captn337

I’m finding after doing some research that Regents prices are in line with booking on your own for Sabi Sabi tour with less headaches. It’s not Leopard Hills as far as luxury, but it is certainly up to Regent luxury.  Booking Little Bush Camp is $1400 per night per person on their site. With flight to CPT and hotels Regent is well in line with what they charge.  I wish it was more nights, buy this small taste will have to suffice until we book a full tour at a better time to see the animals.  Regent cruises is this area in December because the seas are better suited for cruising.  

I booked the Sabi Sabi tour with Regent in December, I am now considering looking at booking at seperate tour on my own after listening to responses. I'm sure my wife dosen't want me doing any driving.😀 Will look into it.

On 2/24/2023 at 7:13 AM, jjs217 said:

Not true.  Some excursions are geared more towards those with mobility issues, so it is a panorama type tour (basically, stay on the bus and drive around.)  Others are for the more active.  It's important to read the description and not rely on the title of the tour. 

A rating system won't work, because what is good for some, might not be good for others.  Again, just read the description.  

I read between the lines on ratings. A consistently poor or great rating needs no reading between the lines. Restaurants, Car washes and even Dentist rating can be a great starting point. I think fellow passenger ratings on excursions would be very helpful.

Why is South Africa mainly around December if this is the worst time to visit?

11 hours ago, hamasgirl said:

We did this cruise pre-Covid on Explorer.  We did the pre-cruise 3 day Safari add-on which was fabulous.  It was not free (I think it was an additional $1500 or so) but it was worth every penny.

 

Please note that during this time (we did the cruise over the holidays too), S Africa basically closes down.  Everybody is on vacation so most of the public places and stores are closed.  A lot of the open-air venues (beaches and public parks) are mobbed with these folks enjoying their time off.  

 

Regent did a good job of arranging to have the museums on the cruise-provided tours we took open.  We would literally be the only ones in the museum which was weird but kind of nice.  On a couple of other tours we took to a soccer venue and a small historic building site we were also the only ones allowed in.  So if you are planning to do touring privately please make sure that the places that you want to visit will be open for you.

 

Lastly, the weather on both coasts of S Africa was atrocious...high winds and therefore waves...which prevented us from docking in two ports.  When we could dock, it was rainy and very humid making tours very uncomfortable.  So not as delightful a cruise as we had hoped but I am certainly glad that we did it!

 

Going to miss you on the cruise, but happy it was resolved in your favor.

Sorry you can't make it. Hopefully it gets resolved in your favor.

So sorry about what happened in Tulsa and a close friend to boot. Condolences.

Looking forward to following your blog. Sorry again. Ron

I agree, I took a chance and gambled they would refund our cruise fare and wouldn't sail. That gamble paid off. I have booked another cruise, but had I ended up with the dance you are going thru, I'm sure I also would have a bitter taste in my mouth. Good luck. Ron

I understand this is not Regents fault.  I love cruising with them.  It is not my fault either. They are offering refunds or fcc because it is the right thing to do if there is no cruise.  People are afraid for their health and rightfully so. People are dying. These are not normal times and I don’t give them credit for doing what’s right, just as I don’t give myself credit for doing what is ethically right for my customers. That is what you are supposed to do.   I am paying my employees because it is the right thing to do. I cannot do this indefinitely. When my business was open I could afford to go cruising easily. That is no longer the case.  It is now closed and every penny counts. The sooner I get a refund for something that I am not receiving the better.  Ninety days is a very long time not to receive something that is rightfully mine. Waiting to have my cruise cancelled when I know they cannot cruise and then waiting an additional ninety days is respectfully not what I consider best practices. I accept it only because I have no choice.  My money can be put to better use right now. Peace. Ron

I have a cruise booked in June. Since they have waitlisted this cruise.  I hope it’s sooner than later that they cancel and give those that want a refund that opportunity.  Not sure how bankruptcy would play out for cruise line registered in another country. I know it a little soon for speculation but........

On Regent Website all cruises have been waitlisted until July.  Perhaps everyone will get what they want in terms of a choice now.  This also stops someone from booking and getting the extra 25% if regent cancels. Smart move.  

I didn’t realize that there are options. My understanding is if you cancel you receive FCC only.  

Fully understand, if someone puts the crown on and it is not done properly there is a chance that it could be aspirated while sleeping which will lead to a whole set of new and much more difficult issues. Slight adjustments in seating a crown is much more preferable than surgery to remove a crown from your lungs. 

Since implants don't move (teeth do shift if there is no contact to hold them in place) it is advisable with implants to put crown in a safe place and have your dentist recement it when you return home. If there is no discomfort with a crown that has come off and cruise is less than 2 weeks, just return to your dentist and he will recement with maybe some small adjustments. As to the OP have your dentist refer you to an endodontist that has a CBCT which is a cone beam and they will find the culprit.

Since implants don't move (teeth do shift if there is no contact to hold them in place) it is advisable with implants to put crown in a safe place and have your dentist recement it when you return home. If there is no discomfort with a crown that has come off and cruise is less than 2 weeks, just return to your dentist and he will recement with maybe some small adjustments. As to the OP have your dentist refer you to an endodontist that has a CBCT which is a cone beam and they will find the culprit.

Just for point of clarification. I was not making a comparison. It was a statement of fact, as was your point that Egypt was a country on our list to be cautious when visiting.  Also, if you were to draw a comparison, I stated that New Zealand warned their citizens and not Egypt.  

Ron

I also failed to mention, the New Zealand government advises their citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting the United States, as do many other countries. Quite a few mention terrorism and gun violence. I exercise caution home or abroad.

Ron

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/germany-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/italy-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/the-bahamas-travel-advisory.html

Germany, Italy and the Bahamas all have the same travel advisories as Egypt. There are also more countries Regent cruises to.

 Ron

Should make him think twice about how he responds, not if he responds. Jackie you should know better than anyone. I am always amazed how much criticism you receive and how well you handle it. He could learn from you.   Ron

\

I was in the far back corner. I think some people noticed the Maitre d bringing over her new purse. Fortunately, I had no doubts of her responding in the positive.  I had received plenty of hints that her patience was wearing thin.  Suffice to say, best decision I ever made.  The marriage, though the proposal came off great as well.  Ron

Summer of 2015  Ron

I proposed to my wife in Prime 7. It went off without a hitch. Just the two of us near a window watching the sun go down. The Maitre d brought over a bag my then fiance had been eyeing, but didn't know I had purchased. It was tough hiding it without her seeing it. I had given it to the Maitre d earlier in the evening.  She thought the bag was the big present. Inside the bag I had placed the ring. When she opened the bag the middle was locked and I was holding the key.  I gave it to her and when she opened and took out the box, i got on one knee and asked her to marry me.  I had not noticed other guest had been watching and when she said yes there was an explosion of applause.  Then surprisingly our waiter brought out a beautiful cake with writing on it just for her and the whole team sang her a beautiful song.  She loves to this day to tell that story.  Good luck and if you do it on the ship, I'm sure they will make it splendid.  Ron

Thanks for all the photos. It was nice meeting you on board. Enjoyed reliving the cruise thru your photos and commentary. You did a great job. Ron

Thh

19 hours ago, forgap said:

FYI, I received a response from the cambodia evisa website.  Evisas do not work for cruise ship arrivals.   This is definitely not clear on the website so our only recourse is to go through Regent while on board.   One must complete the application and attach a picture and have it ready for the cruise.   

 

Thanks for the information. I was afraid that would be the case. I did get the Vietnam visa, so very helpful.