Port Power

On 1/30/2022 at 11:26 PM, wishIweretravelling said:

I am preparing for a "grand voyage" later this year, and was looking back at a blog I did from one a few years ago. A grand voyage is a lengthy cruise--in this case 89 days--that concentrates on a specific region rather than attempting the world. So, in terms of experience, it's similar to a world cruise.

 

Anyway, here's an entry where I attempted to explain the experience: https://summertimechilling.blogspot.com/2018/09/living-on-cruise-ship.html

 

This was absolutely the best information, and just what I was looking for.  An overall description of life on board. Thank you.
 

Other posts on this thread, and forum generally, have been useful. Lots to think about when leaving the house empty for five months!

I am now certain I have made the right decision in booking a Worl Cruise, and definitely I have chosen the right company in Regent.  Viking is still very desirable, but I can leave them for a grand journey in the future.

 The only problem is that I now have to put it out of my mind for two years!

On 6/20/2022 at 6:34 AM, 2ndsailing said:

We have booked our first World Cruise for January 2024 on Azamara Onward.  155 days Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona.  Our longest cruise so far is 60 days, so this is definitely a jump for us.

I have enjoyed reading about others experiences with World Cruises.  I have learned a lot.

I looked at this WC too, but it overlapped with a 30-day land tour deferred from 2020. One of the first decisions is to choose cruise line and ship size.  Princess would definitely not suit me for 150+ days.  When I compared Azamara with their generous OBC and extra shore excursions OBC, they were much the same price as Regent Seven Seas with included excursions.  Even though my RSS World Cruise isn’t until 2025, I am already investigating Viking’s extended cruises to visit other parts of the world missed in 2025.  (Britain, Greenland, Iceland.)  I can see that world cruising can become addictive!

On 5/27/2022 at 12:49 AM, Guinness1000 said:

Just came across Regent's 2025 WC. It's 150 days, but doesn't go around the world. It goes from Miami south to S. America and around Cape Horne and then on to New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and north, then over to Alaska and back. 

https://www.cruisespecialists.com/cruise-promotion-detail.aspx?packageId=131352

 

I would love to visit all those places, but my bucket list is around the globe, so this one will not be for us. Anyone else feel the same about Around the World cruises?  🙂

I guess it is one’s interpretation.  Yes, not circumnavigating the globe, but certainly visiting five continents.  Antarctica is a “float by“, but still right up close.  The 168 night World Cruise starts and finishes in Miami, so ✅.  Like others, the itinerary is still most important.  Any WC won’t please all the people all the time, but the 2025 itinerary suits me as it goes to the east coast of South America, Easter Island, South Pacific, New Zealand (although there should definitely be a few more stops on the South Island or at least cruise the astounds), Australia, Komodo, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.  And more!  
 

If these places are on your bucket list, don’t rule it out just because it is not a conventional around the globe.  

50 minutes ago, capegirl said:

Can anyone recommend a reliable and reasonable taxi company for trip from Civitavecchia to Fiumicino.  Thank You!

 

There will be a myriad of suggestions in the Ports thread under Civitavecchia.

Rome2Rio.  Or book seats on the shuttle.

4 hours ago, Nippy Sweetie said:

Well OK but I haven't done any Azamara tours yet!!

I just found them very expensive compared with other cruises I've been on and wanted to know if these ones were typically well organised and run etc etc. OK?

 

Usually they are well organised and well run.  Azamara uses local operators they have worked with for years.  Especially as tours are not usually really large groups.
 

One tour I went on at a new destination was well done, but didn’t go a bit further along the river as was advertised.  I heard the operator tell the skipper at push off, “turn around at the bridge”.  On return we gave feedback to the shore excursions desk that the tour was excellent and the skipper and mate very good, but disappointing that part of the tour was missed.  We all received a partial refund.  So Azamara stands by their shore excursions.

I’ve done many successful private tours through my roll call.  Great value, and personal.  However I’ve done great AZ tours.  In Portugal there was one with only 6 passengers in a 4WD (SUV).  Another in Spain with two Jeeps, so four passengers in one vehicle with a girl from the Casino as chaperone. Fabulous tours.  Then there was a tour in Washington that wasn’t so good.  The chaperone was wife of the destination lecturer, and because she couldn’t keep up with the guide, we all had to slow to a dawdle!  Unfortunately when you book a tour, you don’t know if there will only be 6 or so guests. Those tours are worth the price.  Not all tours involve a big bus.

