We cruised the Mediterranean last week our fifth Regent cruise and could not be more disappointed. The food was well below the standard of a four star restaurant and the service was worse. Breakfast in the veranda was so bad that often we left without having received hot water for our own tea bags. It seemed too much trouble for the miserable staff to make us espresso coffee and we were never offered water. It was also obvious that they have cut back on the variety of food available. It seemed that once serving dishes were empty they were left that way. There was definitely less choice of breads with no French type bread to slice ourselves. The hot food was of a quality served in a canteen. We sought refuge in coffee connections for a mid morning snack to find a distinct lack of edible pastries but masses of cheap boring cookies. On Seabourne the coffee shop is full of tasty treats which they will bag up for you to takeaway. At the pool bar we had to return burger and chips which were not just cold but stone cold. Lunch in the Veranda was such a disappointment. The quality fish and chips they once served has been replaced by warm oven chips and a soggy tasteless piece of fish in batter. I waited fifteen minutes for tartar sauce and then threw the lot away . When I told the chef he ignored me! Gone are the tempting plates of fresh sea food. The roast lamb was so raw it could have been revived had there been a vet on board! The desserts were very poor. I remember them being so good in the past that I would often have two this time I avoided them The menus in the evening do not seem to have changed in the last three years and are boring. The steaks were poor and the service worse. Both Prime Sevenn and Signatures fell far below standard and it was only in Compass Rose where we managed to findnd some good food and service but even that menu has become stale. They need a new executive chef to brighten things up and improve quality. No one seems to take pride in the food and service on this ship.

We had a similar experience on this ship last January when cruising from Sydney to Singapore and decided to give the ship one more chance choosing Regent over Seabourne which would have been cheaper. We have loved and raved about Regent since we started cruising but would be loathe to recommend it to anyone. We have commented many times on the poor entertainment. It is dated and boring. The dancers do not join in with the guests and party unlike on Seabourne where even the officers came down to the bar and almost the dance floor. The dancing on Regent is on too late and trying to get anyone moving to the Regent Signature orchestra is impossible. We rarely saw Paul the Cruise Director and if we did he was ineffectual and not up to the job. We were also dismayed on the day of disembarkation to be woken by the maid at 710am so she could collect the fruit! What an intrusion. We were not due out of the cabin until 8 am and might have wanted to take the fruit to the airport. I think she was looking for tips which made me feel very uncomfortable let alone the fact I was still in bed at the time!

We did our first Seabourne earlier this year and had a really great time with quality food and great dancing parties. We have booked Silversea for next year and also have a free Regent cruise on the Mariner as a result of horrendous problems on Voyager last January. We are very grateful to Regent for that but it will probably be the last time we cruise with them.