Seven Seas Mariner - Ship Inspection

Seven Seas Mariner - Ship Inspection
Seven Seas Mariner August 6 2008 Vancouver, BC I had been working on this Inspection and lunch for 2 years with my Travel Agent Darrin. It had been scheduled earlier this summer while I was on my cruise to Alaska but we managed to get it rescheduled. We arrived at the pier and were given our passes and headed through security and then on board. The initial thought as we walked toward the gangway and headed for the ship was one of surprise at first as there was no teak decks on Deck 6. Hmm this was a 6 star cruise ship and no teak decks, interesting I pointed out to Darrin. What else would be missing was my next thought. We walked in and were escorted to the Horizon Lounge for a short 15 minute talk and presentation by Ms. Claudia Gallego Sales Director. The Horizon Lounge is is done in light wood tones with nice wood shutters on the windows. There isn't the glitz and the chrome we find on ships today on the Seven Seas Mariner. When we entered we we handed a glass of Champagne and asked to sit down. I have done these inspections before and often they involved mostly Travel Agents. This was different as this was mostly people who were interested in sailing Regent Cruises and wanted to look at one of their ships. A quick show of hands of the 100 or so people there showed there were only a handful that have never cruised before. Ms. Gallego started out explaining the product that Regent has to offer. This ship we were on was the Seven Seas Mariner a 50,000 ton ship, an all suites all balcony ship. It has 700 guests on board, which is nearly half of what other ships of this size have. The matter of the cost of the cruise was also addressed. Ms. Gallego explained that you can pay a charge up front and then get nickel and dimed to death by the rest of the charges. Ms. Gallego said that you cost includes , gratuities, pop (soda), drinks on board in the bars, wine for lunch and dinner with your meal. Upper Suites get 4 bottles of liquor and 2 for Deluxe (standard) suites. Plus the bar set up with beers and waters and soft drinks that your request prior to your cruise. Things such as bottled water to leave the ship on with as well as water or Gatorade in the gym are also included. So when you compare like staterooms and what you pay for the "add ons" then you may pay slightly more but you also get half the number of people on board. The staff to passenger ratio is about 1.3 - 1. This should offer better service. Spa and premium liquor and premium wine are still paid for by you. Alternative restaurants just require a reservation and are included in the price. Other ships in the fleet are all suites but not all offer a Balcony. We watched a short 10 minute presentation on the Regent brand and where they went and what they offered. After the presentation we were divided into groups of 15 and sent on out way with a guide. The first stop was Coffee Connection amidships where one can stop by and have their morning coffee or juice or even a small snack. The Library is connected to this area so one can get a coffee or other drink and sit in the library to enjoy it.

Coffee Connection We then stopped at the card room on the port side on deck 6 to take a look in. The room has windows overlooking the promenade deck.

Card Room We headed up to Deck 12 next to see the running track, Bocce Ball area and the Paddle Tennis court. The area behind the paddle tennis court has stairs down to the La Veranda Restaurant. This on other ships would be the Lido restaurant.

Bocce Ball Court

La Veranda Restaurant looking down

from the rear of Deck 12 toward the Observation Lounge We headed downstairs to Deck 11 to view La Veranda Restaurant which was serving lunch for those boarding the ship for their cruise to Alaska.

Buffet Line

La Veranda Restaurant downstairs, note the stairs to the upper deck where the first photo was taken of this area You could smell the sauce and pasta being cooked as you walked in. Darrin pointed out the size of the dishes on display were in small bowls so that the food you want will be fresh. There would be no food sitting there for long periods of time. A trip back toward the pool showed us the Pool Grill where one orders what they want and it is cooked and brought to your numbered table when it is cooked. When ordering you are asked what you would like to drink and that is also brought to your table.

tables near the Pool Grill

Pool Bar - Pool Grill just to the right of the bar

The Pool - need I say more .... We walked pass the pool and the 3 hot tubs and then back up to Deck 12 to view the Observation Lounge. As we gathered inside one of the first things noticed as we looked forward out the floor to ceiling windows was they were clean. No salt film on these windows or for that matter any other windows we looked out after this. This was a nice touch and not sure how clean they stay after the ship departs for the cruise.

View from Deck 12 outside Observation Lounge to rear of ship.

Observation Lounge The next stop brought us to view 3 cabins being a Mariner Suite (739 sq. feet), Penthouse Suite (449 sq. feet) and a Deluxe Suite (301 sq. feet)

Mariner Suite Bedroom

Mariner Suite main bathroom

Mariner Suite sitting area While we enjoyed looking at the Mariner Suite and provides a lot of room as well as a half bathroom it just appears to big to enjoy what it offers for a 7 day cruise.

Mariner Suite Dinning area

Mariner Suite Flat screen. Note the Bar and Liquor. Flat screen TV's and DVD players are in all suites. A full selection of DVD's are in the library.

penthouse Suite looking from the Balcony We then headed down to Deck 7 to look at the Spa and the Gym and Aerobics room. All these are well appointed and were able to look in one of the massage rooms.

Massage Room

Gym area We walked through the Casino then down the stairs to the Stars Nightclub. We walked through there and then into the upper level of the Constellation Theatre. The theatre is able to hold all guests in one seating for the nightly show. I also noticed there isn't a bad seat in the house with no poles in the way and lots of leg room between rows. The next stop was past the Mariner Lounge with a stop at the Latitudes Restaurant (Specialty Restaurant) then off to lunch in the the Compass Rose Restaurant for our 12:30 appointment.

