Who's on this one?

HONG KONG TO SINGAPORE - Vietnam
Alan and Donna
Ken and Ngaire
Grant and Dena
Peggy and Jerry
Doug and Andi
Gil and Arlene
Sheila and Ken
Bo and Meredith
George and Polly
Olivia
Susan
Pam and Jim
Frank and Wendy

Doug and Andi..Leg 1

Well, I sure hope we get more! We will miss having you with us on leg 2, Andi!

We are on leg two

Oh goody! Another chance to view world class photography along the way for the landlocked, Grant!

You lucky cruisers we did those ports in 2005 - sooooo wonderful! I would return over and over that's how much I loved it -

Well, it's a long way off, Joanna, why not sign on and return, especially if it is one of your favorites! That's why I've returned to Alaska, Norway, and the Med!

I think I'll probably be waving at you all in the "holding area" as I disembark in Osaka. Can't decide what to do in 2009 - but there is still time to save those pennies to try for a double segment. :)
I'm going to feel like Helen did in greeting the ICEers.

I am in CA and on a mac no regular keyboard big ugh..we have pushed the cruise budget 07 and 08....Fjords and Lamb 07 and B2B and Samba 08.....let's see what 09 brings

Lauri and Steve leg 2

We're on the second leg and staying on the ship through to Sydney so we can see the west and south side of Australia.

Looks like quite a few PANDA people are on Dragon leg 2!!!

Lauri, we're glad Steve is coming. Look forward to meeting him.

We debooked from leg 1 today and joined Leg 2...looking forward to joining you folks.

We cannot be away for a month. Since we had requests for both cruises, we were going to do half of our time on Osaka to Hong Kong joining in Beijing and and half of our time on Hong Kong to Singapore debarking in Bangkok.

With Andi's change to the Hong Kong to Singapore trip, and some other changes that took place, Ken and I have decided to not escort Oaska to Hong Kong, and move to staying on the Hong Kong to Singapore for the whole cruise.

This has no negative effect for anyone on the Osaka to Hong Kong.

Just for your information, I have decided if I ever change an escorted trip that was announced I will do the following.

PEOPLE STILL WANT TO GO.
Those booked still receive the higher BK reward and an entry into a drawing for a free cruise on the escorted trip immediately following the trip they take.

PEOPLE WANT TO CANCEL
If people want to cancel I will pay any penalities if they cannot be applied to another booking, and offer them the higher BK reward on their next cruise, escorted or not.

Any change would be well in advance so no air or FF implications. Sometimes things just develop that change the situation and it makes sense to adjust accordingly.

As always Ngaire you take great care of your clients.

What is it about leaving for one cruise (GAME/SAMBA) that makes us plan another one?

Add Alan and me to DRAGON (Vietnam). Plus, we're getting on in Osaka. So that's Osaka to Singapore for us, #845. Yeah! We finally decided on a cruise for 2009. Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

What a fantastic trip Donna! You picked a winner - we loved some of the ports you will be visiting -

Oh wow Donna, what a great trip. I agree with Joanna, that is a winner. We are going to think about our 2009 plans while on this trip!! There are several places on our never ending short list. I'm sorry I forgot, when are you leaving??? We are out of here on Thursday.......

We leave early Tuesday morning. I'm all packed. Now, I have to get back to the work that I've ignored for the last couple of days. Writing 12 blog posts to schedule for while I'm gone will not be fun!

We've bailed out in favor of Sea2sea.

Add us to Segment 2.

We had to cancel Viking, so this is the replacement cruise.

Now we have to wait 10 months

Please add our names to Segment 2. We've also just cancelled VIKING and replaced it with DRAGON. So looking forward to going back to Vietnam again.

I have just rebooked this cruise, and really look forward to seeing old and new friends again! Is anyone going into HK early? I haven't even thought about air, as I'm sure chances of getting a ff ticket are just about nil.

Yeah Olivia! It will be great to travel through Asia with you again :)

Dena

Thanks, Dena, just don't put me on a walking tour that includes 500 steps UP! (just kidding, I would sign up for anything you organize if it doesn't include the strange foods that you love!)

It will be great seeing you, Dena and Olivia. Doug and I will be arriving in Hong Kong a couple of days early.

I lucked out, not booking 331 days out, and was able to get ff biz tickets for this cruise, coming in a couple of days early, just the schedule I wanted. There was a blurb on CNN about more ff biz and first seats being available because of the economy. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/02/08/howard.first.class.cnn

It doesn't seem to be working for some on Paris, but maybe closer to the cruise they will open up.

Alan and I are on from Osaka to Singapore. Have not made any plans about this cruise yet. Need to start looking at air. We don't have enough ff miles to help. Looking forward to spending time with a wonderful group of LCT'ers.

Wow, you get a month on the Mariner, Donna!

Yes Donna you are Lucky Lady !!! I bought ring in HK, in the morning, and young man brought it to Voyager, in evening, as it had to be sized...call in my cabin "you have delivery gangplank" - nice young man looked at ship and said you are "Lucky Lady" soooo true!!

Please add my name to the list.

