Saildude16

According to the Regent "Live Chat Line", they are heated.

We're trying to simplify packing/not tempting a TSA violation, so are mouthwash, shave cream, toothpaste, etc. part of the bathroom setup?  Even though we're vets of several voyages I just don't remember whether or not such items were provided.

We'll be on the Aug. 7 sailing from Southampton to destinations north. Wonder if the pools are heated as air temps will be in 35 to 60 deg. F (maybe) range?

CC benefit for cancellation/interruption is not covered with "...pre-existing condition...that occurs or commences prior to the initial deposit date or booking date of the trip."  However, there is a 60 day "lookback" period limitation of "treatment" and "...taking of prescription drugs or medication for a controlled condition throughout this 60 day period will not be considered to be a treatment of illness or disease".

Don't pretend to be a lawyer or insurance expert, but to me it is not at all clear that pre-existing  invalidates a claim for all medical conditions.  An example:  What if one were taking meds to help prevent kidney stones, but you had a severe attack requiring hospitalization just prior to departure?

I now understand tipping of servers, bartenders, etc., is unusual in Aust/NZ.  What about tour guides & drivers - same deal?

816 is an F2 on the Explorer.

Thanks for the constructive input from all of you.  We'll probably book thru from the night before to give us options.

Thanks to all of you for the advice.

Plan to stay in/near CBD or Rocks.

Will arrive after 24 hours in route with last 17h 35m in business class.  So, we should get some rest.  However, we're in our 70's and don't bounce back like we used to.  Question becomes is it worth an "insurance policy" of ~USD 200(Sunday night booking) which would allow us the option of taking a nap upon arrival vs. being forced to wait until normal check in time.

Would certainly request early check in, but expect the reply to be "if available".

We'll be arriving at 0700 on a Monday morning in January to spend 2 days  in Sydney prior to a cruise.  As this would be very early to expect to check- in  to a hotel for a reservation beginning Monday, I assume we should book beginning Sunday night  to assure there will be a room ready and waiting when we get there on Monday.

Since this will be summer season I wonder if that is in season or off season for hotels in SYD?

Any similar experiences or recommendations? 

Thanks for the input from all of you.  Plan is now to take a small portion of our "incentive to book" as OBC and the rest as a check after the cruise.

Based on the discussion above I had 2 concerns:

1.     The refundable OBC might be miscoded(not correctly noted in our ship's account as refundable) and at the end of the cruise there would be a hassle(with a 15 hour time difference to work around) to actually get it corrected and paid.

2.     I did not want be travelling home with $1000's in my wallet

A new(to us) travel agent has offered  "refundable" OBC to get our booking.  It was explained that the agency would deposit it directly into our shipboard account.  At the end of the cruise any unused balance would be credited to our credit card.  We're unfamiliar with this approach as on prior cruises we've either gotten a "rebate" check from other travel agencies before or after the voyage.  

Feedback from others that have used this approach would be appreciated.

Was in 809 about 2 years ago.  Great suite except for the loudly whistling sliding door in certain weather conditions/points of sail.  The problem was in more than a few cabins and was supposed to have been fixed by the ship builder.

Was in 709 in Feb. and had a similar experience.  They tried 3 times to solve the gasket/door frame problem, but to no avail.  They once changed out the entire frame and gasket.  GM said 709 would be put on the drydock repair list with the 40 other cabins already noted by other guests.

The jerry rigged "fix" was to tape the door each of the 4 - 5 nights there was a problem.  Did not ask for nor was offered any kind of compensation.  Ship was full so there was no other suite to move to.

Ship's personnel were very familiar with the problem.  Hope Regent truly repaired 809.

Port will be the landward side.

Four years ago in October we were in suite 616 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence with apparent wind of 75 knots on the bow.  Seas were ~15'.  When it was the roughest we simply took a nap.  All in all the ship's motion was OK for us.  I must add I've never been seasick(yet) on either ships or much smaller sailboats.

Interestingly enough there is an official ARS/USD exchange rate as well as the "blue" Dollar rate.  On 12/28/18 the Official buy rate was 36.83, while the blue rate was 38.50 - a 4.5% difference.  The sell rate differential was similar.  Blue dollar rate is apparently obtained at a Cueva.

Got this info after reading an article from landingpadBA.com.

Question for Lunenburg - We're taking shore excursions in Montevideo and PDE.  Assume AR$ will be accepted.  Correct?

Thanks for your local knowledge.

In a couple of months we'll have a 5 hour  connection in ATL for our flight to EZE.  Since departure is not until 2223 we'll dine before boarding.  Recommendations of nice restaurants in/nearby the international terminal would be appreciated.  Open to all cuisines.  Have done internet research, but am looking for first hand experiences - both good and bad.

Thanks.

FlyTalker - Going to your point 3, I was simply opening the door for someone better informed than I to point out that either (1) I had made a mistake or that (2) I had missed something.

No need to insinuate anything else.

Finally, the CPAP provider informed me that different airlines have different policies.  So if they were correct, there is inconsistency. 

Although the OP did not ask, using the CPAP in flight is problematic - at least on DL.  It is not to be plugged into the plane's electrical system.  One must use battery power.  Seems nuts to me because this mode requires a powerful and expensive lithium power pack.  Yes, the same type of battery which has been the cause of fires and explosions.

My CPAP"s specs explicitly notes it is compatible with a plane's 400 Hz power.  Go figure!

Even though I've researched this in depth, I'd be happy if someone corrects any misinterpretation of DL's requirements.

Lunenburg - Thanks for the tip.  This service is new to me.  Not sure that I'm ready to pay $100/person however.

Really just need a Skycap to handle heavy, bulky luggage.

Due to back problems we prefer to utilize porters/luggage handlers whenever possible.  Thus, I wonder whether this service is available at EZE.  The helper would assist from the luggage carousel, thru customs and to the pickup vehicle with 4 bags of 2 people.

As input to our evening plans, we'd like to know when the Captain's Welcome party, Captain's Farewell party and Krew Capers might be on the BA to San Antonio segment.  Following  are my guesses based on past cruises:

Welcome - 2nd night on board, Sat. Feb 2.

Farewell - 2nd to last night on board, Fri. Feb 15.

Capers -    Don't remember, but late in cruise.

All guidance appreciated.  

Still looking for something other than a Vegas style stage show.

Some smaller venues and/or bars include:

Bar Sur(Reviews are both love it or hate it)

La Cumparsita Tango Bar

Maldita Milonga

El Viejo Almacen

El Querandi

Alijibe Tango

Anyone with first hand knowledge - please comment.

We'll be on a 10 hour overnight flight from ATL to South America in Delta One class. Departure is ~ 9pm. We really don't want to eat heavily, nor do we want the service to take 2 - 3 hours, finishing at midnight. I've noticed some airlines have an "express" meal alternative. However, I haven't found that option with Delta online. In the end I can give them a call, but thought to ask if anyone else has booked an express dinner with Delta?

You may wish to search the archives as several months ago there was a discussion of the port change with a link. The linked article was from one of the trade publications. The Val port laborers were identified as the primary reason for leaving. This was right after the port of Val had built a new cruise terminal. Apparently San Antonio is more appreciative of the business.