ricki

49 minutes ago, kidless said:

I find the changing of names from steward to host etc totally silly and unnecessary. If they want to set themselves apart from other lines do it in quality of service, food, decor, itinerary, and a wide range of other things that would better help them stand out. Do they correct you if you call them by the wrong name?

Personally, I don’t mind the change in titles, and no host has ever corrected us.

Explora Journeys has already met many of the things you list.  We've been onboard for 9 days, so I feel I have a good appreciation for the ship.

Service has been outstanding! Explora has dedicated a great deal of time and money into training. Sixty percent of the hosts onboard have never been seafarers, instead they come from luxury hotels.  Officers, staff and hosts have all been exceptionally helpful, friendly and capable. The hosts run to help…whether it is hurrying to carry your plate in the Emporium Marketplace, or quickly going to pull out your chair in Crema. Our Suite Host, Lidiane, has been wonderful. We were called by name on day 2. Hosts remember our coffee preferences, the fact that I prefer sparkling water and my husband flat, the wine we like, etc. 

Food has been consistently excellent in flavor, quality, variety and presentation in all of the venues ( we have not tried Anthology.) with one exception: the pork dim sum in Sakura.

The decor is soothingly elegant, with natural light and dramatic art.  Our suite is very comfortable with plenty of storage and lots of special touches.

There are a few things that, in my opinion, need improvement: chairs are too low in the lounges, announcements are very loud and there are no cocktail onions.  None of these are deal breakers or affect our enjoyment. I’m still not sure about the evening entertainment model, but, Lydia, the singer in last night's “ Evening by Candlelight,” was very talented and the Journey Lounge had a special ambiance.

Explora Journeys is the new kid on the block and is going to shake up the existing luxury lines ( all of which we have sailed multiple times.)

17 minutes ago, kidless said:

I find the changing of names from steward to host etc totally silly and unnecessary. If they want to set themselves apart from other lines do it in quality of service, food, decor, itinerary, and a wide range of other things that would better help them stand out. Do they correct you if you call them by the wrong name?

13 minutes ago, tony s said:

Twelve Transfers

Thanks, I will check them out!

Has anyone used a car service they would recommend?

I miss Smith's for Airports, they were terrific!

Thanks in advance!

Ricki

Our ship arriving in Japan comes into Daikoku Port. Three days later, we sail from Osanbashi Port.  We are looking for luggage storage for 4 days.  Has anyone used Sagawa or any of the other storage/transfer companies in Yokohama?  Thanks in advance!

Thank you for clarifying that.

Ricki

Someone mentioned that included alcoholic beverages did not apply in the Atlas Bar. Is it only drinks for purchase that are available there? Thank you!

Sorry, I did not see these responses…Thank you for the suggestions.  Unfortunately, there are no accessible cabins available on their desired itinerary.

Ricki

On 9/2/2022 at 11:04 AM, TERRIER1 said:

If I recall, in our veranda suite (category B) the narrowest portion of the room is between the bottom edge of the bed and the desk.

 

 

That may be a problem. Thank you.

On 9/2/2022 at 11:23 AM, mauibabes said:

Also take into account WHEN he is sailing, before or after the projected Updates for both ships because depending on category, there could be a difference depending on the changes. We did see in a PH renovation photo that the table and boxy chair at the end of the bed had been removed. 
🤞

Mauibabes

That’s true! Thank you.

On 9/2/2022 at 12:09 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

And, for B cabins, it is narrower on R Ships than on O ships.
OP: Look at the pix on the O website and you can easily guesstimate.

Thank you!

On 9/2/2022 at 2:00 PM, 2552phxcrzr said:

With a walker ... on  the R class ships your friend might find the oceanview cabins on deck 4 easier to navigate.  Especially if they have the bed separated into twins and placed alongside the wall on either side with the window in the middle.  We did this on a 50-day cruise and the cabin was much more spacious and navigable that way.

Good suggestion! Thank you!

On 9/2/2022 at 10:33 AM, pinotlover said:

Any particular cabin category in mind for your question?

I definitely should have been more specific: a B2, 3 or 4 category.  Thank you!

Hello!

I have a friend that uses a walker, and will be sailing on Marina or Riviera. He is concerned about getting around the bed. Could someone please measure the distance between the foot of the bed and the wall.  If it helps, a US dollar bill is 6 inches.

Thanks in advance!

Ricki

6 hours ago, devonuk said:

Take your own test and if negative attest accordingly 👍

OK, so no need to have a third party witness it.   Thanks much!

This is so confusing! We are boarding Enchanted Princess on September 2 in Southampton, UK.

When  I spoke to 2 “Navigators” at Princess, I was told the pre-cruise antigen test does not have to be observed, and we can attest to the results. The second person said we had to bring the actual test to show at the pier—REALLY???  That sounds absurd and incorrect.

Must we be observed via telemedicine as we self administer the antigen test and  then upload the results received from the telemedicine company—or can we independently take the test and attest to the results?

Thank you!

We boarded Orion on October 20, and nobody asked to see our test results at anytime. Quite disconcerting!

1 hour ago, ChatKat in Ca. said:

From our tour of Scotland Last year

It is no wonder you are a master photographer, Kathy! Incredible photo!

Ricki

16 hours ago, clo said:

I'm pretty sure the link I gave provided that info. If not I apologize cause I sure thought it did. No?

I sincerely apologize for posting it after you already did. Definitely, you get all the credit!

Ricki

We have international calling through our provider, T-Mobile.  However, we have been told that we might have limited ability to connect to a network in Brazil. Apparently, this depends upon your type of phone. I have an Apple 11 and my husband has a Google Pixel 3A.

questions:

Hsve you been able to use your cellphone in Brazil to make snd receive calls, and receive data?

Has anyone bought a "pay as you go” phone to use there?

Any help is appreciated.

Ricki

If you can not take the yellow fever vaccine, in addition to the waiver letter from your doctor, you need to contact the embassy of the countries requiring it.  This is from the CDC website:

We did the 2018 WC on the QE, and, although we have done many crossings on the QM2, we loved the intimacy of the QE.  It just my opinion, but I think the QE ( and, since they are so similar, the QV) is a much prettier ship.

Ricki

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! 
 

Ricki

We did not have items missing from our suitcase, but we did have a missing suitcase. We returned to Brooklyn on the QM2 in August, and, as Diamond, had early departure tags on our luggage. Someone took our tag and replaced it with another color on one of the bags, so that we had to search the entire luggage area and hundreds of bags, looking for our missing bag. Fortunately, we didn’t have a plane to catch.  It made me seriously consider buying luggage that isn’t black or grey!

Ricki

1 hour ago, Noxequifans said:

We have used CATA car service a number of times ... would use them again.

Thank you, Noxequifans! I appreciate the suggestion!

Ricki