live from mariner

[bigdougw3999]

Well yes I am. We just docked in Key West. We were delayed about 30 min since some late flights but the cruise down floriday was smooth as can be. Now on to Build the new ship. Well we all received a tote bag with build a new ship March 14 2008 in our cabins last night. Will be having a town hall dicussion on new ship tomorrow morning at 10:30 and then small meeting that you sign up for . Will be doing that , so if any input from fellow regent cruise critic members pleas ak or pass on. Will check either late tonight or in morning for whats up. Will post again for sure after town hall meeting.

[old3]

We look forward to your updates during the cruise and the discussions about "ship planning." In addition, we will be on the March 24 Mariner sailing and would appreciate your comments about the Mariner experience.

[larry1365]

bigdougw3999 –

Here are a few new ship topics to raise at the town hall meeting or in a small group discussion:

 

· Keep the full outside balcony suite approach of the Marnier and Voyager, and the single cabin aisle of the Voyager.

 

· The relatively small capacity of the current fleet is a major attraction for many. I personally feel that the 700-750 pax range works best, though I imagine the pressure is to build larger to keep cruise fare costs down.

 

· Increased broadband capacity should be a top priority, with better wireless reception throughout the ship.

 

· A full promenade deck so that walkers/joggers don’t have to fight the winds/cold on the top deck would be a great asset.

 

· If the beam of the ship is greater, add a bit more depth to the cabin balconies.

 

· Maintain the “all inclusive” nature of the experience, including specialty restaurants.

 

Look forward to hearing the results of the meetings and discussions.

 

Thanks.

 

Larry

[bigdougw3999]

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but got busy. Well just had another wonderfull breakfast and since it is sunday had champaine. Well had a wonderfull day in Key West yesterday, was a little warm 84 degrees. Last night was captains welcome dinner and the lobster was as good as always. We set our clocks back 2 hours last night so would be on Cozumel time, we arive at 3 today. Well today at 10:30 is the town hall meeting about the new ship with Mark. Well know what I will be doing then and have a focus group meeting with him on afternoon we are in Belize. So will post what I hear today either this afternoon or tonight since tonights entertainment is a pianoist and not as interested. The show last night was Ballroom dancing and was great with the live music. Well off to enjoy the bright sunsine.

[bigdougw3999]

Well had town hall meeting about new ship. Yes going larger looks like 750-850 passangers. Most likely 800, size will be 60,000-66,000 pounds. Larger cabins in general begining at around 400 sq feet including balcony. More restraunt choices 5 or 6 total so 1 possibly 2 new alternatve restraunts. Bathroom with tub and seperate shower. Compass rose on back of ship like the restaunt on diamond used to be. possibly 2 pools one with retactable roof. Possibly a multi purpose room for more cooking classes or other type classes. possiblysome single cabins for those sailing by them selves smaller than that 400 sq feet but then not paying high price to be traveling solo. Well for now that all about to be docking in Cozumel so more later. So send questions for my focus group discussion for tues afternoon.

[Travelcat2]

Has any time frame been mentioned for the new ship? We've heard that, with so many ships being built around the world, it may take some time to begin building. . . Thanks for keeping us up to date!:)

[cruiseej]

Gene Sloan's USA Today report on the town hall meeting today with Mark Conroy is eye-opening and, to me, quite disappointing.

 

Click here to read his report

 

The ship will be bigger, the cabins will be larger, and the prices will be higher. Coming on top of the significant rate increases Regent has been having the past two years, I fear that by the time the new ship debuts in 2012, I'll be priced out as a customer. The emphasis seems to be on larger cabins and public spaces, yet I don't hear much complaining that Voyager or Mariner cabins or public spaces are too small. A much bigger spa? Not important to me or my wife, as we usually spend little or no time there. More restaurants? That's definitely a plus when you're on a long cruise; I'm not sure how important it is for 7-10 day cruises. But I get the idea Regent isn't focusing on those of us for whom a Regent cruise today is a budget stretch -- they seem to feel the upper end of their clientele can fill a new ship.

 

Regent has won me over as a loyal customer after two trips on the Diamond, two on the PG and one on Voyager. I'd say I'm so spoiled by our experiences on Regent that I have no desire to try another cruise line. Except that if the costs keep jumping, they're tossing customers like us aside. That's too bad. I've gone from being excited about the new ship to discouraged.

 

-- Eric

[bigdougw3999]

They are still talking 2011 for new ship. one reason for higher prices they told us 3 years ago 9 million on fuel this year on pace to be 39 million. This is one reason to go larger. Price of cruises was brought up and they were thinking comparable pricing especialy to early bookings.

Well another great evening on boayd last night as we were docked here in 80 degree Cozumel. Just finished breakfast at LaVerenda and was as good as always. Off to do Paradise Beach today and maybe a little shopping before we sail away at 6pm for Belize. So off to get ready to go ashore will report more later today hopefully.

Please if any questions or concerns about new ship post them have a focus group on that tomorrow afternoon will check today around 6 or 7 our time which will be 8-9 east coast time.

