described as ultra luxury ? nothing of the sort and certainly much of the advertising for this cruise found misleading and thus apparently in violation of ABTA Code of Conduct Rule l. Ship in some respects appeared desperately in need of refurbishment now rather than in a year's time - seeming deficiencies in directions and control for life boat drill - bathrooms with black mould that came off in black streaks - ice machines with black mould report in CDC Sanitation Report 13th 2016 - poor hygiene in restaurants as also referred to in CDC report - language difficulties with junior staff and hence restaurant service slow even though ship not fully booked - tired table clothes, napkins badly ironed and hardly any flowers - restaurant food below standard with meat on occasion either cold, raw or well over-cooked - themed restaurants fully booked or available only by queuing before opening time - mismatch between restaurant opening times and tour times - staff evidently on fixed hours and clearing away well before closing times - some gym equipment not working - virus requiring Code Red declaration probably already on board when cruise started but no notification as highlighted in CDC report - Cod Red procedure was badly managed with poor communication between senior staff and both passengers and junior staff - no clear policy on laundry closing - length of time Code Red in force excessive, suggesting cleaning procedures ineffecive and there being an unknown underlying cause - tendering difficulties which would appear to be a regular problem possibly due to poor condition or out dated design of the tendering platforms and the Mariner having a tendency to roll even in calm waters -

cancelled visit to Falklands (an anticipated cruise highlight) without any satisfactory explanation with that visit having apparently also been cancelled on two or the previous three relevant occasions - interestingly the Captain was heard to remark in effect "I am dammed if I go and dammed if I don't - many tours disappointing with long periods on buses trying to find something to look at - shuttle-bus transfers limited and in Matarani downright dangerous with people standing or sitting on the floor being driven fast round precarious hairpin bends - complaints to Destinations staff not responded to -

in addition to the Falklands two other ports missed with Regent thereby saving significant amounts in port fees and tours which passengers had paid for up front and - then negative responses to requests for additional free Wifi in respect of the resulting unplanned extra sea days - mid cruise feed-back forms mostly ignored - end-of-cruise feed back forms sent out too late to be completed on board - letter of complaint taking 42 days for Regent to reply (thus breaking ABTA Rule 5) and even then with little attempt to address specific complaints and even less to address a follow up for the many things promised in brochures but not provided or fulfilled no compensation of any sort merely a miserly and time limited £720.00 gesture of good will as a discount off a future cruise booking Read more