Regent vs. Crystal

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Sounds great, nice that you the upgrade!

 

I'm looking at the deck plans for the Symphony, looking at the cabins and decks.

 

I see that an A or B is 246 square feet, including balcony. Smaller than a B on the Paul Gauguin, and lots smaller than the standard, lowest cabin on Voyager or Mariner (356 including balcony on Voyager.)

 

I can cope with smaller cabins, but lots of Regent addicts are addicted to these large cabins.

[Judith02]

I am in no way antagonistic toward Regent, I just love Crystal. We have many friends and relatives who cruise on both lines. Isn't life great that we have options!!

 

Wendy, the staterooms are decidedly smaller than Regents staterooms. My attitude is that it doesn't matter because we are rarely in our stateroom. We wake up early and are on the go all day -- either in port on port days or at lectures or classes or tea or buffets on sea days. Some people like to sit in their staterooms; we don't. We come back in the afternoon after tea when my husband changes for his five mile run on the Promenade Deck (it is a full 360 deck) and then goes to the spa, and I read or work on my cruise scrapbook. We change clothes, and then it is generally time for either a classical performance or something like the musical group Full Sail or something at 5:45. If not, we meet friends in one of the lounges until dinner time. After dinner we go to the production or variety show or a movie or the casino or a lounge or just hang out with friends. Then it is bedtime. How big a stateroom do we need. Clothes all fit into the closet and drawers. No problem. The 246 is the interior of the stateroom; the verandah is additional to that. The penthouses and suites are larger and have butler service and other perks. The two lines are really close in the things that matter to us like service and food. The differences to us for Crystal and against Crystal for some Regent passengers are the open seating versus set dinner times; the stateroom size; all inclusive versus signing for alcoholic drinks; and more sea days or more port days. It just depends how people feel about those things. If they matter or not.

 

I always check the website's special offers before booking. One never knows what might pop up for a cruise we have already decided upon. I don't think I ever booked one because of a special offer, just have taken advantage of ones that are for cruises we want. Their value cruises are generally good for discounts and they have been offering quite a few upgrades for this year and next year.

 

On Crystal, we always get the on board booking discount and the equal amount in a Crystal Society discount. One perk on Crystal is that if you book cruise A with your travel agent and are not on the ship at that moment for the on board booking discount but have cruise B between the date you book A and the date of the cruise A, you can have the cruise consultant add the additional discount for cruise A while you are on cruise B. Approximately every five cruises is a milestone, either on board credit, upgrades, or even free cruises. You don't get a choice -- the milestones are spelled out in the literature or the website.

 

By the way, occasionally you may see my screen name "JAM" on the other Regent site. I even once booked the Paul G. but had to cancel.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Judith, I know you're not antagonistic. My advice is to try the PG before she leaves the fleet--a wonderful experience, I leave for my 4th adventure in 3 weeks!

 

My point was just to compare apples to apples, since cabin size does matter to lots of people, and so has to be factored into the price.

 

I enjoy the extra room of a large stateroom. I have managed quite nicely on the PG for 28 days in a 200 ft. window cabin; on this ship you spend most of the time out on deck or off the ship. But I do love the spaciousness of the Voyager cabins. It's nice to be able to invite another couple over for a drink, or stretch out while reading a book.

 

This next trip I'm going to be in a B on the PG, it's 249 square feet, plus a 56 ft. balcony. Still smaller than the lowly H on Voyager, but I must admit I'm thrilled. Next year, if we're lucky enough to still be solvent, we will be in a PHB on Voyager which is 370' total.

[Judith02]

That was why I had to cancel. My medications have left me very sun sensitive and my oncologist thought the PG and the south seas would not be a healthy choice for me -- even with my huge sun hat and 50 sunblock.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Oh, that's too bad. It would indeed be a shame to spend a cruise like that indoors. My sister-in-law is very light sensitive (she has Lupus), but she covers up competely. She has a really nice wardrobe of long tops, dresses, pants in natural fabrics and batiks. And floppy hats and scarves. She's managed Bali a couple of times, don't know how she does it, keeps in the shape perhaps. I also have to be very careful, nothing like you, but I cover up really well.

