2009 Cruises

[Prince]

I noticed last night that the 2009 cruises are on-line and ready to go. My travel agent was almost in tears with laughter when I told her I had to book today for the Dubai to Singapore sailing in November 2009--- 700 days from now. I guess I do like to plan a bit far in advance..... It's something to look forward to!

 

Prince

[Jsipes]

I noticed last night that the 2009 cruises are on-line and ready to go. My travel agent was almost in tears with laughter when I told her I had to book today for the Dubai to Singapore sailing in November 2009--- 700 days from now. I guess I do like to plan a bit far in advance..... It's something to look forward to!

 

Prince

Be glad you did book so early. We have noticed cruises are selling out almost a year in advance for verranda rooms and suites. It's crazy.......

[DebbieH103]

Yes, I didn't see this one and started another thread, but I booked the new Japan itinerary for 16 months out as soon as it was offered a couple of days ago and couldn't even pick my cabin.

 

We just came back from Dubai, and I'd love to discuss that itinerary with you for some dos and don'ts.

 

As of yesterday, Shadow still wasn't on the website. I think they are still tweaking Shadow pricing from some of what I was told about my own booking..

[CASHIPman]

We're on the Cloud heading towards Cape Town and just booked Singapore - Sydney for Dec 2009!:)

[swindy]

We're on the Cloud heading towards Cape Town and just booked Singapore - Sydney for Dec 2009!:)

 

That sounds a fantastic cruise.

Do you know which 2009 cruies will have the onboard discount. We are looking at September 2009. I would appreciate any info.

[CASHIPman]

That sounds a fantastic cruise.

Do you know which 2009 cruies will have the onboard discount. We are looking at September 2009. I would appreciate any info.

 

Of course we had the full list

Of course we left it with the cruise consultant when we booked our trip!!

 

here's what I remember, but there were other trips on the list:

 

Whisper

4901 Auckland - Sydney

4937 Singaporte – Sydney

 

Shadow

3906 Barbados – Los Angeles

3926 Los Angeles – Fort Lauderdale

 

Cloud

1910 Barbados – London

1923 London – Barbados

1927 Barbados – Manaus

1928 Manaus – Rio de Janeiro

 

Wind

2935 Piraeus – Port Said

[DebbieH103]

I was with the cruise consultant on December 8 and waitlisted a cruise that got confirmed a couple of days ago. I was told then that they have not decided on any onboard credits for 2009 (I posted all this in another thread). Maybe they meant for Shadow only because Shadow is still not on the website as of last night, either. I was told they would come back and apply the onboard savings if this cruis (3910) was selected). Since it has only 15% savings even with APB, I was really hoping for onboard savings.

[CASHIPman]

I was with the cruise consultant on December 8 and waitlisted a cruise that got confirmed a couple of days ago. I was told then that they have not decided on any onboard credits for 2009 (I posted all this in another thread). Maybe they meant for Shadow only because Shadow is still not on the website as of last night, either. I was told they would come back and apply the onboard savings if this cruis (3910) was selected). Since it has only 15% savings even with APB, I was really hoping for onboard savings.

 

The consultant on the Cloud had a printed list of OBS cruises for all ships yesterday.

[swindy]

Craig,

 

Thanks very much for the info. Glad your memory included one I am interested in.

If you are travelling home today, have a safe journey.

 

Seasons Greetings

[DebbieH103]

This is good to know because on Thursday when I confirmed, Shadow info was not available, at least from sales. Our deposit isn't due till December 27, so I will ask again when I call. I doubt our voyage is covered because they really want people to book the whole Grand Pacific Voyage vs. 1 segment like we did. $27,000 for two for verandah guarantee for 16 nights is high, and that was booking on board with no savings whatsoever.

[Prince]

DebbieH103-- I'd love any suggestions you may have for Dubai. I am thinking that we will fly from San Francisco to London--spend a day or two there and then fly to Dubai for a few days before the cruise. I have some contacts at the Ritz Carlton Hotel there--but don't really know much about the place or other hotel options that would be nice. (I am more interested in good service and a calm atmosphere rather than anything too flashy)

 

For the past 20 years I have traveled mostly to Europe--with one trip to Egypt--so the Gulf and Southeast Asia are new to me.

 

Thanks for any expert advice you can offer.

