Jamietravelstheworld

Has anyone done the shore excursion to Cape Kidnappers? Is it worth it? Can you describe the experience please. Thanks.

Jamie

traveling on Regent Seven Seas Auckland-Hong Kong Jan 2020

Saw this article yesterday. https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/indonesia-closing-island-protecting-endangered-komodo-dragons 

I'm wondering if the cruise lines will be affected by this as the only way to visit Komodo Island when you're ship passenger is on an organized tour. Komodo Island is one of the ports I'm most looking forward to on my Regent Seven Seas cruise in 2020.

Jamie

Thanks everyone. Decision made, doing the Voyager in January, Auckland to Hong Kong.

Jamie

I'm debating about a cruise on the Navigator or the Voyager for Jan. 2020. I'm wondering what your experience has been with solo travelers on Regent. Are there many? Are non-solo travelers welcoming to the solos?

Thanks,

Jamie

I've been following a number of the Oceania boards and the reviews seem to lean negative. Old ships, cancelled ports, decreased quality. I'm booked on the Insignia in 2020 but am considering switching to the Nautica instead for the itinerary. Insignia is being refurbished this year but Nautica won't be until after I would cruise in 2020. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the ships, and particularly some positives as I've read a lot of negatives already. 

I'm considering a 2020 trip on the Orion from Sydney to Tokyo. If you've been to Australia or Asia with Viking would love to know your experiences with the following questions:

--How far the ports typically from the cities? For example, I'm pretty sure in Bangkok, it's an hour or 2 from port to Bangkok.

--How are the included shore excursions? Are they mainly just overviews? If you paid for excursions, what were the prices like?

--Are there many overland tours available?

--What does "privileged access" mean on a shore excursion?

--If you're not in the suites category where you can book excursions for in advance, are you still able to get excursions or are they typically sold out?

Thanks,

Jamie

If you are on the 2020 world cruise there is an overland tour starting in Shanghai and end in Beijing - The tour includes the famed Terracotta Warrior Museum, time at the GreatWall at Balding and historic Tiananmen Square plus the UNESCO World HeritageForbidden City.

From Tianjin to the Great Wall is a full day tour.

 

Tianjinis home to the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port, and is the gateway toBeijing. A 130km (92mi) long expresswaylinks the 2 cities. Although Insignia is in port 2 days, the first day is a bit late arriving ad the second day a bit early leaving. To get the most out of trip to Beijing an overnight tour would be recommended. I would expect O to offer some but not sure what they will include

I am on the 2020 RTW. There are 2 China overland tours that really excite me, Hometown of the Giant Panda (which is Xiamen to Shanghai) and Ancient Capitals of China (Shanghai to Beijing). Which would you recommend, or would I be crazy to do both back to back?

I'm trying to decide which ship to do world cruise in 2020. I'm leaning toward Oceania Insignia 162 days SF-SF or Holland America Amsterdam 128 days Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale. Am open to others if cost is not prohibitive. If you have any experience with world cruises, I'd love your answers to these questions.

1. HAL is much less expensive than Oceania but Oceania has more inclusions such as pre-paid gratuities, unlimited wi-fi and laundry, and cabin credits/shore excursions. Does anyone have experience on HAL that could give me an idea of what laundry and wi-fi for 4 months would run?

2. HAL is the only trip that includes Antarctica but there's no going ashore, just 4 days of sailing and seeing the views. What are those days really like? Does it get boring after day 1? Is the water rough in both the crossing and in Antarctica?

3. I hear the shore excursions on Oceania leave a lot to be desired. How are the excursions on HAL?

4. I've heard the showers on Oceania are tiny. Is that the case? How are the showers on HAL?

5. I really like the Crystal Serenity trip but don't like dressing up that much. And I'll be traveling solo. Do you think I'd fit in? (I'll be 56/57.)

6. I love Viking's world cruise but that cost is ridiculously high. Is it worth it?

Any other feedback, thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,

Jamie

Considering booking the Insignia for world cruise in 2020. I've been reading some reviews online and talking with travel agent and what I'm hearing is that the ship's excursions are not great and are overpriced. What's your experience? If you're been on the world cruise, how easy is it to book your own excursions not affiliated with the ship?

Thanks,

Jamie