Godfrey and other Ratpackers.

 

The Everglades is quite spectacular. It is a national park with beautiful wetlands, cypress forests populated with alligators [got within 6’ of one, they co-exist with people] and exotic birds. It was a lovely drive and walk along the many trails. The last day I visited friends in the area including a childhood friend that I rekindled with.

 

The worst part of the trip was coming home.

[Petoonya]

Beautiful review David.

Especially loved the account of the storm- you must be quite a dancer!

 

Thanks very much.

[Druke I]

We were on Regatta in the Baltic, this past August, and enjoyed it very much.

 

Our one night on the North Sea was fairly smooth.

 

Would have loved to been on her in the Atlantic during that crossing - we rather enjoy the ocean acting up - particularly since our sis-in-law was with us, and she is always looking for a new experience.

 

We have "conned" her into joining us on a trip 'round Cape Horn, on Regal Princess, next March, and we're hoping that the passage lives up to its reputation.

 

The last trans-Atlantic she was on (with us again) was on Royal Princess, 8-00, and we hit only Force 8 winds between Greenland & Newfoundland, and the RP handled rough seas very well, so she didn't get the bouncing about she deserves!

[desirod]

For Goldmom

[larablair]

David, we are booked in June for the Baltic cruise. Appreciated your review. When is Toscana scheduled for revamp?

 

Happy Holiday's

 

Jeanine

[desirod]

For JL65 and his partner who are taking their parents along on a crossing

[Jancruz]

Loved your review..we have been on Oceania many times but not on a crossing..really looking forward to the rest and relaxation..

Jan

*****

[jayl65]

Thanks Desirod, for the great review. I hope we have as nice a trip as you. The ship sounds amazing, and hope we have as many FOD's as you did. Many thanks , Jay

[mjmme]

was there any days during the crossing from Lisbon to Miami that were warm?

I am considering the 11/15/06 Regatta crossing from Lisbon to Miami and all I can gather from your review is that the ride over was rocky.

[desirod]

The last 4 days were fine for temperature, last 3 days was a millpond.

North Atlantic in the winter is a crap shoot for rough seas.

 

I took the QE2 Dec 2003: London to NYC which was much further north and the outdoor temps were in the 50's f. We had 20' swells for 2 days and one day 10' whitecaps.

 

David

 

 

was there any days during the crossing from Lisbon to Miami that were warm?

I am considering the 11/15/06 Regatta crossing from Lisbon to Miami and all I can gather from your review is that the ride over was rocky.

[sammiekay]

Ihave been twice each crossing.........my favorite way is Lisbon to Miamia........March in Atlantic and not much sun........Sk will be on Transatlantic from Lisbon to where ever in 2006....

[Jancruz]

Thanks for the info Sammy..we have crossed in March to Lisbon from Miami on HAL but in 2006 Stu and I are going from Lisbon to Miami on Regatta!!

Jan

*****

[sammiekay]

Hope to meet you,Jan.....will take Lisbon to Miami or Lisbon to Rio in 2006.......I do like Miami back to Lisbon better.....better weather.....2 times each way.....

[sammiekay]

When are you booked for a Transatlantic......Jan

[sammiekay]

please forgive me.... I do like Lisbon to Miami....better weather is much better.....

[raffeer]

Jan - Looking forward to spending time with you and Stu on the Lisbon-Miami crossing. Certainly happier circumstances than our last meeting.

Beatrice (Hugh and Alison also)

[Jancruz]

I to am excited to see you again..we are also doing the Barcelona Lisbon..want to join us?

Jan

*****

[mjmme]

My take on the weather for a November Lisbon- Miami crossing is confused. I understand that it may or may not be a rough crossing and that is all up to the Weather Gods, but will it be shorts? light jackets? which would you say has more likelihood?

[Druke I]

mjmme

 

I think shorts might be too cool for that crossing, but you never know.

 

Our 11-95 crossing, Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale, on HAL's Maasdam was nice weather Lisbon to the Azores, and then then very rough seas and wet weather West of the Azores for a couple of days, then warming up at the end.

 

Travel on the ocean is truly a "crapshoot" weather wise.

[LHT28]

My take on the weather for a November Lisbon- Miami crossing is confused. I understand that it may or may not be a rough crossing and that is all up to the Weather Gods, but will it be shorts? light jackets? which would you say has more likelihood?

 

Take both! ;)

[Molliem]

Hi Cruisers.

 

We just returned from an excellent 25 day Amazon cruise on Regatta.

Despite the problems on boarding in Miami and loss of port time while touring, due to cruiser medical evacuation, "technical" problems and late departure, we had a great time. The inspection by authorities also delayed departure.

 

Comments from various parties indicated the Regatta encoutered a major storm which caused damage to dishes etc and possibly the ship.This is smaller ship and we were informed it was like riding a bucking bronco. Not something I would wish to encounter.

 

Does anyone have information on the floading on level 7 accompanied with sewer problems? We had issues with sewer smell on our Amazon cruise and difficult to get anyone to resolve it. And some cabins had wet carpets from the storm and not fixed.

 

And good news upon returning home. Our booked cruise for Asia in March 2007 has been cancelled as Oceania has determined they wish to have the ship in Europe earlier. This is a classy line and I hope they do not continue in disappointing clients in this way.

[esther e]

Check out post #7 from lizf under thread "anyone returning from Miami - Manaus - Miami?" She pretty well describes the problems you talk about on Deck 7.

Esther