traveljkkk

We did not use his services so that portion of the up-charge for penthouse was a waste of money although the cabin was great. A butler can do a lot for you - you just have to want it and use it.

We just got back from a Japan cruise with Regent and the flights over were Air Canada from CLT to Toronto with a nice layover for brunch and then a AC flight to Tokyo. All in all it was a pleasant day. Got United Air Miles immediately.

Had to wait until after flight is paid and ticketed to start. Make sure at every opportunity your AA number is associated with reservation as time of flight approaches and as a last resort make sure at check in that your AA number is in the account for both passengers. Do all this on other associated airline (JAL in our case had our AA number in record). Just need to keep on it as time progresses - I just kept trying until I was able to enter the data. There is always after the flight paperwork possible if all else fails.

We received AA miles for the AA portion of the trip and the JAL portions that were booked as AA flight (operated by JAL).

Bill - attached is review of Explorer 756 October/November 2023CC Rating Template.xlsCC Rating Template.xlsCC Rating Template.xls

Two things we don't look forward to on Regent trips. Air travel (not RSSC fault other than setting up tight connections) and lack of "real" internet for anything other than emails with text only. You want to listen to a podcast - forget it.

We have an international flight connection in Japan at Narita (NRT). Flight in from Bangkok and out to USA. Connection time 1 hour and 15 minutes - same airline both flights (JAL). Is this an easy connection or does it require a lot of technical delay (inspections, etc)? Will we make the connection? Regent booked the flights.

We only sailed Regent one time and the internet was/is a major disappointment and should be an embarrassment to them. We frequently cruise on Viking and their internet is great for everything. People face-time, watch sports, listen to podcasts, play games and transmit and receive anything all day and night. Other than the flights it is the only other part of our next trip that I do not look forward to.

The classes just opened up on the Explorer Nov 11th Tokyo to Bangkok cruise. 4 different days / menus. All available this morning.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2393020-regent-seven-seas-suiteguru-quick-reviews-ratings-of-regent-seven-seas-suites/#comments

I would not say top-tier entertainment. I would say good entertainment. I would say top-tier employees.

Viking scheduled us for premium economy on Lufthansa - USA to Europe and beyond later this year. I am able to select seats for all other airlines related to this trip. I cannot select my seats on the two Lufthansa legs and after discussion with the airline it is because the ticket is not "paid". "The seats are assigned at check in". If this is the way it happens, do they put travel partners together? Is this a common problem with this airline? Will it clear up closer to the flight date? How is this best handled? Just looking for experiences with this. One other point, this is a United flight "operated by Lufthansa".

We left Explorer last month and the hair dryer was powerful, and I believe did say commercial. Very adequate for our needs but some might say it needs a diffuser.

Would you tell all three that we were blessed to have them on our trip from Singapore to Auckland over the holidays and wish them all the best. Never met a friendlier, hard working group of folks - a real team. Melanie got her five-year award while we were on the ship. Jack and Kathleen. Re the TP - it would be better if only reversed so a tug would be resisted fully. We used to live in Houston many years ago. Almost cocktail hour here in the NC mountains at 4000 feet - you two have a great trip.

We were in this suite on Explorer until 1/12/23. We really did find the location quite good, surprisingly quiet, and excellent access to the stairs, which were our basic form of exercise during the cruise to nowhere. We had two things fixed for you - you are welcome. Were Vipin, Mark and Melanie still attending? Hated the toilet paper holder - should face toward back in my opinion.

Thanks for your commentary. Looking forward to the post extension. Your comments about the Florence airport also help with timing expectations villa to airport for the flight back to the US.

By the way - this was the recent "trip to nowhere" - Sydney to Auckland. First Regent experience and first time below the equator. Life is short.

Explorer cabin 723 attached CC Rating Template.xls

We have stopped at the bar and made them aware that we were going up and to send a server when they could. Sometimes they took the order then if time permitted and it was soon delivered.

Thanks. I have learned that this is a new issue with some cruise lines that are just restarting docking at Singapore after the Covid shutdown. We plan to try online with our phones as we travel by car to our initial airport or while waiting at either of the two airports crossing the US. Can you recall exactly what documents and formats of any uploads required? Portrait, passport, medical card, ??? We have found in some of our visa ETA applications that we had the documents but in the wrong format or data-size. Having all these copies ready on the phone will make it easier.

Regent call: I was told this is the first they have heard of issue and agent will forward it to operations to consider in the final cruise-specific email later this week. The Explorer is on the sea now and the people on the ship can apply on the ship - not a problem. We are the first at Singapore docking to fly in for an upcoming cruise, so this is a new problem related to Regent just now starting again in Singapore since the Covid pullback. Also, I was told they do not do "group applications". United Air said that this is to be handled at our first airport and not to worry. Time remains to get further direction. We will just go with the flow and make it work on the day of initial travel whether by car, plane or waiting area - I hope.

We are required to request a Singapore Arrival Card 3 days before entry - application cannot exceed a 3-day time period from arrival. The online application website will not allow outside that 3-day range. Some USA flight arrangements (including the cross US and then international components) can begin 3 days from Singapore arrival due to the International Date Line. How do you handle this application process - while waiting in airports during the actual trip? Is it easy and reliable or is the online application system troublesome? I note this morning that United will not even let me check in for the international leg without the application approval. I see little group discussion of this and wonder if I am working on a non-issue. If anyone has information about this process, I would appreciate the leads and experiences. Thanks. I do see at Singapore application site that you can arrive without the card but it will delay the immigration process. I'm not sure how long the delay or if acceptable for a cruise line's airport pickup / porterage crew.

I have not called yet as I am still trying to understand it. We have not received our pre-cruise FedEx package yet (floating around the US now for 10 days) and I hoped it might contain something that helps. I found this at the Singapore website which indicates that it can be done upon arrival: Q: When should I submit my arrival card A: You should submit your SG Arrival Card within 3 days prior to the date of your arrival in Singapore, to avoid unnecessary delays during immigration clearance. That is a relief, however, does not stop United Air from stopping me at International check in so I plan to call them. After that I will try Regent which can be hard to get to.

We are required to request a Singapore Arrival Card 3 days before entry - application cannot exceed a 3-day time period from arrival. The online application website will not allow outside that 3-day range. Some USA flight arrangements (including the cross US and then international components) can begin 3 days from Singapore arrival due to the International Date Line. How do you handle this application process - while waiting in airports during the actual trip? Is it easy and reliable or is the online application system troublesome? I note this morning that United will not even let me check in for the international leg without the application approval. I did note online there is a group approval category - does Regent have a group approval? I see little group discussion of this and wonder if I am working on a non-issue. If anyone has information about this process, I would appreciate the leads and experiences. Thanks.

Our Madrid extension in late 2019 was a fiasco. No one picked us up at the airport ("take a cab"). It was difficult because of the language and the small size of the cabs. We skipped over 50 cabs before one pulled up large enough for our luggage (month trip). Tapas tours were overbooked so they made one up for the late people - an out of the way boring, dry, plain mess. Day 2 was fine and fun. The train ride was good for some and bad for others. Someone goofed up and only part of the group got first class, the rest got economy seating and had to pay for the food and drink we got free in our comfortable seats. Be prepared to run and speaking Spanish helps. Some financial adjustments were made when we boarded the cruise, and I think the tour coordinators were fired but who knows. Hope that this potentially fun extension is what it is supposed to be - a great start to a great cruise.