MalbecWine

Thai Airlines and Singapore are absolutely the best for Asian travel in biz or First.  Enjoy your flight and the spa.  The A-380 is phenomenal.

I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts.  We have been to Thailand and different regions use different spices but I for one love spicy.  Thai people are very family oriented and we were referred to a local restaurant in our area while in Phuket.

We tried learning but the prep work can be tedious and I am not fast with knives. 🙁.

Your presentations look beautiful.

18 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

I certainly understand the feelings of those who don't want to visit Cuba due to the govt. etc.  I, on the other hand, want to visit Cuba.  I also grew up in the 60's and clearly remember the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. I lived in San Diego, one of the largest Naval ports in the U.S.  We knew we were "ground zero" for a nuke if the missiles ever started flying.  In college I studied Cuba, the USSR, and Latin American politics.  So I'd like to see what I studied.  

But I wonder.  Many on this board visit Vietnam on cruise.  The current Govt. of Vietnam was a result of the war that we lost and a military that killed over 58,000 U.S. Military, and I was right at the age.  Some wounded or killed were friends of mine. The war in Vietnam fractured our country.   Yet we've been "friends" with Vietnam for many years.  

We were in a Cold War with the USSR since the end of WW II.  That finally came to an end in 1991 or so.  I've visited St. Petersburg, and I know many here have also.  How many Americans died during the Cold War?  

China has been one of the worst regimes in history.  How many here have visited China on cruises?

So, my point is simple.  Castro was an evil dictator.  But this has been going on over 60 years.  If you don't want to visit Cuba, I certainly respect that.  But for the U.S. Govt. to tell us we, as free Americans, can't visit Cuba and they cite Cuba's support for Venezuela as part of the reason is absurd.  Putin has flown over a hundred Russian troops to Venezuela to bolster the rule of Madera.  Why doesn't out Govt. also ban travel to Russia?  

Anyway, I hope saner minds prevail.  The best way to get rid of Communism and Socialism like in Cuba is to expose the people to the benefits of our system and show them what they can have.  Depriving Cuba of tourism deprives the Cuban people, not the Cuban govt.  

Just my Humble Opinion. 

Perfectly said.  Thank you.

As a person who was born in Miami, I grew up with many  Cubans and learned fluent Spanish among French and German.  Castro and the US were at odds causing the Cuban Missle Crisis.    JFK was our president then. People left when Batista was the former leader knowing that Castro was dangerous.  Cuba at one time was a weathly County and had one of the best Universities in the world.  My grandparents use to fly the Pan Am clipplers out of Dinner Key to HAV for short hoildays.  They told me fabulous stories of their visits.   We have many people in our government who are  Cuban decent...Marco Rubiio comes to mind and many others.  We have our own Gloria Estphan who is a top singer and a proud Cuban.

As RallyDave said,  its where the ship is registered.  Any line can have an office in   any US state or elsewhere in the world.

Ok, the comment about drills, I went through the same thing at that time and we were less then 100 miles away.  I do not suffer from PTS.  I have long forgotten  about it and so have millions of us.  Without Cubans, Miami would be half the size it is now and less prosperous.  Cubans are professionals on all levels.  My Doctor is Cuban and is part of MDVIP (Concierge Doctor).

I hope this is resolved soon.  Our own government has been in chaos for two years with other countries. So time will tell.  I for one want to step foot on Cuban. soil and see the island.

For ourselves we definitely want to go to Cuba like Canadians and Europeans who have traveled there for years.   I hope this is resolved soon and let Americans in as many of us want to go.  Yes, Regent was the first and many lines followed.  Very disappointed in this government decision.  JMHO.

55 minutes ago, forgap said:

We went to Cuba n a “people to people” land trip and loved everything we were able to do.   This type of tour gets you up close and personal with the Cuban people which, I guess, is the whole point.  What a disappointment to curb tourism from the US.  

Well, you know who to blame for that.  Sad, as the Cuban people are lovely and so much  history.

5 hours ago, boblerm said:

Any recommendations on consolidators or hints as to how to use them?

