Currently on Navigator Miami to Montreal

[RetiredandTravel]

The best comment on the Navigator was by a gentleman who said he orders his eggs raw and lets them scramble themselves.  🙂

 

Sorry to hear the trip thus far hasn't been up to expectations.  We had poor service at Compass Rose so we just asked to sit in another section.  Agreed that fellow Regent cruisers are very welcoming.

 

We had no vibration issues on the Mariner, sounds like vibration on the Splendor now needs to be monitored.

 

This report in conjunction with the recent Voyager TA assessment reinforces my belief that Regent puts its best foot forward on the newer ships.

 

[mrlevin]

On 5/17/2022 at 7:09 AM, ChucktownSteve said:

We covid tested yesterday as required by Bermuda before docking. It was handled very efficiently.  I did find out seven people tested positive although none of them showed any symptoms. That was admitted to me by a senior staff member when I inquired.

 

Any update on those that tested positive or cabin mates or close contacts?  Are they confined to quarantine cabins on deck 5 (no balconies) or were they allowed to stay in their cabins?  

 

thanks,

 

Marc

[ChucktownSteve]

5 hours ago, RetiredandTravel said:

The best comment on the Navigator was by a gentleman who said he orders his eggs raw and lets them scramble themselves.  🙂

 

Sorry to hear the trip thus far hasn't been up to expectations.  We had poor service at Compass Rose so we just asked to sit in another section.  Agreed that fellow Regent cruisers are very welcoming.

 

We had no vibration issues on the Mariner, sounds like vibration on the Splendor now needs to be monitored.

 

This report in conjunction with the recent Voyager TA assessment reinforces my belief that Regent puts its best foot forward on the newer ships.

 

RetiredandTravel,

Navigator has really stepped up.  After receiving many complaints, it appears Cedric, F&B Manager got things under control.  Service and attention to detail is greatly improved.  So the problems for me were only on the initial day or two.  Absolutely no complaints the last few days.  The crew just needed to adjust from 25% capacity to 100% the next sailing.

 

I like a ship that admits their initial failings and corrects course because they care.  Navigator is definitely in this category.

 

Except when we were sailing at great speed (aka high revolutions) and into 3-5 foot seas, vibration has been manageable.  Plus the older and smaller the vessel, the more this will be experienced.

 

[ChucktownSteve]

4 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Any update on those that tested positive or cabin mates or close contacts?  Are they confined to quarantine cabins on deck 5 (no balconies) or were they allowed to stay in their cabins?  

 

thanks,

 

Marc

Marc,  I don't know the answers.  They haven't even announced the detected cases and I haven't cared to ask further.  I may bring it up in a future conversation if I get the chance but I''m confident they're doing the right thing. Nobody else seems concerned.  Some wear masks, most don't.

[ChucktownSteve]

This morning first thing room service delivered two pots of coffee right on time at 6:30am.

 

Then we assembled for the excursions at 8:15am.  We were originally signed up for the Boat excursion -Scenic Southern Shores.  My DW wanted to exchange it for the Quintessential Island Drive  Good choice.  Winston, the driver/guide, was very informative with good personality.

 

Our first stop was Fort Hamilton which was originally built with no installed cannons.  It had a great view overlooking Hamilton and where we docked so close in.  The other two larger Royal Caribbean and NCL ships had to dock at the dockyards...a long way away.

 

 

We also stopped at John Smith Bay Park for a bathroom break.  No we didn't pee in the ocean.  But it did make for a beautiful postcard photo op.

 

Another place we passed was the unfinished church.  We met a couple  yesterday that told us they were getting married there today at 2pm.  No guests invited. lol

 

Pool deck is closing at 3pm today to set up for the Grand Deck BarbeQue..the feast under the stars from 7-9pm.

Edited May 19, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[RetiredandTravel]

40 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

RetiredandTravel,

Navigator has really stepped up.  After receiving many complaints, it appears Cedric, F&B Manager got things under control.  Service and attention to detail is greatly improved.  So the problems for me were only on the initial day or two.  Absolutely no complaints the last few days.  The crew just needed to adjust from 25% capacity to 100% the next sailing.

