Any Adjustments Needed When Moving Up To 7 C's After Mainstream Cruises?

[need2cruisesoon]

My DW and I are looking at a Explorer next spring (5/4/2020 w/Bordeaux).

 

We've mostly sailed with the usual suspects (Princess, NCL and even 1 Azamara that was nothing to remember).

 

So what what kind of things should I prepare for when embarking on a luxury cruise line like Regent? I assume country club attire the day time and jackets while dining for dinner.

I am most excited for the array of culinary choices onboard as well as the fine (red) wines to pair. I've looked in to the excursions as well and am quite impressed with the selections.

 

Hopefully we'll see some of you people onboard?

 

Thanks, Ron

 

 

 

[Pinksunset]

Look forward to a real treat!  After mainstream cruises, my DH and I were just thrilled to be on the Mariner a year ago in a beautiful suite.  The service, accommodations, culinary offerings and general ambiance are definitely a step above what you may be accustomed to!   Our only regret is not asking for more of our personal preferences from our Butler (or whomever might be providing your room service) and at various dining venues.  We absolutely love Regent now and look forward to future cruises.  Some people on CC can cruise more frequently than others, but we all share a fondness for Regent!

[Travelcat2]

Hi and welcome to the Regent board!

 

I see that a link to Regent’s dress code has been posted.  While. It is perfectly fine for men to wear slacks and a collared shirt at night, quite.a few men do wear sports jackets to the specialty restaurants and on special nights (like the Captain’s Reception - generally on the 2nd night onboard).  

 

I strongly recommend that you book excursions and dining reservations online as soon as they open to insure that you get what you want.air 

 

Also, although it costs $175/person, you can use Custom Air to select your own flights 270 days prior embarkation.  If you decide not to do this, Regent will select flights for you approximately 75 gets prior to the cruise.  As you may know, Regent includes international business class air.  So, if you take an airline that stops in the U.S., that portion of your trip will likely be in coach*.  For that reason, we always deviate and tend to select non-U.S. airlines such as Lufthansa and British Airways (for their flatbed seats) and they tend to stop in London, Frankfurt or Munich.  The flights from there to the port are still business class but not in flatbed seats!  Just wanted to share this information with you.

 

It would be difficult not to love Regent - it can be addicting😀

 

*If you fly within the U.S. - do a plane change and continue on to Europe (or anywhere else) on the same airline, they may ticket you in first class.  However, since first class seats are very limited, I would not count on it.

 

[DaveFr]

Welcome to Regent.  The link to the dress code above is from a TA website and will probably be removed by the moderator.  More importantly, it contains numerous errors and omissions.  Here is the official dress code from the Regent website FAQ:

 

“Attire ranges from Casual to Formal Optional. Casual wear consists of resort-style outfits; some examples are jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Casual wear is appropriate for daytime both on board or ashore. Casual wear is not appropriate after 6:00 PM, with the exceptions of while dining at the Pool Grill or Pool Bar and on the final evening of the cruise. On the night prior to disembarkation, guests may need to pack their luggage early due to morning flights the next day. With this in mind, on the last night of every voyage, we will relax the dress code for dinner to Casual. 

“Otherwise, the recommended onboard dress in the evenings is Elegant Casual. Dinner dress for ladies includes a skirt, or slacks with a blouse or sweater, a pant suit or dress; slacks and a collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Casual wear is not to be worn at dinner, once again with the exceptions of while dining at the Pool Grill and on the final evening of the cruise. Ties are not required. 

“On sailings of 16 nights or more, Formal and Semi-Formal attire is optional on two of the evenings. On the two Formal Optional evenings, guests are welcome to dress as per the elegant Casual dress code or opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with tie for gentlemen.”

 

Hope this helps.

 

Dave

 

[Gilly]

It took us quite some time to realise that, if anything (however trivial) is not quite as we'd prefer it, then we should say...a friendly request makes all the difference.  So, there's chardonnay in our suite fridge and not our preferred sauvignon blanc?  No problem...not only on this cruise, but magically on every cruise from now on (until we change our mind!)  Not enough vegetables on my plate at dinner?  I know that a simple request will not only sort that out, but that waiter may well remember that next time too - the Regent staff are remarkable at anticipating such things.  Of course, after a while we become totally spoiled and have to rein it in.  At the end of a long cruise, I looked around the bread selection at lunchtime in La Veranda and couldn't see any focaccia.  Someone spotted me looking and asked if there was something they could get for me.  I was about to say "I'd like a piece of focaccia please", but noting that there was every other bread imaginable, I stopped myself, because I knew that someone would go running to the other end of the ship for me, if that's where the focaccia was....and really, I'm not quite that spoiled!

 

For me, then, the biggest difference is the amazing and utterly seamless service.

[Hambagahle]

Dress code - my husband used to bring his DJ and black tie but now he says it weighs too much (which is true!!) and he plans to wear his blazer with a nice tie on formal nights on our next cruise.   There is no problem with this and it is really up to the person concerned.   Ladies tend to dress up more anyway but I won't be bringing any long dresses along.   (Might bring some black silk trousers though).  An essential item for women is a pashmina because the AC can be violent at times.

 

I am sure you will love Regent.  There is a "relaxation factor" in knowing that once you have paid your cruise fare there is not much you can spend your money on!  You can donate at the casino (of course) but unless you opt for private vans or cars for tours or some  premium wines everything else is included aside from laundry and in the top suites even that is covered!

[need2cruisesoon]

Ham, Dave, Gilly, 1985, Pinksunset and Travel cat:

 

Thanks so much for the valuable information and appreciate all the advice and recommendations.

 

I am in the process of booking as I understand a price increase becomes effective Oct 1.

 

I've read good reviews on the Explorer.

 

Ron

[JPR]

We prefer the F Superior Suites. We like to have a separate bath tub, and the Penthouse Suites have just a shower. Also prefer the F walk-in closet, though the Splendor’s PH closer has been improved. We also enjoy the infinity pool at the stern, if the weather cooperates.