PaulMCO

@TLCOhio  used to be the brand President of Azamara.... so CS was important before they jettisoned it. 

The question -- being in the Industry for such a long time -- generally people do not leave.  When you go to a competitor, you immediately leave -- the question is where will she pop up???

My guess Explora Journeys ???

Hotels -- depend on your cost points

Favorites with 30 plus years traveling to Tokyo in order (not including the Imperial and 4 Seasons which are my favorites and are $$$$)

Tokyo Station (think you can still book it via Hyatt if you are a Hyatt member)

ANA Intercontinental in a quiet area near the Embassy -- this was my corporate hotel as it was near our office

Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku (the Park Hyatt is now closed for Renovations until late 2025)

Hilton Tokyo - good hotel at a reasonable in Shinjuku -- just stayed there on a Regent Japan pre-cruise.  If you are gold or higher, rate includes breakfast

Tour guides -- Can recommend Patrick L at Tours by Locals.  He is an ex-pat that speaks Japanese fluently and gives a different perspective to a native. We have found many of the older native guides very regimented and scripted with flip charts and other visual aids. 

Also at Tours by local -- Eiichi M (Eddy). 

10 hours ago, frantic36 said:

 

 

I read the blog for Ducie and it stated they tried to go ashore but the swell was too strong so they did the zodiac tour. Experienced sailors know you can't guarantee a landing if there is a problem with swell or weather. At least the snorkelers and divers got a good experience and hopefully some on the zodiac trips.

 

I am on the 28/29 May Sailing so I have a vested interest in following the blog. I am hoping to snorkel but am sadly no longer a strong swimmer and had a scare a few years ago snorkelling so if we can't land I will just have to enjoy the zodiac trips and the ship. I'm glad to follow the blog as it helps with managing expectations.

Source is a passenger reporting on FB.

Read same.  Swell was Pitcarin.  Low tides was the other two as they could not find an acceptable landing spot through the reef.   Now swell is unpredictable.  Low tide -- come on...  This is first time for Seabourn.  I hope they learn from this, as we are booked for same all the way to the Solomons for 2025.

On 4/8/2024 at 1:03 PM, Nops said:

There is a blog of the current Pursuit South Pacific Cruise on the Seabourn website. Many diving pictures in the Pitcairn Islands.

Yes but many passengers were not happy as they were NOT able to make land on Pitcarin, Ducie or Henderson. 

Most Regent ships (except Grandeur) do not yet have Star Link -- so you are stuck with the high orbit legacy EMC Networks/MTN satellites with high ping times and limited bandwidth.  They had a long term contract with EMC so Starlink is not scheduled until the end of 2024, according to the Future Cruise consultant. 

Before you log in you might want to talk with the Internet Manager -- sometimes they will give you the extra logins complementary.

@UUNetBill is correct about turning off your VPN to reconnect.  Same with doing the end of cruise survey. 

Do not purchase the steaming package if you have a VPN.  With a VPN you override their site blocking algorithm as it is IP based, so you are wasting money.

Just now, mwike said:

We are visiting in 2025 also.  The ship spends two nights in Kobe.  Based on research both here on CC and otherwise, we plan on staying one night at a hotel in Kyoto instead of sleeping on the ship in order to maximize our time in Kyoto.  I know not really excursion related but something for you to consider.

Just a note.  Sometimes the tides and winds can make docking an issue.  We missed one day in Kobe this March 18th cruise.

The only issues were that many that were coded moderate were actually strenuous.

And there were some errors -- like restaurant had steep stairs  - but in reality yes but also had an elevator.

1 hour ago, Scout16 said:

I noticed in the press release that the two ships are going to Oceania.  I believe that both the size and the passenger size are within their standard sizes. 

actually not -- larger also

Building on its last Allura-class ship in 2025, Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000gt vessels with capacity for 1,400 passengers each in 2027 and 2029.

Sisters Vista and 2025's Allura are currently Oceania's largest ships, measuring 67,000gt with capacity for 1,200 passengers.

Real Luxury -- either of the 4 Seasons properties near the Imperial Palace.

