mrlevin

m'ellen, will you be coming in early before our cruise next year? We will be flying into NRT and staying at Conrad for three nights.

I sure hope you are right and it is postponed until 1/1 as we leave Brazil on 12/28 and would not need a visa.

Current explanation is pretty definititieve on activities and free time: DAY 1 After disembarking the cruise ship in Barcelona, you will enjoy a leisurely and immensely scenic drive to the Poblet Monastery. A 12th-century church stands at the center of this sacred World Heritage site, which features a fortified royal residence. While touring, you will learn about the monks’ lifestyle in the Middle Ages and the mountainous route that connects this Cisterian monastery to two others. Continuing on to the nearby medieval village of Montblanc, you can expect to see its Gothic churches, the royal palace and the city’s 14th-century stone walls, more than half of which still exist. Free time follows, during which you can explore further. The centrally located Plaza Mayor is a great starting point for shopping and people-watching. Afterwards, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Zaragoza, the capital of the province that lies on the Ebro River. Upon arriving, you will check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own. DAY 2 After breakfast at the hotel, you will spend the next two hours or so exploring Zaragoza, especially the Old Town. Its star attraction is the multi-domed Basilica of Pilar, an important pilgrimage site. According to local legend, the Virgin Mary gave Saint James a pillar made of jasper here and instructed him to build a church on the site. This last version of El Pilar, as it’s known locally, was constructed beginning in the late 17th century. You will next visit the ancient town of Medinaceli, which in Arabic and means “City on the Hill.” The Romans founded the city and structures from that time still remain, the most famous being a stone arch built in the 2nd century. Other highlights include a 17th-century palace and a Gothic church built even earlier. Following lunch, you will settle in for a relaxing drive to Madrid, where you will check into the Eurostar Madrid Tower or similar hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own. DAY 3 Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Toledo, a city so architecturally rich that Spain has declared it a national monument. UNESCO agreed and designated the historic center a World Heritage site, in part because three religions existed harmoniously here—Christianity, Islam and Judaism. As you walk through this extraordinary city on the Tagus River, you will get a genuine feel for what life was like here in the Middle Ages. The historic city center is that atmospheric. The Toledo Cathedral is particularly impressive, as it is considered one of Europe’s greatest Gothic buildings. Built over nearly three centuries, starting in 1226, the cathedral contains a spectacular high altar and two painting by El Greco, the famed painter that lived in Toledo. Another spectacular El Greco painting hangs in the Church of Santo Tomé, while the 13th-century Synagogue of Saint Mary the White is known for its Mudejar-style horseshoe arches. Be sure to notice these elaborately decorated arches as you browse the interior. Lunch follows, after which you will proceed to Madrid. As an introduction to Spain’s vibrant capital, you will drive past key landmarks before starting an enlightening walking tour in Plaza Mayor. This grand arcaded square in the heart of the city offers wonderful options for shopping and dining nearby, as you may discover during free time. By late afternoon, you will return to the hotel, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own. DAY 4 After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Segovia, a World Heritage site perhaps best known for its aqueduct that was probably constructed during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan. Until about 100 years ago, the aqueduct still carried water from the Frio River into Segovia 10 miles away. The Alcazar is another landmark that is impossible to miss. Construction began in the 12th century and its fabulous fairy-tale style supposedly inspired the design of the Walt Disney castle in part. You will also spend time in Segovia’s walled upper town, whose cathedral is the last Gothic one built in Spain. It stands where Isabella I was proclaimed the Queen of Castile in 1474. Following lunch in Segovia, you will drive to the 16th-century Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial on the outskirts of Madrid. It too is a World Heritage site and celebrated for its austere appearance, which influenced Spanish architecture for the next half century or so. As you wander through the interior, the guide will describe the building’s illustrious history, including how King Philip II conceived El Escorial as a funerary monument for his father. After visiting, you will return to the hotel in Madrid, where you will spend the evening with dinner on your own. DAY 5 Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Madrid International Airport based on the departure of your flight. Luggage can be stored at the hotel for guests with flights that depart late in the day. Land Program Details Step by Step: •Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments. •The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date. •A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program. DAY 1 8:45am Disembark in Barcelona and drive to Poblet 10:30am Visit the Poblet Monastery 11:30am Walking tour of Montblanc 1:00pm Lunch 3:00pm Transfer to Zaragoza 5:00pm Check into the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own Overnight at the Hotel Alfonso Zaragoza or similar hotel DAY 2 AM Breakfast at the hotel 8:45am Begin touring Zaragoza 10:45am Transfer to Medinaceli 1:00pm Lunch at a restaurant 3:00pm Visit Medinaceli 5:00pm Transfer to Madrid 7:00pm Check-in at the hotel Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel DAY 3 AM Breakfast at the hotel 8:30am Drive to Toledo 10:00am Visit of Toledo 1:00pm Lunch 3:00pm Depart for Madrid 4:30pm Begin touring Madrid 6:00pm Return to the hotel Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel DAY 4 AM Breakfast at the hotel 8:30am Depart for Segovia 10:00am Visit Segovia 12:30pm Lunch 2:00pm Depart for Escorial 3:00pm Arrive in Escorial 3:15pm Visit Escorial 5:30pm Return to the hotel Remainder of the day at leisure, dinner on your own Overnight at the Eurostar Madrid Tower Hotel or similar hotel DAY 5 AM Breakfast at the hotel 12:00pm Check out of the hotel Transfer to Madrid International Airport based on the flight details provided

