PaulMCO

It is my signature.... Explora II - 14 Jan 2025

I will disagree with Terry but as he said food is subjective, but just one element. Also Explorer on Regent as our last cruise which we just returned and Explora in January. Would I go on Explora again -- yes we are in January Would I go on Regent again - yes we are in August.

@TLCOhio used to be the brand President of Azamara.... so CS was important before they jettisoned it. The question -- being in the Industry for such a long time -- generally people do not leave. When you go to a competitor, you immediately leave -- the question is where will she pop up??? My guess Explora Journeys ???

Hotels -- depend on your cost points Favorites with 30 plus years traveling to Tokyo in order (not including the Imperial and 4 Seasons which are my favorites and are $$$$) Tokyo Station (think you can still book it via Hyatt if you are a Hyatt member) ANA Intercontinental in a quiet area near the Embassy -- this was my corporate hotel as it was near our office Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku (the Park Hyatt is now closed for Renovations until late 2025) Hilton Tokyo - good hotel at a reasonable in Shinjuku -- just stayed there on a Regent Japan pre-cruise. If you are gold or higher, rate includes breakfast Tour guides -- Can recommend Patrick L at Tours by Locals. He is an ex-pat that speaks Japanese fluently and gives a different perspective to a native. We have found many of the older native guides very regimented and scripted with flip charts and other visual aids. Also at Tours by local -- Eiichi M (Eddy).

Source is a passenger reporting on FB. Read same. Swell was Pitcarin. Low tides was the other two as they could not find an acceptable landing spot through the reef. Now swell is unpredictable. Low tide -- come on... This is first time for Seabourn. I hope they learn from this, as we are booked for same all the way to the Solomons for 2025.

Yes but many passengers were not happy as they were NOT able to make land on Pitcarin, Ducie or Henderson.

Most Regent ships (except Grandeur) do not yet have Star Link -- so you are stuck with the high orbit legacy EMC Networks/MTN satellites with high ping times and limited bandwidth. They had a long term contract with EMC so Starlink is not scheduled until the end of 2024, according to the Future Cruise consultant. Before you log in you might want to talk with the Internet Manager -- sometimes they will give you the extra logins complementary. @UUNetBill is correct about turning off your VPN to reconnect. Same with doing the end of cruise survey. Do not purchase the steaming package if you have a VPN. With a VPN you override their site blocking algorithm as it is IP based, so you are wasting money.

Just a note. Sometimes the tides and winds can make docking an issue. We missed one day in Kobe this March 18th cruise.

The only issues were that many that were coded moderate were actually strenuous. And there were some errors -- like restaurant had steep stairs - but in reality yes but also had an elevator.

actually not -- larger also Building on its last Allura-class ship in 2025, Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000gt vessels with capacity for 1,400 passengers each in 2027 and 2029. Sisters Vista and 2025's Allura are currently Oceania's largest ships, measuring 67,000gt with capacity for 1,200 passengers.

Real Luxury -- either of the 4 Seasons properties near the Imperial Palace. I also like the Tokyo Station Hotel -- iconic near part of the old station property. Good location for all site seeing and transport

If you want to sit at the best table/waitress in Compass Rose -- ask for Table 4 and Joan.. Tell her Mr. Paul and Mama Mindy said hello 🙂

@BWIVince welcome back... Which cruise are you doing in two plus months?? I received the survey twice and answered differently. First that it made a difference and would not cruise Crystal without one. It was more in depth than if you went through the other forks. Likely they are doing an RFP or are evaluating an RFP and doing a cost/benefit analysis. Just off Regent, and Encore had a casino that was very compact. They had enough tables to handle Black Jack, poker, dice, plus two rows of slots. Generally crowded, as there was a large group of Taiwanese who felt at home there 🙂

I will jump... SS does not require payment for its premium (added cost) excursions. They are posted to your account once on board. Seabourn does require prepayment, but will refund (without cancelling) those cruises against both non refundable and refundable OBC.

There is a whole thread about their excursions... My post #43 explains my feelings.