Port Power

Usually they are well organised and well run. Azamara uses local operators they have worked with for years. Especially as tours are not usually really large groups. One tour I went on at a new destination was well done, but didn’t go a bit further along the river as was advertised. I heard the operator tell the skipper at push off, “turn around at the bridge”. On return we gave feedback to the shore excursions desk that the tour was excellent and the skipper and mate very good, but disappointing that part of the tour was missed. We all received a partial refund. So Azamara stands by their shore excursions.

I’ve done many successful private tours through my roll call. Great value, and personal. However I’ve done great AZ tours. In Portugal there was one with only 6 passengers in a 4WD (SUV). Another in Spain with two Jeeps, so four passengers in one vehicle with a girl from the Casino as chaperone. Fabulous tours. Then there was a tour in Washington that wasn’t so good. The chaperone was wife of the destination lecturer, and because she couldn’t keep up with the guide, we all had to slow to a dawdle! Unfortunately when you book a tour, you don’t know if there will only be 6 or so guests. Those tours are worth the price. Not all tours involve a big bus.

Yes, it does. Shampoo and conditioner of course.

I note there is actually a topic on the “Canadian” thread about this subject. It was started on Thursday. A good place to ask specific Canadian questions, I should think.

Keep your included hotel night and the transfers. Book the extra night yourself, either at the same hotel or any other one you like. It will not effect the hotel to port transfer. Flying a day earlier is completely separate.

Shouldn’t you have started a new thread for discussion on this subject?

It's all coming back now! My son and I also enjoyed breakfast in Moderno. We did occasionally go to O'Sheehan's for a change, but the choice in Moderno was excellent, as well as being fewer guests there. When we cruised through the Sounds, we were up on Haven's top deck for a wonderful view. The crew set up a drinks station for the duration: coffee and hot chocolate as well as soft drinks, sparkling wine and beer. Having the reserved area in the theatre was really good. Very good seats. Yes, we really enjoyed the Jewel. Even without the suite experience, Jewel was a lovely ship with plenty of activities. Staff were excellent. @subaru94, enjoy your cruise.

4066 is one of the new cabins where shore excursions used to be. It is underneath the seating are of Mosaic Cafe next to shops. Still should not be noise from above as the floor is carpeted. I haven’t been onboard since those cabins were installed, so don’t know how well they are separated from the reception area. That is the main query. P.S. My last cabin was on Deck 4 too, but an inside cabin. Even more financially challenged!

The Regent personal agent told me that World Cruises sell out quickly, so I am not surprised. I guess there might be the odd segment available nearer departure. I reckon after 168 days, it will be like living in an exclusive village! I look forward to reading your report of the 2024 WC. I read your May report with interest. I enjoyed Sitka, but fewer ships stop there now.

Or just that we have worked our way through the mass market ships during our working life and now prefer smaller, less crowded ships in our retirement. I agree, there is something for everyone out there.

In the past we had a long cruise with LOTS of NR OBC. We did cash in the refundable (R) OBC. We used most of it for shore excursions. I think upgrading to small group shore excursions is the best use, but superior red wines/Champagne comes a close second! Plus, on very long cruises, a hair tint and trim is a necessity.

I know it is not the traditional circumnavigation of globe, but it is still an interesting itinerary. I agree that missing the south island of NZ is a big miss. They could have at least cruised the fjords. However the east coast of northern South America is not often done. Nor is Easter Island. That is a bucket list for many. And even "floating" past Antarctica will be wonderful! I have cruised to Vietnam several times in the past, and will be doing a Japan circumnavigation with Silversea next year, but I still found this itinerary worth booking. It is long! Much longer than any cruise I have done before, so I hope I haven't made a mistake. I would have booked the Grand European Sojourn, but it overlapped with a land tour I have, which is a deferred trip from 2020, then 2021, then 2022........ This itinerary seems to follow the sun, so warm weather for most, if not all, of the trip. It will be summer in the southern hemisphere, then heading north again for spring and summer in the northern hemisphere. I wonder if China will be welcoming visitors in 2025? Regent obviously thinks so. No one can predict the state of the world two-and-a-half years out anymore. I have been looking for threads on past experience of Regent and World Cruises for some feedback. It sounds like some of you here have that experience. Do you get bored with repeat shows? Or does that just give you more opportunity to visit other venues for the music? Is there camaraderie amongst WC passengers? It must actually be nice to see new faces with the rotating "segment" cruisers. Or not? I would love to hear your stories and experiences. Carol

That's not really relevant to asking about shore excursions. Especially if we are just providing suggestions or information about tour operators or locations to visit. Nevertheless, I cruise on Azamara and Silversea, and have a future Regent Seven Seas World Cruise lined up. There are many, many Australians on the Roll Calls for those sailings. I must admit I have found little mention of these cruise lines on the "Australia & New Zealand" threads, but definitely many Australians on the particular cruise lines threads.

