IndiTravler

When can we expect more overnights and longer port visits?

On 5/23/2021 at 1:31 PM, thomastoo said:

We are considering a Rio to Miami cruise that includes several days in the Amazon in March 2023. Any advice about such a cruise?

GO!!!    It's an amazing trip. 

On 12/12/2020 at 8:10 AM, flossie009 said:

I'm not going to attempt any predictions, but was interested to see to what lengths some septuagenarians will go when their Transatlantic Christmas cruise on Regent has been cancelled:

https://frankrothwell-atlanticchallenge.com/about/

 

Frank is nuts.   

These new rules should have the side benefit of reducing Norovirus outbreaks too.  

Great topic -- and I'm going to agree with Dreamer.  Some things are just better by land -- So I'll recommend a combo!  We did a 3 week land tour in 2007 (our focus was Kyoto, Nara, and the World Science Fiction Convention)   We're coming back in 2021.  Since we picked Kyoto over Tokyo on our first trip, this time it's a week in Tokyo plus a 2 week cruise.   Our cruise has several stops on the island of Kyushu and Hiroshima - more places we didn't get to in 2007.   Kyoto/Nara and Tokyo - they deserve WAY more than just a day in port.   Others such as Himeji-jo - are perfect for a port stop.     

Really only you can figure out what's a must see for you with a tour book.  (But I think Japan is like Norway -- every one is doing something a bit different, but they'll all be great.) 

As for food -- as ShipFish says, you'll be amazed at the variety.   If you just want basic a basic pork cutlet -- order tonkatsu

Another vote for Skara Brae -- it was amazing! 

They also usually have NA Wine too.    As your TA to confirm that as well if you want it.   

Not luxury -- but Princess is doing Northern Lights cruises.    Two weeks RT out of Southampton.   A Princess suite isn't true luxury, but it is a nice experience.   

2 hours ago, landingsduffer said:

We booked all our excursions before we received a large OBC. Can you book the private car while onboard or does it have to be done before sailing? Do you have to tell your driver/guide what you want to do or will they just recommend locations to see?

You can can do it before. It’s always offered in the excursion list. And you can do it on board.   I’ve always come with the list of things we want to see.   Then I work with destinations when on board to get the right guide (lots of knowledge of history) and confirm everything.  

I’ve done privates both thru Regent and on my own but not in No or Australia.  Regent is always more expensive, sometimes significantly.  

The pros to a Regent private

• The guides are outstanding.  
• The drop off pick up at the gangway is super nice
• If you want something really off the beaten path that requires advance booking, it can’t be done. 
• You get “the ship won’t leave without you” guarantee.   

I've picked  a different airport to come home to then I was leaving from by just changing the default in EZAir.   I don't see why you can't do that on the other end....   If all else fails, ask your TA to help.      

On 6/29/2019 at 6:33 PM, GrJ Berkshire said:

Does not matter at all ,most of the time you are away from the coast. When you are not like in Glacier bay, Hubbard glacier the ship will turn so both sides see. Plus you can go up on deck or in the observation lounge.

Pour Regent Alaska cruise was our first cruise.   We went to a great deal of trouble to be on the ”correct” side of the ship.   As many others noted, it didn’t end up making a difference.  

4 hours ago, boblerm said:

You may want to check out the Britain section of the Ports of Call boards.  This company gets lots of recommendations there, we have used them several times and have been very pleased with them

http://www.smithsairportcars.co.uk/

We used Smith’s last year twice  and were very happy with the service.   We tend to over pack and used the “estate car” (station wagon) option.   They were also willing to swing us by our hotel to drop bags and then continue on to where we were sightseeing for the day.  

On 6/10/2019 at 6:51 AM, Snore42 said:

On board Voyager now.   Titos is very available and I spoke to a few bartenders and they said there were no plans to stop having it.  They did say a few changes are coming soon, and Beluga Vodka will be added as well as a few other liquors.   Also said a few craft beers are going to be added soon.   I’m not a big beer person so I don’t remember the names.  If anyone wants, I guess I could ask again and take some notes.  

Yea craft beers 🍺 !  May there be some porters and stouts in the mix!

I’ll echo others.   Do the one where you want to see the city!    (Assuming you have time to stay)

otherwise i I say focus on easiest, cheapest flights.  

From a cruiser who is Regent Gold and Princess Elite.  I have a few comments.  

The most overall comparable experience is to get a Suite on Princess.  Then you get free unlimited laundry and club class dining and you can get anything on the main menu for room service.     This can be important because there can be a significant line to anytime dinning on princess.  But you aren’t considering that.