 

I hear they have added some sun coverage to the pool deck, and you can find spots of shade on deck at any given time of day, but it is a challenge, for sure. I'm hoping to enjoy my balcony when it's in the shade.

 

April in Asia sounds wonderful!

[AWED23]

My wife and I were on the Regent Mariner in January for a couple of weeks. We just returned from three weeks on Crystal Symphony. In my view if you scratched the name off of the ships I could not tell you if I was on a Regent or a Crystal ship. There are of course differences such as open v set seating at dinner, as well as what is or is not included in the base fare. But don't worry about it. You will be pleased with either one. Both lines go out of their way to please you.

:D Considering you have had recent experience on both lines perhaps you could tell me if you found any discernable difference between the make up of the passenger compliments of the two ships ???....Is either one more heavy in the "Snob" department. Thanks for any answer you may be able to give...

[Paint Horse]

In my limited experience, no. Others on this board have stated that in their more extensive experience than mine that the dress and deportment of the passengers on Crystal is more formal than on Regent in general. I did not find this onboard the Symphony this time. They were the same for the most part. Everyone was friendly and engaging. I encountered no snobs. Now keep in mind that I spend more time than most it would seem in the cabin or the balcony. Someone who is more of a social mixer might have a different view. Signup. You will like it.

[Roland4]

:D Considering you have had recent experience on both lines perhaps you could tell me if you found any discernable difference between the make up of the passenger compliments of the two ships ???....Is either one more heavy in the "Snob" department. Thanks for any answer you may be able to give...

 

Haven't sailed Regent yet (next June in Alaska and looking forward to experiencing Regent for ourselves) but our (approaching 30) cruising experience has been evenly split between mass-market and Crystal. I can honestly say we have seen much more "snob-like" behaviour on our mass market cruises than we have ever seen on Crystal. Not to say there are no snobs on Crystal, because there are, (like the full-World-Cruiser who referred to us as "damn segmenters" a few years back:rolleyes:) but as in most areas of human endeavour, they are a very, very small minority. As Paint Horse pointed out though, it is a more "formal/traditional" cruise experience.

[Travelcat2]

These are really interesting comments. I have read more negative comments about Regent from Crystal passengers than from Seabourn or Silversea. There are statements regarding being "Crystalized" (not quite sure what that means). It is not my understanding that Regent feels the same way about Crystal.

 

IMHO, Crystal's target market is not the same as Regent's. The same can be said about SS & SB (they are significantly smaller ships -- too small for many Regent passengers). I have said repeatedly that we would cruise on Crystal IF they were all-inclusive, had open seating and larger suites. Since this is not going to happen any time soon . . . . I do not feel that there can be fair comparisons of the two cruise lines.

[Paint Horse]

Interesting. I think they are in exactly the same market. Sure there are differences such as the seating, room size v bathroom and closet size, and so forth but I have not found these to be very significant in selecting one line over another.

 

I look at the itinerary, then the ship, then the line. Both lines are well run with friendly and helpful staff. I still say if you painted over the name on the bow and the stern I would not know which one I was on.

[Travelcat2]

Interesting. I think they are in exactly the same market. Sure there are differences such as the seating, room size v bathroom and closet size, and so forth but I have not found these to be very significant in selecting one line over another.

 

I look at the itinerary, then the ship, then the line. Both lines are well run with friendly and helpful staff. I still say if you painted over the name on the bow and the stern I would not know which one I was on.

 

With all due respect. . . . I disagree. How can something be the same when (as you stated above) the "seating, room size v bathroom and closet size, and so forth" are completely different? Additionally, when you order a cocktail on Crystal, you sign for it. If you would like to dine in the main restaurant at 8:30 p.m. -- table for two, it can not be accommodated.

 

I somewhat agree that if you "painted over the name on the bow and the stern I would not know which one I was on". This would be true if the passenger was also blindfolded:confused:

[Suite Travels]

We have always had a table for two with 13 Crystal cruises under our belt and this is late eating. Both the Symphony and the Serenity have plenty of tables for two.

 

TC, where did you get that erroneous information?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I think TravelCat meant that you couldn't just choose to eat late on a whim, alone. I think we're aware that you can have a table for two on Crystal.

