frantic36

I have just got of Sojourn for 30 days and was on Quest earlier in the year for 79 days and never smelt fumes from neighbours. They allow vaping but not cigarettes and only in the staterooms not on the balconies. I do agree I do wish they would stop this practice but it hasn't impacted on me. On a side note more impact was due to neighbours allowing their doors to slam shut as they went in and out, enough to make the room shake. Especially frustrating if trying to have an afternoon nap or sleep in and we had our ""We're relaxing" sign out but that seemed to be ignored. It was tempting to do the same when we came home late but we aren't that inconsiderate.

I am a regular on Seabourn and I know OBC is always dependent on special marketing offers at the time of booking. We just completed a Med cruise with Seabourn and we had no OBC offered for that cruise but our next two cruises do. Our Regent cruise next year we have a some OBC due to our travel agent but we booked during a two suite upgrade so we get to enjoy a penthouse for our first cruise. I guess my point is there is always swings and roundabouts with each cruise and cruise line.

We have just completed a cruise on another cruise line that includes Casablanca. Our destination services were very clear that Casablanca port services are very unhelpful when it comes to allowing shuttle buses into the working commercial/cargo port. They said they have asked multiple times when visiting and sometimes had even worse push back so now they accept it and just warn passengers. It is a pity as Casablanca was a fascinating port for us and it is a pity that people who can't do the long walk to the port gates don't get to see it but it is a port decision not any cruise ship.

To my Australian way of thinking that isn't a tip that's a bribe if you pay in advance. I'm onboard at the moment for 30 days and have given money towards the crew fund part way through our cruise to thank all onboard and will do so again at the end. Only once have I tipped our stewardesses and that was because they did me a big favour. When we go into either Club or Obs Bar the bartenders will come over with our standard drinks soon after we arrive and are not phased on the odd occasion if I change my order. I guess no one will say no to extra money but like @2SailingNomads we find engaging with the crew, smiling, asking how they are when they have time to talk and remembering to treat them like humans not servants gets good service. We do tip porters at the terminals because they are not part of Seabourn and especially in America it is expected.

We are visiting Casablanca and Tangier in a few days via a cruise. The decision was made only 2 days ago. The tours to Marrakech have been cancelled.

I do wonder as well if it was the attendant having a prejudice against using tap water. We are on Sojourn currently and Quest earlier this year and have always used tap water to brush our teeth. Also friends who have been on Odyssey recently never mentioned anything different.

My husband and I went to a travel clinic in Australia last year and we are over 60 and the doctor there after discussing possible side effects was fine to give us the yellow fever vaccine. We had no side effects though I understand different people can react differently. I have heard that some people have just used DEET products and ensured they covered up clothing wise, long sleeves etc. They also had a letter from their doctor indicating an exemption. Maybe go that way or consult a different doctor if your wife would prefer getting the vaccine.

Someone posted about the Celebrity Suite level and their Sommeliers there on Seabourn board recently wondering why not the same level of service on Seabourn. I wondered if it was because the maximum amount of passengers in the Celebrity dining room was 100 pax throughout an evening and also some of those pax may be dining at speciality dining venues at times. Whereas the MDR on Seabourn could have 200 - 300 on Odyssey class ships and well over 400 on Encore class ships. With only 1 Sommelier and 1-2 assistants in the MDR they can't give that same level of discussion for people wanting to discuss included wines. They will try if they have time. They are usually busy with those people buying revenue wine. Though I have found quite a few of the normal waiters had good knowledge of the included wines. Is this the same on Regent?

Thanks for this detail. We haven't done the Norwegian Fiords yet so this will be filed away for the future. Your photos and descriptions are great.

I did apologise for my mistake.

