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FLgemini

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  1. If there is an excursion you really, really want to do and can't get in on the Regent option, sometimes you can recreate it (or enhance it) by doing it independently or by hiring a private driver/guide.
  2. Correct. Only works if you buy your own air independently and decline the Regent-included air (which Regent then gives back as a credit/reduction against the cruise fare).
  3. Here in the U.S., you can slice and dice trip insurance to give you peace of mind where you need it most. The prevailing thought though is never take cruise or airline insurance off the bat (usually comprehensive which is combo trip cancel/interruption/medical). You can shop online for more cost-effective options. Most of our travel is international with multiple trips a year. We get an annual multi-trip medical plan for less than $500 with good coverage (though coverage is usually is reduced though for anyone over 70). I'm too risk adverse on the medical because of age, physical condition and klutziness. Most U.S. health plans (including Medicare) don't cover ANY overseas illnessess, accidents or transportation. For trip cancel/interruption, I only price for trips over a certain $ amount that would hurt should I have to back out before or during the trip. I mean, we're talking Regent here. Cruise fares in certian classes for extended voyages run in the tens of thousands per person. That would be a big hit to the wallet. To keep trip cancel/interruption insurance manageable, I price WITHOUT including airfare. If we had to bail, even on a non-refundable ticket, we could bank that cost as a credit to use on the same airline over the next year---which usually isn't a problem. So any claim filed, would only be on the cruise fare only. Insurance coverage: You do not need it until you really need it.
  4. Off topic, but agree with others, you are not missing much by not stopping in Casablanca. The movie has completely romanticszed that city. Today, you have to really, really be into a gritty, authentic experience to appreciate it. We stopped and used the time to go to Rabat, which we enjoyed (Marrakesh and Fes are simply too far out of reach for a single day port stop). For others who went ashore and stayed in Casbalanca, MANY stories of how unappealing it was.
  5. I'm on this voyage and received email yesterday. Honestly, I welcome the extra sea day as it's only the second one for a 12-day trip. Plenty of Norway to still see with other stops in my opinion. Breaks things up. There are two Aida ships on the schedule that day for Stavanger with a combined capacity of 9,300 passengers. Speculation around the web is that two ships that size, now for some reason, puts strain on the port. There is a movement to limit the annual number of ships calling on Stavanger. Regent probably made this itinerary at least, what, two to three years ago? Maybe now, closer in, Regent was given the boot. I was on Explorer last summer on Easter Med and were changed very close to sailing from ending in Venice to ending in Rome.
  6. Just saw a Seabourn TV commercial. In it, they promote their ships’ marinas. I’ve been on four Seabourn voyages: three on Quest and one on Ovataion. Traveled to Baltic, S. America/Antarctica, New England/Canada and Southern Caribbean. Three of those four were two weeks or longer. Not once on any of those voayages was anything offered from the Marina. So, under what itinerary or circumstances does Seabourn use them? Looks prettty cool!
  7. Circling back here to report what I experienced. Looks like Seabourn for this season in the Caribbean (Winter 2023) has the Ovation doing a couple of legs back and forth between Barbados and St. Martin. Itinreraries do differ. They sell segments in 7-day and 14-day voayges on both ends. We even met someone who did a back-to-back-to-back 21 day! Because passengers are contanstaly coming and going every 7 days, emarkation/disembarkation days are very subtle. No ongoing annoucments (they call it a silent disembarkation) and all venues are open/closed like any other day in port. The only changeover you notice are bags in halls and a little flurry of housekeeping activity. Quite nice for those staying on for another leg. There's no feeling of a "hard" stop turnover and B2B passengers enjoy the port stop with no extra effort in their day.
  8. The power of aromatherapy! Luxury brands realize having an exclusive scent binds them to consumers. Molton Brown forever makes me think of Seabourn. I admit, I've sought out their gels and soaps after disemebarking as it reminded me of a good time/great trip time aboard Seabourn. Definitely takes me back to a time and place.
  9. On Ovation Jan. 7-21, 2023. Seabourn sells the voyage as two, seven-day one way cruises or one, 14-day roundtrip from Barbados. Curious to know logistics and activity for the turnover on the 7th day. On this trip, that will be in St. Maarten. Does the day feel like a hard reset or is it not terribly noticebale to those staying for the entire 14-day journey? Our first back-to back!
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