THE PRE-CRUISE TRIP-TOKYO TO VANCOUVER ON THE SS MARINER

[ronrick1943]

IT’S ALL MOST CRUISE TIME/TOKYO TO VANCOUVER

 

Just a not so short pre cruise line-up.  We’ll be on the SS Mariner boarding in Tokyo and sailing to Vancouver.  We’re looking forward to a great cruise, as we’ll be meeting up with some friends we met on our last cruise on the SS Mariner which just happens to be my favorite ship.

 

Just a heads up, first and foremost you may not agree with what have I to say, but it will be truthful, honest and what we feel.  This may not be the same experience you had, but this is how we’ll be experiencing this cruise at the time it is happening.

 

If you have a question, ask and I’ll try to get the answer or give more detail of what you need.

 

Our first objective during this trip is to have a good time, little things just don’t bother us.  Things that may go wrong aren’t worth the trouble getting upset about. We’ll ask to get it corrected and move on.

 

We’ll be flying out of Palm Springs on this morning.  First stop, a little out of the way is Dallas to have dinner with my nephew & wife.  Staying the night at the DFW Marriott and departing for Hong Kong the next day.  Flying out on AA125 First Class using American miles.  I’ve been told they have a nice product with only 8 seats in that cabin.  Would I pay the full ticket price to fly first, not in this lifetime, but Ron would. But using miles is not a problem, but paying cash would be a problem. Having worked all those years flying has paid off.  I’m still using my miles and I retired 10 years ago.  Of course paying for those cruises on a credit card also helps keeping the mileage bank full.

 

We’re both retired and now we cruise not for the ports so much, it’s more about the cruise itself. We enjoy relaxing and doing a lot of nothing.  We like to meet new people and enjoy mingling with others during the day.  Most likely we’ll eat dinner at a table for two.  We’ll take in a show or two, a third if it’s a special guest.  Attending a lecture is not for us.  Having a Butler is important because we don’t have one at home. It’s nice to have things taken care of during the cruise, for us that is what a vacation is all about.  It’s possible we’ll stay in our suite one or two days just because we like to do nothing, sleeping late, watching  movie’s and lounge on our  deck.  I know some of you will ask, so yes we’ll be in one of the larger suites as this will be our home for a few weeks (plus we enjoy the little extra perks and the extra space you get).

 

We only go on a few excursions, so we won’t be helpful in that area.  However when we don’t tour we do get off the ship and take a stroll around town.  If something is really important to us we’ll get a car and see what we need to see and be back on the ship early.

 

Before the cruise our trip will start in Hong Kong (4 nights) for a little shopping and dinner at a few of our special restaurants, one being The Spring Deer.  Then off to Bangkok where we’ll attend a cooking school, a little more shopping (3 nights).  Ending up in Tokyo (2 nights) before we board the ship.  In Tokyo hoping to go see the Cherry Blossoms and the Wisteria Gardens. A dinner at the Ginza Steakhouse First Shop, where they serve Waygu 5A beef, I hear it’s really, really good (we’ll have to see if it’s worth the price).

 

That’s about it for now, I’ll catch up after we get to Hong Kong in a few days and I’ll make these shorter with more about the flights, hotels, food and service.  Once on Regent’s Mariner we’ll give you a full cruise report day by day as “we” see it.

[elmwood]

Looking forward to hearing all about this trip; it sounds wonderful already.

 

[morneau]

What a great itinerary, and love how you are spending your days leading up to the cruise as well.  Looking forward to reading about it all!

[Travelcat2]

Also looking forward to following your trip.  Safe travels!

[RJ2002]

Thanks for sharing a preview of your upcoming cruise.  Sounds like it should be a wonderful trip.

 

Was just looking at your interesting itinerary.  On the day you are in Hakodate... if it is a nice and clear day, you should consider taking the aerial tram up to the top of Mount Hakodate.  The views are really spectacular.  It's easy to do on your own if you don't want to do a full excursion.

 

Looking forward to your reports.  Our first Regent cruise was on the beautiful and comfortable Mariner, so it's special for us.

 

Safe travels!

[RachelG]

Sounds like a great pre-cruise plan.  We flew AA F back from Hong Kong.  It is very comfortable.  Probably not as nice as Cathay Pacific, but nice enough and able to get good sleep.

 

I will be following along.  Have a great trip.

[DeepFreeze63]

DW and I will also be on this voyage. It'll be our 4th cruise on the Mariner. We started Regent crusiing on the Mariner but haven't been on her in six years. I'm not a "good sailor" so I took low deck mid-ship G cabin! This will also be a trial to see if we can spent 51 days in a G cabin in 2021 (reserved the first 3 legs of 2021 WC). We're small people so no tub for us. We tend to do anything that's available on the ship except the casino - running out of friends to give "Regent Awards" things to! Favorite Regent ship is the Explorer so I'm looking forward to the comparison with Mariner. We always share a dinner table. So, looks like that between "ronrick 1943" and I, we will be able to cover a lot of the interests of CC viewers so ask away.

