Panama!

[rcandkc]

27 minutes ago, Mjflowers said:

Now we're back to the class system?  What is fair? If there was a sperate line for "named suites" I didn't notice. Correct on everybody showing up at the same time. Bad planning on Regents part. Buses all showed up,same time around noon. Very unorganized. Take a boarding pass. Didn't get one, well just get in line and add to the confusion.

Well, the named suite thing has been going on for awhile.  It’s usually discreet.  I’ve never been in a named suite so haven’t experienced but there really aren’t that many.  I do think when a crowd all comes at once, handing out cards based on when you arrive is the best they can do. It does sound like all the buses came at once which is poor planning. 

 

[Mjflowers]

After all that. Block party 6pm, Prime 7 tonight. Before, Observation Lounge every night with Nick the pianist for those Grey Goose Martines, extra olives. Art district excursion tomorrow in Cabo. 

Supposed to be another wonderful day. It's good to be cruising.

 

 

 

[GOARMY]

Not wanting to start, or add-to a kurfufle (sp): But, it is, basically, a crap shoot as to how contractors (not direct Regent staff) facilitate the embarkation procedure.   We have experienced the spectrum of situations throughout the U.S., whether at NYC, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Miami, and so-on; and certainly throughout the world from Sydney to Hong Kong to, most-recently Stockholm.  

 

Fortunately, no extended waits to board.  It somewhat depends on the dock facility.  Example:  inside large Terminal at Long Beach June of '18 when boarding Navigator.  There was a separate entry line for Platinum and above.  It was so-labelled.  

 

At Stockholm about five weeks ago.  Different layout.  Off the bus from hotel to a tent facility at the dock.  Fortunately, not raining on the exterior walk from bus to tent.  Everyone through the same line.  Staffed by Port authorities for final Passport check, security screening of bags, and going through the metal detector.  Time line was, perhaps 15 minutes once off the bus. The real wait was a tortuous bus ride (45 minutes) through torn-up streets in Stockholm after leaving the hotel to get to the Port.  

Bottom Line:  The ship(s) have never left without us.  We have never missed a lunch.  

 

GOARMY!

 

[Hambagahle]

The Regent website states that the high end suites have priority boarding and access to the suite at 1200.   There should have been a sign to this effect.   This policy is been in effect for several years now...

[flossie009]

8 hours ago, GOARMY said:

There was a separate entry line for Platinum and above.  It was so-labelled.  

The separate line we have seen previously was for upper suites plus Titanium & above.

Interesting that it has been extended to Platinum - could make that line long on some cruises.

[flossie009]

From the FAQ section of the Regent website:

 

CATEGORY OR SEVEN SEAS SOCIETY STATUS	EMBARK TIME	SUITE AVAILABLE
Regent Suites, Master Suites, and Grand Suites	12:00PM	12:00PM
Navigator Suites, Mariner Suites, Voyager Suites, Seven Seas Suites, Horizon Suites, and Titanium Seven Seas Society Members	12:00PM	1:00PM
Remaining Suites	12:00PM	2:30PM

[Hambagahle]

4 hours ago, flossie009 said:

The separate line we have seen previously was for upper suites plus Titanium & above.

Interesting that it has been extended to Platinum - could make that line long on some cruises.

I think that is fair enough...Jackie and I have been around on this question for years and I always said that getting a high end suite was like flying First or Business - pre-boarding etc.  And on the airlines Frequent Fliers (at certain levels I think) also can pre-board.   Seems that that is what Regent (and Oceania) has put into place.   Platinum SSS members have a lot of cruises in their "account" and IMO deserve to be included in this.

 

I have also heard (but not experienced) that the "priority boarding" goes very quickly because there are relatively few of these people and then everyone else boards relatively quickly as well.   Next cruise we are in a Grand Suite so we will see for ourselves.  I certainly like the idea of getting right into the Suite when we board...Oceania does that for Oceania suites and up.  Which is what we have always had on Riviera.

[orvil]

The boarding process is always a bit of a crap shoot.  If you have traveled on another cruise line, you will experience the respective embarkation port's personnel.  Some are better than others.  Plus, there is the customs issues that are entirely outside of the respective Company's control.  Add into the mix dock personnel, the Coast Guard and the age of the facilities. 

