Part 2 of 3: Over the years, we have had consistently good experiences consulting the message boards for recommendations and then engaging private guides at port stops. On this trip, we had a close call at our day-long port stop in Agadir, Morocco. We had found a tour agency based in Casablanca that planned for us a half-day trip in Casablanca and a full-day tour in Agadir. The Casablanca tour went well in spite of the fact we landed two hours late due to fog. But when we left Voyager at the port in Agadir there was no car waiting for the four of us. The port agent informed us the car had arrived at the ship and then was turned back by Agadir security for lack of the “proper papers.” He was on his cell phone trying to make arrangements for the car’s return when a fellow hopped out of a nearby tour mini-bus that had been sitting there all the time waving a pre-printed sign that read “Carol Williams/Fred Steffan.” Fred is the “Fred Steffan” part of that odd sign. The fellow welcomed us onto the mini-bus and said, “We will wait for the Carol Williams party of four and then tour Agadir.” Red flags! Fred immediately switched into French and firmly informed the fellow we had booked a tour for a party of four, not eight, and a tour to Taroudant, not Agadir. When the fellow saw that we were serious and would likely bow out rather than accept alternative arrangements (actually, if the Carol Williams party had ever shown up and had wanted to see Taroudant, we would have welcomed them on board, as there was plenty of room on the mini-bus; but Fred wisely didn’t let him know this in order to maintain our bargaining position),the guy produced a friendly smile and a “No problem. No problem.” He and the driver proceeded to take us on the tour we had planned. While we had to insist that he take us to “our restaurant” in Taroudant rather than “his,” the day was otherwise uneventful and delightful.
Our stop in Lanzarote was brief so we booked the south Lanzarote ship’s tour based on positive comments posted on the message boards. I found this tour absolutely sensational. Volcanic south Lanzarote is fascinating, a photographer’s dream. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Our guide was terrific. Tourism is ninety per cent of the Lanzarote economy and they do it really. The bus, thanks to Regent’s tour policy, was only half full so everyone who wanted one had a window seat. There were no “difficult” passengers on board. And the tour included a camel ride that was delightful. We had memorable experiences at all of our port stops, but for me this was the best of them.
By the way, Voyager is full and, according to our Cruise Consultant, ninety-five percent of the passengers are repeaters.
Previous posters have told you how wonderful this cruise experience has been, so I won’t repeat the accolades. I agree with them. But I will share a couple of experiences wehave had dining on board.
For the first time ever cruising Regent, Signatures, the alternative dining restaurant, disappointed us. During the first segment of the cruise we dined at Signatures with Kathy and Frank Rappaport. While the service was perfection as usual, some of the food we were served was off. Two of us found the escargot and the rack of lamb really weak. And all four of us found the seafood bisque way too salty to eat. All four bowls of soup went back to the kitchen. We later learned during our cooking class tour of the galley that each day the executive chef and his top staff meet to review all of the” happenings” of the previous day. They take the negatives very seriously and make appropriate corrections immediately. It was therefore no surprise to us that circumstances in Signatures had changed when we returned a couple of days ago. There was a new menu. And the quality of the food was back to the standard we have come to take for granted at Signatures. It is marvelous experience this kind of responsiveness throughout the ship.
To be continued... Pat