frantic36

They are long shrimp about 10 inches long they are grilled in butter. Usually more likely on Earth & Ocean. Ask Wian the Maitre D' . He organised it for us. We asked for Escargot & Osso Bucco but he wasn't sure about the escargot as the ones sent in LA were too sandy so he suggested Nigerian Shrimp. We were happy with either. When we had the lunch they served escargot, Nigerian Shrimp & Osso Bucco. It was too much but we did have some of all because it was delicious. Thankfully we don't usually eat breakfast. Pleases send Wian our best wishes from Mr & Mrs M. He will know us from the special order lunch we had on the 18th Feb.

Yum! We miss out on Osso Bucco from the Colonnade as we usually go to MDR for Formal Night so we did a special order for lunch a few days before we left Sojourn. Nigerian Shrimp for starters and Osso Bucco for main...it was delicious.

Thanks for confirming I hadn't imagined it 🙂.

I read recently on the Explora board they are changing these but can't remember the details.

Thanks for the added insight @GOARMY. I didn't realise about the Japanese protocols and precautions about the bus because of earthquakes. Thankfully at this point of time we are fully capable of climbing and walking a distance, though my husband has had a few minor back issues lately he is getting treatment for.

I do agree with everything you say and it is why I read everything in full. I am just pointing out after many cruises I often encounter people who obviously haven't done so and they struggle. Which is why I commend the original poster for trying to do due diligence beforehand. I am surprised that Regent head office couldn't help them more but I am finding even with Seabourn it is getting harder to get direct answers.

@shark b8 my husband just checked on cruisemapper and it looks like you are docked further out of town with Odyssey in the usual port spot near town. It will mean a taxi in or a long shuttle ride. I hope you still have a good day.

It is just like when I travel as an Australian to the USA I have to ensure I have my current ESTA.

They booked in January 2024 for a cruise starting in May 2024. I think January was mentioned to highlight they are now into March without the questions being answered. Well not answered to their satisfaction. I will be interested to see how good their descriptions are to match the actual excursion. For our upcoming Japan trip there are a few with only one walking man but when you read the description in full it seems to indicate there is a fair amount of walking. Some of the two walking men excursions on deeper reading actually state not suitable for people in wheelchairs or walking difficulties. I'm wondering how many people will not read in full and choose based solely on the 0ne or two man walking icon?

@shark b8 sorry about the weather. Friends who are still onboard were going to take a fight to Kakadu but cancelled a few days ago due to the predicted weather. I think you still have a day in Darwin my recommendations are: The WW2 Museum which has a many interesting things including a visual & audio about the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese. The audio is personal accounts from civilians and military bout what they experienced and how they felt. American friends who went with us found it very interesting as they learnt a lot about our "mini Pearl Harbour". The Royal Flying Doctor Tourist Facility was recommended by fellow Aussies. I haven't been which is oversight on my part. It again has information about the bombing of Darwin but also includes information about the Royal Flying Doctor Service and how import it is in the community. There is Visual and audio again to enhance the experience plus one of the now retired planes they use and how it is set up for taking patients. Even better it is near where you are docked. https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/news/territory-tours/

We got off Sojourn recently and have pre-dinner drinks at 7-7.15 and saw a few people obviously having sushi as a light meal as they would order a few courses. We tried both the sushi and the sashimi. I don't usually partake of the nibbles in the Obs Bar or Club but having the lovely Sashimi as a starter occasionally was great. They also have a some Sake there which you can have straight or made into a cocktail. I didn't try them but a few times I did have one of their zero alcohol cocktails. I enjoyed the Zero Aperol Spritz.

I thought this only occurred if the Sunday happened to be a sea day? My upcoming Regent cruise the only sea day isn't on a Sunday. I do understand enjoying getting laundry done as I was happy when we got to the level to have one free bag every 7 days and now any time I want. That was something I was happy to see on Regent. I would never do a Regent cruise in places like the Med, Australia and other places I know well as I usually prefer to do my own excursions.

I will let you know after October what I think of Regent as it will be my first sailing. I will admit because of ship loyalty I am well recognised and get laundry so I can't comment on that but I do have to question the above statement. I saw people at various venues getting caviar at various times of the day. I saw it on deck 9 especially 5.30pm, in the Colonnade at lunch, in MDR at lunch time and at dinner, Obs Bar pre-dinner and Club pre-dinner. I don't hang out around the pool so am not sure but I'm sure it's possible though if busy you may have to wait. I rarely do room service so am not sure but I would be interested in others experience.

When we were on Quest last year and did the Antarctica portion we were recommended to hang onto the ropes when the zodiac was moving. It was just with one hand. I guess different zodiac captains were different. I could see how leaning forward so you were propelled into the middle would work but I would find that uncomfortable for a long period.

You do realise Oceania have also experienced outbreaks of Norovirus on their cruises. I think the last one was in 2018.

I am looking for some photos from the Sanctuary of Truth to give you a taster. I loved the Jim Thompson House and Royal Barge Museum and hope you do as well. I will try and find the Sanctuary of Truth photos tomorrow as it is getting late here.

You're right they are wonderful fabrics but one does wonder about the environment and manufacture as opposed to some great modern textiles that are useful in hot climates. It is wise not to be close minded.

Aaahhh please don't. I'm not subscribing to the fraud principle described here but if people use the term woke as a derogatory term it puts my teeth on edge as it is so political. By the way I wear a lot of silk, cotton and linen, have solar panels on my house, etc.

It was a lovely place to visit but that was a few years ago. The intricate wood carvings of statues and the building itself .

If people have already visited Bangkok when last we visited we organised a taxi to The Sanctuary of Truth. This was in 2019 and we organised a taxi from the port. It is a fascinating all wooden massive temple in a park.

One of my fondest memories was staying for 4 nights at a boutique hotel on the outskirts of St Paul de Vence. It was wonderful to wander the streets in the morning and late afternoon when the day trippers had left. Your right about the wonderful artisan shops, I still have a pair of sandals I bought from there 6 years ago. We were lucky in that our hotel room had a terrace on a hill and so we could see the coastline from there. I've been to both and like you enjoyed Eze but prefer St Paul.

My TA who I have used for years is independent but works under an umbrella group comprised of many independents. She doesn't do airfares but has access to an air department within the group and can sometimes get special fares for airlines ie Singapore Airlines. It also helps as there is back up if she goes away though she does check her emails regularly even when away. Do they have a similar type of situation in the USA with independents grouped under an umbrella network?

What about the rest of the menu which had a lot of meat and in the case of Lobster Thermidor and even dover sole there was a lot of butter. The lobster Mac & cheese had a lot of cream and depending on the night either a decent amount or very small bits of lobster. I'm waiting for the reports of the new Solis as I won't get to try it till next year as my next cruises are on Pursuit and Regent Explorer.

Yes it was and held on a sea day just before we got to Sydney. I missed seeing it unfortunately so I can't tell you if this was the winning boat. But from my friend's description of the winner I think it might be.

Jo was the Sommelier from LA and will be there until Cairns. She is not employed full time with Seabourn but is doing contract work when needed. Phillipe is the Head Sommelier in TK and Jo would have him co-host the Sommelier lunches as he is also very knowledgeable. I think Kevinash will take over from Jo in Cairns.