We cancelled Koala a while back also, for basically the same reasons. We couldn't get business class seats for the return with our miles and it just cost way to much to buy them. Besides, we have several other longer trips in the works and as with Mike and Pat, those long flights just do us in. We're on Dragon from Hong Kong to Singapore and on to Sydney on the Mariner next fall. Rather than fly home, we've decided to just sort of stay on the ship and sail home. We'll get off the ship in Sydney and spend a couple weeks in Australia and then get back on in Auckland and sail back to LA. Interstingly enough, sailing back cost only slightly more than buying the air would have, so it was a no brainer for us. Besides, we really like Australia and wanted to spend some time there.

I think we are going to see a lot more of that.

Due to an unexpected death in the family we cancelled our October/08 SS cruise doing the same itinerary and I'm so pleased to see that B&K has arranged a shorter version of the Ring of Fire ending in Papeete. My husband and I are now booked again, but on the shorter version of the Ring of Fire and I can't thank B&K enough for arranging this shorter group cruise. It really helped to uplift our mood. My heartfelt thanks to Susan whom I have peppered with questions and emails over the past month regarding the last minute cancellation of our SS cruise and all of her help and wisdom with submitting the insurance claim not to mention her changing our booking to this new cruise and searching out insurance for us. I'm sure at times I drove her crazy with all of my questions. Susan you are wonderful and give the best service. I can't wait till we embark and get to meet you all.
Pat

Welcome back onboard Pat. Finally we will get to meet!

We have also switched over to the shorter version of Ring of Fire. It just felt like the right thing to do. Than a big bonus for doing this when we foumd out Canadagal would be on the cruise with us. Still want to do an Ausy and NZ cruise but for some reason we just can't seen to be able to get down under.
Carolyn

Thanks Ngaire! Yes, it will be nice to finally meet you too. Carolyn, both Al and I are really excited to be sharing this adventure with you and Don again. I'm hoping Regent comes up with a port intensive cruise of Auzzie and NZ in the future as none of us are getting any younger and those long, long, flights are brutal.
Pat

Re: Information about Pre-cruise hotels and transfers in Santiago. We arranged our own air so we needed to find some way of getting to the port of Valparaiso as well as pre-cruise hotels. We just booked with Santiago Adventures http://www.santiagoadventures.com/ and they were very responsive to all my emails and questions. I found them recommended on the ports of call board on CC and they are recommended as well by Frommers and Lonely Planet. A private car transfer from the airport with bilingual driver for 2 people ($52.00 US total price) to the Ritz-Carlton. A 6 hour private tour and car transfer to the port for 2 people with bilingual driver and guide is $165.00 US each person. This tour includes Vina Del Mar and the city of Valparaiso. If you only wanted a bilingual driver and not the guide the cost drops to $110.00 per person. If you don't want a tour on the way to the ship then just transfers are $164.00 total for 2 people. Victor Pino is who we booked with and he also was able to get us the Ritz-Carlton Club level for 3 nights at $200.00 less per night then what the Ritz's online rates are. I thought it was all payable upfront but I just checked my invoice and 50% is due upon booking with the remainder due 60 days prior. I hope this helps some of you as I know earlier there was a discussion about how to get to the port on your own.
Pat

Good information Pat thanks. I am going to have to do this also just not had time to work on this yet. I will file this away until I focus on taking care of this detail.

I was going to use http://www.shoretrips.com as I have had good success with them. Always good to have alternate options.

I would love a Regent port intensive cruise of Australia and New Zealand - it would be absolutely fantastic not to have a long flight before and after. I too am not getting any younger!! (Read about my 'drama' under 'QE2 and QM2')

Lee, I just read your trials of air travel and I do commiserate. Your flight out of New York was terrible but, big sigh here, it happens all too often these days. That's what I hate about travel now. It's getting there and getting home again that wears me out and makes us think twice at whether or not we are up for it.
Pat

Pat - if memory services, I think Pam and Tom also used santiago adventures pre-ICE and had a very good experience. Another large travel agency down there is Cocha Travel. We used them for booking intra-Chile air, but they also offer tours and hotel bookings.

It's well worth checking the hotel price through the local agents. Same thing in Istanbul. We used the Fine Hotel & Resorts Amex program for a better rate than offered online.

Enjoy your trip! It sounds marvelous.

Cheers, Anne

Thanks Anne! It's always good to hear that someone else thought Santiago Adventures was a good experience. It's been a while since I checked this thread and was surprised to see that the roll call has been reduced to 14 people. Is the roll call accurate at this point in time?
Pat

We are still in for Part 1. After a wonderful 27 days on the Navigator we are really looking forward to 1/2 KOALA. I can hardly wait, but it will be here very soon.