 

I like a ship that admits their initial failings and corrects course because they care.  Navigator is definitely in this category.

 

Except when we were sailing at great speed (aka high revolutions) and into 3-5 foot seas, vibration has been manageable.  Plus the older and smaller the vessel, the more this will be experienced.

 

 

Good to hear.

 

I sometimes don't read things as closely as I should,.  Guess I missed the positive part.

 

How's the food?  Everybody loves food & booze pics.

 

Enjoy!!

[ChucktownSteve]

1 hour ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

Good to hear.

 

I sometimes don't read things as closely as I should,.  Guess I missed the positive part.

 

How's the food?  Everybody loves food & booze pics.

 

Enjoy!!

hahaha sorry. I don't do food porn.  And I'm either drinking scotch or vodka on the rocks.  Nothing to see here lol

 

Food is mostly very good.  We have a wide choice so finding something to like isn't hard.  I just wish some things weren't cooked as well done as they are.  But not up to the point of needing a complaint.

Edited May 19, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[Kwaj girl]

4 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

hahaha sorry. I don't do food porn.  And I'm either drinking scotch or vodka on the rocks.  Nothing to see here lol

 

Food is mostly very good.  We have a wide choice so finding something to like isn't hard.  I just wish some things weren't cooked as well done as they are.  But not up to the point of needing a complaint.

 

Can you mention the 'too well done' items? 

[2012_Alaska_bound]

5 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

Pool deck is closing at 3pm today to set up for the Grand Deck BarbeQue..the feast under the stars from 7-9pm.

 

 

Not to be missed! Always fun and delicious.

[ChucktownSteve]

On 5/18/2022 at 10:54 PM, GOARMY said:

ChucktownSteve: 

Sooos--if you have the opportunity, please pass on our best to Ray in the form of a BIG, wait for it:

 

How do you Doooooooo! from 

 

Jim and Sue

Redmond, WA

 

We hope to meet Ray again in a year should he be our Cruise Director.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

Ran into Ray last evening at the Grand Deck BBQ.  He mentioned he knows Jim and Sue well then returned the How do you Doooooooo!

[ChucktownSteve]

Last evening was the Grand Deck BarbeQue around the pool deck and above.  It reminded me of a similar event we experienced on Azamara but different. 

 

People began staking out their seats long before the event officially began. But there were plenty of drinks served while waiting.

 

 

 

OK I succumbed to the request once.  Here's your food porn.  One of the nakkid roasted pigs.   There was also lots of shrimp, Alaskan King crab, the whole roasted pigs and lots of other things that filled our stomachs while satisfying our need for copious amounts of MORE food.

 

We set sail this morning about 6am. We will be docking on the other side of the island at St George about 8am.  Then it's time to gather for our caves excursion.

Edited May 20, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[ChucktownSteve]

13 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

 

Can you mention the 'too well done' items? 

 

Depends upon where you eat.  Prime 7 has been cooked to temperature ordered.  I like my meats medium rare.

 

In the Compass Rose even though I ordered duck or steaks MR, it has  sometimes come out medium to medium well. 

 

At the Pool Grill the hamburger cooked to order was served at proper temperature.  But meats on the buffet or in La Veranda tend to be cooked well done.  Same with the self serve meats at Sette Mari. The exception is the carved meat of the day can be received as desired by which part they carve from.

 

It's nothing earth shattering. I realize they have to feed the various types of preferences plus it's just easier to make sure it's DONE.  So one either accepts the way it's cooked or passes it by.  That's called personal choice.

Edited May 20, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[ronrick1943]

Thanks for your posting, enjoying your view of things on the ship.  Have a great trip.

[ChucktownSteve]

This morning we had a leisurely sail between ports in Bermuda. Here are a few of the wonderful views from our veranda.

 

 

 

 

Our excursion this morning was to the Crystal Caves.  They said there were 81 steps down 120 feet below the surface. That's true. I counted them.  However they neglected to mention there were 18 additional steps down from the gift shop to the opening of the cave.  I counted those also.  Oh don't forget, what goes down, must come up!

