Port Power

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.

Furthermore, in Australia the 4th vaccination/second booster has just been made available free to anyone over 35. Mind you, the value of the 4th vax for under 60’s (unless compromised in some way) hasn’t received any formal documentation that I have come across. I could be wrong and just missed it though. Nevertheless I will have my 4th before heading to Europe in October. Plus I would like the requirement for passengers to have a RAT in the passenger lounge area before boarding continue for awhile yet.

I’m on Quest in late December and the AzAmazing event is in the shore excursions. Perhaps it is just some individual locations/countries where arrangements haven’t been finalised.

My take is that you have to book by 31 August 2022 and sail on or before 30 June 2023. Or put FCC onto an existing booking. However, if you book any cruise with a June 23 departure date, you might then be able to change that reservation later to a cruise departing in, say, February 2024. I have read of CC posters doing that in the past, Call up and ask if your preferred cruise is after June next year.

I’ve never had any problems on Azamara Quest. And yes, I did send the pre cruise email. Met with the Chef onboard. I also ordered dinner the night before from next day’s menu. Already printed, and with the Chef’s specials included. Even if not G/F on the menu, most meals could be made G/F with notice. I try not to eat bread (purely for my waistline), so at The Patio would have the burger patty without the bun. Windows also would even make pasta for me. I skipped the Belgium waffles after my first ones as they were not fully cooked and a bit doughy. That might be normal as far as I know. I like the thin waffles. Breakfast in Windows was easy. Staff were always helpful and ready to check with the chef. If things have changed since my last AZ cruise, I will speak to the F&B manager again. No one should just grumble and post bad reviews; you should always speak to management.

I guess the name was changed to differentiate the night, especially as it would be held over several venues to reduce crowding and allow social distancing. A less than full ship might not have needed that. White Night is on the pool deck for everyone at one (although some will choose to eat in the MDR first).