DW and I are Platinum level and deviated 270 days out; Regent put us on my first choice ANA non-stop, afternoon Business Class from Dulles to Narita. It's our first time in Japan. We're doing the included "Sunrise Over Tokyo" and also have an evening tour of Shinjuku with "Tours by Locals".

We've been to Alaska several times including a mainline cruise but never this early in the season.  Luggage is packed and it looks like I'm taking everthing that I own! Am I ever anxious to go!

[1teach53]

Our bags are packed and we are SO ready to go! We fly out of DFW on JAL about noon 4/23, nonstop to Tokyo. This will be our longest flight, about 14 hours. Thank goodness for business class! 

Very much like “ronrick1948” we are very laid back cruisers. We love RSS & look forward to the pampering.  Japan is totally new to John and me.  We love Alaska and have been there many  times over the years. It is our go to escape from Texas heat! We were born and raised in the Midwest and before TX spent 20+ years in the northeast, so we hate the TX summer heat!! 

We're doing the included "Sunrise Over Tokyo"

We look forward to meeting all of you. 

Karen & John 

[Hambagahle]

I really like reading your posts and am looking forward to your taking me on this cruise!!!  Our first Regent (was then Radisson) cruise was on the Mariner..very nice ship.

[forgap]

Goody!   We are doing this itinerary on Explorer in 2021.   My husband is enthusiastic about the Japan part but very lukewarm about the rest.   I have a solid year to convince him unless something comes up that he likes better.  We cancelled the Norway/Arctic cruise in 2020 after the incident with Viking Ocean coupled with potential rough weather and Navigator’s instability.  We transferred the cruise to Voyager Venice to Athens which includes 4 days in Israel and 2 days in Istanbul.  I haven’t been to Turkey since I was 21 and doing studies abroad in Florence!  My friends and I hired a cabbie named Atilla to tour us around for the day....cost?  $10!   Those were the days!  

 

Keep the posts coming!

[rcandkc]

Boy, I’m I interested in this blog 😀.  Everyone have a great trip !  Karen and John, we met you on the Navigator in November which we will be back on in May.  I am very interested in the long flight reviews from Dfw.   Have fun!

[greenolaker]

This sounds like a fantastic trip. Can’t wait to read all of the reports from everyone. 

[merlot101]

We will also be doing this trip in 2021

[Zqueeze1]

I am real excited about this thread!  There seems to be a large number of CCers who will be contributing.  Looking forward to reading and seeing pics about your flights, land tours, and especially your cruise experiences. Please take great care of our friends John and Karen and, if she starts getting a little cranky, point her to the closest Cosmo. Have a great cruise, all!!!

Z and TB

[1teach53]

6 hours ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

DW and I will also be on this voyage. It'll be our 4th cruise on the Mariner. We started Regent crusiing on the Mariner but haven't been on her in six years. I'm not a "good sailor" so I took low deck mid-ship G cabin! This will also be a trial to see if we can spent 51 days in a G cabin in 2021 (reserved the first 3 legs of 2021 WC). We're small people so no tub for us. We tend to do anything that's available on the ship except the casino - running out of friends to give "Regent Awards" things to! Favorite Regent ship is the Explorer so I'm looking forward to the comparison with Mariner. We always share a dinner table. So, looks like that between "ronrick 1943" and I, we will be able to cover a lot of the interests of CC viewers so ask away.

DW and I are Platinum level and deviated 270 days out; Regent put us on my first choice ANA non-stop, afternoon Business Class from Dulles to Narita. It's our first time in Japan. We're doing the included "Sunrise Over Tokyo" and also have an evening tour of Shinjuku with "Tours by Locals".

We've been to Alaska several times including a mainline cruise but never this early in the season.  Luggage is packed and it looks like I'm taking everthing that I own! Am I ever anxious to go!

 Alaska in May is beautiful, so much snow on the mountains. Can’t wait!! 

K

[1teach53]

13 minutes ago, Zqueeze1 said:

I am real excited about this thread!  There seems to be a large number of CCers who will be contributing.  Looking forward to reading and seeing pics about your flights, land tours, and especially your cruise experiences. Please take great care of our friends John and Karen and, if she starts getting a little cranky, point her to the closest Cosmo. Have a great cruise, all!!!

Z and TB

 

13 minutes ago, Zqueeze1 said:

I am real excited about this thread!  There seems to be a large number of CCers who will be contributing.  Looking forward to reading and seeing pics about your flights, land tours, and especially your cruise experiences. Please take great care of our friends John and Karen and, if she starts getting a little cranky, point her to the closest Cosmo. Have a great cruise, all!!!

Z and TB

Lol !! Roberto 🍸💞

We are so excited 🤗, but we sure will miss you two silly kids!  Cheers 🥂 

K

[ronrick1943]

Thanks to all the well wisher, it’s going to be a great trip.  We left Palm Springs this morning on American Airlines for Dallas.  Arriving at the airport we were surprised no buddy was at the airport, checked in and on the other side of security in about 5 minutes.  Arriving at the gate, not a person around, not even the check in person.  A little worried now.  Few minutes later they made an announcement that the flight would be leaving from gate 4 ( every one was at gate 6). Palm Springs only as about 15 gates total.  Soon the area filled up and it was a full flight.

