We're aboard the Splendor docked at Southampton, UK for an unpublished "Preview Cruise". It's great to see familiar officers & crew. John Barron is the Cruise Director, Gudren is Cruise Consultant, Franck is GM and special guest retired captain John McNeill is on board. It's wonderful to be on Regent again.

Been following Marcia's FB posts. Sounds absolutely divine!

Great to be there I know. Please say hello for me and Ken to all the people you mentioned. I am sure they are as happy to be there as you are!

How many of you lucky "preview cruisers" are there?

23 Diamonds & Commodores were able to join the cruise. It's complimentary, including Regent Air. We are staying on for the 1st 2 revenue segments and leaving in Barcelona.

Unfortunately, Covid protocols mess some things up. European rules require mask wearing on board all cruise ships except when eating, drinking or exercising. Big incentive to relax at one of the bars with a drink on the table in order to keep the mask off. Masks aren't generally required on shore and in most stores, pubs & restaurants. The minor inconvenience is overshadowed by being at sea again on a Regent ship.

As the new cruising season has begun, there are several changes we will see, some temporary and adjusting and some permanent.
Covid 19 precautions, subject to change and local rules:
Some protocols may seem excessive, but they not only protect our safety but also comply with the promises NCLH made in order to return to revenue sailing. Some will also be dictated by local laws and rules. The restrictions will be relaxed as appropriate when things settle down.
Masks must be worn throughout the ship except in staterooms and when eating, drinking or exercising. Masks are generally worn on tour buses and public transportation. Local rules vary by city for mask wearing inside stores etc. but generally walking around outside masks can come off.
On the ship, tables & chairs are spaced out and some are blocked off. All bar stools are blocked. Generally tables and seating areas are limited to 2, 4 and occasionally 6 persons, so no large LCT gatherings in lounges.
No Block Parties or group events except in the theater where seats are blocked for social distancing.
Covid tests, when required locally, are given in the embarkation terminal or on board and paid for by Regent.
Technology:
Your suite key card may be used at the gangway on embarkation and debarkation days and all other days a face recognition (from the selfie you downloaded at on line check in) & temperature check are used at the gangways.
There is a lot more information on the interactive TV in the room.
TV reception is blocked in many ports, particularly large ones. It seems that the new 5G cell technology uses a frequency that blocks the satellite reception. This is a new problem that wasn’t known until the Splendor began sailing because all the ships were shut down during the past 18 months and the situation hadn’t appeared. Hopefully a frequency blocker for the satellite systems will be available before too long.
General comments:
There are several new complimentary wines, and the selection is good.
There have been some positive changes to the Chartreuse menu.
On the Splendor there is a new and improved Krew Kapers. “Splish - Splash”, “There’s nothing like a Cruise” and “Impossible Dream” have disappeared and there are more individual talented crew performances. It’s a much better show.

No bar stools, even at the pool bar?

Cindy, they better have bar stools at pool bar!

Jim, I am sure glad I am not sailing for a while; doesn't seem like a very luxurious experience.

Marc - David mostly likes to stand at the pool bar anyway, but not me! I need to sit!

They have bar stools at all the bars, but they are blocked off. Also, there is no standing at the bars or coffee connection counter. You are served at the tables.
With only 330 guests and over 500 crew on board, it is still a luxurious experience and it sure beats sitting around at home. It's great to be back at sea.

Jim, I can go to bars, restaurants, and concerts here in Texas without having to wear a mask; no need to stay at home. My first cruise back is on RCCL, found out that they are letting people sit a bars; they must trust the vaccine more than NCLH.

Marc, we could go about without masks in Florida too. Remember, FDR made the overly cautious deal with the CDC or whoever. They plan to get rid of masks and ease up on the seating as soon as possible. Just 1 Covid positive on board could ruin a lot for the company.

We'll make it work Jim! We are just glad to be getting back on a Regent ship!

We've been told that mask wearing on cruise ships is an EU requirement, so it's not NCLH going on its own. Things are different in Europe. France required an on line application PCR code with vax info in order to get into shops & restaurants, but most never came through for us. Some restaurants would accept our vax card. Portugal required antigen tests for all guests & crew before arrival and Splendor had 100% negative. Also in Portugal we can only go ashore on a Regent excursion and tuk tuk and hop on hop off tours you must stay in the vehicle. No independent walking, drinking or dining. Spain is more relaxed, but most people on the streets wear masks.

We finally made it! We are onboard Splendor sailing out of Istanbul and she is gorgeous. We will be on for 14 days. We have to wear masks onboard, which is a bit of a bummer, since no one can see you smile at them. It sounds like masks won’t be required on Explorer so that will be nice.

We met a few staff who remembered us from previous voyages and that was really nice. All the staff seem especially glad to be here and to see us. David Nevin is our CD—he was our ACD on our last Explorer cruise and we really like him. The whole Regent experience is coming back to life. What a joy!

Jim, I thought John Barron was CD; has he already been replaced by David? Can you see who will be onboard for Christmas cruise?

Keep up the reports; really helps the excitement build.

Marc

We had a chance to chat with David tonight during the cocktail hour. Apparently John had an urgent family issue to attend to and David took over for him in the interim. I will ask about Christmas and report back.

We have seen some of our favorite staff: Tijana (server in Chartreuse and Pool Grill), Mario (Server in Compass Rose), and Jorge (Head Waiter). We missed our favorite Somm, Georgiana, who just moved to the Explorer. We will see her soon. I am sure there are other friends on board we haven’t reacquainted with yet. It’s great being back.

John left when we did on Oct 6 for a 5 week leave. He'll have to quarantine on board for 10 days when he returns, so he'll be the CD for Christmas. Jim & Stacy, there are several other staff on board who were on the 2020 WC with us so you should recognize a few more.

Thanks Jim. Yes, it is nice to see so many familiar faces. I don’t recall what you said the pax count was on previous Splendor voyages but we are running at about 350. Nice from a crew-to-passenger ratio but a little weird to see the Compass Rose so empty. We had a great dinner in P7 tonight. All the bar stools in the Observation Lounge are still blocked off. We played trivia today (came in 2nd!) and they are limiting teams to 4, who are all supposed to be in the same “traveling group” but no one is checking. It is all still a lot of fun—just a bit harder to meet new friends.