 

One of the nice things about Regent is that you can eat alone if you are feeling unsocial or romantic, but dine with a new group at other times, and meeting usually very nice people. And vary the time you dine.

 

On the subject of snobbism, I had to laugh at Roland's comments. Back in the old days, before there message boards, there was the usenet group, rec.travel.cruises, which I read for years. I could not get over the snobbism in that group of people, all mass market cruisers. Funny. There are always a few snobs on Regent, sometimes just one or two people. I just ignore them.

 

But I will reiterate that to me, the open seating is the kicker, set seating is very unappealing to me. I can cope with signing for drinks. I love nice large cabins, but I can cope with smaller. My upcoming Paul Gauguin trip (my 4th), is in a B cabin, which is small by Regent standards, especially for a butlered stateroom, and it's 249' with a 56' balcony. Standard staterooms on the PG are 200'.

[Paint Horse]

Well then let me expand on what I mean.

On set seating v open seating, in set seating we usually found ourselves waiting for dinner at 8:30. In general we would have eaten around 7:30 most days. On the other hand it was very nice to have the same smiling waiter standing there holding my wife’s chair out for her. Further, once you get to know the senior waiter he can be very helpful in answering questions. Both head waiters – one went on vacation – went out of their way to meet special requests. After three weeks it was like eating with the family, and we were a table for two.

On cabin size the Crystal cabin area around the bed is tighter, but the bathroom and closet are much larger. This is a better use of the available space.

Signing for a drink seems pretty normal as when I eat out I sign the check.

All in all these are trivial and insignificant differences. They certainly are nothing that would keep me off either line. I see it as when I get in the car I flip a lever up and down to turn on the windshield wiper, whereas in the truck I turn a knob on a lever. The food is still good whether I sit in the same place or not each night. The staff is friendly, efficient, and helpful in both restaurants. The room is plenty large – just laid out differently – in both cases. Signing a check seems like a normal thing to me.

In sum in the significant areas, as opposed to the insignificant, the two lines are so similar that I would go on either. The destination and time that destination was offered would be the deciding factor for me. If these were the same for the two, I would go on Regent for the flexibility and overall ease of the experience.

[Travelcat2]

Since everyone's opinion is valid. . . . there are really no wrong answers here. I understand many of the points that are being made. What is important to one person is just not for another. Everyone does pay (or sign) for a meal at a restaurant. For many, a real vacation includes for us means getting away from that.

 

While we do not care for set seating, we do tend to sit in the same area in the evening and do get to know the staff. The above poster was correct. . . we may want a table for two tonight -- on the way over we find another couple that we would like to share a table with. . . this is more easily accommodated on Regent.

 

I am curious if Crystal can accommodate a group of people who met on the ship and would like to dine together for the rest of the cruise. Is this possible?

 

In terms of the suites. . . . the large walk-in closets on the Voyager and Mariner are great (for me). I can actually open my suitcase(s) (one at a time) inside of the closet and hang up our clothes while sipping on glasses of champagne from the "welcome" bottle provided to all passengers when they embark.

 

None of this takes away from the Crystal experience. As I have repeatedly said. . . everything we have ever heard about Crystal is positive. It is a great cruiseline -- top in it's class. For us, however, we do need the smaller ship (not as small as SB or SS), open seating and all-inclusivity.

[annierie]

I agree with travelcat2.

 

It's all about preferences.

 

I love tiny ships. A little ticked at Regent for selling the Diamond but the Navigator isn't bad.

 

I only sailed for years with groups of friends. No dining with strangers. Only friends. We used to swap tables amongst our groups to have variety and fun at dinner.

 

HATE fixed dining with strangers. Did it once on HAL in 2001 on our first non-group cruise. Never did it again.

 

Love Regent for allowing us to mix and match what we do based on who we meet and what we want each and every night of a trip. We've done tables for 2 up to tables for 8 on a single voyage based on what happened on excursions, in lounges, and just hitting it off with people by the pool.

 

It's a free wheeling, constantly adaptive type of vacation which suits us. I do understand others don't like that, and Regent may not be a good fit if that's someone else's style.

 

I love going to lounges without the "who buys this round" pressure. It stifles my style to feel like I may be upsetting someone if we are "taking turns" buying rounds and I really want something special that night.