[DebbieH103]

We absolutely loved the Jumeriah Beach Hotel. I would recommend ANYTHING with this chain. We booked a club level room, and you get drinks and snacks in the club everynight, a hot breakfast for club members that has Middle Eastern, Indian, American, and European items. The hotel has huge pools and a huge beach and a waterpark that is free to guests that is a lot of fun for all ages. They open an hour early for hotel guests and it is worth doing. There are cuisines form around the world, both on the beach and also inside. The Latitudes restaurant has foods from all over the world on a buffet with a room or section for each country. You can go over to Al Qasr, also. I have heard rave things about that place, but we didn't have time.

 

Also included in the club level room was a HUGE benefit. It included transfers. We were picked up in a new Audi at the airport, and our rep came in a nice suit and asked for descriptions of our bags. He waited for them and dealt with them and then waited in line at customs and then got us when he was first in line. Then he provided waters and cold towels and took us to the hotel, providing commentary on the way.

 

At the end of the stay, we were allowed to keep our room until 2 pm, and they included a similar free transfer to the ship.

 

They also had free shuttles to a few of the popular places, but we did not take advantage of that.

 

The city centre was quite interesting. I wet there on the ship's shuttle. I love to look at local foods and such, and the market there was entertaining. They also had candies from all over, dates in gift boxes, etc. This was like Walmart, Best Buy, and Whole Foods in one store or something. Anyway, it was a whole mall besides with upscale shops.

 

The gold souk is walkable from the ship so save that for the ship time if you overnight.

 

The Grand Hyatt over by the creek looked really nice, as did the golf course.

 

Everything is really dusty everywhere. There is so much construction.

 

Also, a real fave besides the waterpark with the slides that go up in the air in addition to down was the 4 x 4 where we did the desert safari and the camel farm.

 

US dollars were widely accepted everywhere, and Euros were fairly well accepted. Email me at debbieh103@aol.com if you want pics or the really long blog style report.

[DebbieH103]

BTW, I think Dubai to Singapore is a great way to go. We love Singapore and stayed 5 nights when we went. We are going back in 2009 on the cruise that goes Singapore to Japan.

 

I love the boat quay in Singapore, and it is plenty safe to just study a map and get on the mass transit train and hop on and off if you want to. Walking is fine, too if you are up to it. Everything is so clean and nice.

[Prince]

Debbie

 

Thank you for that fabulous information. I like the idea of the airport meet and greet service. We had that in Cairo and it was a lifesaver when the culture shock hits!

 

I'm glad that I have almost two years to plan this trip--it sounds like I need to do quite a bit of research.

[DebbieH103]

I read every word I could find for almost 2 years and was not sorry I did so.

[LaPaloma]

Yes, I didn't see this one and started another thread, but I booked the new Japan itinerary for 16 months out as soon as it was offered a couple of days ago and couldn't even pick my cabin.

 

We just came back from Dubai, and I'd love to discuss that itinerary with you for some dos and don'ts.

 

As of yesterday, Shadow still wasn't on the website. I think they are still tweaking Shadow pricing from some of what I was told about my own booking..

Is this the Shanghai to Yokohama itinerary you booked? If so it looks super--we are consdering it! I want to get back to Hiroshima--I was there in 1954--it was still a mess then. A great side trip from there is to Eta Jima--the old Jananese Navel Academy--beautiful and lots of history! Don

[DebbieH103]

I think it is Singapore to Yokohama. It is April 29, 2009. This is the first cruise I have seen that went to Taiwan, Okinawa, and Vietnam, plus mainland Japan. Even SS has not done this much. My dad was in Saigon and in Okinawa in the Seabees in Vietnam. He was a shipboard sailor in the early 50s as well, and while we lived in Guam when I was in high school, my sister and I went to Japan, but I haven't been there in 30 years. I am excited about this cruise

[LaPaloma]

I think it is Singapore to Yokohama. It is April 29, 2009. This is the first cruise I have seen that went to Taiwan, Okinawa, and Vietnam, plus mainland Japan. Even SS has not done this much. My dad was in Saigon and in Okinawa in the Seabees in Vietnam. He was a shipboard sailor in the early 50s as well, and while we lived in Guam when I was in high school, my sister and I went to Japan, but I haven't been there in 30 years. I am excited about this cruise

The April 29th cruise looks great--the one we are looking at starts March 18th starts in Shanghai, and goes to Korea and Japan--I spent a year in Japan as the Korean war was winding down. The cruise would take me to places I "visited" over 50 years ago--both cruises look great! Don

[DebbieH103]

Oh, that one looks good, too. Korea is another place I'd like to go that my dad was in, but I want to get to Vietnam first. I'm glad to see you want to go back. My dad doesn't want to go back to anywhere he served in Korea or Vietnam, but I hope to put some things in perspective from his history and the specific geography.