Just send your requests to your TA and they will transmit to Regent. If not perfect when you board will be quickly rectified.

Jane, is Regent refunding the full cost of the pre-cruise?

I believe, two coke, two Diet Coke, two sprite, two Budweiser (or other us beer), two Heineken.

When you get to the hotel; Regent rep should have package for you. Don't expect that embarkation time was necessarily taken into account with respect to bus assignment.

I would not use the USB adapters. too easy to load malware to your phone. As for European adapters, take at least a couple. If you are caught somewhere on the ship and want to charge your phone or laptop you are going to need a European adapter. There are lots of places around the ship to charge (the one in Coffee Connection on Splendor is hard to find but extremely useful).

Susan, can you pass to Luke Arlene's best regards; your trip has sure brought back some great memories.

Susan, have you heard of alternative plans for Grand Voyage Event yet? I know I would be gutted if I had to miss Tattoo along with, I am sure, a special meal.

Now that we have gone through almost the entire Alaska season, I wonder if there is real "current" data regarding time to get to airport and through customs and security. Delta changed our flight from 1:15pm to 11:50 am. Should I accept this or try to find alternative flights. These are my own FF mile flights and Regent is not involved. thanks,

Susan, are you going to the Tattoo whilst in Edinburgh? Been twice and both times fantastic. Last year Luke was able to arrange for some tickets.

No answer as even the website for trip is saying excursions have not been finalized yet for Vissingen. Looking at itinerary, that has to be strangest I have ever seen; three days in Honfleur?!?! Do they have a three day excursion to Paris? It is amazing that even Cat H is available one year before cruise.

Susan, Michael has a great early history of the Navigator which he will gladly copy for you. He can also show you a neat picture from non-passenger space. I recommend watching After the Sunset if only to see the star of the show - Navigator.

Why get Regent involved? Can't you just work with United (I know work with United is an oxymoron 😁)?

I miss the daily happy hours with Michael; and the BELGIAN beer. I sure hope Michael moves to Mariner at some point as I won't be on Navigator until October 2025. Marc

Six years ago in USA I purchased a Nationwide Luxury Cruise Insurance package. It paid $1250 per person when Regent changed itinerary after final payment but before sailing. As Regent changed Korean ports we pocketed the $1250 per person. I would think that Nationwide stopped that policy with all of the COVID changes. Marc

Susan, you have Luke as Destinations Manager; undoubtedly the best in the Regent family.

Rachel et al's description is very accurate; however, procedures do differ a bit based on who is Destination Manager (usually on pier with busses) and Destination Manager's Deputy (who is usually in the theater). I vote for "go with the flow" but if you have "special needs" let the Destination Manager know in advance.

Susan, you have the-Team with Aris and Michael. Like Martha, we did this trip last year (and will again next year). I think it is our favorite Regent itinerary. Have fun!

Although Regent does not break out fees and taxes on passenger invoices, they do break it out for TAs identifying what is the "commissionable" fare. Some TAs also break it out so they can show how they calculated their kickback.

Call Regent when they open at 0830 EDT tomorrow and they will have you booked in seconds. I know that doesn't answer your question but will possibly save you a lot of brain cells.

Regent doesn't refund port fees to US passengers as they are not separately priced. Maybe this refund is UK only.

Don't see it in FAQ so had to be in Passages on past cruises. Maybe someone on board can confirm where it is documented.

Regent