labonnevie

Surprised to hear that. We had our breakfasts in a ballroom at the Tokyo Hilton precruise 2023. I know others have had the same since then. Can only imagine there must have been some kind of hotel logistics issue as I am sure they didn’t want the scene you describe. We also used another ballroom for excursion dispatch.

This IMO is 100% unacceptable. There should never be any dog on board that is not a certified service dog. We have only been on five Seabourn cruises, but if we continue to hear of situations like this, there will never be a sixth.

Strange. Posters are reporting that Regent’s website is down tonight. Cruise gremlins…

It also sounds like it could be a ski run. Right next to Widow Maker.

Didn’t see those in November.

We, too, had the incomparable Terry Breen on the Mariner for a Panama Canal passage. This was many years ago (when we actually could swim in Gatun Lake) and I recall she handled the commentary by herself. More recently, in 2022, on Explorer, it was solely the Panamanian provided by the Canal Authority. It was hard to understand the gentleman and not nearly as interesting as Terry’s commentary.

I, for one, am getting really tired of being expected to accept the unacceptable.

I absolutely love to mention stellar crew in my cruise surveys. I believe that is a very important way to reward them for their hard work. I also favor contributing to the crew fund because so many that I don’t see have helped make our cruise enjoyable and hopefully exceptional. I am worried that the propensity of, mostly US, passengers tipping will eventually change “tipping is not required nor expected “ to “tipping is expected but not required “.

Last week reserved our three dinners for upcoming Splendor cruise. The website was painfully slow and cranky. Only tip is that persistence and determination win the day…eventually.

It also makes a difference when another huge (4000+) passenger ship is disembarking when you are. Suggest you check the port schedule and plan accordingly.

Please let everyone know after July 1 what you find. Great idea.

I know I am confused, so can anyone answer this: In the future if I choose business class will I be paying what in the past was air included? Or will the price for economy air be comparable to what I previously paid for business class? In other words, will I be looking at a price increase for the same product? Thanks.

Based on your experience and ours in April 2023, if you are flying from the west coast to Tokyo, you will do much better booking your own flights and taking the Regent air credit. We saved about $1200pp.

You were extremely fortunate!

If this is a real concern, the simple answer is to sanitize your hands after you go through the buffet line.

We did our own air LAX to Narita, April 2023 (saving $1200 pp rt) business class. Looking at all options, we found ANA to be the best. Flights were excellent, no issues whatsoever. Regent met us and transported us to the Hilton for our precruise program. Everything worked perfectly.

I don’t think the issue you would have is getting to the airport. It is more likely to be in the airport. Miami can be an absolute zoo. Personally, I would allow more time, like after 12 or even 1 pm.

See post #5.

If you want to acknowledge overall stellar service, do consider the crew fund. So much of what goes into making a great cruise experience happens behind the scenes. People we never see, will benefit from the crew fund.

If you have sailed on Regent you have sailed on a line where gratuities are indeed included. Seabourn also includes gratuities. You should feel zero pressure to tip anyone on board. Gratuities for excursion guides and/or drivers are at your discretion.

You can check out the port website for transfers: www.civitavecchiaport.org They appear most reasonable, just booked them for our son in June. Their website discusses the pickup question you pose.

If you are physically able, highly recommend one of the helicopter glacier hikes out of Juneau. In that case your waterproof hiking boots will be perfect as you will put crampons on over them.

Depending on your sleep patterns (we are not generally early risers) we have found Room Service to be the best option when we have an early excursion. Saves going to La Veranda, plus if you order a couple of extra pastries you can take them with you for a mid excursion snack. Be warned that Room Service is usually very prompt. If you ask for breakfast at 7 they might even be there at 6:55. So plan to be wearing something accordingly!

We did this in April 2023. Pretty much agree with everything GO ARMY! posted. Japan was new for us so we enjoyed most of the tours possibly excepting the shopping on the Ginza. Accommodations were very good and both the Japanese and Chinese restaurants in the hotel were excellent.

In many cases you can get on your desired excursion by going to the theater before the scheduled departure time. Unfortunately some guests wait until then to return their unused tickets.