14 minutes ago, simpson168 said:

I am sure this question must have been asked before, but I have searched the spreadsheet and can't find the answer.  Does Azamara provide lotion along with the shampoo and bath soap in each cabin?

Yes, it does.  Shampoo and conditioner of course.

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

Shouldn’t you have started a new thread for discussion on this subject?

I note there is actually a topic on the “Canadian” thread about this subject.  It was started on Thursday.  A good place to ask specific Canadian questions, I should think.

4 hours ago, hsheffield said:

Given the issues with air travel these days, thought I might try to leave a day earlier for our London to Lisbon cruise this September so we'd have a buffer. 

 

TA tells me the SS offered to sell us the extra night in a hotel for $1140 for two people. 

 

Could that possibly be right?

 

What happens if we try to book it ourselves?

Does that mean we have to now make our own way to Southhampton?  

Do we get some sort of refund since we paid for door to door? 

 

first time SS traveller here so I don't really know how things work. thanks for any help

Keep your included hotel night and the transfers.  Book the extra night yourself, either at the same hotel or any other one you like.  It will not effect the hotel to port transfer.  Flying a day earlier is completely separate.

51 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Sorry to jump in the middle of these excellent and super exciting funnies, but have a specific Canada question.  Last month, after Canada dropped its mandatory Covid testing when entering their territory, we booked a Tauck tour of the Eastern Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Cape Briton Island, etc.  Excited for our first visit to these scenic, historic and charming areas.  

 

BUT, this past week Canada has just reversed course, somewhat, and is now saying that there will be mandatory "random" Covid testing of fully vaccinated visitors when landing at their four major airports.  We are fully covered with the four different shots.  How good or bad will your "random" chances be for such required, off-site airport testing?  In flying on Air Canada from Columbus, we will land in Toronto and then go to Halifax on a separate flight.  According to the news reports, if picked randomly, we will not need to be tested till Halifax.  But, this new government policy change has us confused and adds to the risks for a disrupted adventure plan.  Any suggestions or insights?  Are these areas as wonderful as we have been told?  Any special tips for there as "must-do's" and "don't miss"?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

Shouldn’t you have started a new thread for discussion on this subject?

5 hours ago, Mareblu said:

I’m so relieved.  Jewel is indeed a handsome ship, easy to navigate (not literally) and the spaces in The Haven are beautiful.  We also loved the private dining room for breakfast, and the enclosed outdoor terrace for breakfast or lunch, which a waiter would bring you freshly prepared from a delightful menu.  The other wonderful perk is the reserved box seating in the theatre, with your Concierge waiting to greet you as you arrive after dinner.  It all comes at a cost, of course, but little more than a balcony suite on Seabourn, etc.  Jewel’s other areas may not be quite as plush and secluded, but they are also comfortable and lovely.  The bars are relaxing social venues, and the alternate eating venues are welcoming and enjoyable.  Teppanyaki experience a must.  Not long before Covid drained the seas if cruise ships, we sailed to Iceland and the remote Scottish islands on Jewel.  She handled the odd heavy seas beautifully.  I’m tempted now to investigate where Jewel is heading next year😉

It's all coming back now!  My son and I also enjoyed breakfast in Moderno.  We did occasionally go to O'Sheehan's for a change, but the choice in Moderno was excellent, as well as being fewer guests there.  When we cruised through the Sounds, we were up on Haven's top deck for a wonderful view.  The crew set up a drinks station for the duration: coffee and hot chocolate as well as soft drinks, sparkling wine and beer. Having the reserved area in the theatre was really good.  Very good seats.  Yes, we really enjoyed the Jewel.

Even without the suite experience, Jewel was a lovely ship with plenty of activities.  Staff were excellent.  @subaru94, enjoy your cruise.

13 minutes ago, Harrietq said:

While I’ve not stayed in the particular cabin, I’ve never noticed any noise transfer between cabins except faint noise of toilet flushes, and that only if happened to be in the bathroom. No hallway/door noise. Also, being “financially challenged” (I hear you!) can actually be an advantage- on deck 4, you have cabins  above. We chanced into a suite on our last cruise (super last-minute deal), and some (not us) had noise with scraping chairs/food cart noise from the pool deck above. You’re safe on 4! Enjoy your trip!

4066 is one of the new cabins where shore excursions used to be.  It is underneath the seating are of Mosaic Cafe next to shops.  Still should not be noise from above as the floor is carpeted.  I haven’t been onboard since those cabins were installed, so don’t know how well they are separated from the reception area.  That is the main query.

