Techno123

Which ship are you on? We are on the Navigator leaving on the 12th - Caribbean has never really interested me as a holiday destination but we have booked the more active excursions and if it's not for me, well we still have a lot of the world left to explore 😁

Our travel agent told us but if you login to your Regent account, if you have added your cruise to it then go to show my itinerary and calendar view (our hotel is there on our account)

Tsunami and mrstanley you will be pleased to hear that Regent have sorted it so we are now flying to Heathrow the day before, hanging onto our bags, staying in an airport hotel then checking in on the following day to fly direct to Miami. We have a similar short layover on the way back, however arrive and leave from Terminal 5 so no racing between terminals and BA have lots of flights to Manchester so if we miss the shuttle up, another will be along very soon (I hope) 😉 I don't think there are many airports that are covering themselves in glory at the moment but Heathrow is particularly bad!

Also, have a read about the aft vibration issues on Navigator if that might be something that bothers you then look for something further forward.

Peak summer season in the UK so remember to bring your swimsuit/hat/sun glasses/sun cream and your raincoat/thick sweater/long trousers and an umbrella 😂😂. We are across the Irish Sea from Ireland - Friday it was hot and sunny and today it is cold, windy and raining. Sea can also be very rough around the UK so as captjohn says, pool may be out of use because of this.

I have messaged the travel agent so will get them to sort it. Don't plan to start my holiday/vacation stressed out and with missing luggage 😜

We are indeed 😁 hotel looks good but may have to do something about the Regent flights. 1.5 hours to change terminals and catch the connecting flight would be pushing it at the best of times and airports (and Heathrow isn't one of them 😂😜)

Us too 😁

As we live in the UK we went to Edinburgh last year and visited HMS Britannia. A couple of points for you to check on. They were installing a new tram system when we were there and the roads were very congested so (particularly on your way back to the ship) leave plenty of time. The actual entrance to HMS B is in the shopping centre next door - it wasn't very obvious and finally, I would recommend having something to eat and/or drink onboard - expensive but we enjoyed it. Some photos for you 😁

I think the issue is if a mask is required on public transport for a particular country then they class the planes into and out of their airports as public transport. We had to wear masks on trams, metros, buses and trains in Lisbon and were told by the EasyJet cabin crew we should wear them on the plane too ( which almost everyone ignored 😜)

I would have a look at this year's pricing - it might just tempt you back 😜😜

Try Avalon - we have just returned from a Rhine cruise and the prices were very reasonable. One included excursion each day, wine beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, tips included (at least for the Brits), tea, coffee and cookies all day, half price drinks from 5:45 to 6:45 in the bar and you can take your own drinks onboard and store in the minibar. We used EasyJet to Basel free public transport into the city from the airport and stayed in a hotel for a couple of nights and back from Amsterdam 11 euros on the train for both of us. We usually sail Seabourn/Regent and whilst it is not the same, I found it very good overall and thoroughly enjoyed it.

There were people in shorts, all genders, and one man who wore a baseball cap (but he was the only one) a few pairs of blue jeans but mainly trousers and a shirt or polo shirt. Other half took pants but wore his black jeans most nights with a short sleeved shirt or polo shirt. I wore white jeans once but like to dress up so wore a casual dress or pants and a dressy top. The focus is on tidy and comfortable rather than overly smart I would say.

Got back from a Rhine cruise with Avalon on the 24th May. They ask you to wear a mask when you are at any of the buffets but apart from that, no masks required onboard or on their coaches/ excursions.

We have also just finished the north bound Rhine cruise on the expression. Our Cruise Director changed the Heidelberg trip so everyone left the ship at a quick stop at Ludwigshafen, everyone went to the castle and then the walking group did the Philosophers Way and the 'Heidelberg' group had a look around town then time on their own. They met up and returned on the coach. This seemed far more sensible and meant people got to do both. We now wish we had done it but got plenty of exercise on the other active trips and also taking the bikes out ourselves most days 😁

Yes they were offering them the day prior to disembarkation for those flying home to countries which require them the following day.

Thank you both for your kind comments. I suppose I should have started with the view through the vineyards down to the Rhine which we took on our hike up to the Niederwald monument in Rudesheim just before we set off. 😁

We obviously dodged the majority of the storms as we sailed up the Rhine (17th until 24th May) as our days were mainly glorious mid to high twenties (Celsius) although there were one or two night time thunder storms. Our day sailing the middle or scenic Rhine was overcast but I thought I would share some photos with you as it is truly beautiful. Map provided by Avalon to go along with the commentary.

With Avalon you wouldn't know as they ask that everyone (crew and guests) has been fully vaccinated and confirm they don't have symptoms prior to boarding after that no tests until you go home (if you need them).