RetiredandTravel

We are also big fans of Gary Bembridge's videos. One other consideration is Hiroshima if you are going there. The museum is a must see IMO but when we went all the tour buses and school kids decended on the museum at the same time, people were 5-6 deep and we could hardly move. The museum experience could have been a lot better without the huge crowds. We usually go with the included tours but this is another situation where we might use a private tour for a 1/2 day to get there before the crowds Maybe a taxi is available but our guide was excellent, like all the guides in Japan, and outside the museum in the park and on the bridge the guide offered great information. Japan is wonderful enjoy!!

We also did the "Highlights of Kyoto" which delivered what was promised. We felt Kyoto was the highlight of our Japan/Korea cruise and in hindsight wish we had gone with a full day private tour. There was a ton of Kyoto that we missed and the venues like the Golden Pavillion were so crowded that the tour guide was virtually of no value. It wasn't her fault there were just too many people to address a group of 40-50 people.

We felt that is was a very nice Hilton but it is a Hilton. The pre-cruise package was included in our fare so that is where we stayed. Considering it was included we felt it was fine but it was VERY crowded at times. We had to take an elevator up to go down once, all elevators going down jam packed.

Not Cool. Thank you for that, glad you enjoyed your steak.

I don't really follow SB and haven't been on Regent since 2019. My impression from people's experiences reporting on CC for Regent is similar to SS. We first took Regent in 2016 shortly after they were purchased my Norwegian. The service on Regent was extraordinary. Many of the employees were career Regent employees with 10+ years at the firm, they seemed to love working for Regent and took great pride in their work. I don't think thats the case anymore and that's a big difference. Our first SS cruise is in 2 months and have to say our expectations have been reduced. We have always taken land based vacation but as we have aged combined with geographical considerations cruising now makes more sense. If the quality gap between land vs cruise vacations gets to large we'll just stay with land based.

Did you contact your TA that doesn't seem logical?

Looks to me like the "Essential" fares so far are only on cruises a few (0-5) months out.

Sort of splitting hairs here because P2P is now D2D with the air credit but I guess you are talking about "guests not utilizing the promotional air offer". Not sure if that means one can elect to get the credit (P2P) or live in a city not in the air program or something else. In the past the credit amount was specified.

I only see that they can give an air credit at SS discretion with no amount specified in D2D. I agree that its a big change to their model and should be described better. I haven't seen an "essential" fare more than 4-5 months out, just filling the ships. P2P looks to me like D2D with the air & transfer credits now.

It appears to me that P2P & D2D now have the same cancellation policy. P2P just doesn't inlude air & transfers, thats why there is no air credit for D2D. Thats a big improvement to P2P IMO. This is similar to how Regent prices (w/o the names). https://www.silversea.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand-cruise/sydney-to-auckland-sn250105016.html In case you missed it the first time.🙄

It looks like D2D & P2P now have the same cancellation policy. Previously 15% was lost immediately with P2P and the entire scale was steeper. P2P just doesn't include air & transfers. This is very similar to how Regent prices (w/o the names). Its a big improvement to P2P IMO, we always make our own flights & transfers. Glad we are already booked, prices are much higher.

This is a somewhat dated complimentary wine list but it gives you a sense. Newer lists will probably have many of the same wines. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2964180-complimentary-wine-list/

Yes P2P exludes air, tranfers & hotels. P2P varies in how much cheaper it is vs D2D. So far we have gone with D2D with the credits at a marginal increase over P2P, we make our own flights, transfers & hotels. P2P has a much harsher cancellation policy, 15% immediately and more (attached). https://www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions.html

We also love SM and have never had an issue getting a table because we always arrive shortly after 6:30. The buffet seems like overkill at SM. We have had good experiences at Prime 7 but felt the steaks were not near steakhouse quality in our opinion. We didn't feel there was a difference in the quality of the steaks in Compass Rose except Prime 7 had a porterhouse for two if I recall. Much better setting in Prime 7. Our experiences at Chartreuse have been poor.

Thanks. Looks beautiful. In the end we didn't really have a choice on the room. We ended with a veranda suite on the starboard side of 7. Interestingly, there are quite a few more veranda suites on the starboard side of the Nova on floors 6,7,8,9. The port side has multiple "technical areas" that take a lot of space. I'm guessing they have something to do with power but thats a pure guess. The cruise was also in high demand.

Thanks. We ended with a SS cruise (SYD>AKL) that focuses most on the South Island which also cruises the sounds. We are spending 3 days in Melbourne & 3 days in Sydney before the cruise. Our (US) first trip to Australia/NZ, we are very excited.

Quite a few establishments in Japan only take cash, including taxis. We always had cash just in case Never been to Kobe port. See link "Many taxis accept payment by credit card, and an increasing number accept payment by IC card, such as Suica. Stickers on the door often indicate accepted payment methods. When paying in cash, try to avoid paying small amounts with large bills. Tipping is not done in Japan." https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2021.html

Your flight is to Singapore. Tickets are cheaper going from RDU>HND>SIN than RDU>HND. The connection to SIN actually reduces the price. Crazy but its so. Give it a try. https://www.jal.co.jp/ar/en/ If I were planning a business class trip to Tokyo from RDU next Spring I would count on it costing about 6/7k each. I hope you are more successful getting cheaper tickets.

In your example we would take Regent every time. We prefer the smaller ships ~700 passengers. We have friends and family who like the larger ships because of the entertainment and diversity of venues. Its a personal choice. I think quality of funishings and bathrooms is also important in the room selection.

Your OP compared Tokyo cruises in April 2025 with business class tickets and now you are talking about $4500 flights to Singapore in December. Considering we live in the Raleigh area and have flown business class to Tokyo for a Regent cruise I was just trying to help. That'll learn me.

Well I said RDU to Tokyo not SIN and RDU to Tokyo on JAL is ~6/7K. Also there are no Celebrity and Regent cruises in December/January to Japan. Finally in my opinion comparing a Aqua suite to a Regent Veranda is like comparing a Hilton to a Four Seasons.

Same for Stockholm. I've only done land based trips to Scandinavia but be sure to spend time in Stockholm. Old Town, Vasa museum and Skansen are probably our top three tourist sight but there are many. Swedish people are wonderful.

How are you getting $9k for business class tickets from RDU to Tokyo? Is that a Celebrity offer? RDU to Tokyo business class is usually more like 6K each at best, often 7-8k each. RDU isn't in the Regent Air Program, they will give you a 12+K credit if you make your own air arrangements (&transfers). https://www.rssc.com/experience/customize-your-journey/air-program I'm not that familiar with Celebrity but have priced them out a few times and I always use the lower level retreat level vs the Superior Suite. That will probably add 6k. Also I always use $400-500 a day for excursions. We usually compare Regent, SS and Seabourn. In many cases (apples to apples) Regent is the most expensive of the three. Regent is truly "all inclusive". Unless you want higher end wines & excursions or spa treatments when you get off a Regent cruise you won't owe them a dime.

I did not get the pre one night hotel or a credit (Connoisseur) when we had 3 day pre-cruise package. The pre cruise package was included, maybe thats the reason.

This is somewhat off topic but our next two cruises this year are on Silversea. Silversea recently went to the "all inclusive" model, excursions are included. In my experience Regent offers a much wider variety of "included" excurions. Regent included excursions also include more high quality trips.