PaulMCO

I think they did also.. We got a good price for our's.

As for the majority of cabins being OTs, yes but there are a significant number of PH's on Explorer.  In fact several are priced close to that of a Cove Residence.

I though the design was OK, but there is lots of wasted space.

The bathrooms are ridiculously small for the majority of the Residences.

The bedroom area is also small and rather claustrophobic -- this maximizes the living space but at the expense of the bedroom.

Only a Residence gets a butler.  We have gotten used to this on Regent, SS, and Crystal. 

Very few benefits -- no extra bookings at Marble or Sakura.  Champagne was recently changed and no more Dom.  Yes you get free laundry, but then on Regent everyone does.

Tight connections, missed connections, weather, mechanicals, strikes etc.  I have had more bags delayed in my life and that is over 6mm over just about every airline - from Pan Am to Yangoon ("the safe one") than delayed packages.  I have never had a DHL package lost (delayed yes) in my 40 plus years of sending proposals to customers throughout the world.  I do not use a luggage service regularly but only strategically where I have a large number of suitcases.  Generally this involves multiple climate zones. Last time in March where we had winter weather in Tokyo and summer in Hawaii.

Having a cruise line preferred Company insures timely pickup on the end of cruise segment.  We hardly use the end of cruise option because we generally don't care when our bags make it home.

3 hours ago, GMIAC said:

It’s definitely a region issue, not a bandwidth issue. If you use a VPN, you’ll bypass that issue. 

It is not a region issue because the IP address of the satellite system is Miramar, Florida (sometimes Miami).

It is Regent blocking downloads and streaming. @joan021 Did you pay to have a streaming upgrade??

Alternatively - if you had a VPN and used an iPad for the Kindle APP, it would work.  Did that on my last cruise in Japan.

The issue of delays to put Starlink in is not technical but contractual.  NCL has to wait for the  internet portion of the contract with MTN/EMC/Anuvu to expire.  My guess Anuvu will still do the entertainment/TV segment.  The internet person's are contract employees of Anuvu.  Had a nice discussion with the one last year on Splendor.

The Future Cruise person on Encore a few weeks ago said, December was the target date to complete the refit.

3 hours ago, travelberlin said:

I am trying hard to find a choice 😃. I have bought packing cubes and watched tutorials on how to travel just with a carry on. I will put it into practice for my next trip. 
 

Ivi

Excellent  - but that can be a challenge when you fly Euro airlines (like LH) where they weigh everything. 

I have been doing carry-ons for 20+ years on my quarterly trips to either Vienna or Karlsruhe.   Can manage 10 days worth of cloths, including 2 suits in a carry-on.  I keep telling my DW, just remember, the ship does have laundry.

@Keith1010  Is Crystal partnering with a company?  I know Regent is doing Luggage Forward and it makes it more secure knowing the cruise line is working with the company to make sure your bags are picked up and get home.

2 hours ago, Keith1010 said:

They don't show up on line in My Account nor on the cruise invoice.  

 

You or TA can confirm number on the phone with Crystal or on-board with one of the two personnel who handle the loyalty program and book new cruises.

 

Keith

You can confirm the number also by email which we just did.

43 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

I had a bad experience recently in Mumbai. I think it was Indian Customs but DHL was involved and they confiscated items like all our labeled meds, shaving brush, hair brushes, heating pad. DHL has offered compensation which I find strange if Customs was the culprit. 
any thoughts?

Meds of any kinds are NEVER allowed by any forwarding service. Same with electrical items.

4 hours ago, travelberlin said:

I was looking at those companies mentioned here like LuggageForward. I have never used them but it looks convenient. How far in advance do you have to send the luggage? What happens if there are flight cancellations? Could it happen that your luggage does not arrive at the port in time for your embarkation? Do you have it delivered to you at the ship or where?

Ivi

Ivi --

Luggage forward uses a courier in most cases it is DHL.  This means it goes on there own planes.  Luggage free uses Fed Ex.

The amount of ahead time depends on the country and customs clearance time and whether you choose rush or normal.

Our most recent cruise we shipped two 25kg suitcases to Japan.  We had the choice of Normal or rush shipping.  Normal for a delivery date of 12 March was 29 February.  The luggage arrive at our pre cruise hotel on 5 March.

Just now, Waltershipman said:

Paul what date I'm january on EJ

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

On 4/14/2024 at 7:42 PM, mango puddin said:

I was considering Explora, maybe I should stick to Regent.