Latitudes Restaurant We were the first group to arrive and were seated in the restaurant near a window. We had a waiter who brought brought the menu and while it was basically fixed we had a choice on the main course of either fish or beef.

Compass Rose Restaurant Darrin had ore-ordered a Vegetarian meal weeks before this tour and even discussed it with Ms. Gallego this past week. The bad news on this the ship didn't get the message and his meal was not available. While they tried to dish something up for his main course it turned out to be a plate of "turned" vegetables. Why I mention this is because if this is suppose to be a 6 Star cruise line and one wants to order something special prior to a cruise there should not be a problem. Regent says in the DVD we saw they have attention to detail, this wasn't the case here.

Today's Menu The orders for our table of 8 were taken before other groups arrived to have lunch we soon fell behind tables seated last. I could only count 3 Dinning Room Stewards for the 100 or so people at lunch. The Dinning Room Manager stepped in to help but this was not enough. The food for the most part good, it wasn't great. Regent had a chance to show case the best food to possible future guests but chose to offer a middle of the road lunch instead. The lunch included Wine with our meal.

Latitudes Restaurant

Baby Shrimp Timbale Ms. Gallego came over to our table to say sorry to Darrin about his lunch and then further explain she doesn't understand why they were serving a Beef Consommé Soup while they had far better soups on their menu.

Darrin's Lunch of vegetables I ordered the Serrano Ham Wrapped Fillet Mignon and it was very good. The portion provided was a great size not filling you up but leaving room for the dessert. I left the lunch not feeling like I had just been stuffed.

Serrano Ham Wrapped Fillet Minon The slow service at lunch forced us to excuse ourselves from the table as the whole inspection was to be done by 2:00 and we still waiting for coffee. In closing Regent puts a great product out there it would appear but fell short in delivering to our group of people. We had people in our group who have cruised Silver Sea and Crystal Cruises and they felt this wasn't the best that Regent could have done. The couple who have cruised Crystal in the past excused themselves from lunch and left early, leaving rather disappointed. The positive out of this is the ship itself was in great shape, very clean. The staff we talked to all talked to us and looked after any matter we had from water at the video to Pierre water at lunch. The rooms are very well appointed and the size of the ship vs. the number of passengers is a real plus. The question you are asking would I be interested in cruising Regent Cruises, the answer is yes! Every cruise line has it problem days and while Regent was having an "off' day I think the number of "on" days out numbers those. At the start I mentioned my first thought of no teak deck on the Promenade but in the end as I was leaving I thought this deck doesn't go around the ship and there are places on the top of the ship to walk. This in the end would have been a waste of teak and thus I know why now they did not build it with teak. Regent has won awards from Condé Nast for the top cruise line in it's class and one would like to think this isn't the start of a slide in service. As we left the ship we were given a rather large package of material on the cruises Regent offers on all their ships as well as a copy of the video they showed us at the start. I would like to Thank Ms. Claudia Gallego Sales Director for Regent Seven Seas for the opportunity to see one of the ships. Phil

Thanks for the tour, Phil! 8)

Maybe thinking I should try Regent :D :D

Great tour Phil Thanks

Very nice review of a lovely ship. I believe we got to see you, wearing a yellow shirt. :D

Next question, What is the basic cost to cruise?

Thanx for the report

Next question, What is the basic cost to cruise? PLENTY :wink: :shock:

Next question, What is the basic cost to cruise? PLENTY :wink: :shock: I thought so!

The cost is "more" than your regular cruise line, but don't forget what it includes. I took a look at some fares and they offer 2-1 and free air. Single rates also stat at 110% and go up from there depending on the cruise. I am glad you liked this and I am working on doing more of these and posting them. Phil

They also offer some great specials with airfare included, or two for one, etc. Trans-Atlantics, in particular. CJ

I would like to add that I made a edit this morning to my ship inspection due to a misunderstanding of some things on board. They are: Upper Suites get 4 bottles of liquor and 2 for Deluxe (standard) suites. Plus the bar set up with beers and waters and soft drinks. No charges for alternative restaurants – just make a reservation. Pool Bar Photo - Pool Grill to the right of the bar. Phil

From Seatrade Insider: Regent to pour $40m into ship refurbs 15/9/2008 Regent Seven Seas Cruises gave more details on its planned ship refurbishments, reported here earlier, and said approximately $40m will go into enhancements of Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator. This follows approximately $20m spent on the fleet over the past two years. Regent president Mark Conroy said the program will 'see each of the ships emerge essentially brand new.' The work on Seven Seas Voyager will commence in December, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in January and Seven Seas Navigator in the first half of 2010. In addition to technical work, almost every area of the ships will be refurbished, with public rooms being substantially re-designed with new furniture, fabrics and materials under the direction of Yran & Storbraaten, working with Regent’s vessel operations team. Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will be refurbished at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, with details and the location of Seven Seas Navigator’s 2010 drydock to be announced at a later date. As Conroy earlier told Seatrade Insider, a new alternative dining venue will replace the current Indochine-menu Latitudes restaurants. The new spot will be a steakhouse named Prime Seven. Also, lounges and public rooms will be redesigned to create more spacious areas for relaxation, and a new lounge and dining areas will be added around the Pool Grill. New carpeting, wall covering, upholstery, light fixtures and drapes will be installed in most public areas and suites. The addition of pizza ovens and ice-cream bars will add more casual dining choices. Seven Seas Voyager will gain a coffee and snack bar area similar to the Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner. Frank Del Rio, chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings, said the investment will elevate the passenger experience and also 'provides a glimpse of what the future holds,' likely hinting at the plans under discussion for a Regent newbuild.

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