Cruise from hell--a rip off
Seven Seas Mariner Cruise Review to Transatlantic
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 137
14 Night Architecture & Paradise (Barcelona To Miami)
Sail date: April 04, 2018
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 926
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 6 years ago
Review summary
We were shocked and disappointed by this cruise. Apparently, from what returning passengers told us, Regent is really going downhill. We learned as we were on our way to the cruise that the Mariner had just been in dry dock. They did not finish the dry dock work before we boarded. We believe it was irresponsible of Regent to board passengers on a ship with so many problems. Regent should have notified passengers of these conditions before the cruise. Instead, we had to endure many many problems throughout what was supposed to be an "exclusive luxury experience". We could never really even relax. In addition to problems sited above, many of the ship's facilities like elevators and the so-called free wifi often were out of service. Most of the staff seemed new and unprepared. Most seriously, we were exposed frequently to toxic chemicals and bacteria, including dirty water in our suite's sink, a leak on the bathroom floor, and a shower that frequently gurgled and didn't drain properly. There were strong chemical smells from work being undertaken near us, and dust from sanding of painted surfaces in passenger areas. This went way beyond normal ship maintenance undertaken during an Atlantic crossing. The nicest part of the cruise was the other passengers who were very friendly and commiserated with each other as most were also encountering problems including scalding hot showers and black mold on shower curtains. Our suite butler and stewards tried really hard to address the many problems. But we will never sail on Regent or any other Norwegian-owned cruise line again. We both ended up with serious health problems from conditions on this cruise. We both needed urgent medical care as soon as we arrived home. One of us got a severe bacterial eye infection, and we both developed respiratory problems probably due to exposures to substances and fumes on the ship. We have written about these problems in detail to the CEO of Regent Seven Seas but so far there has been no response.Embarkation
We had to stand in a long line to check in. Not what I expected from a so-called luxury cruise line. On other ships in this price range, we have been personally greeted and escorted to a desk for check in. Also, we had been told by Regent staff at our hotel to present our VAT documents at customs at this port, but no one at the port knew anything about this.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Orders were constantly mixed up in the Compass Rose and in lounges, right up to the last day of the cruise. Compared to other cruises we've taken, the food selection was very limited and uncreative, especially in the buffet. No food except cookies was available after 4 p.m. unless you dressed for dinner or ordered room service. There was no buffet option at night.
Onboard Activities
Typical activities for older people like trivia, bridge, pool deck games, etc. Activity staff took the weather into consideration. For example, outdoor activities were moved indoors on windy days. First enrichment speaker was interesting and lectures were repeated on the TV. And the country fair one day on the pool deck was entertaining.
Entertainment
Service and Staff
All staff were inexperienced except our butler and room stewards. The higher level staff were often indifferent to the point of rudeness to passengers, especially the Reception staff. Even one of the activity directors could not get Reception to cooperate on a simple matter of getting help for a passenger who needed assistance one evening during bad weather.
Ship Quality
This was the true nightmare. Suite would have been lovely and comfortable IF it had been in good repair. Our stateroom had many problems from muddy water from taps to doors that wouldn't shut. The air in our suite was oppressive and full of fumes from dry dock work. We had a constant stream of workmen and decorators in to fix problems like dangerously swinging doors, TV and telephones without cords, 2 inch wide stream of water across our bathroom floor that was never fixed. Toilet stopped working first night. The ship is also designed strangely - you have to walk through the main dining room to get to the rear elevators and stairs, for example. Every public restroom had problems (broken toilets, handles falling off of doors, missing locks). Most of the common area phones didn't work. The gym was fairly well equipped with a large floor space in one room but unlike other ships it is on a lower deck with limited window views.
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
I would avoid this ship and Regent Seven Seas.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
We had our own plans in Barcelona. The hotel chosen by Regent was in a good location for us near Camp Nou.
Pretty town but guide did not stick to the subject of our excursion which was Roman archeology. Also, traffic is very heavy here so we spent a lot of time sitting on the bus at stop lights.
Did not go into Malaga because of mixup (again) by cruise staff over customs office location and requirements. Once again, we could not find the office and were then told that the information given to us previously by Regent staff had been incorrect.
Had our own plans. Because you walk right into the city from the ship, there are all the conveniences of a major city nearby.