Lonedaddy

you can ask for visa service shows up on invoice as such: Other Items Visa - Australia-Us 59.00 Visa - New Zealand-Us 59.00

The don’t include them we are paying 59 each pp for nz and for Australia and then onboard they process the New Guinea one and charge account. On our cruise to China it 399 pp . You can probably save some by doing it yourself but personally I don’t want the hassle and will let regent do it. I’m surprised your TA didn’t tell you that. I think India is 25 pp if you use Evisa not sure about Dubai. How many people in your group?

I’d love to hear your comparison as we have sailed regent and are trying SS on a Norway cruise next summer!

If it weren’t for some of the inputs here I may have balked on my SS cruise. Hearing from folks that have done both RSSC and SS helped my decision. To that extent SS should really allow Venetian society referral in situations such as this. Perhaps refer to specific posts the were made to be considered a referral. There is definitely a value in that.

Thanks we will be in burnie Melbourne Sydney Brisbane cairns Darwin and some smaller ports. Based on what you are saying we should find something in the big cities.

Great idea. We will be on explorer this Chinese New Year. Did they do anything special at pac rim?

I think after Covid there was a great reset. It isn’t just cruises that are lacking the standards of pre Covid restaurants stores… you name it. Hopefully those that survived will up their game as competition for passengers tends to do that. Unfortunately crystal didn’t make it and I suspect that If it had it wouldn’t have been the same as the old crystal. we did our first cruise on regent this past May and i enjoyed it, and while some of the more seasoned regent travelers said it wasn’t as good a precovid, many were just glad to be on a beautiful ship and still good service. I’m going to try SS next May and while there may be some issues I’m sure it will be an overall great time. We just have to make the best hand out of the cards dealt.

What ports/shops are good to buy duty free opal jewelry at?

Our ship excursion was to end a 1pm but I booked the behind the scenes koala experience at 1 and was able to pre book a car back to the port for 90 usd.

How does the ship to shore phone work. I see we are allowed some free call time. Is it from the room or do you have to go to the reception desk?

Thank goodness I thought I drank it all in May!

Butler arranged reservation at prime 7 for DW bday. They made a really nice cake for her.

Crowder castle and urqhardt was also wonderful. A more modern castle and an old ruined one on Loch Ness was quite a contrast. Crowder castle garden was beautiful.

One can hope - internet on regent certainly isn't a 5-star experience currently.

Has anyone else tried changing the land program to a most costly one and what was the difference?

Yes that is what we told them it should be 4299-1199 or 3100 less the 5% PH discount or 2945 pp total. Perhaps the regent agent doesn't know how to do that in the system. Our TA is trying to find another RSSC agent that might be able to understand this.

I was looking into the Copenhagen Card - looks like it is good for all rail to Roskilde and Fredrickborg as well as admission to them most attractions in the city, boat tours and the busses and subway. Like like a good deal.

Good to know I live in Belize most of the year so have good diving here - a lot better than Texas -LOL

On some of the shore-ex to the pontoons on the reef they mention scuba along with the submarine as optional activities. How do you sign up for those? Do you just let the activities desk know once you board the ship that you would like to Dive on those excursions?

I followed the link to the roll calls and didn't find one for the May 31 23 silver dawn - but I didn't see a place to start a new topic in there either am I missing something?

We just got back in May from a similar itinerary absolutely loved it and Regent. (1) If you take a Reagent shore excursion, for example to Edinburgh in the morning for 4 hours, can you remain in Edinburgh after the tour is done and wander around the shops and sites? If so, is there a shuttle Regent bus that goes between the tender and Edinburgh (or any other port) to the central part of a city/town on a routinely scheduled basis? There was a shuttle bus from town or you can take a taxi just tell the guide what you are doing. It wasn't too far a walk from the castle and it was downhill It was our first regent tour and it was chaotic and rushed. Definitely stay longer and linge in the castle and town. (2) How does the guide communicate with the group, especially the larger groups? Do they provide headphones, communicate via personal devices, etc.? You can use the regent app on the phone. whether the guide is well versed in the use is another question. (3) What are the advantages of small group tours beyond the obvious that there are fewer people? (4) For the British Isles, are there any ports where a private tour (for us 3 couples) makes a lot more sense than a Regent tour? Splitting the cost of a private guide 3 ways starts to make private tours more competitive, price wise. Hearing the guide is much easier and you don't have to wait so long to get on and off the bus. The private minivan would be a great option for you especially in a place like killybegs (5) for tender ports, who gets priority tendering? Based on cabin class, Regent tour vs private tour, etc. If you book a regent private car you will get off early (6) and lastly, what are a couple of your top do not miss sites in any of the following ports: Edinburg, castle, shops royal yacht britannia Invergordon, urqhardt castle and crower castle was a relaxed tour beautiful sights great guide was one of my favorite ports Kirkwall, the tour to see the neolithic village ruins and the Stonehenge like formations was a nice tour though this would be a great stop for a private car to take you to these places at your own leisure Killybegs, we did the enya pub tour and drive beautiful sights along the atlantic road this also would be a great private ride day as you can customize to what you would like to see and where to stop I looked up the itinerary and didn't see glasgow but dublin instead. In Dublin Book of Kells was crowded but amazing to see. Make sure to spend a few days in Copenhagen check out the copenhagen thread in the ports boards Here is our British isle review on splendor from May this past year