P.S.  My last cabin was on Deck 4 too, but an inside cabin. Even more financially challenged!

15 minutes ago, wishIweretravelling said:

I've done a couple of Grand Voyages on Regent (and a world cruise on Crystal). Yes, you get bored with repeat shows. Unfortunately, the live music in the lounges stops for the 45 minutes that the show is on, so that would not be the time to explore other music venues. But there's always music somewhere before and after.

 

Yes, I've found camaraderie among "full cruisers," and enjoyed meeting people who join for segments. However, I understand that, starting with 2023, Regent has sold out the world cruise on full cruisers alone, and is not planning to sell segments. That will be an interesting experience. I'm signed on for 2024.

The Regent personal agent told me that World Cruises sell out quickly, so I am not surprised.  I guess there might be the odd segment available nearer departure.  I reckon after 168 days, it will be like living in an exclusive village!

I look forward to reading your report of the 2024 WC.  I read your May report with interest.  I enjoyed Sitka, but fewer ships stop there now.

48 minutes ago, pully8 said:

Fortunately like all travel products people can usually find a cruise to suit their budget.

Wonder having lost 2 years plus cruising/travel opportunity, some may seize the moment and splurge on a premium cruise?

Especially if older and see time and health issues potentially being a factor? 

 

Or just that we have worked our way through the mass market ships during our working life and now prefer smaller, less crowded ships in our retirement.  I agree, there is something for everyone out there. 

On 7/11/2022 at 10:22 AM, gcorgain said:

Hi,

 

We are on the Capetown to Rio cruise in January 2023. I somehow manage to have $1,800 in non refundable OBC. There are few extra cost shore excursions on this voyage. So how would you spend the credit? We aren't real spa guys, although we might do one in this situation. Anything else we should splurge on?

In the past we had a long cruise with LOTS of NR OBC.  We did cash in the refundable (R) OBC.  We used most of it for shore excursions. I think upgrading to small group shore excursions is the best use, but superior red wines/Champagne comes a close second!   Plus, on very long cruises, a hair tint and trim is a necessity.

I know it is not the traditional circumnavigation of globe, but it is still an interesting itinerary.  I agree that missing the south island of NZ is a big miss.  They could have at least cruised the fjords.  However the east coast of northern South America is not often done.  Nor is Easter Island.  That is a bucket list for many.  And even "floating" past Antarctica will be wonderful!  I have cruised to Vietnam several times in the past, and will be doing a Japan circumnavigation with Silversea next year, but I still found this itinerary worth booking.  It is long!  Much longer than any cruise I have done before, so I hope I haven't made a mistake.  I would have booked the Grand European Sojourn, but it overlapped with a land tour I have, which is a deferred trip from 2020, then 2021, then 2022........

This itinerary seems to follow the sun, so warm weather for most, if not all, of the trip.  It will be summer in the southern hemisphere, then heading north again for spring and summer in the northern hemisphere.  I wonder if China will be welcoming visitors in 2025?  Regent obviously thinks so.  No one can predict the state of the world two-and-a-half years out anymore.

I have been looking for threads on past experience of Regent and World Cruises for some feedback. It sounds like some of you here have that experience.  Do you get bored with repeat shows?  Or does that just give you more opportunity to visit other venues for the music?  Is there camaraderie amongst WC passengers?  It must actually be nice to see new faces with the rotating "segment" cruisers.  Or not?

I would love to hear your stories and experiences.   Carol

4 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Oceana are expensive, many Aussies could not afford  their cruises, I have checked them out.

That's not really relevant to asking about shore excursions.  Especially if we are just providing suggestions or information about tour operators or locations to visit.

Nevertheless, I cruise on Azamara and Silversea, and have a future Regent Seven Seas World Cruise lined up.  There are many, many Australians on the Roll Calls for those sailings.  I must admit I have found little mention of these cruise lines on the "Australia & New Zealand" threads, but definitely many Australians on the particular cruise lines threads.

On 7/4/2022 at 7:12 AM, thealohastate said:

We are booked on the Sydney to Bali Cruise  in January.    We live in Hawaii and do not want to fly to the Mainland and then to Sydney, so we've asked for deviations.  We have sent our TA the routes we would like to get.  To fly to Sydney, Quantas has a direct route from Honolulu to Sydney.

The problem we are finding is getting back home from Bali.

We've looked and looked at flights and a variety of air lines.  So far it looks like Quantas from Bali to Sydney and then Sydney to Honolulu--BUT, there is a 15 hour layover in Sydney.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a better routing?

