I have sailed on 10 plus different lines including Crystal, Azamara, Silver Seas and Seabourn. I really expected Regent to be even better. Instead, it was significantly less good. The service was wanting. Our cabin steward kept failing to stock our refrigerator with requested soft drinks and failed to put the cushions on our deck chairs. At dinner in the main dining room, it sometimes took an hour between our second course and our main course. They kept apologizing, but it did not get better. Most of the food was too bland. The Italian restaurant was really, really bland and the food generally not tasty. One of the chefs mentioned this was intentional due to their perceptions of the tastes of the passengers. It appeared to me this was incorrect. On occasion, we had to repeatedly ask for our drinks, alcohol or otherwise. The ship also left something to be desired. It was not a spiffy or polished as most of the ships I have been on. The cabin was noisy. I understand that cabins creak, but this one had rattles as well. When I complained, they came in and put shims in various places to reduce the rattling. Trust me, this was no normal cabin noise.

Two of our ports were cancelled - Senegal and Ivory Coast. With respect to Senegal, we were told there was too much cargo ship traffic for us to come in. With respect to Ivory coast, we were told we did not meet the health requirements to enter. Hard to imagine this could not be worked out before we sailed. For Senegal, we were given a substitute port in Cape Verde. For Ivory Coast, we were given nothing. After our return, I asked for a credit for the missed port because Regent saved a lot of money by not paying port fees or for the included excursions. Rather than sharing their windfall, I got a response saying I would get nothing. When I sent a second email further exploring the situation, I was told that the matter was closed. - a rather rude response.

On the good side, the entire staff was unfailingly friendly. While inappropriately slow, the main dining room seemed more like a specialty restaurant with personalized attention. The massage therapists were very good. And, the casino staff was great. Kristine, David and Vaughan were great. It was always fun to be there. Finally, it was the best group of fellow passengers ever. They were nice, interesting and fun to be with.