RJ007

What a great review!!!

Thank you all for your excellent input as usual!!

Thank you all for such great input, under deposit as of today!

Robin

Hi All,

I’m considering a Mariner cruise in Alaska with the cruisetour in September of 2020.  Very concerned about some of the negative comments and comparing the different cruise lines offerings.  We like the smaller ships and all-inclusive regent plan.  Our friends are first time cruisers ever and this would be our first time on Regent so there is some sticker-shock at the pricing.   Should we wait until the following year for Explorer?  The free first class included is very attractive.  Do you have input on the land portion as well?  Thank you in advance for your input!

I stayed at The Westbury in April and the location can’t be beat.  Conveniently walk out the back door and your on Grafton Street which is a pedestrian street with loads of shops, restaurants and convenient to everything.  On a higher scale you can look at The Shelbourne which is just off of Grafton Street across from the park, it’s gorgeous and went thru a big update.

Hi John,

We used the platinum benefit on our January 2018 cruise with no problems and received the $300 OBC, champagne and behind the scenes tours in addition to the Virtuoso amenities provided by our agency.  This benefit is available more than once thru the year.  Your booking has to be registered with amex and be sure that your booking is combinable.  I hope this helps.

Robin

HiThere will be four us with an overnight in Tauranga so just thinking we will desemabark ad walk around for a while after during or catch a bite in town. We do have an offer to take us to the geo-therma, Rotorua and up the lift for lunch and passing thru tow on the way back. Sounds this sound like a gun day to you? Trying not to oveplan wanting to see that important though. Your thoughts are most welcome

Robin

The Chateaubriand in Prime C is fantastic. Bernaise on the side. The staff is excellent and offer great suggestions depending on your taste and appetite. We spent several nights there during our two week cruise over Christmas and New Years. Looking forward to being back on the Quest for a Australia/New Zealand cruise Jan 6, 2019!! Counting the days.

Hi mp8shnt!

We were on the Quest 12/22 and did purchase this package. Unfortunately we were not able to just pay the difference for the beverage portion. If you enjoy wine, you can always purchase one of the wine packages, or bring wine and spirits aboard to enjoy in your stateroom or take to the dining areas with a corkage. The bartenders were very happy to put together cocktails you will enjoy with the included liquors on the list! Steve did order some extra cocktails that would have been included on the higher list so we just paid the difference. We had a great time and hope you do as well.

We just stayed at the Intercontinental pre-cruise and post-cruise ( not planned but due to flight cancellations for 2 days). The rooms were very large and the staff was wonderful. In particular Rafael! It is a 2 block walk to Whole Foods & CVS. The Uber to the port was approx. $15. I wouldn't hesitate to book it again. Have a great cruise.

Hello Everyone,

We were on the Quest 12/22 and did purchase this package. Unfortunately we were not able to just pay the difference for the beverage portion. If you enjoy wine, you can always purchase one the wine packages, or bring wine and spirits aboard to enjoy in your stateroom. The bartenders were very happy to put together cocktails you will enjoy with the included liquors on the list! We had a great time and hope you do as well.;)

Thanks everyone! We will try just the audio portion. This will be mostly to return business calls so I don't need them to see me poolside;)

I know this has been discussed, but I didn't see anything recent specifically about using skype onboard if we have the unlimited internet package. We will be on the Quest 12/22 sailing thru Caribbean. If not, I guess I could seek out an Internet cafe while in port. Thanks for your help.Robin

Can someone explain what the luggage valet is? Thanks!

2 weeks on land in the south (Barossa, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, Tasmania). No cruise this time. Even though we limited this trip to a relatively small area, it will be ridiculously busy.

 

So I needed an open-jaw itinerary starting and ending in a tiny airport where it took two legs to get to LAX for the Transpacific flight. Complicated itinerary, and I was pretty impressed that they saved me so much $$.

Hi JP,

Not sure if you have already departed yet, but we spent almost a month in Australia and quite a bit of time in these area's with some Aussie friends. I highly recommend a visit to Rockford Winery in the Barossa, see if you can score a lunch/wine pairing, and don't miss the sparkling black Shiraz. We stayed at the little inn right next door and it was a fantastic day. Also, have some friends that are located at the Te Aro Winery in Barossa. Stop in and see Norm at the cellar door, he is like family and they have beautiful wines. You will love this trip and especially the Aussie people!

Hi Patti,

My husband and I stayed at Auberge du Vieux-Port which is right in old town on the water front. It is more of a boutique property with a fantastic restaurant attached and the breakfast was included. Very friendly staff and easy walk to all the great sights. You can catch the Hop-on/ Hop-off bus just down the street and it's a great way to see the city which is quite spread out. Don't miss the evening performance at the Notre-Dame Basilica. We spent 3 nights pre-cruise during October prior to a Crystal Montreal to NY sailing. Loved it! Have a wonderful time!

Robin