 

 

 

This is a stalactite working towards a stalagmite it helped form.

 

 

 

 

These two pictures are the two underwater stalagmites.  Those were formed before the cave filled with water so they can't grow any higher since stalagmites are formed by water dripping down from the stalactites.  Now that water with minerals just drops into the water or your head and shoulders as you navigate the floating walkway.

 

 

At 3pm we sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. We arrive 11am Sunday.

Edited May 20, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[takemewithyou]

10 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

Last evening was the Grand Deck BarbeQue around the pool deck and above.  It reminded me of a similar event we experienced on Azamara but different. 

 

People began staking out their seats long before the event officially began. But there were plenty of drinks served while waiting.

 

 

 

OK I succumbed to the request once.  Here's your food porn.  One of the nakkid roasted pigs.   There was also lots of shrimp, Alaskan King crab, the whole roasted pigs and lots of other things that filled our stomachs while satisfying our need for copious amounts of MORE food.

 

We set sail this morning about 6am. We will be docking on the other side of the island at St George about 8am.  Then it's time to gather for our caves excursion.

Having never sailed on Regent, I am interested how the deck buffet differs from the ones you have experienced on Azamara.  I don’t think I hav ever seen a whole roasted pig on Azamara, but that may just be I didn’t want to remember it!!  🤔😊

[janieb1962]

So not everything is 100% perfect all of the time but little touches make a difference. Today a friend came and sat on the wooden deck surrounding the pool to talk to us . Within one minute Allison appeared with a folded towel for her to sit on. Nice touch 

[ChucktownSteve]

3 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

Having never sailed on Regent, I am interested how the deck buffet differs from the ones you have experienced on Azamara.  I don’t think I hav ever seen a whole roasted pig on Azamara, but that may just be I didn’t want to remember it!!  🤔😊

 Takemewithyou,

I typed a nice reply before dinner but the WiFi went down and I lost the whole thing. I'll try to remember some of it.

 

I was trying not to compare the two cruise lines because they are apples and oranges. Azamara occupies the premium space, Celebrity claims "luxury" (hahahahahaha yeah right) while Regent does reside in the luxury segment.

 

The two main differences is overall feel. Both have bands.  Azamara is more for the show while Regent is more atmosphere.  We enjoyed being able to speak with new friends last night without having to shout over the music.

 

While the food on Azamara's White Night is good, it is nothing compared to Regent's elevated selections.  There were huge platters of Shrimp, sliced in half Alaskan King Crab legs, whole pigs and meat fresh off the grill offerings.  Not to mention the sides and salads.  If you couldn't find something, you were either not hungry or not able to be satisfied. lol

 

The service on both are good but Regent is a cut above.

 

We just got back from dinner in the Compass Rose restaurant.  It was the best we've had in there to date.  We requested a more experienced waiter and the service was impeccable.  The food came out quickly and was sooooo good.

 

My DW had the Dover sole. Anthony was a master of the preparation.  When he was done it reminded me of the old cartoon when I was a kid where the cat swallowed the whole fish and pulled out just the skeleton.  Absolutely nothing left on the bones.  What an art!

 

I had the  New Zealand lamb chops. They were more like lollypops. Perfect MR temperature and flavorful.  The scallops were neither under cooked nor over done.  Perfect.  The vegetables were good to the bite too.

 

What I"m enjoying is the understated elegance.  They don't have to be in your face with it.  It just happens. As Janieb1962 appropriately pointed out correctly, little touches make the difference.

 

Edited May 20, 2022 by ChucktownSteve

[jjjbr]

On 5/19/2022 at 12:47 PM, ChucktownSteve said:

Marc,  I don't know the answers.  They haven't even announced the detected cases and I haven't cared to ask further.  I may bring it up in a future conversation if I get the chance but I''m confident they're doing the right thing. Nobody else seems concerned.  Some wear masks, most don't.

 

[jjjbr]

On 5/19/2022 at 9:06 AM, mrlevin said:

Any update on those that tested positive or cabin mates or close contacts?  Are they confined to quarantine cabins on deck 5 (no balconies) or were they allowed to stay in their cabins?  