Looking at current flight schedules, there isn't much of a choice. QANTAS does have a flight from Denpasar to Melbourne, then Jetstar to Honolulu, but there is still a long layover just short of 10 hours. There is some fabulous routing with various airlines through Jakarta and Tokyo! Or Singapore. But all with long layovers. Do you have lounge access to help ease the pain?

It did take 24 hours before the ocean-going tug reached us, though. Yes, I was on board. Both azipods stopped working. The ship was "dead in the water". It had been hobbling around the world on one azipod but NCL wouldn't cancel any cruises so that the ship could be repaired in Singapore. The German engineers were still on board in Melbourne, so finally and properly fixed there. Nevertheless, for those who know Bass Strait, the situation could have ended in disaster! Fortunately it was warm and sunny, and the sea calm and smooth. NCL opened the bar to all on board!

Have you also posted in your Roll Call? Most people wanting to share excursions will post on the Roll Call for their sailing. You might get some general information here from locals, if that is what you are after. Enjoy your cruise.

Ignore everything. I had the wrong ship - it is Norwegian Spirit that I was talking about in my post. Too late to edit and delete. I have been on Jewel twice though, and enjoyed the NCL experience. Liked the ship. Ocean view cabin on the same deck as the sports bar/casual restaurant. Great to pop along to for a drink at any hour.

I have cruised on most of the brands, and twice on Jewel. Remember it is having a multi million dollar refit. I prefer NCL to Princess, mainly because there is no variation to Princess ships. Which is a plus for many cruisers. Jewel used to be Star Ship Leo. It is smaller than the average mass market ships and has a really nice layout. Lots of terraces aft, going down several decks. My friend and I were in an inside cabin on B2B cruises, but had a fantastic time. Usually I would prefer ocean view or balcony. NCL Jewel is a well-loved ship, which is why NCL hasn't sold it off. Very popular due to the layout.

That is certainly odd. If the T&Cs say OBC, hopefully that is what it actually is.

Post here so I will be prepared for next year from FLL - PER. I prefer Qatar, although Qantas is good for that route.

You are correct. And much better off!

There are two different types of onboard credit. The promotion "$1000 OBC" is to spend on anything you like. All purchases on board are in USD and shop, spa or shore excursion purchases are taken off the balance. At the end of the cruise you may or may not be able to cash out any remaining balance in USD or in your local currency. Note MAY. There will be an "R" next to the credit if it is refundable, "NR" if not refundable. The OBC that TA's give you is definitely refundable. If "NR", buy a watch! 🤣 Well, something with the balance rather than lose it. Spirits or skin care, etc. The other type of promotional credit is specifically called "shore excursion credit" and can only be used for shore excursions. I have not known any balance being able to be used for on board purchases, but policies are always changing. It will be interesting to hear how the OBC worked out for you

Lola, it has been four years since my husband passed away suddenly. On a cruise, no less! We had an absolutely fabulous day in Cadiz that last day. I thought I would not cruise again, but I certainly have. We often did different things during the day on sea days, and I made friends at trivia and the like, and that is what I continue to do. DH liked to sleep in, so I often ate a relaxing breakfast alone with my book. Cruise Critic helps as fellow members rally around. Yes, I still miss DH every day, but I do love cruising and it is still a great way to holiday. No cooking either! AZ and SS are great with solo lunch and dinner tables, and pre-dinner drink gatherings, so there is plenty of choice. And of course you also meet and mingle with couples. I hope I meet you at sea one day. Carol

Thank you for the information. However, Silversea doesn’t conduct land tours themselves; they do use use local operators. My intent was it is still theoretically possible for passengers to undertake shore excursions if the cruise goes ahead. SS may well still totally amend their Japan itineraries to somewhere completely different. I know I would like an answer this close to sailing! It is not satisfactory and not fair on passengers. If not heading to Japan, where? I am booked on SS to Japan early next year. That’s the country I want to see. Not, for instance, the South Pacific if the itinerary is changed.

Silversea is not toying with you. They may still able to cruise to and around Japan. They are still able to take their passengers on shore excursions. As a passenger you are in a group. However you are not allowed to remain travelling in Japan by yourself or with family after the cruise. You must fly out. But that is not the fault or responsibility of SS.