Looking at current flight schedules, there isn't much of a choice. QANTAS does have a flight from Denpasar to Melbourne, then Jetstar to Honolulu, but there is still a long layover just short of 10 hours.  There is some fabulous routing with various airlines through Jakarta and Tokyo!  Or Singapore.  But all with long layovers.  Do you have lounge access to help ease the pain?

On 7/7/2022 at 11:47 AM, Docker123 said:

A few years ago there a cruise ship which kept breaking down. After about a lot of repair stops, it broke down entirely in Bass Strait. Norwegian Star, 2017.

 

A/Some very large tugs we’re sent to tow it back to Melbourne.

 

I don’t know whose tugs, but there are some around the coast which can be deployed.

 

It did take 24 hours before the ocean-going tug reached us, though.  Yes, I was on board.  Both azipods stopped working.  The ship was "dead in the water".  It had been hobbling around the world on one azipod but NCL wouldn't cancel any cruises so that the ship could be repaired in Singapore.  The German engineers were still on board in Melbourne, so finally and properly fixed there.  

Nevertheless, for those who know Bass Strait, the situation could have ended in disaster!  Fortunately it was warm and sunny, and the sea calm and smooth.  NCL opened the bar to all on board!

On 5/31/2022 at 11:23 PM, chocchic said:

Elgin we Would love to do same.  Did a number of small group excursions on Mediterranean Cruise a few years ago and they all worked out great.  I haven't done much research at all but suddenly got an email from Oceania that it was time to book with them - I'm really resisting that idea.  Have you any thoughts on which ports you would like to do small groups?  Things you definitely want to do or see?

Have you also posted in your Roll  Call?  Most people wanting to share excursions will post on the Roll Call for their sailing.  You might get some general information here from locals, if that is what you are after.  Enjoy your cruise.

58 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I have cruised on most of the brands, and twice on Jewel.  Remember it is having a multi million dollar refit.  I prefer NCL to Princess, mainly because there is no variation to Princess ships.  Which is a plus for many cruisers.  Jewel used to be Star Ship Leo.  It is smaller than the average mass market ships and has a really nice layout.  Lots of terraces aft, going down several decks.  My friend and I were in an inside cabin on B2B cruises, but had a fantastic time.  Usually I would prefer ocean view or balcony.

 

NCL Jewel is a well-loved ship, which is why NCL hasn't sold it off.  Very popular due to the layout.

Ignore everything.  I had the wrong ship - it is Norwegian Spirit that I was talking about in my post.  Too late to edit and delete.

I have been on Jewel twice though, and enjoyed the NCL experience.  Liked the ship.  Ocean view cabin on the same deck as the sports bar/casual restaurant. Great to pop along to for a drink at any hour.

On 7/8/2022 at 8:30 PM, subaru94 said:

We have cruised P&O Australia, Princess, Cunard, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, there is a cruise on Norwegian Jewel, never been with this cruise line, thoughts from people who have been on Norwegian vs. Princess cruise line.  It will be a 26 night cruise from Seattle to Japan.

I have cruised on most of the brands, and twice on Jewel.  Remember it is having a multi million dollar refit.  I prefer NCL to Princess, mainly because there is no variation to Princess ships.  Which is a plus for many cruisers.  Jewel used to be Star Ship Leo.  It is smaller than the average mass market ships and has a really nice layout.  Lots of terraces aft, going down several decks.  My friend and I were in an inside cabin on B2B cruises, but had a fantastic time.  Usually I would prefer ocean view or balcony.

NCL Jewel is a well-loved ship, which is why NCL hasn't sold it off.  Very popular due to the layout.

18 minutes ago, Pirokp2 said:

I have read through this thread and I am interested in finding out the answer too.  I am about ready to book the Feb 2023 transatlantic, and the final confirmation page says "FLASH OBC - $1000 Shore Excursion Credit".  But when I got back to the main homepage and read all the terms and conditions, it just says onboard credit.  I am very confused.  

 

I will try to reach out to my travel agent tomorrow to see if we can get an answer.  There is no way we can spend $1000 for one port stop (Bermuda) on a transatlantic.  

That is certainly odd. If the T&Cs say OBC, hopefully that is what it actually is.

15 hours ago, turtlemichael said:

No wonder you want to change! I'm getting ready for a discussion of how they get us home from Fort Lauderdale. Business class is included. We should know shortly.

Post here so I will be prepared for next year from FLL - PER.  I prefer Qatar, although Qantas is good for that route.