I booked biz ticket at a decent rate and am flying in two days early to see a bit of Hong Kong before the cruise.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Susan

Susan; Welcome aboard! Looking forward to meeting you, and glad you posted!

Olivia, I just saw that you're on this cruise. I'm looking forward to seeing you again and I'm also looking forward to meeting the others.

Thanks, Arlene, I wondered when we would hear from you or Gil with a final confirmation that you're on! We will have a great time!

Haven't check here for awhile. Olivia glad to be sailing with you again. Susan welcome to the group. We still need to work on airfare. Since we're not using ff miles, have been putting it off. Need to get on this.

Bringing this one back to the top. Is anyone "extending" in Singapore on to Sydney?

We extended in the "other" direction, adding Vancouver to Osaka.

Jim and Pam will be on Hong kong to Singapore than flying to Cambodia to do Angkor Wat for 4 days. It will be another place on my bucket list. Have always wanted to go there. Hope we have some pooch players on board though this is a busy schedule so not alot of time to play. Still not real happy about 3 formal nights. Thinking of Fex ex Jim's tux to Hong Kong to lessen the weight. Trying to keep it to 1 bag per person for out flights to cambodia.

When we went to Angkor Wat after our Mariner Cruise in 2007, we stored our extra large bags at the Bangkok airport--we had been on the Mariner for PANDA too, for a total of 26 nights. I realize you will be going from Singapore, but you might not want to worry about the luggage and just store it at the airport--assuming, of course, that you're returning to Singapore.

We just did this in Paris, too, so we wouldn't have to schlep luggage on the train after LION. Was more expensive in France, but well worth it.

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Eugene

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.

In case you will be using the airports in Thailand and Cambodia, there are reports of scams targeting travelers of which you might wish to be aware.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

If true, it is most perturbing.

Well good thing I never browse the shops in the airports. Straight to the lounge I go - particularly in Thailand after reading that.

We'll be at the Langham also.

Arlene, hopefully we'll see you there. You booked the Langham Place in Hong Kong, right? That's where Olivia and we're staying. There's also a Langham hotel in Hong Kong. Looking forward to meeting you and Gil.

OOPS! We booked at the Langham Hotel. I thought I read somewhere, or someone told me, that the Langham Hotel was the one across from the Jade Market - I do not see the jae mkt listed as an attraction on either hoitel's website though.

I guess we booked the wrong place? :(

Gotta see if we can change it - and also haven't made any plans about Bangkok yet. Hadn't studied the excursions previously & did not realize we really need to stay in Bangkok - so now we need to find a hotel (probably Shangri-La) and a driver / guide to get back & forth to pier?

(But we did go to a Thai restaurant last night)

I think I said on some post that the Langham Place was across from the Jade Market. Actually it's across from the Ladies Market and a 15 min or so walk to the Jade Market. I think the Langham hotel is closer to the harbor which isn't a bad thing either.

Has anything changed on this roll call? Anyone on the list not going?

There are 35 in the Brown and Keene group. Unfortunately Ron and Linda will not be there as they could not get on as the ship is full.

Dining reservations are open today.

Here is the cool Dragon pin!

That's one of the best ever!

VERY cool!

Love the pin! Can't wait to add to our collection. We're staying at the IC in HK and Singapore, and the Shangri-La two nights in Bangkok. We haven't quite figured out how we're getting back to the ship in Bangkok. -Arlene

There is going to be a Regent shuttle back to the ship now and you sign up for it onboard just like a tour. So that problem is solved. I sent an email out about that some time ago must have been eaten by the email gremlins.

Back from Bangkok, right?

Correct from Bangkok to the ship. Details will be available on the ship there is no sign up on line. I am so glad they are doing this makes it so much easier for everyone.

More likely you told us and I forgot, especially since now that you mention it, I do recall something like that. Thanks for reminding us. :) -Arlene

Why is this so quiet?
It is just around the corner!

Doug

Don't know Doug but since I'm traveling via LCT anxious for any news on your great upcoming adventure - love your ports - Joanna

yeah yeah there will be action once the the ship starts to rock and roll....

As sayeth the Grant-Man, we will make waves......

Doug

I'm saving up my energy.... :D

Yes, energy! I'm looking forward to that after marrying off my first born daughter the weekend before!

Doug and Andi will soon know...as they have a wedding coming..

Olivia, Congratulations and have a marvelous time...bring pictures!!!!!! And stories...Doug and I have to learn...dress shopping is how we spend most week ends now.

Starting into panic mode. We leave next Monday to spend night in Charlotte before a 6 am flight. Always have trouble getting my act together. Too many electronics, too many cords. ugh. Ready to get out of town. Too many fundraisers going on. Great excuse for not going. Looking forward to Pooch, sights and someone else making dinner.

In Charlotte today on business trip and still have to finish packing because we leave on Saturday am for our pre-cruise to Beijing and Hong Kong. Talk about panic. See you soon!!!!

We're off. Flight leaves at 1 PM. All packed. I streamlined my clothes this time and somehow we have more bags. We arrive tomorrow around 11 HK time.

Arlene, the more we streamline, the heavier our one bag becomes. Safe travels to Hong Kong.