KenzSailing

No delay at all. It's my land lubber understanding that cruise ships pay a premium for a fairly specific slot, while cargo ships are more flexible(those Ralph Lauren knock-off polos can wait a few days.) We've been thru three times before, overall transit time was per the usual. Our canal guide (not that great, BTW) said the cargo pre-entry wait time was up to six days. But I wouldn't rely on that. Any way, we had smooth sailing.

The following is not meant to be, nor imply, a comparison of any sort: Just back from 16 nights on the brand-spanking-new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur, MIA-LA via the Canal(duh). We had a fabulous time. As the cliche goes: "gotta go home to rest up."

Ooops, sorry, meant to post the above to the off-topic thread. Didn't intend to step on someone else's topic.

We're signed up for this class on the 12/21 sailing. I know that Regent uses induction cooktops however, given that true wok cooking involves high heat and oil, I'm not expecting us to do a whole lot of wokery. Still, should be fun.

Tomorrow we depart for Miami, to do the obvious. Just finished packing. It's been literally years since we've packed for anything more involved than five nights in NYC. Man, that was a lousy several hours.

Has SF completely abandoned use of the old, and I do mean old, terminal?

Hey, my apron was clean! 😁

I am sorry, but things came up. I know you would have loved my "should you whisk in a figure eight or a circular motion" lecture. Followed by my "fold clockwise or counter clockwise" talk. That one is always lively!

I appreciate that, but we're quite the opposite. We're looking forward to being filled with surprise, wonder, and awe. (The Oxford comma lives on!)

I never sullied it. I'd just get on the elevator with a lit one dangling from my lip. Always sparked conversation. I'm kidding, sheesh. Totally unrelatedly: enough is enough. Texas is on our no-go list.

Well, yes and no. I started following a lot of these folks during The Unfortunate Hiatus while I was trying to sort out alternatives. I watched a lot of videos from one couple. Their differentiator was really high quality video, well edited. It was especially good at the food porn. I watched as they climbed the influencer tree to better and better comps, all the while making the very infrequent "that course was a bit off" comment. Everything else on their cruises was perfect. I no longer follow them.

A little tidbit from the referenced article: The Port of Los Angeles was adding infrastructure for shore power as far back as 2014, and information on the port’s website indicates it was used on at least 90% of cruise ship and container vessel visits between January and August of this year. So port of LA started implementing shore power almost 10 years ago, and 90% of cruise ships and container vessels using the port this year were able to integrate it. But Regent got caught unawares when planning and building a ship they launched less than a month ago. Uh-huh.

Oh, that is so arch I'm envious. Aren't you on GR 12/21? Let's have a drink, I like your roll.

I dunno know, that looks like watermelon to me.(Patty will get that joke.)

Interesting topic. Irony is, I just posted about this same subject, different cruise line, on the Regent board. Feel free to check it out, just make sure you've popped plenty of popcorn.

Alright, here comes a rant(if you're not in the mood for that, which is understandable, please just scroll on:) We're on this cruise, first time on Regent. We are folks who save and save and save to go on a luxury cruise. With all that's gone on in the world we haven't done so for five years now. We picked Regent for their reputation, this great itinerary and the allure of a shiny new ship(despite my misgivings about a new ship rollout, hoo boy, should have listened to that inner voice of caution.) I understand that things happen and do try to be flexible. We were prepared for cabin doors creaking, drawers not closing, all of that fine tuning stuff. But be clear on what Regent told us this was all about: They let a newbuild, designed to take on shoreside electrical power, leave the dockyard unfinished.(And oh yeah, they were so happy with how things were going they tacked on a cruise before the first announced cruise.) And they're going to sail it to Miami, where the grand proceedings can't be interrupted. So that leave us MIA-LA pax to be the ox that gets gored. Too bad, so sad. An OBC on an AI cruise? Yippee. 20% FCC within two years? Outside of our budget to be useful. Same for the additional discounts on slow sellers in 2024. Go on, let me have it. You can't do worse to us than Regent already has.

