Plenty of activities and enrichments not to mention the good on Regent Seven Seas
By Eileen Ogintz
Would we be bored, people asked? What do you do all day?
On this Regent Seven Seas transatlantic cruise from New York to Barcelona, we have seven days at sea, more than we have ever experienced.
We are on the luxury cruise line’s newest ship, Grandeur, with just under 750 guests and 548 crew from around the world.
“I think they must train to keep smiling,” joked one passenger. “You never see anyone frown.”
The ship is full, with some passengers extending the trip by a week to cruise from Barcelona to Rome.
Many on board are Regent fans. Cindy Baglietto, a real estate agent from Dallas, has been on 40 Regent cruises. And while shorter cruises, like those in Alaska, are popular with multi-generational families, this one skews to those who are retired or close to retirement and can afford the hefty fare. They seem to think it is a good value and money well spent.
Passengers in Alaska with kids and those without both like the same things: The cruise line is mostly all inclusive with tips, liquor Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, specialty coffees and many shore excursions included. There are upcharges for some activities, like cooking classes with the chef or whiskey tasting and excursions (learning to make paella at a farm in Valencia, Spain.) But there is plenty to do otherwise. “There is something to be said for that,” said one cruiser from Tennessee.
Cruisers often complain that a “bargain” cruise ends up costing three times as much as they expected once they pay for shore excursions, specialty restaurants and drinks, not to mention the casino and spa.
“Once I get on the ship, I relax because I don’t have to do anything before we leave except show up at meals,” said her husband.
And you don’t even need to do that as there is room service 24 hours a day.
I needn’t have worried about being bored. There were special speakers this morning, Nigel Cox, a former British diplomat discussing Bermuda history where we will dock tomorrow another, Adam Tanner talking to an enthralled audience about how the media landscape has changed.
There are bridge lessons and Bingo, a Cha-Cha dance class, needlepoint, and crafting, pickleball and paddle tennis, giant jigsaw puzzles and board games, movies and more—15 different options just in the afternoon. Let’s not forget the well-equipped fitness center and spa.
In the evening, there is music, a get together for solo travelers, a musical show, dancing, old time Rock & Roll, Guess that tune and more.
And though the ship is full, it doesn’t feel crowded anywhere. Many are repeat Regent cruisers. I meet Cindy Baglietto, a Dallas real estate agent who has cruised Regent 40 times. She left her husband at home to bring a friend, Suzanne Mitchell, who has never cruised. It doesn’t seem difficult to get reservations at the three specialty restaurants though repeat cruisers give the Compass Rose dining room high marks. “I’d be fine if there weren’t any other restaurants,” one said.
I like the efforts to be green, including the complimentary water bottles and water stations (still and sparkling) everywhere. I also like that portions aren’t huge, so there is less waste, though pa you certainly can ask for seconds.
When we boarded yesterday in New York, there was a bountiful buffet with everything from salads to roast beef, Indian chicken, pesto pasta, shrimp, and smoked trout, pan fried fish, butternut squash (soup, sandwiches (a tomato mozzarella ciabatta perhaps, cheeses, ice cream…the list goes on and on with plenty of deserts.
One of the three specialty restaurants, Prime, known for their steaks, is busy for lunch today. (I had bouillabaisse while my husband opted for a burger.) For those who prefer to serve themselves, there is the Veranda buffet and tea (with cheesecake!) in the afternoon. You won’t go hungry-or get bored.
Time for the gym.