[Joanandjoe]

Please if any questions or concerns about new ship post them have a focus group on that tomorrow afternoon will check today around 6 or 7 our time which will be 8-9 east coast time.

 

Yes, we have a comment, seconding the comments of Eric / cruiseej in the post just above yours. We, too, are in the group that loves Regent, but finds the current cost structure to be a stretch. I think that Messrs Del Rio and Conroy will be making a mistake if they write our group off as customers. By all means, make the AVERAGE suite larger if you think the market will pay for it, but leave some suites in the Voyager or Mariner size and price range, so that those of us who book categories G and H can continue to cruise on Regent.

 

Have a great time on the rest of the cruise; but see what you can do to help in avoiding having many of us priced out of Regent.

[Gardening Girl]

BigDougW399, being that you are currently on the Mariner just wondering if the t.v.'s have been replaced with the new flat screens?? Hope so! Thanks, GG

[bigdougw3999]

Well will keep in mind prices, dont forget to book those 2 for 1 cruises if able to sail during that time fame. Thats what happened for this cruise.

As for TV's they are suposed to be doing it over the next 2 cruises bu ours has not been doen

[Travelcat2]

Well will keep in mind prices, dont forget to book those 2 for 1 cruises if able to sail during that time fame. Thats what happened for this cruise.

As for TV's they are suposed to be doing it over the next 2 cruises bu ours has not been doen

 

Really enjoying your posts. We are very surprised that the flat screens were not installed in December 2007 (I believe that was the date Regent claimed they would be done).

 

A recent Mariner review mentioned some areas of the ship looking "worn". What is your take on the condition of the ship? It doesn't seem long ago that it was refurbished. On the other hand, it gets extra heavy usage during it's Alaska season.

 

Enjoy Belize:)

[bigdougw3999]

Well on way out of Belize now. have just finished another great meal. Have a rough ride last night seas must have bee 8-9 feet. was a rolling around in bed last night, hope tonight better. well all for now will post more tomorrow.

[bigdougw3999]

Have been having so much fun have not had time to post till now. Well right now we are saing on a day at sea from Rotan to Grand Caymon. lets see where to satrt well will start with food. Has been real good service has been great if coming on Mariner soon ask for Mario as server in Compass Rose has given us excelent service. Buffets are great so was prompt and delicious room service.

Now for ports well Guatimala was real enjoyable but was hot 92 degrees. Enjoyed seeing the countryside, but it is still a real poor nation. There were pockets with some money like some of the area around the lake where we got on some small boats to see that area. Rotan Hondurus well never made it ashore. When trying to go ashore they put a temperary hault on tender service so decdied to lounge by pool. Glad I did since at one point they had to lift ancor and move the ship so had to hault tenders again and at that pont it poured rain and wind. Well calmed down some but tender ride for those still to come back on was double lenth since never got close to dock. From what I heard food was great beach and water was not, so glad decided to stay on board. Had my hamburger anyway.

Well seas as we sailed out were real rocky, but was just on deck almost dead calm maybe 2 foot seas now and no clouds and not too hot. So think this will be it for now think time to go up and enjoy that sun. Will post again soon.

[Jim B]

Ah Mario!!

We tried to go to his sections everytime for meals. Class Act.

Thanks for your report. Sounds like you are having a good time.

 

Another waiter we really like is Roy but I don't know which ship he is currently on.

 

Roy sings "The impossible Dream" during the Crew Kapers.

[canadagal]

Just loved the Crew Kapers! Regent has some really talented crew members and that was my fave part of all the shows. Did the concert pianist ever get his suitcase and arrangements? He played for us without the orchestra......his suitcase was somewhere in the states and he was wonderful. He said that as we disembarked on March 14th that he was going to get off the ship, rent a car and drive down to Miami and see if he could get his bags. He must sound twice as good with the orchestra accompanying him so I hope he got his arrangements.

Pat

[traveller333]

Who is the current Captain, Hotel Director, CD on the Mariner?

[bigdougw3999]

We are now at ancor off Grand Caymon. Was a very smmoth sailing last night. Well dinner last night was in signatures, and it was wonderfull . Food and service was top notch , would recomend it on any Mariner cruise. It was topped off with them singing happy birthday to my dad who celibrated his 66th birthday yesterday. Cant believe turn 39 this year. well the sun is shining and time to head ashore to do some shopping. Tonight is captins farewell party and crew kapers so probably no new post till tom at sea our last full day onboard.

[bigdougw3999]

Well the Captins fairwell party/ crew kapers was great. Some of the crew has good voices to do this show, which in mt opinion was great. They showed a video of happenings during cruise and my father made the video, from when we had our block party. Then came a wonderfull dinner in Compass Rose which was another great meal. The show was Broadway in Concert and they did a wonderful job with it. To top off my evening was back to casino for some blackjack, so far on cruise I am winning hopefuly will win more if I play some today. Well off to enjoy the sunshine while I still can since looks like storms ahead. Well if no more posts till I get home I will tell you all then.

[DebbieH103]

Thanks for all the great reports. I wish they would make those videos for sale. I wanted one from our last trip in December but they didn't allow it.