bissel

If the cruise line thinks their employees are being heavily tipped, might they then lower their basic salary, as some restaurants do?

Right. I would be most unhappy too. For this amount of money, I’d find something else.

We haven’t been on the Explorer in about a year but I remember thinking that their tender platform is the best of all Regent ships. I do not recall there even being any steps to get on and off. I also have great difficulty with stairs and even curbside steps.

Much respect to her! And good suggestions.

Oh sorry I wasn’t very clear.

The four of us would be going from our house in San Diego to the cruise terminal for a ten day cruise. LA to LA. We are trying to figure out the best way to do this. There are several ways, complicated by my mobility difficulties.

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I much appreciate it.

Thanks for the Blacklane referral. I’ll remember that.

That’s another option but I’m more keen on driving up myself or taking a car service round trip which may be rather expensive. We like the car service to and from LAX but I was thinking the cruise terminal drive is closer and maybe easier.

Since the cruise is another year away, I’ll decide closer to the time I suppose.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Best parking seems the way to go. Thanks!

Any suggestions for getting to San Diego?

any thoughts about driving and parking somewhere for the duration of the cruise?

Thanks for your ideas!

Moveable armrests is something I hadn’t known about. Thanks for the information! This will be very helpful.

I have terrific difficulty in rising from an airplane seat. I now bring a 3” cushion and sit in business or premium economy to have the room to bend from the waist. If things get impossible, my husband lifts me from the back waistband, like getting a “wedgie.” That always works! 

We were in Norway last summer on the Explorer and used FaceTime heavily. There never was a problem. I guess we were lucky and didn’t realize it.

our next cruise to Alaska this summer might be more difficult actually.

In Norway last year we were in 911 (chosen based on yours and other’s comments) and successfully used magnets that were attached to clips. Those particular clips are slightly larger than the little round ones so perhaps the magnetic property was slightly stronger but that seems doubtful. I don’t know but I was very happy to use my five favorite magnets! It truly helps with lessening clutter.

Suite 911 on the Explorer will easily take magnets on the wall.

In the standard cabin, I find an orchid or flowers take up too much space. And I dearly love orchids and flowers. Buy a posey somewhere along the way!

Deep Freeze,

 Very nice summary of your cruise. I enjoyed reading it!

Perhaps the original introduction of the concept is unclear. It’s actually a pretty good idea of giving away to the crew unwanted SBCs.

i agree with Jason that to impute greed on the part of Regent over this issue is silly.

Such fun virtual cruising with you all!

What a beautiful doggie! A wonderful, wonderful blog!

Your blog is such a treat to look forward to every day. Thank you for the great details and photos. 

All much appreciated!

 thanks particularly for your comments on the suite.

I love the Voyager as well for their outside areas to better appreciate the ocean. Voyager’s standard suites are superior to the other ships, in my opinion.

Shout out to the Mariner for their outside areas too!

I’m sorry for your disappointment. May you find a happy alternative.

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t want to be in a position of pressuring someone. Not a good feeling for anybody.

I feel that as you couch it as pressuring him to go you might be setting yourself up for a possibly anxious cruise. Maybe he won’t enjoy being on a cruise anyway and then you and your mother may then not have such a great time either. I write from some experience with this sort of situation.

It could be helpful to step back and let him make his own decision.