Regent's Penthouse B and Butler Service

Day 2 aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (Alaska to Russia to Japan).

Here's a bit of information about our stateroom aboard the Regent Mariner. We booked a Penthouse B suite on Deck 10, mainly because we wanted a bit more room. (I needed space to exercise; I use the Leslie Sansone in-home walking DVD series and wanted to be sure I could do this workout every day.)

The room itself is 376 square feet with a 73-square-foot balcony. The sleeping area with a king bed is set off from the living room with heavy blackout curtains that tie back during the day so you can sit on the bed and gaze out the sliding-glass doors to the balcony. The sitting area is outfitted with a L-shape sofa, chair, TV/DVD, writing desk/chair and mini-fridge.

This stateroom category comes with the services of a butler. We really didn’t need the extra assistance since we’re the type of people who like to take care of things ourselves (restaurant reservations, laundry, etc.).

However, Laxmesh was terrific and it was nice to talk with him each day. Every afternoon he brought a tray of hors d’oeuvres around 5:00 pm and he was available via phone anytime we needed anything. Some of the evening appetizers included tuna sashimi, shrimp cocktail, a cheese platter, antipasto, caviar and foie gras.

Laxmesh immediately learned about my predilection for Diet Coke and made sure the fridge was stocked at all times. He also made sure my husband had sliced lemons and limes for his afternoon libations.

Our stateroom was just around the corner from the elevator and stairs, and across the entry hallway to the laundry room. This was a fantastic location because it really didn’t take any time to get from our room to any other location on the ship. It was especially convenient to get to the Constellation Theater on Deck 5, the Observation Lounge on Deck 12, as well as the Coffee Corner, library, Internet cafe and Stars nightclub, all on Deck 6.

I would have loved our cabin to be a few decks lower, however. We did encounter some rough weather as we left Kodiak, Alaska and another night sailing the Sea of Okhotsk. We never got sea sick (maybe thanks to our Sea-Band wrist bands and Bonine… which we used religiously), but it was still rocky. One night it was really difficult to sleep, so we just got up and watched some DVDs we checked out from the library earlier. The Mariner really responds well in rough seas though. During most of our voyage, we could barely feel the ship moving. (Photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.)

The bed in our suite was AMAZING (albeit a bit high for my 5-foot height). It was incredibly comfortable and, combined with the gentle rocking of the ship, I felt like a baby bear nestled in for a long winter’s hibernation!

The balcony was terrific and we used it quite a bit; we were blessed with smooth seas and warmer-than-expected temperatures for many days of the voyage.



The suite was incredibly quiet, but that may have to do with the fact that this leg of the cruise was underbooked. I don’t think there were any guests in the rooms next to us. From what we heard, many more people were joining the Grand Asia Pacific voyage when the ship docked in Tokyo (our disembarkation port).

If you book a penthouse suite on any Regent cruise ship, you're sure to love it! Our stateroom was the perfect basecamp during our voyage across the International Dateline.

Photo credits (top to bottom): Leonard Hospidor (first four photos), Regent Seven Seas, Andrea Rotondo

Setting Sail – The Northwest Passage Aboard Regent's Mariner!

Day 1 aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (Alaska to Russia to Japan).

This is our first Regent Seven Seas cruise and so far all I can say is, "Wow! Wow! Wow!" We've only been on the Mariner for a few hours but we're already feeling quite pampered!



Around noon this afternoon we arrived at the Hilton Anchorage where the Regent staff checked us in for the cruise. We then were taken on a short (seriously short, about two minute) bus ride to the departure point of Alaska Railroad's Grandview Train. We were beyond thrilled when we realized we'd be traveling to Whittier by train. We had thought that the train had completed its season and we'd be busing it. Taking the train instead really made our day!

As this is the beginning of low season, Anchorage was truly empty and many shops and restaurants had already closed down for the winter. Perhaps that’s why the Grandview Train was also similarly empty. My husband and I got our own four-person table on the train and were able to set up all our camera equipment and take some great shots. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! I had no idea Alaska was so beautiful.

The train trip began with a welcome champagne toast given by Brian O’Brien, the Mariner’s cruise consultant. Then someone from the Travel Concierge desk came through the car with information on the available port tours and to answer any questions we may have. We were served several types of cookies while we enjoyed the gorgeous views. We did see some wildlife… mainly eagles and other birds and some Dahl sheep high up on the mountain ledges above us. The ride was a quick two hours and by 2:00 pm, we were at the Whittier Passenger Terminal. We lucked out with the weather… it was sunny and warm (about 70 degrees). All the locals kept telling us how unusual this was for the end of the season.



It was an amazing moment when I first caught sight of the Mariner. What a stunning ship! It was larger than I expected (700-person capacity) and seemed to have a presence all its own. We spent some time outside taking photos and enjoyed the scenery. We then got in line to check in.

My husband and I appreciated the level of security Regent provides. All luggage was being screened outside the terminal while passengers and their carry-on items were scanned inside. The process only took five or 10 minutes. We walked up the gangplank, were handed a glass of champagne each and were told that our stateroom was ready. That was a pleasant surprise!

We had heard we’d probably need to go to La Veranda for lunch while the staterooms were readied. Since that wasn't the case though, we quickly got settled, met our butler, grabbed a few pastries from afternoon tea and went to muster drill. The drill was held at the Constellation Theater and it was short and to the point; quite well run.

At this point, we felt pretty much like kids in a candy store! We wanted to take in everything on the ship and get familar with the deck plans. As the Mariner set sail, we raced up to Deck 12 to take photos as we sailed out of Prince William Sound. The scenery was stunning and gave us just a hint of what we could expect on this two-week adventure!

Cruising Prince William Sound.

Photos by Leonard Hospidor

Anchorage in the A.M.

Today's the day we join the Regent Mariner in Whittier, but we wanted to at least get a small taste of life in Anchorage. So, we got up early and did a walking tour. It looks like quite a quaint city (reminds me quite a bit of Portsmouth, NH, actually). The city is a mix of modern buildings, along with some beautifully restored structures from the 1800 and 1900s. I'm pictured here in front of the Alaska Visitors Center on West 4th Avenue.


We hit two terrific gift shops that shouldn't be missed: Trapper Jack's Trading Post and Grizzly's Gifts.



Now we're closing up our suitcase and will check out of the Westmark and head over to the Hilton Anchorage. The Hilton is Regent's hotel of choice for this embarkation point. We'll check in for the cruise and then we'll be on our way to Whittier by noon!

Photo credits (top to bottom): Leonard Hospidor, Trapper Jack's Trading Post, Grizzly's Gifts