briar14

No.

I am confused. Did you arrive day of sailing or day before sailing?

Frustrating, but I was able to book all our first choices by 8:50. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Marc & Arlene, have a wonderful trip. I wish we were with you instead of sweating it out in SC.

We disembarked Explorer on March 1. During the 30 days we were onboard, I saw very few people sanitizing or washing their hands before eating or going into the various venues. Guess what—the last few days of the cruise I had a terrible cough which sent me to the Medical Center. I was tested for Covid, Flu and RSV. All negative, but the cough sounded like what I heard around the ship and on tours. I was very careful, using masks and washing my hands. So, the last few days of this wonderful trip were disappointing as I chose to do the right thing and curtail events and socializing. It was a difficult trip home. Two and a half weeks later, the cough was finally gone. Regent did nothing to remind guests to sanitize their hands at least before eating. I know these trips are very expensive, but if you don’t feel well, please don’t mingle with other guests.

Last fall we went Charlotte-Amsterdam-Venice. Connecting flights also through Munich, Frankfort. I think there are a few nonstop flights during the summer.

We have done the Anytime Brunch twice (6 years apart), not realizing it would be the same menu. Champagne/melon cocktail, scones (a good easy recipe), baked oatmeal, an egg dish (egg cooked on top of a pepper, onion, tomato sauté). We liked it because it was something we would make at home but were disappointed it was the same menu.

Cannot exchange drawers between suites because configuration is different. Everything else is as @RELS stated in that excellent description.

Three suite reviews. Having issues with our Apple computer, so hope you can add this information. Thank you. Grandeur, 780, F2, Briar14, Nov./Dec. 2023, Aft port, 1 bath with tub and separate shower, noise from suite next door while seated on sofa, yes. Comments—deep balcony with only 2 chairs and small table; did not mind the aft location even in rough weather. Explorer, 1030, Concierge D, Briar14, April 2024, Aft port, 1 bath, tub and separate shower, noise from Pool Deck at lunchtime, otherwise quiet, yes. Comments—great slanted balcony with recliner, 2 chairs and table; no issues with being near Prime 7 and Chartreuse. Explorer, 740, PHC, Briar14, April 2024, Mid port, 1 bath, shower only, no noise, yes. Comments—narrow balcony with recliner, 2 chairs and table.

This works if moving between same level of suites. In our case, we moved from Concierge to PH.

We moved on our recent Explorer cruise. It was easy and quick. A bellman moved all hanging clothes on a luggage cart. I chose to pack loosely all the items in drawers and bathroom in our suitcases, trying to pack by drawer contents so easy to unpack. If you prefer, Regent will do this. We also chose to be present for the move and then left the ship afterwards. Within an hour, we were moved and settled in the new suite. Al, the star bellman!, went back to previous suite to check nothing was left behind.

Just off Explorer and was determined to not use the Launderettes. Achieved! All laundry came back in perfect condition. I wrote the instructions on the bottom of the laundry slip and thanked them 😊. Best inclusion ever!

This was a very good cruise. Staff and crew were excellent. Even with crew changes in Busan, there was no diminution of services. Cherry blossoms, good weather, and a very good itinerary, especially in Japan, made for a memorable Regent cruise. Good job, Regent!

It was a great 30-day cruise and wonderful itinerary. Icing on the cake was our winning congenial trivia team!

We agree with @chaunceyb about our Explorer trip. The visit to Miyako today, learning about the tsunami and destruction and seeing the beautiful rocky coast scenery was spectacular. Returning to the ship we found food trucks and various booths selling Japanese items. As Explorer neared departure, town residents and officials turned out to send us off as a group of drummers and a flute player sent us off. And, the weather was beautiful as were the cherry blossoms. A good Regent day.

On the inaugural crossing, we had one of those suites, 780, and liked it. The furniture on the balcony was 2 chairs and a table, which was disappointing. Maybe more has been added?

If you are really interested in seeing Kyoto, I would also recommend spending the night. You could take the Shinkansen from Kobe, perhaps meet up with a guide in Kyoto or plan something yourself. There are so many beautiful temples and gardens to see, plus a movie set for Japanese shows, that a few hours is not sufficient. Tours we have enjoyed on the current cruise are the paper making tour (Kochi), visit to stone Buddhas in Usugi (Beppu), Senganen Garden (Kagoshima), and museum visits in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Happy planning!

Your tour, pictures, and descriptions are wonderful! I hope to meet you and hear more about your tour when you board Explorer on the 13th. Thank you for this excellent contribution.

We stayed at the Okura Hotel, chosen for sentimental reasons, as it was my first introduction to Japan when we moved there. Even though the hotel was rebuilt and reopened in 2019, it was still as serene as I remembered it with excellent, intuitive service. It is across the street from the US Embassy in a quiet neighborhood. The Ginza Line’s Toranomon Station is a 10’ walk, Roppongi, Ark Hills, and Azabudabai, 15 minute walks.

We were in 733 in Nov./Dec. one morning we clearly heard a phone conversation, including home address and credit card number. These were not loud voices. Never heard TV.

We also made it to Japan today🇯🇵! Not quite the journey Forgap had, but we began with one glitch—a major traffic jam at 4:30 am on I85 going to GSP. Made it to our 6:30 flight with minutes to spare. United flight from ORD to HND was ontime. Immigration very crowded. We each had our own QR codes. No problem at Customs. The Hotel Okura welcomed us with typical Japanese graciousness. Now to figure out how to turn off the lights in our room 😊.

Thank you.

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

We are staying at The Okura next week.

Bill, I second Marc’s recommendation. In 2022 we enjoyed an excellent post cruise safari arranged by our TA. It was everything we hoped for, the accommodations were excellent, and we saw tons of wildlife. One tip I would have is to use a provider that can go “off road” in to the bush, tracking the animals.