Joanna - You'll be pleased to learn that there was no singing (or any other sort of peculiar entertainment or audience participation) in Portofino's on CAVIAR, which ended a few days ago.

In fact, a couple of LCTers who were at the captain's table on evening were told that Regent was reassessing the whole concept of Portofino's and would likely change it to some degree (not clear whether that change would be subtle or dramatic).

Frankly, we were not impressed with the joint. In its Italian mode, with the terribly disorganized and inconvenient "wine and cheese tasting" before the meal, followed by every course being served simultaneously at all tables, irrespective of the dining pace of the table, it was not a dining experience to repeat.

At the end of the cruise, the venue morphed into a "Steakhouse" mode, including a buffet for salads and first courses, not our idea of a high-end dining evening. We cancelled our reservation there when our dining friends of the evening declared that they were not eager to do a buffet.

Perhaps Regent will get the concept right the next time. Clearly, they aren't sure what to do with the place, as SilverSea can't figure out what to do with with its alternative venues, particularly La Champagne. Much as we liked the small size and easy access on Navigator, we really missed the marvelous dining alternatives on Voyager and Mariner.

I do, however, remain grateful that there was no singing or audience participation nonsense in Portofino's on Navigator which may have forced me to stab some poor singer with my fork to make him get away from our table (and thereby render me a resident of the ship's brig).

In any event, it's our impression that annoying singing in Portofino's may well be a thing of the past. In that fond hope, I remain, Fred