We're booked on this cruise, first time on Regent. Yes, we've lost several ports, and get to spend our last night at the pier in scenic San Pedro. The email we got from Regent: Dear Valued Guest and Travel Partner, We hope you are looking forward to your upcoming sailing on board Seven Seas Grandeur. Our company is committed to driving a positive impact on society and the environment. As part of our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, we are continually seeking opportunities to reduce our footprint in support of our commitment to pursue net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of this effort, we are in the final stages of commissioning shore power technology on Seven Seas Grandeur. This important and innovative sustainability initiative will provide the infrastructure for Seven Seas Grandeur to connect to an onshore electrical power grid to supply much of the power needed while docked. Plugging into shoreside electricity allows the ship’s engines to be switched off, eliminating nearly all emissions while in-port. To facilitate this, we will be modifying your upcoming cruise by replacing the calls to Acapulco, Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Ensenada, Mexico with Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, an overnight in Los Angeles, California and an additional day at sea. The modified portion of the itinerary is below. DATE PORT ARRIVAL DEPARTURE 30-Dec-2023 Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala 7:00AM 5:00PM 31-Dec-2023 At Sea -- -- 1-Jan-2024 At Sea -- -- 2-Jan-2024 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 7:00AM 5:00PM 3-Jan-2024 At Sea -- -- 4-Jan-2024 At Sea -- -- 5-Jan-2024 Los Angeles, California 7:00AM -- 6-Jan-2024 Los Angeles, California -- Disembarkation RSSC.com will be updated shortly to reflect the updated itinerary. A separate communication will be sent once shore excursions in the new ports are available to reserve online. Thank you for your understanding and support on this important sustainability initiative, and as a token of our appreciation, we will provide guests with $500 shipboard credit per suite. Should you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Reservation Department at the phone numbers below. We look forward to welcoming you onboard very soon. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises Reservations Phone Numbers: • United States / Canada: 1.844.4REGENT (1.844.473.4368) or (954) 776-6123 • United Kingdom: 023 8082 1390 • Rest of Europe: +44 23 8082 1350 • Australia / New Zealand / Asia Pacific: 1.300.455.200 • Latin America / Brazil: 0800 400-3132 or +1 (954) 940-7486 Please note that this email address does not accept replies.

The only time I ever noticed the carpeting on Crystal was one morning waking up at eye level with the carpet after a night spent too long at the Avenue. OTOH, the pile(carpet, not me, although that applies) was very plush.

Recipe please? Maybe on the off topic entry. Lamb(cooking it) intimidates the heck out of me.

I've been wondering, in terms of the new builds, Crystal management is going to sit down and work on the question "what makes Crystal Crystal?" To put it another way, what features must the new builds absolutely have to remain "Crystal" ships? I'm talking here strictly about physical features(because overall, the answer of course is the crew.) Note, this is not about "what do I want see on the new builds," that's related but a different question. This is a matter of what must be retained to still be recognized as Crystal. My two cents: A broad wrap around promenade(I will confess I thought these were dead in the future. I've changed my mind. Also, this is a good illustration of how this question is different from what we want to see. I'm not so wedded to the promenade, but I think it's essential to the Crystal DNA.) The Bistro: the beating heart of the ship, it has to maintain its central location in terms of the layout(ie, everybody goes to Rick's.) Some flavor of a Nobu joint: its so very popular that it's become essential to the Crystal brand. An expansive dance floor: the hardware component of the Ambassador Hosts program. Thoughts?

More like, I'm past wondering "who thought making people squeeze by a row of bar stools on one side and high tops on the other was a good idea."

For us, it just begins and ends with the fact that we don't like taking long flights to get to/from a cruise vacation. So that now means it's Serenity for us, all other points being moot. Anyway, I made peace with the layout of the Avenue on Serenity long ago.

Oh my, I'll see that and raise you to 7.5 weeks and 38 treatments. Nice to keep seeing the sunset ain't it? Be well pal.

You did, however, give Humphry inspiration for their next ice cream flavor. I hear it's to be released on April 20. 😁

Ok, you asked, so here's a brief recap: Malted milk chocolate: Good, just what it sounds like Peanut butter fudge ripple: What's not to like? Really good Salted caramel cocoa nib: How could you miss with that combo of flavors? But they did. Oddly underdeveloped flavors. Some may call it subtle, I call it...meh Tahitian vanilla: yum! Secret breakfast: The one we haven't tried yet. Bourbon infused with cornflakes! My hopes are high for this one About your shrimp fry, nope I hadn't read that post, sounds like my idea of a good time. Since we're on the theme of "down with turkey", well, I'm sure you're aware of the following classic, but just in case(I could only find it in audio form, well worth your time): https://www.eatthispodcast.com/what-a-bunch-of-turkeys/#t=15