Really, what is the deal, it's my holiday and really do not want to take more stuff to wear one or two times. The shoes alone.

We need the explorer II dress code!!!

Shouldn't whine about formal nights but Regent needs to rethink this. I know some people enjoy formal nights and ladies can get by with anything black that can be worn many nights but Tux or even dark suit can not be finessed. We love to do additional pre and post cruising adventures so this does become more of a problem. If flying directly to the cruise and than home it wouldn't matter. I'm willing to eat in our cabin 1 night or even 2 but not 3 in a two week cruise. Will not stop us from cruising Regent but there has to be some middle ground. Make Prime 7 informal on formal night?? My hubby usually travels wearing his blazer so that is no problem

I can't wait to see Grant on formal nights. Do those Crocs (I think that's what they call those rubber shoes) weigh less than formal shoes?

Yeah that is a super idea, I will bring the yellow one this time. I took the Blue ones on ICE. Then I can wear the Crocs by the pool during the day and then put some pants and jacket on with the yellow Crocs! This will save so much weight in my travel bag...

Crocs are light, but they take up a lot of space. However,you can stuff your underwear in them . Mine are mint green. I read somewhere that women over forty should never wear crocs anywhere but by the pool or at the beach--wonder if that applies to men on formal nights? Or you could pretend you're from Texas and just wear boots. Jerry wears his on the plane, on formal and informal nights and sometimes with casual slacks on CCC nights. They cut down the shoe wardrobe considerably. He just brings a pair of deck shoes that he wears with everything else--no crocs though.

Add Pam and Jim.

Done, Pam. Sorry I missed you!

Will be great to see you Pam and Jim. We are also flying in early. Where is everyone staying in HK? Gil still hasn't booked rooms. I guess he should already. LOL.

we are staying at the intercontinetal in HK

We stayed at the Intercontinental the last time we were in Hong Kong a couple years ago. What a fantastic view! This time we decided to stay at the Langham Place across from the Jade Market to experience another part of the city. We got a really good special rate at this five star hotel. If anyone is interested, it's called "the Big Deal" rate, I think, you may have to search for it on the hotel's website.

I'm tagging along with Peggy and Jerry. As much as I loved the Intercontinental (and watching the boat traffic in the harbour), the Langham Place rates were too good to pass up in comparison.

Thanks folks.

Shore Excursions are up for DRAGON. Not sure what everyone is doing but I did sign up for the LONG LONG Hanoi excursion.

Ngaire, they've been up for awhile, but you have been busy! One trip at a time! ;)

Is that only given on day 1? It is SO hard for me to sign up for a LONG LONG excursion, especially with all the choices Regent offers!

Put us on the list please!
Look forward to meeting everyone.

Actually if you look at your invoices now at the bottom we have the date that the excursions "should" be up on the web. We keep updating the invoice trying to make it better and cover as much helpful information as possible.

This cruise was 6/19/09 so I know they have been up but as you say Olivia I have been busy.

Just had not seen much chatter about what people were doing so I thought maybe some had not really known they were up now. Time slips away from us all.

I cant stand LONG excursions but I want to see Hanoi and there is no way to get there fast other than helicopter at a high fare. Sleep on the bus - that is my plan.

Ngaire, under the new "free" excursion regime, how much did Regent want as a supplement for the helicopter, which we actually did, when we went?

I don't think one can see excursion prices unless one is booked.

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Eugene

Eugene, the Hanoi helicopter trip is listed as $299. Except...when I booked our excursions, the system said all mine were free and didn't charge me anything! It's still showing a $0 total for our full list, but I'm sure that will catch up with us at some point.

Dena

Dena, I'm pretty sure that we paid $499, so it's a nice discount. I must say I have mixed emotions about the experience. It certainly cut down on the travel time. But, it was incredibly hot in the helicopter until we took off. Then it was just warm. It was also very hazy that day, so I can't say we had nice views. Hopefully, it will at least be clear for you, if not cooler.

We'll miss miss not being with some of the PANDA gang. I hope some of you are going to Angkor Wat post-cruise.

Thanks for the info.

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Eugene

We're doing the all day Hanoi tour by bus. I just couldn't bring myself to sign up for a trip (however short) on a Russian helicopter--don't like helicopters, period, much less Russian ones. We figure this is the only time we'll be in this area so it will be worth the long day. Besides, it's Jerry's birthday and he wants to go to see the "Hanoi Hilton" -- some of his friends unfortunately spent some time there. For whoever signs up for this trip we'll spend the time on the bus having a birthday party.

