Karen this is a copy of a CC post; if that's not allowed please delete.
Greg
Mid Cruise (OK a little after mid) Report
(Remember we are three travelling together and this may affect some of our views)
BLUF: As DH said a couple of days ago, "This has been a spectacular cruise."
Using AA's "Watch the feet" test: Yesterday, we booked (on board) the 7 January 2013, Miami to Buenos Aires cruise.
Opinions:
• Our Suite
o We're in a Penthouse B, 657, just aft of the launderette on the starboard side
o The "square" configuration works exceptionally well for us. With the window, in addition to the balcony door it was really like having two separate rooms. The absence of an "entrance hallway" also helps makes the area here more efficient.
o Being next to the laundry is REALLY convenient! I was, originally, a bit worried about possible noise; but, that turned out to be a non-issue.
o We are low enough down and far enough midship that the motion is minimal.
• Service
o Generally, the service has been as good as we've seen over several years sailing Regent/Radisson. There have been some small lapses, delays, etc; but nothing major.
o Two years ago I posted about rude pax on our Navigator B2B2B in the Med. I haven't seen anything like that this time. However, this particular pax load really seems to be "high maintenance." I think this is caused by a couple of factors. First, there are a large number of ill, infirmed, aged and mobility impaired pax. These pax require, deserve, and (from my perspective) getting the additional attention/assistance in all venues. That said, "service" is generally a zero sum game (when a waiter/room steward/excursion escort is helping one passenger, they cannot be helping another). The second factor is the large percentage of past Regent cruisers and even Gold level SSS members. These pax are all aware of all the little "tricks" and nuances associated with Regent. I even heard a pax asking for a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich without cheese, peppers or onions. The neat thing about Regent is that you can do that. But when everyone is special ordering, it still puts a strain on the staff.
• Entertainment
o DH believes the entertainment this cruise is the best we've seen on Regent.
o The "Le Cirque Voyager " show is really not to be missed.
• Guest Lecturers
o A bit of a mixed bag. Most were very knowledgeable and good speakers. One, however is very interesting and knowledgeable but not a very good speaker...very disjointed, hopping around between topics and not in synch with his slides.
o Scheduling has also been an issue. The talk on Egypt occurred the day we left Safaga! Talks drawing very large crowds were in the Horizon Lounge due to the new set of entertainers needing the theater for rehearsals. I know this is a tough problem (no one knows how popular a particular speaker will be until after the fact); but, IMHO could have been handled better on this cruise.
• Destination Desk/Excursions
o We took Regent Excursions in every port so far and they have ranged between very good and truly outstanding.
o Our Guides have been between good and excellent. That said, I have heard others comment negatively about their guides (no personality, didn't do or say anything).
o The "Regent escorts" have varied somewhat. Early on the escorts on our tours were not in "uniform" (white or khaki slacks and Regent logo polo shirt) as I've seen in the past. Turns out they were wearing nametags only. Given jackets and sweaters and such being worn, that made them hard to spot. However, when we went to Wadi Rum, the escort (from the Spa) stood at the front of the bus before we left and introduced herself. I told the CD that I thought this was a truly excellent idea.
o I think the ticket swap for bus pass in the theater has been rather painless; though there could be some modest improvements as I've noted before.
o The Destination Desk had a real nightmare at the beginning of this cruise with all the changes associated with dropping Ashdod and the overnights in Jerusalem and Luxor. The queues were long and pax irritable. It would have been nice to have some sort of "take number" (like in a barber shop) or "buzzer" (like in a restaurant) system so pax could wait their turn in the coffee lounge or library.
o Our personal experience with the overnights in Jerusalem and Luxor (remember we're a threesome) was wonderful. In both cases we received two separate rooms with no "plus up" charge.
• Food (this is really opinionated as none of the three of us pretend to be a gourmet or oenophile)
o Compass Rose - overall meals ranged from very good to really outstanding, clustering in the excellent area. Haven't had "great" lamb there yet, only good. Parrotfish, scallops with bacon and prime rib were memorable mains. "Destination dishes" were a REALLY good touch and the dishes themselves, generally, very good.
o La Veranda - Breakfast depends a lot on when you get there. Buffet is very good but some things just OK (oatmeal has not yet been really hot, just "luke;" and nuts on buffet in humid climates will absorb moisture rapidly and get "soggy"). Eggs to order: if omelet or scrambled - GREAT; if some sort of "hot runny yolk" (poached or Benedict) not so great, yolks almost always cooked to almost solid.
o Pool Grill - specialized lunches (Greek, German, BBQ, Tex Mex, etc) have been really nice. Hamburgers and hot dogs are very nicely done daily. Hot wings can be ordered but your favorite "Wing place" back home has nothing to fear.
o Prime 7 - Our party disagrees here. My steak and lamb (we've eaten there twice) were both excellent. Gretchen and Cheryl both thought less of their steaks. Gretchen had the filet with "no flavor" (a comment to be repeated at Signatures) and Cheryl thought her steak was not juicy though ordered Medium Rare. The issue here (IMHO) is the definition of Rare, Medium Rare, etc. Prime 7 defines these on the menu. However, the Red Cool center promised for rare comes back red hot; and the Red Hot center promised for Medium Rare comes out hot pink. So I suggested Cheryl try one level more rare the next time and that produced better results. The second time Gretchen had the fish and it was very nice.
o Signatures (with new menu) - This was actually my favorite Signature's meal in the several cruises we've eaten at Signatures. Yes, the mushroom soup and the escargot were gone but both the Tomato soup and the lobster consume' were big hits. Grechen really enjoyed her Foie Gras (sp?) and I loved my lobster/fennel salad (sliced lobster tail medallions served on a broiled and cooled bed of fennel...YUM). Cheryl loved her "chorizo crusted halibut" (she did wish the chorizo crust covered the entire piece of halibut though); I enjoyed my Tenderloin (though a bit bland) and Gretchen repeated her "tasteless" comment from Prime 7. She claimed my home grilled steaks have spoiled her. Unfortunately, probably sweeter than true.
Random Musings
• Spandex is not a "right"
• It is not a rumor, I have made two separate sightings of a lady in a swimsuit, cover-up and three inch spike heels on the pool deck!
• Internet is slow (blinding flash of the obvious)
• There is surely a special place in heaven for the gangway crew that helps pax in walkers, canes, crutches, and wheel chairs down and up the gangway.
• In the past we've had dinners with the Captain, Staff Captain, Hotel Director/General Manager, CD, ACD, Purser, Cruise Consultant, F&B Manager, Mariner Club staff, entertainers and Chief Engineer. We have not seen any of these folks in the dining venues where we were eating. Not saying they're not out there but my recollection is the crew being very visible in the dining venues. This is probably our biggest "miss the way it used to be" from this cruise.
