We just returned from our Grand Crossing cruise on Voyager. Just a brief overview.

Overall, a fantastic time. Very interesting itinerary. Weather was superb, with the exception of one rainy day, which was no big deal at all. Outstanding private touring. Wonderful friends on board added to the great fun times and enjoyment. We hadn't cruised on Regent in two years. The Grand Crossing really exceeded our expectations in so many ways.

Service and dining were just about the best we've experienced on Regent. This was our 5th cruise; third time on Voyager.

We did have a service meltdown one night in Compass Rose. Waitstaff was clueless and in a tizzy. Needless to say, that was the last evening we dined in that particular area.

We dined in Latitudes on segment one and found the food to be quite good. The second segment found the experience sorely lacking.

Dinner is Signatures on segment one was just OK. We had a reservation during segment two and canceled. We felt Compass Rose dining was superior.

Compass Rose dining was just about consistently wonderful. Only disappointing dinner was on the last night, when it appeared to us that courses were thrown together with whatever was left over in the galley! It was bad.

The one morning we had breakfast in Compass Rose was poor. We both ordered a Western omlette. I requested that mine be prepared very well done. First time - both omlettes were just omlettes. Nothing added. Second time, my husband's came back just as ordered; mine was runny. I sent it back. Third time, runny again. At that point, I gave up on having an omlette. With the exception of that one breakfast in Compass Rose, our breakfasts were in La Veranda. It was always good. The service excellent. Sitting outside on the pool deck each glorious and sunny morning was a great way to start our day.

Lunches in La Veranda surpassed our expectations. Each day was better than the previous days offerings. We had lunch one day, only, in Compass Rose, and it was fair, at best.

Dinner in Compass Rose was consistently (with the exception of the last night) excellent.

Service for the most part, throughout the ship, was first rate. Only area in need of improvement, was Reception. We, as well as many others, were made to feel as if the slightest question or request was an imposition. Crew were glum and unfriendly.

Lounges and pool bar were busy. Ordering some mixed cocktails resulted in some miserable concotions for many of us.

A visit to the Cruise Consultant was a bit frustrating for some. With only one person handling this position, it's got to be overwhelming. Regent should seriously consider two Consultants per sailing to alleviate guest frustration in addressing questions and processing future bookings in a more timely manner. The Cruise Consultant had 2009 cruise itineraries available for those interested to be put on a priority list. Surprised to see it was out so early. We were hoping to book another cruise for 2009. However, upon looking at the itineraries of interest, all had too many repeat ports within the itineraries. We were really interested in taking another crossing in 2009 and were more than ready to place an on board booking. However, and unfortunately, it was pretty much the same as this years crossing. Therefore, we opted to not book anything for that year. It is my sincere hope that Regent alters many of their itineraries. Seems each years offerings are "been there/done that" ports. With so many places yet to see, it made no sense to repeat. Fares are moving upward, as well. We will be looking into other trip/cruise options, as a result. However, we never say never to return to Regent at some point.

Nice review Denise. Thank you. Can you expand a bit about lunches in Latitudes, please? I don't recall Latitudes being open for lunch on our MC-Dover trip (maybe because we were in port most days). Hope all is well with you and Alan. Gretchen is getting settled in in Germany (working 12-14 hour days at the hospital though). I'm going over for 10 days 6 December. She's trying to get a day off in the middle of the week so I can take her Christmas shopping at the Weinnachtmarkts in Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl. We're looking at a river cruise next summer; you used Brendan, right? As I recall you thought they were GREAT.

Happy Holidays,
Greg

Hi Greg!

Good to see you posting.

Sorry, I edited my post. I mean La Veranda.

Wow, Gretchen is in Germany. For how long?

We are taking an Amadeus river cruise the beginning of Sept. Check your email.

We took a Deilmann river cruise last year. Loved it!

Our best to you and Gretchen. Happy Holidays!

Thanks Denise for taking the time to post your review!!! I loved following the Cross adventure and reading all the seamail - other than few mishaps sounds wonderful!!!! Joanna

Thanks, Joanna.

It was, indeed, a wonderful cruise and time. We enjoyed each and every minute! We'd welcome doing another crossing.

Miss all the great CROSS seamail too. Denise, you guys had the best time inspite of the few mishaps. Thanks for taking the time to write your review!

Thanks, Marcie.

The "blips" were so very few and far between. I tried to be even-handed and honest in my brief assessment. Overall, a fantastic cruise experience. As stated in my review, Regent exceeded our expectations in so many ways!

Thanks Denise.

I pretty much concur with all the comments. I know too well about the "concotions" you are talking about! :eek: The one exception was their Bloody Mary which I found superb.

Priscilla, Maria, JoAnn,

Such a fantastic time with you, your sweet husbands and so many others on this terrific cruise.

We made so many lasting memories, including the restroom adventure in the Mosque, camel rides, diningroom hijinx, team trivia, a picture perfect day touring beautiful Funchal with Priscilla and John,and countless other things, too numerous to mention!