pulling my hair out on this one, I guess nobody can do math at regent or AMEX travel: since when is 4299 double 3369? from my TA "I was able to get more info concerning the Kruger land tour. From my contact at Regent: Some sailings, like this one, offer a free land program - either pre or post - these are fixed tours. If the guests do not want that fixed free land program, they can choose an upgraded one (like the Kruger pre-cruise trip we added for them). I then asked if the Kruger/Sabi Sabi tour is normally a higher price than the quoted $3,369.00. Apparently, it is actually more than double this price for the standard tour fare" from regents website PRE-KRUGER AND SABI SABI LITTLE BUSH CAMP 2024-25 Program Includes: *One night at the Intercontinental OR Tambo or similar hotel including breakfast (standard double room) *Two nights at Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp – (Luxury thatched Suite), all meals, game drives & two local beverages during meals *One night at the Victoria And Alfred Hotel or similar – Piazza Facing Room *Transfers and meet and greet *Conservation fee for the Private Game Reserve *Domestic economy class flights from Johannesburg to Skukuza to Cape Town *Luggage shipment of 1 suitcase per person (20 kg/44lbs each) from Johannesburg to Cape Town *Porterage at the hotels or lodges and airports *1 bottle of water per person on all transfers in Johannesburg and Cape Town Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided. Program excludes: *Personal expenses such as telephone calls; curio shop purchases; laundry, hotel incidentals etc. *Additional beverages and meals not mentioned in the itinerary *Visa fees *Gratuities to drivers, luggage porters, tour guides and safari guides *Excess or overweight luggage fees for any flights above what is included Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended. Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests. Price: $4,299 per guest based on double occupancy.

working on that trying to see if they can do an earlier tour if I can get 4 other people to sign up. I can check on the roll call.

I did look at the site they actually have a koala experience behind the scenes with a trainer but it's at 1 pm and that is probably when the bus leaves. Hence wanting to cab it back later looks like a 30 min cab ride

has anyone done this tour? If so do you need to prebook the photo session with the koala? and is the park where you can walk around on your own? It looks like the ship departs at 5pm and this tour ends at 130pm. Can you stay longer and catch a cab back( if available) to the city? HIGHLIGHTS OF BRISBANE & LONE PINE DURATION: 5 HOURS TOUR CODE: BNE-004 Price: FREE HIGHLIGHTS Enjoy a panoramic coach introduction to the capital of Queensland, Australia’s “Sunshine State.” Discover the city’s colorful history, from its earliest days as a penal colony to its wartime years as MacArthur’s South West Pacific HQ, to the go-go years since. Travel outside town to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, first and largest such venue in the world. Interact with over 130 free-ranging koalas and encounter lots of other signature Aussie critters. Consider having your photo taken with a fuzzy koala, as an optional add-on souvenir. SEE LESS DESCRIPTION Be properly introduced to urban Brisbane on a highlights drive, then head outside of town to mingle with the cuddly residents of the world’s largest koala sanctuary. Sit back in your panoramic coach and get a solid glimpse of Queensland’s green, beautiful capital set along the many bends of the Brisbane River – a city renowned for its sunny weather and matching disposition. See the Parliament House, Treasury Building, City Hall and the Old Customs House. Pass the verdant South Bank Parklands with the Wheel of Brisbane slowly spinning above the river, and the vibrant Cultural Precinct – home to museums, galleries and the boldly designed Performing Arts Centre. Outside the city center, you’ll spend self-guided time at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where some 130 koalas roam freely through a compact preserve – marquee attractions of a menagerie that includes kangaroos, wallabies and other trademark Aussie critters from wombats and dingoes to emus, Tasmanian devils and laughing kookaburras. The chance to have your photo taken while cuddling an adorable koala is an additional-cost souvenir of your visit that you may not be able to resist.