 

thanks,

 

Marc

My husband & I were on this sailing. I say “were” because we disembarked in Halifax & are now back home. Unfortunately 2 of our friends tested positive while onboard; first one spouse as the result of testing pre-Bermuda; then the other spouse 5 or 6 days later.
Our friends were quarantined separately on a separate deck as soon as each tested positive. 
As close contacts, we were required to be tested each morning for a total of 6 days.  We were advised we were free to go about the ship as long as our tests were negative, but to wear a mask except for eating & drinking, with which we complied. 
As our second friend tested positive on the way to Halifax, she was told that she would have to comply with Canadian regulations & quarantine for 10 days.  (Her spouse, who went into quarantine earlier, had been told he would be tested after 5 days & 2 negative tests would result in his release back to the general population, which happened in Halifax). 10 days would take her beyond the end of the cruise & there was some confusion with the ship as to how that would be handled with Canadian authorities. 
My husband & I were also pressured by the ship to sign an inaccurate letter the ship had drafted that said as “close contacts” we were in quarantine, among other things.  I objected as we had repeatedly been told that we weren’t in quarantine, & was told that I was correct and we were only being “monitored” not quarantined, but we were asked to sign the incorrect document anyway.  We hand wrote the correct information on their letter, struck out the incorrect phrasing, & signed.  Nonetheless ship’s staff did not like our changes & said that they would come up with a revised document for us to sign.  
That is how things stood as we arrived in Halifax.  We also knew we would need a negative test to fly home to the US.  We had our test, again negative, the morning of our arrival in Halifax.  We had one more day of required testing ahead of us. We decided it was the better plan for us to cut our losses & fly home than risk a positive test, either the next day or just before the end of the cruise, which would have left us quarantined either on the ship or in Canada for a minimum of 10 days. 
It was stressful & unfortunate, but we recognize that there are risks. This was our first cruise post Covid.  It did not go the way we planned. We never saw a revised document from the ship, BTW. 

On a lighter note, we were in an aft balcony cabin. There was vibration, but it didn’t really bother us.  Compass Rose had quite slow service initially but improved over our days there. The food & general service throughout the ship was great. 
Hope all of you have smooth sailing!  

 

[mrlevin]

jjjbr, thanks for your report.  Your recounting of your (and friends) stories provides a little hiccup in my Plan B if we test positive in NYC.  I was under impression that you just need to quarantine for five days and have a negative test.  Therefore, my plan B was to drive/fly/ferry to Halifax and meet the ship six days after positive test; test negative; and get on the ship.  Since testing is not required to get into Canada it wouldn't matter that we tested positive in NYC.  Now, that ten day quarantine causes a bit of a wrinkle as if we tested positive in Halifax we couldn't make it to Reykjavik in time to join the ship.  Time for a new Plan B.

 

Again, thanks for your report.

 

Marc

[RetiredandTravel]

2 hours ago, jjjbr said:

My husband & I were on this sailing. I say “were” because we disembarked in Halifax & are now back home. Unfortunately 2 of our friends tested positive while onboard; first one spouse as the result of testing pre-Bermuda; then the other spouse 5 or 6 days later.
Our friends were quarantined separately on a separate deck as soon as each tested positive. 
As close contacts, we were required to be tested each morning for a total of 6 days.  We were advised we were free to go about the ship as long as our tests were negative, but to wear a mask except for eating & drinking, with which we complied. 
As our second friend tested positive on the way to Halifax, she was told that she would have to comply with Canadian regulations & quarantine for 10 days.  (Her spouse, who went into quarantine earlier, had been told he would be tested after 5 days & 2 negative tests would result in his release back to the general population, which happened in Halifax). 10 days would take her beyond the end of the cruise & there was some confusion with the ship as to how that would be handled with Canadian authorities. 
My husband & I were also pressured by the ship to sign an inaccurate letter the ship had drafted that said as “close contacts” we were in quarantine, among other things.  I objected as we had repeatedly been told that we weren’t in quarantine, & was told that I was correct and we were only being “monitored” not quarantined, but we were asked to sign the incorrect document anyway.  We hand wrote the correct information on their letter, struck out the incorrect phrasing, & signed.  Nonetheless ship’s staff did not like our changes & said that they would come up with a revised document for us to sign.  
That is how things stood as we arrived in Halifax.  We also knew we would need a negative test to fly home to the US.  We had our test, again negative, the morning of our arrival in Halifax.  We had one more day of required testing ahead of us. We decided it was the better plan for us to cut our losses & fly home than risk a positive test, either the next day or just before the end of the cruise, which would have left us quarantined either on the ship or in Canada for a minimum of 10 days. 
It was stressful & unfortunate, but we recognize that there are risks. This was our first cruise post Covid.  It did not go the way we planned. We never saw a revised document from the ship, BTW. 