 

I love the freedom to make every night different in the dining room, or the freedom to pick alternative dining without leaving assigned tablemates with a half empty table at their fixed seating.

 

Love dining every evening at the time and place of MY choosing, not the cruiselines. Early excursion the next morning -- choose earlier dining. Late arriving back on the ship after a long day snorkeling. Take a nap and dine at 8:45 all alone and well rested.

 

Never need to inform my assigned dining mates if we want room service dinner because the 12 hour trip to Tikal did us in. Total freedom. It's my most favorite part of Regent.

 

Others have different preferences and that's fine. This is just what's important to me and my DH.:)

[Suite Travels]

Not exactly true TC, Crystal offers several alternative dining venues. Crystal offers Silk Roads, Prego, Vintage Room, and casual on deck dining as well as room service. All except the MD are available anytime you want to eat. We have many times changed times in the MD to earlier seating because tables were always available. Keep in mind that every night people are eating at alternative venues which permits people to change their dining times.

 

Keep in mind you get nothing for free. Regent has increased their prices greatly to compensate for the all inclusive. On our upcoming 33 day cruise from LA-BA we have over $2000,00 in cabin credits. I don't think I can drink that much and my partner does not drink at all.

 

We have sailed Regent five times and we did enjoy our voyages. That being said, the level of polished service was not there for us. Everyone was nice but not quite the same as Crystal. The excursion desk was just horrible. If you travel on Regent make arrangements on your own.

 

We are booked on the Seabourn Odyssey next November and that ship holds only 450 guests. We are really looking froward to trying Seabourn as we have heard so many great accolades about it.

 

Regent does have the best suites in the cruise line industry, but that is not a deal breaker for us. We book PS on the Crystal so space is not an issue for us.

 

Again, Regent is not a bad line but in our opinion is not up to the standards of service that Crystal has and for what I have been told Seabourn.

[Travelcat2]

Not exactly true TC, Crystal offers several alternative dining venues. Crystal offers Silk Roads, Prego, Vintage Room, and casual on deck dining as well as room service. All except the MD are available anytime you want to eat. We have many times changed times in the MD to earlier seating because tables were always available. Keep in mind that every night people are eating at alternative venues which permits people to change their dining times.

 

Do the alternative dining venues require reservations? As you know, Regent ships also having alternate dining venues -- two of which require reservations (almost impossible to get at the last minute)

 

In terms of cost, I compared a regular suite (mid-ship -- not lowest deck) on Regent to a similar size suite with a balcony on Crystal. Then I added in tips, a couple of glasses of wine each at lunch and dinner and about two drinks in the evening. The cost was approximately the same. (I'm sure this would come out different -- depending upon itinerary).

 

We almost always book our tooks privately. We do not enjoy being on a bus with an unknown amount of other passengers (sometimes mixed in with passengers from other ships).

 

It will be interesting to hear about your Seabourn cruise -- especially since the ship is less than half the size of the Navigator. The service will definitely be top notch -- they are known for that. The food should also be excellent. Are you going on the new ship?

[DebbieH103]

Many people have an issue on Regent with the tour desk. I don't know why they don't fix it.

 

I also find the dining service not as polished as it should be. I still find it to be a great experience.

 

My biggest fear on Crystal would be the who's buying drinks issue, and that would just seem like that would encourage some to sit alone that might not otherwise and to not socialize much. Of course, I was just at a 40 person function last night, and everyone did just fine ordering their own drinks. I guess you just adapt to the culture at hand.

 

We dine at 7 or 7:30 pretty much every night, so we would not be bothered by a set dining. I'm just worried about things being even more formal at night regarding the dress.

 

Wendy, I guess you know rec.travel.cruises is a Google group. It is still there with over 1700 members, but it is sort of an ad mill.

[PaulaJK]

TC,

 

I enjoy both Regent and Crystal...so I hope that my post will be processed with that in mind.

 

Crystal's alternative restaurants include Portofino [italian & luxurious menu] and Silk Roads, the Asian cuisine orchestrated by Nobu Matsuhisa [?sp]. Many, many pax are fervently inspired by Silk Roads but my Asian[ particularly Japanese] palate is ltd so I prefer Portofino. They have many excellent dishes.

