Thanks for than info Andrea!!

It looks like I may be locked into a post cruise instead! The only seat I could get using miles, gets me in just in time to embark, but I couldn't get out of Hong Kong any earlier than the 15th. I see that there is a 5-day post cruise package that looks fantastic!! It probably costs more than the cruise though! :(

Is anyone else planning on a post cruise package??

BTW - the info (minus prices) is back up on the RSSC website.

Sheri-Why not just stay in Hong Kong with us and shop!

Hmmm.... :)
No need to be putting THOSE evil thoughts into my head Mitch!! :D

Just out of curiosity, when you do that much shopping, do you plan on leaving room in your suitcase, or do you ship items home?? I know on my last trip, I barely had room for the obligatory "free" toiletries!!

Knowing Roberta, most of the the items she plans to shop for are small, sparkly, and fit into small unused areas of the suitcase with relative ease. ;) We are going to have so much fun! I am looking forward to some good information on excursions from those who have been there before.

Shopping is always a good thing ... :D

Masaki

Okay, I finally got my Takyo, Haneda flight to Osaka, Kansai. Since I am flying into Narita, I guess I take the shuttle to Haneda..?? How difficult is it to get from the Kansai airport to a hotel, and is more difficult close to midnight?

I am so used to the U.S., where you can basically jump on a shuttle to any hotel. In Japan, as Masaki said, it looks like trains are the way to go.

I am really dreading all this "shuttling" around with luggage, flying alone and after a long flight. I really love the whole Regent transfer thing, where you get off the plane, grab your luggage, look for a sign with your name on it and relax. :) :rolleyes: :D

Sheri - which hotel? And for that matter, make sure that you're actually flying to KIX (Kansai International) and not ITM (Itami Airport - also known as Osaka International). They're in *slightly* different locations. What time do you get into Osaka?

Masaki

Yes, definitely Kansai, and I arrive at 11:05 p.m. Not sure what hotel I'm going to book. I was thinking if I booked a Regent hotel, then the transfer would be included??

I think if you don't book Regent air, you don't get the transfer - but I could be wrong about that.

That's awfully late. Most transportation links will have already shut down at that time. Trains will be on the verge of closing if not already - not that it's that easy to take luggage with you on the trains anyway. Your choices will likely be to take a taxi to your destination hotel (expensive considering the distance) or taking one of the shuttle buses (have storage for luggage under the bus) that go into town center ... but the only line open at that time will be the line going to Osaka station.

http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/english/english.html
(the uppermost link)

Latest bus is at 11:20 PM and it does stop at the Hotel New Hankyuu. If your flight arrives at 11:05 PM, not sure if you'll make it though :(

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298566-d302282-Reviews-New_Hankyu_Hotel-Osaka_Kinki.html

Other option would be to stay at the airport hotel for the night which is a pretty decent hotel as airport hotels go.

http://www.nikkokix.com/e/top.html
and
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ikko_Kansai_Airport-Izumisano_Kinki.html

Masaki

Sheri, I am of no help with Osaka recommendations; seems like Masaki is giving you excellent advice. I would recommend, however, posting questions on the FlyerTalk Japan Forum here .

They would be able to give advice on both the transfer NRT to HND and also on transportation and hotels in Osaka. I tend to agree with the recommendation of staying at the airport hotel as you will be dead tired after that trip.

edited to add:

I see that you have already found the Japan board on flyertalk. Now that you have your HND flight, I would ask again about hotel options in Osaka.

If only PANDA was a month later I could do both and maybe just add the Speed Bandits and Tony's tour in CPH!

http://www.autobahn-adventures.com/
autobahn-adventures
GERMANY & SWITZERLAND , SEPTEMBER 18th - 28th , 2007

I am learning how to yodel :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Grant, you are living Alan's dream only he wants to do the tour and buy a Porsche too!

I just got an email from Regent offering a "Grand Asia Pacific" 2007 Specials. It included a complimentary shipboard credit of a $100.00 per suite for guests staying in suites categories H thru D plus a complimentary shore event called "Beijing at the Regent Beijing".
Is that offer something new or just that I didn't see it before. Any comments?

Nothing new; both already included. It would have been nice if they had given us SSS credit in addition to the previous offers.

Thanks Marc. They did a nice job at getting my attention.

I received the same email. I find it somewhat irritating that Regent constantly sends out these mailings to promote cruises, and recipients infer something new has been added when in fact the same offer existed when the cruise was first made available.

-----------------

Eugene

Everytime we get these we have to stop and check all the rates and offers to be sure nothing is new.

However, I will tell you that after they go out that I get phone calls to book some of these cruises. So I guess it does work for Regent to send these out and remind people of some of the offers that are out there. People on this board are very educated on the cruises and offers but there are those that dont study things like LCT'ers so they may not be aware of what is on offer from Regent.

I must admit they bug me too but I also understand the reason they send them out.