 

Patience is always the order of the day.  We are all going to the same place and will get there at the same time.  If someone wants to pay extra money for a named suite and get an escort to their cabin, have at it.  The cabin will come with privileges. 

 

Sit down and enjoy the passing parade.  The people watching is part of the fun.

 

 

[Hambagahle]

I have never had an escort to my suite - not on Regent, nor on Oceania.  And I don't see why one would need one.  But I think Jackie did on Crystal - she was met at registration desk and taken to her suite.  Different lines obviously do things different ways.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Worst embarkation for us - - Copenhagen. Norway, Russia and Arctic Circle Cruise. Rainy day. Arrived at the port by bus. Tented area for embarkation at the ship.

For those of you who remember - - This was our lost luggage trip. We had gone shopping in Copenhagen and had some plastic bags with new clothes. I had the bags on my lap, backpack on the back of the scooter, Herb carrying my oxygen supply bag, as I was riding my scooter. 

Lo and behold, no terminal. Only way to get on the ship was stairs up a gangplank. In the rain. Of course, I needed help. Some crew were summoned to carry me up. Here I was, on my scooter, bags in hand, oxygen on the handle etc. in the rain.. it must have looked so funny. Like a bad comedy. 

PS  We loved the cruise.

Sheila and Herb

[rcandkc]

5 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Worst embarkation for us - - Copenhagen. Norway, Russia and Arctic Circle Cruise. Rainy day. Arrived at the port by bus. Tented area for embarkation at the ship.

For those of you who remember - - This was our lost luggage trip. We had gone shopping in Copenhagen and had some plastic bags with new clothes. I had the bags on my lap, backpack on the back of the scooter, Herb carrying my oxygen supply bag, as I was riding my scooter. 

Lo and behold, no terminal. Only way to get on the ship was stairs up a gangplank. In the rain. Of course, I needed help. Some crew were summoned to carry me up. Here I was, on my scooter, bags in hand, oxygen on the handle etc. in the rain.. it must have looked so funny. Like a bad comedy. 

PS  We loved the cruise.

Sheila and Herb

Wow! What a trooper!  And isn’t the street cobblestone too at the port?

[Travelcat2]

On 10/2/2019 at 3:44 PM, rcandkc said:

Well, the named suite thing has been going on for awhile.  It’s usually discreet.  I’ve never been in a named suite so haven’t experienced but there really aren’t that many.  I do think when a crowd all comes at once, handing out cards based on when you arrive is the best they can do. It does sound like all the buses came at once which is poor planning. 

 

 

I complained very loudly about the "special lines" for upper category passengers and Titanium and above (it did help a little but not much).  It is definitely a "class" situation and one that is not necessary.  After all, how many upper suites (not PH) are there and how many passengers would actually be waiting to embark right at noon?). IF they added Platinum, there would be more people but not dramatic.  

 

The one area that is based on Seven Seas Society loyalty status is the Top Suites Event.  More than 50% of those that attend are "Gold" which is such a huge crowd that we no longer have intimate meals, cocktail parties, etc.  Think that "Gold" needs their own party.  I know that this is off topic but, IMO, there is a big difference between getting benefits because of your loyalty status and getting benefits just because you are in a top suite.  

 

Gerry - yes - we were escorted to our Crystal Penthouse.  It is not a big deal for Crystal as there are only two on the ship.  Still, I would not trade our Regent Experience to any experiences that we have had on other cruise lines.  

 

 

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

44 minutes ago, rcandkc said:

Wow! What a trooper!  And isn’t the street cobblestone too at the port?

 

Yup. But I managed to get the hang of riding on cobblestone in Jerusalem. 

 

 

[GOARMY]

It has been about five years since our last Crystal cruise.  San Diego via Hawaii to Auckland, then Sydney on Symphony.  But, clearly recall the procedure. 

 

Upon boarding (after we had a nice lunch coordinated by Crystal at the same hotel we will be in this coming March when boarding Splendor)--

 

Escorted to the Theater.  Nibbles and beverages available.  We were advised to wait until our Suite was available.  About 20 other folks were seated.   One by one, names were called.  The wait was about 20 minutes.  Upon being summoned,  an office staff rep. escorted us to our Suite.  That is where we were introduced to our Butler.  That was how Crystal did it then.   Lunch was not an issue.  Just become acquainted with our surroundings, and, then, the Boat Drill.  