On a lighter note, we were in an aft balcony cabin. There was vibration, but it didn’t really bother us.  Compass Rose had quite slow service initially but improved over our days there. The food & general service throughout the ship was great. 
Hope all of you have smooth sailing!  

 

 

 

Just wondering how sick your friends were that they quarantined.  Hoping they are OK.   Do they get any refund or FCC?

 

According to the NYT website the US had 107k cases +46% yesterday yet fortunately deaths were only 312 down 15%.  GOD rest their soles but I would venture a very large percent of the deaths were people with serious pre existing conditions.

 

 

Edited May 24, 2022 by RetiredandTravel

[jjjbr]

6 minutes ago, RetiredandTravel said:

 

 

Just wondering how sick your friends were that they quarantined.  Hoping they are OK.   Do they get any refund or FCC?

 

According to the NYT website the US had 107k cases +46% yesterday yet fortunately deaths were only 312 down 15%.  GOD rest their soles but I would venture a very large percent of the deaths were people with serious pre existing conditions.

 

 

Fortunately they were asymptomatic or with very mild symptoms. We have not inquired about refunds or FCC. Once we decided to disembark we had a very small time window to book flights, pack, get to the airport & catch the flight that would be within the timeframe for our negative test.  We just got home last night as our connecting flight was canceled due to weather & we had to overnight at a hotel till yesterday 

[jjjbr]

Just now, jjjbr said:

Fortunately they were asymptomatic or with very mild symptoms. We have not inquired about refunds or FCC. Once we decided to disembark we had a very small time window to book flights, pack, get to the airport & catch the flight that would be within the timeframe for our negative test.  We just got home last night as our connecting flight was canceled due to weather & we had to overnight at a hotel till yesterday  

Oops my mistake—you were asking about our friends & the answer is I don’t know  

 

[RetiredandTravel]

Thats great news.  With the entire ship vaccinated serious illness risk is pretty low.  Personally I'd be pretty steamed if I had to quarantine for that long on a separate deck with no symptoms, especially knowing the whole ship is vaccinated.

 

Hope you were able to salvage some good times & memories  thru it all.

 

 

[cwn]

7 hours ago, jjjbr said:

My husband & I were on this sailing. I say “were” because we disembarked in Halifax & are now back home. Unfortunately 2 of our friends tested positive while onboard; first one spouse as the result of testing pre-Bermuda; then the other spouse 5 or 6 days later.
Our friends were quarantined separately on a separate deck as soon as each tested positive. 
As close contacts, we were required to be tested each morning for a total of 6 days.  We were advised we were free to go about the ship as long as our tests were negative, but to wear a mask except for eating & drinking, with which we complied. 
As our second friend tested positive on the way to Halifax, she was told that she would have to comply with Canadian regulations & quarantine for 10 days.  (Her spouse, who went into quarantine earlier, had been told he would be tested after 5 days & 2 negative tests would result in his release back to the general population, which happened in Halifax). 10 days would take her beyond the end of the cruise & there was some confusion with the ship as to how that would be handled with Canadian authorities. 
My husband & I were also pressured by the ship to sign an inaccurate letter the ship had drafted that said as “close contacts” we were in quarantine, among other things.  I objected as we had repeatedly been told that we weren’t in quarantine, & was told that I was correct and we were only being “monitored” not quarantined, but we were asked to sign the incorrect document anyway……………

 

How did Regent determine that you were close contacts?