I also like the Tokyo Station Hotel -- iconic near part of the old station property.  Good location for all site seeing and transport

2 hours ago, mj_holiday said:

After lunch, we left the ship to take the shuttle that’s offered. The shuttle took us to the railroad station of Shimizu. We walked around some of the area and decided it was time to stop someplace for refreshments.  We then realized most of the establishments closed at 2 PM. We found a small little coffee house that was open and went in.  I asked about getting two beers holding up two fingers.  The server acknowledged and asked if we wanted two glasses and I said yes. I’m glad she didn’t understand that I wanted two beers. She served up two glasses and a half liter bottle of beer. That was a good size to share.  She also brought some small packages of snacks. And a bowl to put them in and some handy wipes. It was a nice break. As we left,  outside was the biggest dog I’ve seen and he seemed friendly but I wasn’t taking any chances.
We headed back to the shuttle and took the shuttle back to the ship.  
We again had a lovely dinner in Compass Rose with our server Yuli, and Brad had his second lobster tail of the cruise. 

If you want to sit at the best table/waitress in Compass Rose -- ask for Table 4 and Joan..  Tell her Mr. Paul and Mama Mindy said hello  🙂

@BWIVince  welcome back...  Which cruise are you doing in two plus months??

I received the survey twice and answered differently.   First that it made a difference and would not cruise Crystal without one.  It was more in depth than if you went through the other forks.  Likely they are doing an RFP or are evaluating an RFP and doing a cost/benefit analysis.

Just off Regent, and Encore had a casino that was very compact.  They had enough tables to handle Black Jack, poker, dice, plus two rows of slots.  Generally crowded, as there was a large group of Taiwanese who felt at home there  🙂

On 1/13/2024 at 10:29 AM, Roland4 said:

To the best of my knowledge, and I stand to be corrected, Crystal is the only line that does not require payment at the time of booking for shore excursions. And before someone jumps in here, I am NOT including the "no cost" excursions that some lines offer. 

I will jump...

SS does not require payment for its premium (added cost) excursions.  They are posted to your account once on board.

Seabourn does require prepayment, but will refund (without cancelling) those cruises against both non refundable and refundable OBC. 

43 minutes ago, briar14 said:

@PaulMCO, Boarding on Monday for 30 days. What are issues with Destination Services and excursions? Thanks.

There is a whole thread about their excursions...  My post #43 explains my feelings.

Currently on Explorer.  The decor is very subjective, but agree it has an "old" dark feel compared to Splendor, which is light and airy. Ship is well maintained.

Staff is great, food has been good and consistent-- only exception has been Chartreuse, where the food and service disappoints. Even Sete Mare which we did not like on Splendor has been excellent.  Love Compass Rose, only Crystal does this better.  Much better than SS or Seabourn.

Room is OK, we are in a PH on deck 8.  Bed is comfortable, lots of closet space, supersized shower (no tub).  Room attendant has been super.  Butler has been mehh.

Biggest issue is destination services and the excursions, this is an issue for both Regent and Oceania and it is a driven corporate issue.

We did the pre-cruise, Vibrant Tokyo.  Was very well organized, which is amazing for the contractor (Destinations Asia), handling 11 buses and 300 passengers so well.

Time to see Shanghai.. We were first here in 1980.

Just now, travelberlin said:

I have to wonder about those suspicious of fraudulent claims. We are talking about Crystal cruisers who I didn’t consider to be deceiving or wanting to be fraudulent. I don’t believe that those rejections to claims are caused by fraudulent past cruisers.
 

I think that there is something else going on (i.e credit cards or insurances paying after the claim was submitted and this information not being properly processed). I also think that Moecker is making some mistakes while verifying the claims and taking unnecessary time for those payments. Not intentionally probably, but still there are clients waiting to receive the checks or transfers without being fraudulent.

 

For the record, we are not fraudulent and have not received any payment from the credit card company or travel insurance after my husband submitted the claim and despite this, are still waiting for the transfer from Moecker despite notification that this would happen. 

 

but your claim, if greater than the allowed amount of $4,450, still must go through the court so it is segmented to X payment priority, and X payment as unsecured.

Would not recommend the Hilton, if doing it on your own -- many better places in Tokyo.  Imagine 900 rooms including groups from Regent and Oceania descending for breakfast to catch their 9:30am tour, you will find a line that extends to the concierge desk. We did it only because of the included pre cruise

If doing it on your own, stay near the palace -- 4 seasons, or less costly Tokyo Station which is my favorite.  Quirky design, in the heart of Tokyo near the palace, transportation hub of the station.

If you want a quiet part of Tokyo, the Intercontinental was my business choice because it is in the Embassy district, not far from American Embassy.

On 3/22/2024 at 10:47 AM, wcsdkqh said:

Not sure why anyone would think the on board staff of 3 or 4 would be able to answer these sorts of very specific questions on each excursion when there are  literally hundreds of ports with many hundreds of excursions. I suspect more times than not all they have are the same descriptions that are available to everyone. IMHO.