[Alipius]

Just booked it, after reading what you all had to say!

[Travelcat2]

We absolutely loved the Jumeriah Beach Hotel. I would recommend ANYTHING with this chain. We booked a club level room, and you get drinks and snacks in the club everynight, a hot breakfast for club members that has Middle Eastern, Indian, American, and European items. The hotel has huge pools and a huge beach and a waterpark that is free to guests that is a lot of fun for all ages. They open an hour early for hotel guests and it is worth doing. There are cuisines form around the world, both on the beach and also inside. The Latitudes restaurant has foods from all over the world on a buffet with a room or section for each country. You can go over to Al Qasr, also. I have heard rave things about that place, but we didn't have time.

 

Also included in the club level room was a HUGE benefit. It included transfers. We were picked up in a new Audi at the airport, and our rep came in a nice suit and asked for descriptions of our bags. He waited for them and dealt with them and then waited in line at customs and then got us when he was first in line. Then he provided waters and cold towels and took us to the hotel, providing commentary on the way.

 

At the end of the stay, we were allowed to keep our room until 2 pm, and they included a similar free transfer to the ship.

 

They also had free shuttles to a few of the popular places, but we did not take advantage of that.

 

The city centre was quite interesting. I wet there on the ship's shuttle. I love to look at local foods and such, and the market there was entertaining. They also had candies from all over, dates in gift boxes, etc. This was like Walmart, Best Buy, and Whole Foods in one store or something. Anyway, it was a whole mall besides with upscale shops.

 

The gold souk is walkable from the ship so save that for the ship time if you overnight.

 

The Grand Hyatt over by the creek looked really nice, as did the golf course.

 

Everything is really dusty everywhere. There is so much construction.

 

Also, a real fave besides the waterpark with the slides that go up in the air in addition to down was the 4 x 4 where we did the desert safari and the camel farm.

 

US dollars were widely accepted everywhere, and Euros were fairly well accepted. Email me at debbieh103@aol.com if you want pics or the really long blog style report.

 

Enjoy reading your posts. Noticed the past week or so that you're putting your e-mail address in a couple of posts. Just wonder if it's such a good idea to do so (also against CC policy). There probably are not a lot of predators on these boards -- but, better safe than sorry!

[DebbieH103]

That's a personal email address and not against CC policy. The same email is in the profile. Tons of people have theirs there. There's a lotof pics, and I can't paste them here.

[Travelcat2]

Sorry -- posts by TA's can be confusing..... i.e., touting how wonderful Regent is and then booking all SS cruises? :rolleyes: Will keep reading and attempting to gather as much balanced information as possible. We do plan on cruising SS sometime in the future -- the reviews from passengers are great -- just don't understand some TA posts.

[DebbieH103]

I just booked my 3rd Regent cruise for Christmas, 2008. I don't know what I have written that has been confusing. In fact, I pushed an SS cruise out to 2009 to take the Regent cruise so my husband could experience Regent.

 

I've posted enough detailed info that what I think is good about Regent and what is not should be evident. Same with SS. Refer to the thread where the person asked for short comparisons of the two lines.

 

I like SS service and itineraries better, entertainment the same, slight edge on cabins to Regent, and Voyager has more dining options. Also think Regent has a better loyalty program. I like that SS escorts their tours. All of these have been stated by others. I'll continue to alternate the lines when I see the best value for itineraries I like.

[Travelcat2]

Thank you for the explanation! You do tend to give balanced reviews which I'm sure everyone appreciates! I read the SS boards a lot -- we are very interested in SS but more than a bit concerned about what has been described as very heavy smoking. We were fine with the former Regent non-smoking policy which had both smoking and non-smoking bars, etc.

 

You mentioned in your Dubai/Mumbai review that you met few people from the U.S. and Canada -- SS is really catering to Europe and Asia where the smoking population is must greater. We have traveled quite a bit of the world in the last 20 years -- on land. We love meeting people from others countries and respect their cultures. When we cruise, however, the ship needs to have designated smoking areas that do not waft into the non-smoking area. (I did smoke for a long time -- just don't want to be around it anymore).

 

Sorry for getting off topic!