So let’s talk about what I notice as differences.   

• Getting around. The ship is significantly bigger.   Be prepared for more walking to just get anywhere when on board.  
• Shows    The theater isn’t big enough for everyone to get a seat.  There will be two shows a night.  There is always a line for a seat at the early show and getting in line as much as 30 minutes before a popular show can be required for a seat.   
• Spa.  This isn’t canyon ranch.   Many fewer services offered.   But the folks do tend to be good   Up side, services are cheaper because it isn’t canyon ranch.  
• Staffing.   The staff to passenger ratio is not as high.   It’s  rare to see someone coming around on the pool deck to take drink orders.  I find it easier to stop at the bar, then find a seat.  
• Drinks.  The “coffee” in the buffet is lousy.   If you like coffee, get a package.   Soda is crazy expensive.  If you like soda, get a package.  But...   package is from the jet and doesn’t include cans.   
• Specialty dining.   You know it isn’t included.   We rarely find a night where we don’t like something on the main menu and thus rarely spend the money.  Of particular note...  they are not serving USDA Prime beef in the steak house.  And the portions will not be nearly as large as in Prime 7. For me that’s fine as I can’t eat a full meal in Prime 7. 
• Shuttles.  Big ship equals more likely to be docked at a commercial port outside of town and require the shuttle.   Generally the shuttles are not free.   I generally splurge on a taxi as it’s just more flexible
• Trip and Port T-shirt’s.   Princess generally has T-shirt’s with the itinerary And specific ports on sale towards the spend for $10 or so.  They make great souvenirs.  
• Roll calls.   More people means you’re more likely to actually have an active roll call
• excursions.  So much better!   Not included. Another reason folks tend to be on the roll call setting up privates.  Princess has way More options on times for excursions and you really will be able to take two short ones in a single day if you want.  Also the tickets are in your room when you arrive.   So no lines or waiting in the theater.  

If you have any other questions, let me know.  

You need to be planning to leaving in the AM with your stuff.   The whole goal is to get everyone and their stuff off the ship so they can board the next group of folks.  Even as a B2B person, I've had to formally exist the ship and reenter (but could leave stuff).   If you have an overnight the last night, I've known folks to leave early.   The usual option is to do a private or ship excursion with your luggage that ends at the airport.   

We've sailed with Club Class.   We love the true anytime dining without a wait.   However, we've never been able to share a table.   Because there are so few folks with club class the odds of walking the same time as someone else who wants to share.  Plus as others pointed out, you can't dine with friends and family who are staying in lower class cabin unless you go to regular anytime dining.   

On 5/7/2019 at 9:34 AM, UUNetBill said:

Discount sounds good.

 

Non-refundable doesn't.

 

Still being in the workforce, I've had to shuffle some vacations in the past.  Don't like to do it but I'm sometimes forced into it.  I wouldn't be able to make that kind of commitment.  Maybe when I'm retired it'll be a different story, but can't do it now...

Same here. Just told hubby and he said just wait till we retire!

Oh Bill -- if you have to ask, yes you did...…     

Enjoy your cruise

I know everyone's comfort level of rental cars in foreign countries differs.   I just want to point out that we found Spain to be one of the easier countries to do a self-driving tour.    This may be because this was the one country where we didn't actually drive the car much.   We too were touring Andalusia and found transportation options between the major cities to challenges.  So we got the car and just used it as a way to get from city to city on easy driving Spanish highways.  Once we unloaded the car at the hotel, it wasn't used again till we checked out.   Give us lots of flexibility with very little city driving challenges.    

When it comes to restaurants.   There is a  Sabatini’s on Sapphire and Crown Grill on Emerald.    So if in a suite you have  different breakfast venue.  😃

On the other hand we love them.   Yes it’s crazy expensive.  But for us it’s part of the luxury experience to relax and enjoy the cruise.  AND massages are something we don’t tend to treat ourselves to at home.  FYI, I tell the therapist up front that I’m not buying anything and don’t try to sell me anything.  That request has always been honored.  

7 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

And if the Bridge players at our Golf Club are anything to go by - if you so much as whisper anywhere near them you get VERY dirty looks!!

Yep -- that's our experience -- we couldn't play a game of spades in the corner on one trip.   We had to leave.   

I’ve been on a cruise with a bunch of doctors doing continuing education at Sea.   They took over the the theater for large parts of sea days for their classes.   Since nothing is ever going on during in the theater during the day there was no impact.  

Now the brige players...  They’re an intense bunch and can get downright possessive of the game rooms.  😃