(Or is it a no-no to ask about this as it is about travel agents?😨)

Some consolidators are in house TA’s and some are not.   Ours is not but not  sure about this on CC with their rules.  You can google ticket consolidators and start  looking around.  Ours was a reference and we have used for fifteen years.

32 minutes ago, DavidTheWonderer said:

I've sometimes mused that Regent hires a person or two to impersonate nasty passengers.  Almost every cruise seems to have one of these hired shills. This gives the real passengers endless entertainment as they gossip to their friends about the antics of the actors.

David, on all luxury lines you will find a few who complain about something silly.  I don’t believe they are shills.  Just cranky people in their normal life as well.  On our cruises we just avoid them and will have no impact on us as well.

So I am gathering that TC is going to try Crystal?  Am I missing the message?

2 minutes ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Okay - I get it now.  In my opinion nothing is perfect - not even Regent cruises. 

The only thing that is perfect is when we all wake up in the morning.  A day above the ground is a blessing.

Your husband wrote the review and it appeares that not all was perfect.  It was a well balanced review however.

Looking at this review it was not six stars.  The review was well written and objective.

3 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

 Your right, but really even though a lot of men don't wear tux's on a formal--I think most of us do wear nice dress slacks and pressed shirt, maybe not a dress shirt, but a very nice dressy shirt.  Although I don't like formal nights Ik not going to be a mess.

And I won't interfere with those in formal wear because I don't attend the Captain's party.

I’m sure you both will look smartly dressed.

8 minutes ago, sassyw said:

Chuck Burns is an insurance agent and he gives you the options available to you. He assesses your age and other variables and offers you companies that are suitable for each cruise you take. So far we have used him 3 times and a different company was the option with each. We have checked his rates against Insure My Trip and others and his are always in the same ballpark or a little less.

One of our cruises had to be cancelled because of gallbladder surgery 2 weeks prior. We got everything back.

We just returned from a Seabourn cruise of 28 days (Hong Kong to Hong Kong) and my husband developed an infection from a cut he sustained bumping into a pool chair. He is a retired physician and neglected to put antibiotic ointment on it!! He had to have IV antibiotics and saw the ship's physician 8 times. Also an Ultrasound at a medical facility in Singapore to rule out a blood clot as his leg was so swollen.

Just got notice that they are paying all the charges (including the taxi to the facility in Singapore) Costs were almost $3000!

Chuck and his team are always by your side.  We have trusted him for many years.  If one wants to under/ Self Insure their travels the onus is on you.  If something happens and you don’t have insurance, you have no recourse you are out the money.

On 3/15/2019 at 11:07 AM, Travelcat2 said:

The one thing this thread is doing is giving me new online shopping places to check out  Our TA and many of their female clients shop at Chico's - lots of mix and match pieces.  

 

Remember that the majority of men (and perhaps women too) do not dress formally on "Formal Optional" nights.  People that enjoy dressing formally do so while the majority of women just wear a fancy blouse (sometimes glittery) with pants or a skirt and the men wear a long sleeved dress shirt and pants (some with jackets - some wear suits).  Then there are passengers that want to dress down as much as the policy permits and will wear polo shirts and chinos or some such thing.  While I understand that the policy permits this, I cannot help but wonder why the shirts and pants could not at least be ironed and neat looking.  After all, there are irons on the ship!

Absolutely correct!  Even guys with wrinkled shirts and dockers can be pressed or ironed.  Does not take long.

2 hours ago, Travelcat2 said:

 

Age is definitely a factor.  Have you checked rates for elderly people?  If/when you do, you may not make statements like you did.  You mention being 100....... well, did you know that many companies won't even insure you if you are over 85 and some companies have a lower age?  And, if they do, it could be the price of a cruise?

 

Also, some credit card companies cover things (not the entire cruise but a substantial amount) - despite your age. In my opinion, IF you have medical insurance for outside of the country, evacuation insurance (much less expensive but still has age limits) would suffice.

I’m, suggesting that age is not a factor.  One can still get insurance of course at a  higher premium.  For instance if you are insuring for example a 100K Cruise and the premium is 5K.  That’s a no brainer to me.  If you take out cruise insurance with any luxury line you are going to pay a very high premium at any age that would include pre existing conditions.  If one wants to lose all their cruise money..so be it.

