newlondon

MrsWaldo, You should jump on this. Neither Regent or Oceania offer this anymore even though it was immenseley popular. We went to the Namib desert in the daytime and would have given our firstborn for the dinner experience. A Must.

Well excuse me suite travels, I can't afford 32 days at super luxury lodges with my own 4x4. DW and I had a super time at Kapama Lodge and not for a minute did we feel it was overpriced. I also read TC's discussion of her I believe pre-cruise safari. My memory is that she loved it and I don't recall a complaint that it was overpriced. TC, just my memory; you may have felt differently.

If you can afford 32 days you SHOULD see all of the big 5. In 4 days many do not see leopards. We are in the less fortunate group that watches their pennies and so are thrilled to have done all we wanted.

Lynsy, Tipping as TC will tell you is a sensitive issue. Some, such as our selves, feel it is important to show appreciation under most circumstances. Others, such as TC, feel the tips are included so nothing is necessary.

I tell you this so you understand our preference, we almost always tip generously. I know nothing about the safari you are taking, but we spent 4 days at Kapama Lodge after an O cruise. We saw all of the big 5 and our guide and tracker were terrific. We tipped the guide $100 per day and the tracker $50. That may be above your comfort zone but, ioo it was money well spent.

Swelldame, You fill out a form enumerating each item and total it up. I will always love you for a term I have never heard before "boulder-holders"

Huzzah!!!!!!!

Thanks, Bill. Does look a long way from town. If you stay please post a review.

OK Gilly and Swansong, Details please. Us Yanks have never heard of it.

Suite Travels, Thanks for the uncalled for insult. Any financial decision is an individual choice and the evaluation is on a net dollar and cents basis. I am way ahead of the game and do not need to be told that I am crazy.

Spend many dollars on insurance, make up many more by not doing so.

I agree that the op is highly unlikely to receive relief from RSSC. I was scheduled for a 3 week trip from Barcelona to the Baltic, 3 years ago, and discovered much to my surprise I needed a kidney removal (cancer) and a quadruple bypass. Needless to say I had to cancel and got no relief. I am not upset, these things happen, and I still refuse to pay for insurance. Over our 35 year travel career since the kids left home we are WAY ahead of the game self insuring.

You are correct Poss. I haven't researched it yet because we don't know what day we will be flying in. I want to use my AA miles to buy FC and you sometimes have to be flexible as to date.

Unfortunately points are Marriott and the location of JWM just doesn't suit.

Bill, I don't blame you for being frustrated by the upper suite passengers taking all the extra reservations. I will say when we had an owners suite on Nautica it was terrific to use the specialties every night, but I never considered the implications. MDR was excellent so we should have been more condsiderate.

Thanks Bill, 25 min seems excessive and I didn't like your comment "distant view" I think the Bauer or Londra Palace suit us better.

Bill

Bill, Please comment on the JW Marriott. We have a large inventory of Marriott points and could combine them with the Regent free night. We are concerned with the location and its accessibility. Also are there good views and a decent restaurant.

It might be easier to e-mail (wsloandotnl@gmail.com) Dot is the point not the word.

Mick, I'm so glad to find someone as fumble fingered on matters tech as I am.

If we ever cruise together I commit to buying you a drink.

Bill

Wendy, PG was our first and we always think fondly of it with one exception; the almost total lack of shade on the pool deck. Very tough in the South Pacific.

Wow, Something about Crystal is not perfect. My impression from reading posts on this board from Crystal loyalists is the line could do no wrong despite small cabins and restricted dining. Seems there is a chink in the armor.

Jackie, Absolutely agree with you about the size of the suites on Nautica; but, we negotiated a discounted upgrade to an owners suite. Definitely not too small. Knowing some of the suites you stay in, you have posted them, you certainly could afford to sail that way. You may not choose to but that is a different story

TC, I respectfully disagree that decor is not important. Imo it is a major input as to why one likes or dislikes a hotel, resort or ship. We loved the decor of Nautica, particularly the hall where evening string quartets were played. An attractive staircase with a beautiful sky light.

DW and I always research hotels to see what the ambiance is as we stay more than one night and the environment is important.

Ship cabins may be slightly less important as the size limits choices, but differences are still apparent.

We agree, the pictures of Explorer are not what we would choose, but we will still sail when we find an itinerary we like.

Huzzah for the cheese trolley!!

Cruzilove, These answers are going to be the overwhelming reasons why travelers choose Regent over Crystal. Hopefully for you Keith1010 will post and give you the other side.

Food is subjective. From all I've heard, however, the lectures and enhancements on Crystal are superior. Be aware as well the atmosphere on Crystal is more formal; that may or may not appeal.

Actually our Venice/Rome cruise next Oct. went down 2500 pp, not fare but increase in early booking bonus.

Joanandjoe, wsloan.nl at gmail.com

Excellent summary John. In my previous life I followed the cruise industry and your points are well taken. Mr. Del Rio also has a good point in that substantial cash flow is needed to pay for new builds. As the industry started to truly ramp up during the first decade of the 21st century Carnival, as an example, was able to pay for new ships in 3+ years. Probably not true now, although I suspect, don't know, higher price point lines still generate superior cash characteristics.

As I am sure you are aware most ships are registered in tax friendly environments which makes that part of EBITDA less important. The non-cash charges to earnings of course are the key to paying for ongoing building programs. Knowing that Crystal is an Asian based co. it certainly helps to explain their expansion program.

Hi Joanandjoe, As I said on the other thread we are doing the full Venice to Rome, hope you will too. Our repeats will be some of the early ports-not all, and Rome. So many other bucket list stops we couldn't resist. We intend to do several private tours to save wear and tear; not pennies.

Hi Pam, I was referring to tours arranged by my TA. Regent also has private tours but I don't know much about them, I think they are the executive car options.

I do know that in Europe, unfortunately, they are much more expensive than say, in SA. Availability is also an issue.We are already working on our choices for 10/17.

Hope that helps!