Because on other cruise lines -- like SS, Crystal and Seabourn, the destination staff have gone on many of these or sends minders (from other departments) who go on these tours and provide a detailed report, unlike Regent or Oceania.  Our last cruise on SS we had the destination manager on our tour, because she had not done this particular one and wanted to evaluate it.

Regent seems to have lots of outdated information in their excursions (example was our Caribbean/Amazon cruise), where we were supposed to visit a butterfly zoo, which was destroyed 3 years earlier by a hurricane.

Our current cruise on Explorer most of the Japan ports, have changes to strenuous levels from 2 to 3 and lots of notes as to number of steps.  One tour we did in Koichi, was a 2 and forgot to mention the 50 steps without handrail to visit the temple.  Another warned of steep ladder stairs for the temple and same for the restaurant.  Yet you need not go to the top of the temple, and the restaurant had steep stairs (not a ladder), but also had an Elevator.

Late changes to levels are particularly bad with Regent, since everything is wait-listed -- so if you want a less stressful tour you are out of luck, if if you try to change on the afternoon of boarding.

21 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on the ranking although they do have some nice things on some of their ships and we enjoyed our cruise on Explorer back in November although there were some things that needed a little coaching before they got them right - but to their credit they listened and did act to fix them 

 

I’d put a big caveat on that assessment as well as they have a variety of ships with a variety of features available on them 

 

Glad you like things like the Block Party - not our idea of fun but thankfully it is entirely optional 

 

Let me assure you they host TAs on their ships all the time - not sure if they’ve joined in the influencer strategy though

 

For us Regent is #3 or 4 on our list - which is entirely subjective - and they’re perfectly acceptable for us to cruise with again but not as attractive as a package for us as Crystal

& Explora 

 

 

For us it is still about itinerary more than anything.  Some lines are better than others and with more ships, likely we’ll find something we like on Seabourn, Regent, SS rather than Crystal or Explora.  But it’s nice to have choices and you can see we are spread among them all for 2024 and 2025. 

Then again, I am currently on Regent, and Regent beats them both.

 Newer ships, no TAs or bloggers, a culture of yes we can, French milled bread, a decent complementary wine list, varying menus ( even the Italian specialty varies), great Illy coffee, good enrichment speakers, caviar Sundays, brunches, and stateroom block parties, 
 

Only negative has been the included excursions and most cruise lines have issues here. 
 

Next sailing is Crystal in June. 

9 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

IMO - there's been much more to this than many suspected.  Lots of suspected cases of fraudulent claims that need to be tracked down.

 

 

You have to remember the tight deadline they gave consumers.  Most of the insurance, and credit cards claims were not settled by the time the deadline was reached.  Therefore there are thousands of duplicate claims that had to get settled.  We had 4 claims two were later settled by cc and insurance and two were not.  That still generated 4 motions to the court.   Two denying, one partial approval and one fully being insecured.  We received our check.  
 

The only question is what happens to cruises with FMC bond protection, which will be answered after all money is dispersed.  
 

Of course the longer these lawyers continue the process the more fees they earn.  

They are stating you will get $4,450 as a priority 1, payment.  That us the maximum anyone will get under Florida law.  What is left (unsecured) will likely be pennies on the dollar.

Interesting that they are still going through claims and making filings with the court and that all priority 1 claims have not yet been reviewed.

21 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

I posted the same thought (with fewer details) on the Crystal Society Facebook page and had a response from Cristina Levis (or an underling posting under her name) that those points aren't the case, but nothing about what is the case!!

 

Patty

That may be the current HQ response, but that was the exact excuse that Crystal made for not restoring the old area as a casino by the former leader Mr. Jack.

Another issue is of course finding a company to run a Casino operation.  I have not seen anything in the trades that announces an award.  Plus it is not so simple to plop a table and slot machines on the floor.  There is the space, electrical, cooling, and most important surveillance and a small room for monitoring the gaming.  This was ripped out when Genting (or their creditors) cleaned out the old casinos.

Maybe Explora Journeys will hire her. They could use some marketing and they could pay her overpriced salary by not giving away free cruises to those annoying bloggers and travel agents.  

Casino or no casino.  Just received this survey.  My impression is that Crystal is still undecided as whether they will install casinos. 
 

specific to this are questions

Does having a casino influence your desire to cruise Crystal. 
 

If a casino was available would you cruise Crystal.  

How much would you use a casino

look for this in your email.