 

But, again, subsequent cruises have been either with Regent or on UniWorld river boats.   

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

 

[Hambagahle]

We have boarded cruises at:  Bergen, Los Angeles,  Seward, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Dover, Monte Carlo, New York City, Ft Lauderdale, Miami.   Of those the worst was Civitavecchia but not because of the port staff - because the US Coast Guard threw a surprise inspection at the ship and we had to wait over 2 hours in the tent!   Next worst - Ft Lauderdale in that terminal that is used for cruises on weekends and cargo during the week.  (!)  Best - Miami in Terminal J.  Smooth and polite process, lots of space to sit if early and a bright and airy terminal.

 

Disembarkation was easiest at Cannes (tendered in), Venice (45 years ago where we docked on the Riva degli Schiavoni and our hotel was across the street).  Worst - Ft Lauderdale and Monte Carlo - in both of those cases it took for ever to get a taxi.

[Mjflowers]

Hi, remember me? Mjflowers. Embarkation was last Monday. Old news. I'm over it. Move on to a new thread starter on embarkation if you must. This is about the Panama cruise. Any comments on that appreciated. Otherwise?

[Mjflowers]

Yesterday Cabo. Beautiful day, a little humid for us. Excursion to San Jose Del Cabo. Art district and Baja Brewery. Some wonderful local art and icy cold beer after.

The crew has been so accommodating. Smiles and greetings all the time.😄😄😄

Prime 7 the other night. I might be mistaken, but at one time did not Prime offer their prime fib from a serving cart? Onion rings. In the past large in house made. Today the rings look like something from Sysco. Small all the same. Frozen I think. 

Sea day today. Chartreuse tonight. 

 

[1982CruzStart]

Yes the thread has gotten off course. Thanks for bringing it back and taking us along on your cruise. Have a great time. 

[Mjflowers]

EARTHQUAKE!!! Today 4.0 around 11:00am in Acapulco area. Mariner docked and the ship shook for about 10 seconds. Closed gang way until cleared by local authorities. Back to normal after 30 minutes, all is well.

[poss]

Glad all is well!!

[Mjflowers]

I guess we are back to a normal routine. Last port was canceled due to swells. It was a shame not to be able to tender. Couldn't tell the difference between 1.5 & 1.6 meter swells but the captain could. Safety reasons. All excursions we're canceled 1/2 hour before scheduled times. Not a lot of happy campers. The sad part is that all the locals on shore prepared their day for us. NO SHOW. I believe they lost a lot of tourists dollars that day. So an extra sea day. Free wi-fi was another NO SHOW for almost 2 days. Finally up this morning. Something about the ships satilite being down according to the IT expert. I still have a problem grasping this enomaly.

Puntarenas today. Hot & extremely humid. Thunderstorms during the day. Will stay aboard as we usually do in this climate.  The few hiccups the last couple of days will roll of my back as we continue to enjoy the Mariner and the outstanding crew. 

Sea day tomorrow. Special wine tasting and lunch at noon in Chartreuse tomorrow. Must have reservations and non refundable fee. We signed up for this one.

Finally on Friday, Panama Canal. 

[2012_Alaska_bound]

Connoisseur Wine Lunch is FABULOUS!  Did it on the Mariner this summer.  Especially great way to spend OBC if you have it. 

[Mjflowers]

2 hours ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

Connoisseur Wine Lunch is FABULOUS!  Did it on the Mariner this summer.  Especially great way to spend OBC if you have it. 

Yes we do, but 169 a pop. Better be good😋😋😋

[UUNetBill]

8 hours ago, Mjflowers said:

Yes we do, but 169 a pop. Better be good😋😋😋

It is.   🤪🍷

[Mjflowers]

3 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

It is.   🤪🍷

Like your style Bill. I believe you are sailing on Explorer in January. Will miss you by a couple of weeks. Booked for the two week cruise over Super Bowl on Explorer. Love cruising on Regent somewhere during Super Bowl. You can call me weird.