The States have control of their borders not the Federal Government so for Sydney, NSW their policy is this: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/travel/cruising-rules/cruise-factsheet#:~:text=In NSW%2C cruise operators should,over 12 years of age. And this came out just a few hours ago so there may be changes in the future but currently this is a quote "The current situation Currently, the Federal Government has no vaccination mandates for cruises, but NSW, Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland abide by the Eastern Seaboard Protocols. They were based on advice from the CDNA, which falls under the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care." though this may change for the upcoming cruise season. You can read the article here: https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/federal-government-confirms-cruise-vaccination-review/

Oops 😜, my apologies. Cannes is easy to walk around or you can catch the train to Nice. Both Cannes and Nice have interesting markets though Cannes closes earlier around 1pm. There are beaches there both public and private. Public you just have a towel from the ship but the beaches are pebble so you may wish to rent a lounger in the private ones.

Are you getting any time in Barcelona before your cruise and what are planning to do then?

I'm surprised you posted in the France section as you aren't visiting any French ports? Barcelona has so much to see I hope you have allowed yourself a few days at least to see Gaudi's masterpieces and sample the food. The port is a short taxi ride from the main centre. Seek information on the Spain ports of calls for both Barcelona and Palma. As CruiserBruce mentioned Livorno & Civitavecchia are at least an hour from Pisa or Rome. Those and Messina seek information in the Italy Ports of call board as there is a lot there. Valletta is in the other ports of call board with lots of information there especially if you do a search. That you can walk around yourself but research will help with planning your day. There is an elevator near where the ship docks that takes you to the top. It costs 1 Euro but that covers returning back down as well. Try to be awake for the sail in as it is quite lovely.

Thank you everyone for all the details. We will have transfers included in Tokyo but you have now convinced me to organise our own transfer to the port and return to the hotel. I assume it is just a matter of letting the Regent representative know what we are doing and if need be organise for them to take our larger luggage? I am sure it is handled well usually by Regent but I am not a fan of large group transfers.

Cristian is a gem and will go far but we should enjoy him while we can as his family have roots in hospitality. I know he is getting as much experience as he can. He unfortunately cut his hand badly when on Quest and had to leave a bit earlier then planned but the silver lining was they took a few days to organise for him to go home and we saw him a few times out being a visitor in South American ports. With his lovely smile he was lovely to see.

Prior to our Grand Voyage cruise earlier this year which included the Amazon River we went to see a Travel Doctor Specialist that was on a list recommended by our government. We had various vaccines including Yellow Fever but he didn't recommend anything for Malaria. He suggested we wouldn't need it as we weren't staying anywhere overnight apart from on the ship and Malaria mosquitos were out at night but to be careful during the day for Dengue Fever mosquitos. We used high strength insect repellent during the day, light weight long sleeve clothing if going deeper into the jungle for tours. We also used the mosquito repellent if out during dusk such as for the Boi Bumba show. It worked for us but maybe best to seek out advice from a travel doctor.

The breadsticks are still on the table and as mentioned the bread is served and you get offered choices from white roll, baguette slice, wholemeal, wholegrain, rye etc.

We invest and I don't think this is a winning investment model. Different businesses require different investment models. Airlines are in the business of getting from Point A to Point B but cruise lines have a totally different business model. They are involved in emotions and good memories which involves good TAs helping to to satisfy their client's wants.

For Australians we don't get included airfares with Regent and I prefer not to do ship excursions. However I am willing to try them next year because our TA is a top Regent sales person here and has got us some bonuses and I am intrigued by their new ships. If they work for us I would like to try a transatlantic on them. The reassurance from 2SN who we know re excursions is helpful. We are looking at other cruise lines for different itineraries & experiences but still enjoy Seabourn.

@Isklaar one day it would be great to sail with you.

Thank you for this, I will check. I am also checking with my local council as a few weeks ago they called to offer free tests. As a retired immunisation nurse I am likely to worry about a false negative putting people at risk.

I am trying to lose a few pounds before my next cruise and now this 🙃, but it looks great and no judgement here. Have a great cruise, your photos are lovely.

Thank you for this information. This prompted me to 1) check the expiry date of the ones I had left which are now sadly out of date. However I can buy a pack of 5 for less then this at home so I will get them and pack them for our upcoming cruise. Julie

How about handcuffs if they're the fluffy ones? 🤪 No I'm not drunk, just tired after a stressful few days and needed a laugh. Julie