The flight was very good, crew outstanding, we had ordered a special meal ahead of time.  Ron had a cheese and fruit platter and I had the Zoe’s Charcuterie plate, both were very good.  The plane itself was nice and clean, good seats-you couldn’t ask for a better flight for 3 and half hours.  Oh, and luggage was fast and everything we checked we got.

Had dinner with family living in Dallas so what could be better, now back at the Marriott at DFW, nice but nothing special—nice staff.

In the morning we’ll leave for the airport for the 16 ½ hour flight to Hong Kong.  Well update you on that later.  We’ll be staying on the Kowloon side at the Sheraton Towers.

Thanks again to all.

[tnr]

12 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

I am real excited about this thread!  There seems to be a large number of CCers who will be contributing.  Looking forward to reading and seeing pics about your flights, land tours, and especially your cruise experiences. Please take great care of our friends John and Karen and, if she starts getting a little cranky, point her to the closest Cosmo. Have a great cruise, all!!!

Z and TB

Wish you were going Z, but we'll take care of John and Karen.  I'm really excited to see them again......and you know how we love our cosmos!!!

We did our own flights and used AA miles (got lucky).  But we will be flying into Haneda instead of Narita.  Looking forward to a shorter trip to our hotel.

Terri

[Zqueeze1]

Terri: I forgot you and Ray are also on this cruise!  Enjoy it and make sure to have a couple of drinks on me.  Take care of John and Karen.  It looks like this cruise will be one for the books!

 

Ronrick:  I hope you guys enjoy Hong Kong as much as we have.  As a young Lieutenant, I went there on a deployment and came back with half a house full of rosewood furniture that we still have.  We've been back a couple of times and thoroughly love the vibe.  We will be rehashing old and fond memories through your experiences.

 

Have a safe flight, all!

 

Z and TB

[boblerm]

Ron and Rick, Deepfreeze63, Karen and John, Terri and Ray, (and anyone I may have missed), 

Wishing you a wonderful trip and very much looking forward to your reports.  How great it is to have so many posters on one cruise!

Bob

[1teach53]

Bob, 

Many thanks !💞 it’s wonderful to be in such good company! 

K

[UUNetBill]

Safe and enjoyable travels, all.  Can't wait to follow along with you on this adventure!!

[ronrick1943]

We made it to Hong Kong, and thanks again for all the CC Cruisers wishing us a good time.  We got to the Dallas airport the morning of the 17^th for our AA 125 non-stop to Hong Kong.  Check in was easy and fast, also ticket agent was super nice.  Now on to the TSA check-in, maybe a two minute wait in line.  Having two hip replacements the detector when off, now a ten minute pat down standing next the

X-ray machine.  I asked why I didn’t go though the X-ray—“you didn’t ask he said”.  Knowing this  wouldn’t was be a win-win situation I  was quiet then,  he told me OK all is good.

 

Next we moved on to the AA Premium Lounge for First and Business Class passengers.  What a let done, one of the worst lounges I’ve ever been in-really it should be closed.  (They say they are building a new AA First Lounge to open late 2019).  No big deal, we moved on to another lounge for a short wait near our gate.  I had to wonder since the lounge was so bad what the flight would be like.

 

Really nothing to worry about, the flight was outstanding, in fact better than most flights I’ve taken.  Boarding was on spot and the minute you got on the plane couldn’t have been better.  We were taken to our seats, asked what we wanted to drink, served warm nuts.  Next newspapers, pajamas, amenity kits and menus were passed out.  Lunch was served, a full 8 courses was serve with real style and care.  Service was full service during the entire flight.  Next was a mid flight snack, beef sliders which were very good.  During the flight they had a buffet bar set up in the gallery should you needed anything.  Before landing a full breakfast was service.  I have to say, this was one of the best food services we’ve had on a plane.  The crew in one word “Outstanding”.

Forgot, bedding was nice with a full light weight mattress, two full pillows, comforter, and blanket, all extra nice touches.

 

Off the plane, luggage in minutes (really), through immigration, customs and into the car off to the hotel within 30 minutes---I think that is a record!  This is our 10^th trip to Hong Kong and our hotel will the Sheraton Towers on the Kowloon side.  Nice hotel, very good service and a friendly staff.

 

One last thing, this flight was 17hours and 3 minutes because of storms in Dallas and about 1 hour out of Hong Kong.  Normal flight is 16 hours and 35 minutes.  We’ve learned that is way too long to be in a plane even with really good service, good food and good movies.  The only other reason would be we’re getting too old for this kind of travel-which is going to make seeing the Regent Mariner once in Tokyo so much better.

 

That’s it for tonight, off to bed hoping to sleep though the night.  PS: nice harbor view.

 

Ok its morning, good sleep but still tired.  Breakfast was complimentary and very good, nice buffet, plus egg’s to order.  Nicely done!

 

[RachelG]

Glad you had a great flight and arrived safely.  Off to a good start!

[south park]

Ron and Rick -

Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start. Wish I were there to join you at Spring Deer. It was a definite highlight when we were in Hong Kong last October. Thank you again for the recommendation. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip. 

Kelly