Lots of great reviews of a wonderful crossing!

Sure do miss you all so much!

Maria, on PANDA, Peggy and Jerry, Al and Betty invited me once up to OLounge at noon for "tomato juice" before lunch. They promised they were very special Bloody Mary's, and they were!

Yeah, "tomato juice", right! ;)

I tried them in different venues, they were always good!

Jerry tried the Bloody Marys in most of the lounges but never found one to compare to the "Tomato Juice" in the Observation Lounge on the Mariner. The secret is the horseradish--they don't use it on the Voyager. He finally started asking them to add it, which they did, but it still wasn't the same :(

Our Bloody Marys were OK. They did have horseradish in them. We found some of the other mixed drinks we ordered not up to snuff. I ordered Midori margeritas twice and they were undrinkable. A disappointment, as when we cruised Voyager to the Baltics, those drinks were fantastic. One day Maria and I ordered Mimosas. The OJ used was terribly bitter.

Denise,
Thanks for your review! I think I am about ready for a crossing, Larry, on the other hand will need a lot more convincing.

I loved all the SeaMail. Your's was a great group!

Betty,

I needed some convincing about those sea days. After the 3rd sea day, it hit me that I so needed to relax. As the official Energizer Bunny, according to Ngaire, I found myself loving those 8 days.

I think we need to sign you and Larry up for the CROSS REUNION 2012 to make a believer of Larry! I would gladly be his "sea day coach."

Betty, I am not going to work hard anymore to convince anyone to go on a particular cruise, will just book what I think I will like. My first Norway cruise (NINJA) was the best ever after many with Regent/Radisson, and remains so, but I really pushed it for FJORDS. Perfect weather and itinerary first time. The weather for the second one (FJORDS) was not good (actually really bad in some ports), and we had some itinerary differences between the first and second, along with a medical emergency last year that required an adjustment eliminating a port. A lot of people were disappointed overall, and I think it was mostly weather related. So I am no longer going to be to solicitous after hearing from friends aboard! Like when you go to Alaska, you get the weather you get, and there are no guarantees!

Thankfully, the CROSS'ers as well as those of us on TAP both had great weather. I think weather really plays a part in not getting cabin fever! But then, being at sea for many days in a row is just a matter of personal preference. Some like to sleep in and enjoy the non-pressure. Some like to do things all day long. Just a matter of what you like!

Thanks for your review, Denise! I love your new avatar, too :) Reading your seamail and reviews, I am just so envious of all you CROSS'ers. I am hoping no one minds if Greg and I intrude on the 2012 reunion cruise!

Thanks, Kristin.

You and Greg are two more very welcome additions! We had a great time. No doubt, the reunion cruise will be a winner, too!

LOL Denise - you the official "energizer bunny" certainly did relax, it was fun to watch, and knowing the two weeks you had prior to the cruise, I think you really enjoyed just letting go.

Being on the ocean does do that.

Kristin - sure come on, would love to have you and Greg.

Great, Denise and JoAnn! Now we only have 5 years to wait...

Olivia,
It really is the luck of the draw sometimes, certainly as far as weather goes.

Denise, I will start working on Larry and I will use your name. If I play my cards right, maybe by 2012, he may be wavering. :)

Betty and Kristin,

I am so glad you are considering coming to our reunion :) . I know it sounds like a long way off, but many LCTers plan far in advance , so this way those interested can pencil it in.

Yesssssss Kristin & Greg will be on the 2012 crossing and if Betty & Larry make it - WOW! :woh:

Betty tell Larry I assure him he will not get bored or want to jump ship with so many sea days...he'll end up wanting more of them like we all did. :chicken:

You are so right Sue. There are so many things to keep you occupied. Our group was pretty energetic, but I don't think anybody got bored or ran out of things to do.

I know I would LOVE a crossing, as I love sea days. I just plain love to sail. We ARE going to pick an east to west cruise, right? I have a horrible time losing an hour here and there. I don't even like Daylight Savings Time!

Side note: Sue checks LCT promptly at halftime :) :) :)

Never a moment to be bored, believe me! The days flew by so quickly. We didn't even have time for pooch (sorry, Peggy - you tried) :(

Definetly cross from Europe back to the US. Touring for the first segment, relaxation and shipboard fun the second is really the way to go. Adding an hour every few days made re-entry so much easier. Beautiful weather every day with the exception of some light rain one day - PERFECTION!

Planning lots of 2012 sea day "excursions"...working on it right now :D

Betty, please tell Larry that the Energizer Bunny did not have a sea day meltdown! He will love a crossing! Promise!

You are so right Kristin about checking at half time. I have no finger nails left and I feel so bad about Brett being injured, but Rodgers is doing a great job!

Yes, we would cross east to west - the best!

Kristin,

YES! It will be an east to west crossing. When I did the QM2 West to East I hated losing an hour every day!

Excellent review, D! Thanks for posting.

Thanks, R. BTW, love Santa Kitty!

Yes he is cute - Santa Kitty Robert!!