 

I also like Signatures although in the past 2 years my meals there have been less satisfying [overly salted, pretentious attitude, repetitive menu].

I think that they could do much better in Signatures....and I used to find it better executed a few years ago. I prefer French/continental cuisine

but haven't always been satisfied here. I know that opinions on Latitude [no longer to be with us] vary widely. I was not a fan. And I hated the song fest on Navigator's alternative restaurant.

 

Crystal also offers some on deck dining some nights .It's informal...salad bar and grilled items with service.

 

So while sailing Crystal many nights people at your 'set' table will be absent as they will be going to one of those restaurants or 'staying home'. You are welcome to invite new friends to your table that night...or to join them at theirs when there are vacancies. Set dining [whether it's your bag or not] is not prison! Also, there are almost always some open tables where you and new found friends can settle for a meal,with the maitre d's blessing.

 

That said, it is true that you can't walk in to the MDR at 7:30pm.......so if that's important to anyone, they need an open seating arrangement.

 

I love the large cabins of Regent [not everyone can book a PS...which is lovely!] and their dedicated room service. I love the dining and entertainment on Crystal. I would indeed know which ship I was on with regard to these and other options....but I would be happy to be sailing on either of these.

[Suite Travels]

Paula, I agree with your statement, however the Italian restaurant on Crystal is Prego. Mushroom soup?:D

[PaulaJK]

How correct....I was thinking of how to comment about Portofino on Navigator and got confused. Prego is excellent...from mushroom soup in a bread basket...to the truffled polenta with melted taleggio cheese...I only have room left for groaning twhen the waiter insists that I try several of the desserts! It's also a very pretty room.

[PaulaJK]

Suite Travels, I replied to your post but it didn't record, so I'll attempt it again.

 

You are correct! I was trying to think about how to comment on Navigator's restaurant whose name I couldn't recall. Apparently my unconscious was working because it's name is Portofino. I think that Prego is an elegant, pretty room w. excellent service. I love the mushroom soup in bread bowl and the polenta w. melted taleggio cheese and honey even more so. There are several tempting pastas and delicious veal dishes. Usually I can only groan over dessert. One night when I refused the waiter's urging to have bites of several desserts, they sent me'home' with a plate of tiramisu.

 

Debbie...The drink situation never seems to become uncomfrotable or awkward. It seems to resolve itself the same way it does on land..people take turns or more usually, each person signs their own. This is no problem for the waiter and proceeds without complication.

I know that you sometimes trave alone. If you wish to join 'new friends' it is often possible to reconfigure a table. I see this done alot.

 

I shared these experiences to pont to more flexibility during 'fixed' dining than many seem to be aware of. However, you still can't walk into the MDR at 7:30 and if that is a deal breaker then you need open seating.And if vacation means never having to sign a chit, then whether on land or sea you'll probably opt for and enjoy AI. Luckily, we have choices.

[DebbieH103]

Paula, I am sure the Crystal thing with drinks works out better than a mass market.

 

I imagine at some point I will go on Crystal alone or with my mother if we could find the right sailing. It will be a while. I have several things booked for 2009 and already a group for 2010 in the works.

 

I actually wanted to sail on Crystal for quite a long time but never thought my husband would like it. He really likes the Silversea ships due to size and service. I know the service would not be an issue, but he might not like the size, and I know he would not like the cabin size. I will see how he does with 700 people on Regent Voyager and might rethink bringing him on Crystal.

[Jayayeff]

Debbie...The drink situation never seems to become uncomfrotable or awkward. It seems to resolve itself the same way it does on land..people take turns or more usually, each person signs their own. This is no problem for the waiter and proceeds without complication.

I know that you sometimes trave alone. If you wish to join 'new friends' it is often possible to reconfigure a table. I see this done alot.

 

I travel on my own all the time and agree with PaulaJK, I've never had an issue with either the drinks or the dining situation on Crystal - both resolve themselves seamlessly. The staff onboard are very discreet and professional in their approach to these issues and will accommodate your needs as best they can...However, I can understand the apprehension as that was not the case on the QM2 with their fixed dining and signing for drinks, etc., that was totally inflexible and a far from a pleasant experience which I will never repeat!!

 

Anne