We are going to cambodia for 4 nights. It's on my bucket list. One of the main reasons we are doing DRAGON. Have done this Hong Kong to Singapore before on Oceania and really enjoyed Viet Nam. Bring an extra suitcase for all the great hand done linens. Unbelievable tableclothes and bed linens. Of course there is the problems of washing and ironing theses. They are not wash and wear.

Frank and Wendy, so glad you will be with us!

Looking forward to seeing you two again Frank and Wendy. Andi

They caught up with us on Viking. We had a 0 charge trip too and it remained free on all documentation as free. We took the trip. When we returned from the trip, we got a note that said, "Whoops, mistake...we should have charged you. It will now be billed as X to your account." We went to the concierge and said that you should have told us the whoops before we went on the trip and they removed it from our bill.

As well they should have, Andi. Not fair to say "no charge", you go, thinking no charge, and then they say "CHARGE, sorry..." Regent has always made things "right", to my knowledge. Glad to hear it continues.

Glad to see the DRAGON talk starting up again. We're still working on Vancouver to Osaka excursions. Almost finished. Haven't even thought about the rest of the trips. Need to buckle down this weekend and get this done. Looking forward to seeing all of you.

After reading Pam's description of the linens, I just signed up for the full day to Hanoi with shopping. I will need that extra suitcase!

Is anyone staying over in Bangkok instead of doing the ship excursions each day?

Susan

Great SAF that's the tour we are on.

That is the one Ken and I did also so we will all "shop together" in Hanoi. Ken and Jim can suffer in silence? Maybe they can grab a beer while we have a good time. Although Ken likes to shop even more than I do at times.

Susan, Pammy's Jim is the one who asked in pooch "why do you say under a dress". That has stuck Pam, I say it all the time.

Andi, lets hope that is the case for us too....

We're doing the other Hanoi tour. I debated about doing the one with shopping, but decided on the other one--can't remember why, exactly, since I love to shop

Susan, Jerry and I plus several others are staying at the Shangri-La in Bangkok Oct. 27 and 28. It seems like the best way to have plenty of time to really explore Bangkok. We haven't been there before but I've always heard great things about it. Looking forward to meeting you on DRAGON.

Ngaire & Pam - it is always fun to have "shopping" companions!

Peggy - staying at the Shangri-La in Bangkok sounds like a good idea. Have you hired a private guide or are you doing it on your own? It is the first time that I am going there, so I would like to see as much as I can.

Susan

Susan, when Ray and I spent a week there pre cruise,we stayed at the Peninsula.
We hired a car,driver and guide (through the hotel) for two days and went all over,she took us everywhere.
We did the Palace on our own but hired one of their guides to show us around...wasn't expensive at all.

We also used a great tailor "Marty's New Fashion" and had clothes made...they were referred by good friends, and we were pleased with them. They have a web site and ship to Canada if you re-order later.

Shirley and I are signed up for 2 excursions in Bangkok for the 27th and 28th, that will require spending the night at the Shangri-La.

We want to spend only 1 night at the Shangri-La and head back to the ship on the 28th after the excursion has completed.

We are wondering if there is anyone else interested on doing that so we can get together and hire a van/driver.

Ken & Shirley

Welcome to LCT, Ken and Shirley!

Ken and Shirley, and Susan. Cruise critic in their port section lists this service http://www.imagelimo.com/ for transfers between the city and the port. We are staying both nights (with Peggy, Jerry and others) in Bangkok, and unfortunately, our van is full. You can also google Private transfer from Bangkok to Laem Chabang, and there are several websites with this service.

1000 Baht is about $30 US. These are very reasonable prices. I may use them myself to get from the pier to the airport. The service in the port has always been reasonable also. If Ken, Shirley and Susan all share a ride it would be about $30 each and if you did a 10 seater van would be only about $10 each.

Actually at those prices people could really do just small groups and it would be less confusing, the difference in cost is not that great. Easier to organize with fewer people involved.

Thanks Olivia I had some sites located but that is really a good site, and they specialize in transfers rather than tours.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Susan

I did a search and found 2 sites that offer a one-way trip to the port. Price for 1-2 persons in car was $70. A van for up to 8 persons was about $85.

Ken

We used Imagolimo when we were in Bangkok and the price and service were excellent in our opinion.

Very prompt Service.

FV

Thanks Frank, nice to know someone has used them this is who I had decided to use myself.