 

How would you say the food on Explora compares to Regent?

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). 

10 hours ago, frantic36 said:

 

 

I read the blog for Ducie and it stated they tried to go ashore but the swell was too strong so they did the zodiac tour. Experienced sailors know you can't guarantee a landing if there is a problem with swell or weather. At least the snorkelers and divers got a good experience and hopefully some on the zodiac trips.

 

I am on the 28/29 May Sailing so I have a vested interest in following the blog. I am hoping to snorkel but am sadly no longer a strong swimmer and had a scare a few years ago snorkelling so if we can't land I will just have to enjoy the zodiac trips and the ship. I'm glad to follow the blog as it helps with managing expectations.

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.

On 4/8/2024 at 1:03 PM, Nops said:

There is a blog of the current Pursuit South Pacific Cruise on the Seabourn website. Many diving pictures in the Pitcairn Islands.

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 now, mwike said:

We are visiting in 2025 also.  The ship spends two nights in Kobe.  Based on research both here on CC and otherwise, we plan on staying one night at a hotel in Kyoto instead of sleeping on the ship in order to maximize our time in Kyoto.  I know not really excursion related but something for you to consider.

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.

1 hour ago, Scout16 said:

I noticed in the press release that the two ships are going to Oceania.  I believe that both the size and the passenger size are within their standard sizes. 

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

2 hours ago, mj_holiday said:

After lunch, we left the ship to take the shuttle that’s offered. The shuttle took us to the railroad station of Shimizu. We walked around some of the area and decided it was time to stop someplace for refreshments.  We then realized most of the establishments closed at 2 PM. We found a small little coffee house that was open and went in.  I asked about getting two beers holding up two fingers.  The server acknowledged and asked if we wanted two glasses and I said yes. I’m glad she didn’t understand that I wanted two beers. She served up two glasses and a half liter bottle of beer. That was a good size to share.  She also brought some small packages of snacks. And a bowl to put them in and some handy wipes. It was a nice break. As we left,  outside was the biggest dog I’ve seen and he seemed friendly but I wasn’t taking any chances.
We headed back to the shuttle and took the shuttle back to the ship.  
We again had a lovely dinner in Compass Rose with our server Yuli, and Brad had his second lobster tail of the cruise. 

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  🙂

On 1/13/2024 at 10:29 AM, Roland4 said:

To the best of my knowledge, and I stand to be corrected, Crystal is the only line that does not require payment at the time of booking for shore excursions. And before someone jumps in here, I am NOT including the "no cost" excursions that some lines offer. 

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. 

43 minutes ago, briar14 said:

@PaulMCO, Boarding on Monday for 30 days. What are issues with Destination Services and excursions? Thanks.

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

Currently on Explorer.  The decor is very subjective, but agree it has an "old" dark feel compared to Splendor, which is light and airy. Ship is well maintained.

Staff is great, food has been good and consistent-- only exception has been Chartreuse, where the food and service disappoints. Even Sete Mare which we did not like on Splendor has been excellent.  Love Compass Rose, only Crystal does this better.  Much better than SS or Seabourn.

Room is OK, we are in a PH on deck 8.  Bed is comfortable, lots of closet space, supersized shower (no tub).  Room attendant has been super.  Butler has been mehh.

Biggest issue is destination services and the excursions, this is an issue for both Regent and Oceania and it is a driven corporate issue.

We did the pre-cruise, Vibrant Tokyo.  Was very well organized, which is amazing for the contractor (Destinations Asia), handling 11 buses and 300 passengers so well.

Time to see Shanghai.. We were first here in 1980.

Just now, travelberlin said:

I have to wonder about those suspicious of fraudulent claims. We are talking about Crystal cruisers who I didn’t consider to be deceiving or wanting to be fraudulent. I don’t believe that those rejections to claims are caused by fraudulent past cruisers.
 

I think that there is something else going on (i.e credit cards or insurances paying after the claim was submitted and this information not being properly processed). I also think that Moecker is making some mistakes while verifying the claims and taking unnecessary time for those payments. Not intentionally probably, but still there are clients waiting to receive the checks or transfers without being fraudulent.

 

For the record, we are not fraudulent and have not received any payment from the credit card company or travel insurance after my husband submitted the claim and despite this, are still waiting for the transfer from Moecker despite notification that this would happen. 

 

but your claim, if greater than the allowed amount of $4,450, still must go through the court so it is segmented to X payment priority, and X payment as unsecured.