Carolyn and Don

Carolyn, you are going to turn into a cruise junky if you aren't careful. You have barely set foot in your home and already you are pining to go again. Gotta love it! Can't wait to see you and Don again.
Hugs, P

Cruising does get addictive. We were on DC for 71 days and in 6 weeks we go to the Mariner for 4 segments of ROF. It never seems to get dull.
Jim

We, unfortunately, canceled KOALA. The air (business class) was outrageous and with the stock market the way it is...well just don't want to open the 401K statements. Linda & Larry

Tickets have arrived!!! Start the countdown. Looking forward to relaxing days at sea with pooch though just a novice. Can wait to see the big heads on Easter Island. Made my excursion reservation before the computer changeover. Hope they still have it.

Pammy,
I am a little worried about that too. We made our reservations before the computer switch and wonder if the tickets will be waiting for us when we board.
Carolyn

We noticed that the excursion prices are considerably higher than for the same ones 12 to 18 months ago, more than double in some cases.

Pammy and Carolyn, Take a copy of the email receipt of booked excursions if you feel insecure about a glitch in the computer reservations.

Carolyn, are you and Don on KOALA? Have a ball and looking forward to hearing the Pooch scores.

Hi Beth, yes we are on until Tahiti. Don is really looking forward to Pooch in the afternoon. Will keep you posted.

Carolyn

Can we have a final list of BK people on the crusie? With so many changes it's been hard to keep up with who is still going.

Pam I cannot post a list because this is a public board so if people want to post that is fine but it would inappropriate of me to post their names without their permission.

I get asked this on all escorted cruises but I just cannot do that it would invade people's privacy.

It is up to everyone to post individually.

Ngaire, I understand the privacy issue but can you give us just a number total in the group? Also, is the roll call list as it stands now on Page 1 in the first post by JHP still correct for those that are listed in the post?
I too am glad that I have a printed copy of the shore excursions that we booked just before Regent's website went down.
Pat

Ngaire and Ken
Sheila and Ken
Pat and Jim
Pam and Jim
Carolyn and Don (Pt. 1)
Pat and Al (Pt. 1

Yes these people are all on board plus four more. It is a small group. At one time it was much larger but the FF mileage awards were impossible as South America and the South Pacific are in different zones. ALmost impossible to get. We managed with a complex award requiring three different airlines all part of the one world program. Wasnt easy.

We are a small group. But you know what they say good things come in small groups. Can't wait to see everyone on 2/28.

Carolyn

I have had a group this small before and we had a great time. Enough POOCH players here to make it fun on the sea days.

Thanks Ngaire. 16 people is a nice size. Less then 4 weeks away. Yippee!
Pat

Doing the doc dance. They just arrived on a Saturday. Yea!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :lct:

Our docs just arrived today. I was beginning to worry but now it feels like we are really going. Just something about getting that string pouch that makes it all so real. Can't wait!
Pat.

Pat, congratulations! You must be feeling great right now!

Now our documents have arrived we can really feel like we are going.....it seems such an age ago we booked. And we are starting to get very excited about this amazing voyage. Has anyone had a detailed look as to the temperatures on this cruise. I had a look at Valparaiso today and it was 24C and of course it will be hot and humid in FP. When we arrive in NZ it could be warm or cold but what about the islands we visit in between. I'm thinking that it will be warm but maybe the wind is cool.I tend to feel the cold but don't want to take heaps of different clothes, so trying to keep it simple if I can.

Have a great time! It's a terrific itinerary. Wish we were able to join you. Sea mail, please!

Safe journey,

Anne

Makes me sad we had to cancel....it is a GREAT itinerary ! You'll have such a super time.

Guess you guys are packing up and leaving soon! Have a wonderful trip, and send us some seamail!

Heading to the airport today. We may see some of you in Santiago before boarding. If not then on the ship for sure. I read it's scattered showers on and off all week but it's hot. Yippee! Anything is better then the cold here. I'm not one for blogging while on vacation but on sea days when there is lots of time I'll check in if we get a connection.
See you all on the Mariner!
Pat

Bon Voyage! :bv:

Have a great time Pat, and everybody else!

Pat, have a safe trip to Santiago, I know you are so happy to be getting away from the cold weather and snow for a few weeks. See you on Saturday.

Carolyn

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:bv:

Have a wonderful trip, KOALAns! Hope to hear from you along the way.