Your life your family are very important.  When you travel Insure yourself for the cruise and medical evacuations.  If you are worth millions maybe you don’t care and self Insure your trips.  No matter your age or wealth stuff happens on land and at sea.  It’s the risk factor and none of us are Superman or superwoman.

We don’t use cruise air travel with any line.  We arrange it ourselves or air consolidators it must be First or Business.  Our coach days are over with unless we have to fly SW and they are not bad.

We have two land trips and two cruises booked and we are insured by Insure My Trip.  We have been using Chuck Burns for years.  We are not willing to risk over the course of these trips 300k for a few thousand dollars.  Pre-existing are covered.  Self insure but you are taking a big risk.  Age is not a factor.  You can be 21 or 100 and when something happens it’s mostly on you and will not be fully covered by credit card companies.  I have heard horror stories.  Penny wise and pound foolish.

1 hour ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

And you live in South Florida?  I don't wear shorts much any more, but when I'm in Florida, I'm mainly wearing sandals, capris and a t-shirt.  But then I don't live in a big city, but a small resort area.

Back in the day I would wear shorts and look good in a Speedo but now although slim do not like my legs and my butt is not the same.  Where it went I don’t know.🙄

1 hour ago, JMARINER said:

Christmas Cruise around South Africa; your not going to have children nor large family groups to deal with. I have done 4-5 Christmas cruise with Regent over the last 18 years. Rarely any children and then only it the cruise is close to USA like Caribbean or Mexico Rivera. There might be a few small family groups of parents and adult children. Lets face it few people are going to take there kids on a 15+ hour flight from US (Or 9 hours from Europe) down to Cape Town and spend the money for a Regent cruise.  Other comments about the ship decorations, food and activities are similar to what I have observed.

 

Best New year party  ever was on Mariner in Acapulco in 2005. Ship left dock  at 11:00 pm and moved to middle of Acapulco bay. Then at close to mid- night Captain (Jean Marie Guillou) spun the ship continuously so we could see the fireworks launched from the 8-10 bay-side hotels that encircled the bay. Great Deck Party with everyone in Formals and Tuxes and weather was only about 75ish. Holly and Marty Gast were the duo on stage. (Only one 12 yo kid onboard.)

 

J

Fabulous recount of your cruise.  It’s a family holiday for God sakes.  We are so lucky that we have been on most not all cruises with well behaved children.  We always complement the parents for their good behavior.  Luxury’s cruises attract better behaved  children.  We were all one at one time.

 Crisp tailored neat black jeans are not sloppy on a final night when you are packed and suitcases are out for pickup.  Sorry to disagree.  The disembarking guest are going to wear the same clothes for their departure flights.  Even Seabourn the most formal recognizes this on the final night..  

I totally object to shorts and sandals on the last night or any night and won’t even dress like that to the grocery store.  Jeans on the last night and you are traveling in them and your bags are packed for the next morning I find OK.  That is my opinion..

I agree, it’s shameful for what Canadians pay.  I was only trying to help them.  The UK is also different in terms of insurance.  I can only say this company has done well for us in the US.

Our TA will tell us if there is a group onboard or a partial charter so we can make our decision.  We always enquire and also she can get information about how many children’s are expected.  This is a big deciding factor to us.

2 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

In the past I don't think any of our plans have had deductibles.  Oh, maybe you're talking about medical plans? Some small deductible makes sense in that case.

 

In our case, for our world cruise insurance, our deductible will be about $45K 😞  We are looking at it that way, since we really want to do this cruise.  So, after final payment 6 months prior, we will be taking on that liability.  Yes we can afford it, but it would crimp our style, for sure.

Hi Wendy, we have been using this insure my trips with Chuck Burns and his team for years. Here is his site:  https://www.insuremyluxurytravel.com. 

Chuck is personal and will make sure you are well covered.  He uses Berkshire Hathaway as the underwriter.  Of course prices will vary to the length and cost of your cruise but we find him very reasonable compared to others.  Talk to him or any of his associates.  We have been very happy and feel secure.

I hope this helps.

PS:  A quote of 45k is outrageous.